We have all been there, just started playing, or can’t spend too much money on golf balls. After walking into a store with golf equipment, we try to figure out the best golf balls on a budget. But there are so many options to choose from. If we do not have experience it is really hard to pick the right ones.
The golf balls market is quite large, and it can be easily overwhelming to make a purchase. When I started playing golf I literally walked into a sports store, went to the golf section, and bought probably the cheapest balls available. The more I played, the more I learned that picking golf balls is usually not so simple and easy.
I started reading more about golf, watching tutorials, and watching golf clubs and golf balls reviews. Just then I realized, that when I bought those golf balls I did not even know what I was buying. Below I will talk about the process I should have gone through before I made my decision.
Best Golf Balls on a Budget Options
I am currently using the Titleist Velocity balls. However, I keep hearing a lot of good stuff about the Bridgestone e6 and Srixon Soft Feel balls. Although the balls I’m using are working fine, I can’t ignore all the praise the other ones are getting. I’m not in the market for new balls yet. But when the time comes those two will most likely be my first options. Here is a list with some additional options for budget balls.
Note: I was using the Titleist Velocity at the time. After going through a few ball options, now I am playing the Titleist Pro V1.
Bridgestone e6 – 2-piece golf ball with a soft feel, designed for players with medium swing speeds. Check the full review here.
Callaway Supersoft – 2-piece soft golf ball with high launch and long-distance performance with long clubs. Check the full review here.
Callaway Warbird – 2-piece golf ball designed to reach maximum speed and distance, along with high launch for players with all swing speeds. Check the full review here.
Srixon Soft Feel – 2-piece soft golf ball designed to reach long distances. Check the full review here.
TaylorMade Distance Plus – 2-piece golf ball designed for speed and distance. Check the full review here.
Titleist Velocity – 2-piece golf ball designed for a high flight and lower long game spin. Check the full review here.
Wilson Duo Soft – 2-piece golf ball, often offered for a good deal, designed to reach longer distances, and for increased short-game feel. Check the full review here.
The Price of Golf Balls
Every product has price categories, and golf balls are no exception. Different factors determine the golf balls’ price, like whether they are premium or not whether they are practice balls or balls for playing, which company made them if they are new or refurbished, and more.
Golf balls are most commonly sold in a dozen and can cost anywhere from $10 to over $70. Since we are looking for golf balls on a budget, we are going to focus on balls that cost under $30. It is still a broad-price category with a lot of good choices. We want to narrow down the options and eventually buy the right golf balls.
Difference Between Golf Balls
Besides the price, several other categories differentiate the golf balls. Knowing those differences will help you pick the more suitable ball for playing. Here are the main categories and the differences:
- The number of pieces – as the name itself says, here we categorize the golf balls by the number of pieces the balls are made of. The balls range from a single piece to five pieces. However, single-piece golf balls are rare nowadays and can be usually found at driving ranges. Two-piece balls are popular among beginners and more occasional players. Multy-piece balls, like the 3, 4, or 5-piece ones are the choice of better-skilled players as they provide a softer feel and better control. We will find our budget golf balls among the 2 piece ones.
- Spin rate – is an important element when we want to know how soon we can expect the ball to stop after it lands on the grass. The balls with a lower spin rate will usually roll more after landing and it will take them a long time to stop. The ones with a higher spin rate will roll less or roll back when they land and it will usually take them less time to stop. Players with faster swing speeds and better skills prefer the higher-spinning balls as they can control them with ease.
- Feel – it goes from hard to soft. Hard feel balls are usually the 2 piece ones, they go a longer distance, but there is less control over the shots. Soft feel balls are usually the 3, 4, and 5-piece ones, they offer more control, and a higher spin rate, and are the balls of choice among professionals.
All the above will help you to learn to differentiate the golf balls on the market. Your style of play will tell you which one will potentially suit you more.
Know Your Style of Play
There are a lot of types of players. From hard hitters (a.k.a. bombers) to tacticians, from beginners to professionals, from slow-speed swingers to fast-speed swingers, from straight shooters to shot shapers, etc. For beginners, it is naturally hard to choose the proper golf ball, as you just started playing and you don’t have a style of play. That will change with time when you start noticing the things that are working for you.
In the beginning, you may have a slow swing speed, but it does not have to stay like that. You may want just to hit that ball as hard as possible to reach the furthest distance, or you may prefer to place your shots and want to carry your ball to certain targeted areas. Over the years you may change styles. With each change would be good to know what kind of ball would suit you more.
I have a slow-speed swing, and at this point, I can’t shape any shots. So I know what type of ball I should be looking for. Next time you go out on a course or a driving range, try to pay some attention to details in your game and the answers will come naturally.
Not All Golf Balls Are the Same
When you search for a golf ball to buy and start reading about it, all the descriptions and features sound very similar. At first glance, you may think all the golf balls are the same, and it does not matter which one you play with. There might be truth to that if you play here and there, and don’t care much about improving your game.
But a lot of golfers out there want to play better. Therefore, they are looking for that constant improvement, looking to lower their handicap. The golf ball may be the key to reaching your golfing goals. After you determine what type of golf ball suits your style of play, buy one from the category and give it a try. If you see nothing is changing after a while, give another one a go.
There is no recipe for instant success. Sometimes you have to go through a few different balls to find the one. Nevertheless, there are a lot of choices for balls under $30, and I am sure you will find that perfect one in no time.
Which is your favorite golf ball? Share below!
Golf is a very expensive sport in the area where I live. Green fees are high, and membership often comes at a premium rate for our local golf courses. So it is imperative that many golfers want to use an affordable golf ball, that will also provide them with a good game.
You mention that golf balls come in different pieces, which is something I was not familiar with. So do you mean that the balls are made in different sections, and then put together? So would a 2-piece ball have two halves that are joined in a way that it it will not come apart?
You mention that budget golf balls are normally 2 pieces. But would a beginner not benefit more from using a ball that gives a better result, thus increasing motivation? Thank you for clarifying.
Hi, thank you for your comment. Golf balls have layers, in the very middle is the core, which is the biggest piece of the golf ball. Then there are thin layers that are made of ionomer or urethane. Two-piece golf balls usually just have the ionomer layer which is a bit harder and slightly more durable than urethane. Three, four, or five-piece golf balls, usually known as premium golf balls, have multiple layers with the outer one made of urethane. Urethane is a softer cover compared to ionomer, and slightly less durable. There are some exceptions of three-piece golf balls that also have an ionomer outer cover, those fall into the middle-of-the-pack category.
Now, this is why for beginners and less experienced golfers is better to play with two-piece balls until they improve. Because of how two-piece golf balls are constructed, usually with a softer core and harder outer layer, they spin less. Consequently, they can go a good distance off the driver which is beneficial for players with slow to medium swing speeds (beginners are usually in that category). Due to the lack of spin, these balls will go a touch straighter when slightly mis-hit. This means that the hooks and slices are not going to be as prominent as they would be with premium golf balls. Premium golf balls (three or more pieces), spin more because of their construction. For that reason, it is easier to add excessive side spin if slightly mis-hit. As a result, players who have less control over their shots are going to have more errand shots. That will lead to a worse score and more lost balls in the process. Then there is also the price since premium golf balls are at times double the price of some more affordable ones.
I know I wrote a lot there and hope it makes sense.
Dan
I believe that I am a golf enthusiast. I enjoy watching golf on TV but I have yet to have an opportunity actually to play. I had no idea that golf balls were such a complex subject until I read your post. I know there are different types and qualities of golf clubs, but I didn’t think it was a similar story with the usually white balls. I even noted in one of the pictures in your post that there are balls of other colors. This is a really useful and eye-opening post for me, and I will keep the tips in mind when I buy my first set of two balls.
Hi, thank you for your comment. Yes, there is more to golf balls than meets the eye. As simple as it looks, various types of golf balls suit different types of players. You can check another of my articles about choosing golf balls.
I am glad I can help, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Dan