I wish there were a simple answer to this question. Oh, wait, there is. You should play the golf ball that best suits your game. As much as this is a straightforward answer, it is the process of getting to this ball that can be tricky. When I started golfing I didn’t ask myself this question right away. But the more I played, the more I started wondering. What golf ball should I play? Then my quest started, and after many balls tried and a few years of searching, I settled with the Titleist Pro V1.

However, this article is not about me, it is about you and what golf ball you should play to improve your game. Think about this, your golf ball is the only piece of equipment you use for every single shot. Therefore, finding the right one is extremely important for you to play your best game. The choice of the golf ball can significantly affect distance, flight, and control. All are crucial for your game and can directly impact your score.

We know several brands offer a lot of golf ball models. From industry leaders like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, and Srixon to companies like Wilson, Volvik, Maxfli, and Kirkland which all offer quality balls. It is easy to get lost in this sea of products and advertisements. Luckily, there are ways to streamline the whole process and narrow it down to fewer options. I will get into this and help you find the ball you should play.

Balls for Different Styles with Recommendations

Every golfer is unique and has a unique style of playing. That is the main reason there is no universal golf ball that fits all. Identifying your style of play and having a clear idea of what your golf ball should do will help you with the selection. Check out these different types of golfers, find your type, and see the best ball options for you.

Note: More balls qualify for each section, but I chose two per section to keep it straight to the point.

Beginners

When you just start golfing you should be using a golf ball that can help you as much as possible. Your swing speed is on the slow end and your shots are not very accurate. Therefore, you should select a ball that is reasonably priced (read cheaper) and you can hit a fair distance. Here are the recommended beginner-friendly balls:

• Callaway Supersoft MAX: This is an oversized version of the Callaway Supersoft ball. It is perfectly legal to play and it is very beginner-friendly due to its size, softness, and good quality. Also, it is very reasonably priced. You can check the full review here.

• Titleist TruFeel: When Titleist makes a ball, it is a good ball. This is their cheapest and softest ball in the lineup. Therefore, it is very beginner-friendly. If you lose one of them, you will not feel that bad. You can check the full review here.

Occasional Golfers

This category is for golfers who do not play frequently and are not bothered with scores or fast improvement. If you fall into this category, there are golf balls available that will do the trick without breaking your bank. Here are the recommended options, one cheaper basic ball and one that is in the middle of the class.

• Wilson Duo Soft: This ball is very soft and comes at a low price. If you just want a ball you can hit and not feel bad when you lose it, this is your choice. One great thing about the Duo Soft is that it is often on promotions in stores. Thus, you will save even more money than with any other golf ball. You can check the full review here.

• Wilson Triad: If you don’t mind spending a few more bucks, this ball is a good option. For golfers who play occasionally, but want a bit more out of a ball. It gives you more spin (not as much as premium balls), better distance control, and a nice feel. You can check the full review here.

Distance Seekers

For all of you golfers who prioritize distance above anything else. This means you do not care much about control or shot shaping, or anything else for that matter. But, hey, that is fine, there are balls for you out there. Here are a couple of recommended long fliers.

• Bridgestone e9 Long Drive: What to say? This ball was engineered for one purpose only. You guessed it, to go far. Don’t expect much more from this ball than to be smacked with your driver. It can take it. You can check the full review here.

• Titleist Velocity: Again, a ball coming from Titleist is a quality ball. Like the e9, this ball has the objective to go as far as possible. It is reliable, however, it comes at a bit higher price. You can check the full review here.

All Seasons

For all of you who have the luxury of golfing all year long, the right ball is a must. Here I am referring to areas where the temperature does drop during fall and winter. The fact is the ball does not perform the same in cold weather. So, I will give you a couple of options, one premium, and one non-premium.

• Titleist Pro V1: Due to its characteristics and reliability, this ball is arguably the best all-season performer out there. You know what you are getting and you are getting consistency. Sure, the yardage will be shorter but the performance will be there. However, it is a premium ball which comes at a premium price.

• Bridgestone e6: So, lower compressed and softer balls are easier to compress upon contact when it is colder. Because of that, they can still go a fair distance. Hence, this one is a great option for cold-weather golfing. It is a decent ball even for other seasons but with its limitations. You can check the full review here.

Budget Golfers

Now we are going into a category that can save you some hard-earned money. Golf can be expensive enough and why not save money where you can? These balls are cheap but they are far from bad options. They come with limitations, but you can’t have it all.

• Callaway Warbird: This is the cheapest ball among the Callaway offerings. Besides the price, this ball is engineered for longer distances and it is beginner-friendly. You can check the full review here.

• Wilson Duo Soft: This ball’s second appearance on this list. Again, its main selling point is its price. However, it is a decent golf ball overall. You can check the full review here.

Soft Feel First

All right, we made it to the marshmallow category. If you are a golfer who prefers the soft feel upon contact, this is where you look. Both of these balls are solid choices, and one has already appeared in a couple of categories above.

• Callaway Supersoft: This is by far one of the most popular golf balls on the market. You just have to know it is Callaway’s number one seller and you can get an idea. It is as soft as they get. You can check the full review here.

• Wilson Duo Soft: They say the third is the charm. So, besides being suitable for occasional golfers and coming at a friendly price, this ball is very soft. If you are looking for a soft feel upon contact, here it is. You can check the full review here.

Straighter Flight

This is an intriguing category since hitting the ball straight is not easy. Now, if you have a ball that can help you with that, great! Granted, you will not miraculously hit all straight shots, but these balls are made to help you with it. Therefore, here are a couple of options for golfers looking to straighten their shots.

• Bridgestone e12 Contact: I have tried two generations of this golf ball, and it does help to hit it straighter. Besides that, it is not an expensive ball and brings you a solid overall performance. You can check the full review here.

• Srixon Q-Star: This ball is not everyone’s first choice, maybe not even the second. Nevertheless, it is a solid ball from a company that keeps improving. You can check the full review here.

Affordable Balanced Performance

This category covers balls that are not tour calibar, but will give you a solid overall performance. They are the middle of the pack balls, three-layered, and come cheaper than the premium options. Golfers who are improving their game might benefit from these the most.

• TaylorMade Tour Response: I have played this ball quite a bit and it did not disappoint. It is reliable, gives you solid distance control, and a nice feel, and comes at a reasonable price. You can check the full review here.

• Wilson Triad: This ball surprised me a lot when I tried it. It performed great considering it is not a premium ball and it comes at a reasonable price. If you want a balanced performance for less money, this could be your choice. You can check the full review here.

Hard Hitters (Premium Balls)

Ok, here we go, enter the fast swingers. These golf balls are all premium and they suit golfers with the fastest swing speeds. Both fall into the high-compression category and are reliable choices.

• TaylorMade TP5x: Apparently TaylorMade has improved this ball from its previous model. A fair amount of professional golfers play it, so it can’t be bad, can it?

• Titleist Pro V1x: What kind of recommendation it would be without a Titleist golf ball? Again, an improved version will not disappoint you on the course. Also, it is always on the lists for the balls that go the furthest.

Best Overall (Premium Balls)

All right, here are the premium balls that are on the very top when it comes to performance. This is for players prioritizing distance control and feel. Don’t worry, these balls can go far as well.

• Chrome Tour: This ball is a new release and it is one of the balls replacing the old Chrome Soft variations, precisely the Chrome Soft X LS. So far I have heard and read only great things about it. Who wouldn’t trust the industry experts?

• Titleist Pro V1: We are finally at the end and what ball is better to finish with? Arguably, the most popular premium ball out there is used by a lot of professional golfers. I am an example that even higher handicapped players can benefit from it.

Most Important Step – Know Your Game

This is the most important thing you should think about when considering golf balls. With so many models offered, there are golf balls for any style of play out there. You have to start with the key question. What do I prioritize? Are you a player who does not care about details and just wants to play? Do you want to hit the ball as far as possible? Is short game distance control your thing? Do you mind the sound a ball makes when hit? Is it a soft feel that you are after? Answering those or similar questions is a start.

I will give you my example. When I started golfing I had no clue what ball I should use. Honestly, at that point, it did not matter. I had next to no skill, so it wouldn’t matter what I hit. Plus, I was losing balls as a beginner, thus a cheaper ball would have been a wise choice. So it was, I just played a relatively cheap ball that would give me distance and durability over anything else. Then as I was slowly getting better, I started trying different models. I did something you can call self-fitting. My ball of choice was from the middle of the pack and it did what I needed it to do at the time.

Finally, I got to the ball I am currently using. I wanted something reliable, with enough spin, and decent distance. Since my short game is better and I prioritize distance control over anything else, I chose the Pro V1. It simply suits my game at the moment, which doesn’t mean it will always stay that way. As your game evolves and changes, so should your ball.

No Universal Solution

As I mentioned before, there is no one ball that fits them all. And guess what, there will never be (that is the case unless only one ball model is produced). You may try different balls from different manufacturers before you find the one. That is fine, you should enjoy the process. Additionally, you will learn things about your game. On the other hand, you can go for ball fitting. Yes, it costs money, but it saves time.

Either way, you should find the right golf ball for your game. Until you do you will not be able to play the best you can. No matter which one you choose, stick with it at least until your game changes. The most important thing is for you to have as much fun as possible while playing. Always remember that, no matter what.

What golf ball do you play? How do you like it? Share below!