Golf can be an intimidating game to learn and it can be confusing to figure out what golf equipment you need to play the game. We recommend you keep it simple and slowly invest in your game as you begin playing. To get started, you need some clubs (you don’t need 14), a golf bag, and some golf balls and tees. As you can probably guess, we have some ideas related to your golf bag, but today we’re going to focus on helping you find the right golf balls.
The golf ball aisle of your local retailer can be overwhelming. Do you want a softer feel or a firm golf ball? Do you care about the dimple pattern or a high-energy core? Does it matter if you play two-piece golf balls or three-piece? As a beginner, the majority of these terms are simply marketing techniques and we want to help you cut through the noise. Below we’ve shared our top picks for beginner golfers. Select a golf ball from our top 15 and you’ll be sure to enjoy an afternoon on the golf course.
15 Best Golf Balls For Beginners
1. Titleist Trufeel Golf Ball
The Titleist Pro V1 is the most popular golf ball on the PGA tour, but you don’t need to invest in that model as a beginner. Instead, consider trying Trufeel. This golf ball has a soft feel around the greens but still provides the distance that all high handicappers need to be successful. Titleist is a brand you can trust. The Trufeel is available in white, high optic yellow, and matte red for $25 per dozen. Is $2 a ball still a bit steep? Don’t worry, we have cheaper options below.
2. Wilson Velocity Distance Golf Ball
The Wilson Velocity is designed for distance. A hard cover material generates optimal ball trajectory for maximum ball flight and roll. This is a two-piece golf ball with an 85 compression rating and 400 dimples. 15 Wilson Velocity golf balls will cost you $18.99. This call is only offered in white.
3. TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe Ball
The TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe Ball looks different from every other ball on the market. The thick stripe that goes around the ball is truly unique and a great way to aim your putts on the green. A Tour-quality 100% cast urethane golf ball with advanced alignment technology, designed for high performance at a lower price. The Tour Response will cost you more than most balls on our list, but it is designed to be an economical premium ball. A dozen balls cost $39.99.
4. Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball
The feel of a golf ball at contact is a personal preference. Do you like it to feel firm or soft? The name gives it away, this Srixon is one of the softest golf balls on the market. With a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge, the “FastLayer Core” gives this ball incredible softness and great distance off the tee. The Soft Feel is available in soft white or tour yellow for $22.99 per dozen.
5. Callaway Supersoft Matte
Callaway Supersoft has been one of the most popular high handicap balls for years with an incredible cover, core and flight technologies to help you achieve a high launch. This ball was designed to be long off the tee and soft in your short game. If you're looking for color options, this is the ball for you.
Buy the Callaway Supersoft in white, yellow, matte red, matte orange, matte green, matte pink, or yellow. This golf ball is currently priced at $21.99 per dozen.
6. Wilson Zip Golf Ball
The Zip golf ball is the second golf ball by Wilson to appear on our list. Wilson built this ball to reduce your spin rate off the tee (adding distance), but adding spin to your approach shots to help you hold the green. This is a low compression golf ball (55) with a unique dimple pattern and a speed-generating ionomer cover. It only comes in white and will cost you $29.99 per dozen.
7. Volvik Power Soft Golf Ball
Volvik is a golf brand known for making beginner golf balls in awesome and cool colors. The Power Soft is no exception. They have an oversized power core that provides explosive ball speed and outstanding driver performance. The Power Soft is available in 5 high-visibility glossy colors. Pick from green, orange, red, yellow, or white for $22.99 per dozen.
8. Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide
Why play a golf ball that’s only one color if you can choose one that is two different colors? The Q-Star Tour Divides are half one color and half another. You can select blue & yellow, red & yellow, or orange & yellow. This design will help you with alignment and is a blast to use around the green. Due to the color scheme, you can see the ball spin - very cool! This unique product will cost you $34.99 per dozen.
9. Callaway Warbird Golf Ball
Callaway makes another appearance on our list with their most economical golf ball, the Warbird. The Warbird Golf Ball is engineered for long distance and maximum speed from a high energy core, and a 2-piece construction. This ball can improve your long game and make your “slow swing speed” buddies jealous. The Warbids are only available in white for $17.99 per dozen.
10. Carver Golf Ball
Carver is an alternative golf brand if you’re looking to try something new. Carver’s goal was to create a high-quality golf ball that you can afford to play. It’s a three-piece golf ball that starts with a solid core and finishes with a soft shell finish. The Carver golf ball will give you distance off the tee and greenside control. You can order a dozen for $22.99.
11. Bridgestone E6 Golf Ball
Tiger Woods doesn’t play a Titleist ProV1x, he plays a Bridgestone. Good enough for Tiger, good enough for you! Most new golfers don’t have a fast swing and the E6 will help you get back the distance. It’s easier to compress than most balls on our list due to a low-compression core. This is clearly one of the best balls for beginners. A dozen will cost you $24.99.
12. Vice Drive Golf Ball
Vice has been disrupting the golf world over the last several years with a unique pricing model. They give you a significant price break if you buy 5 dozen at a time. For example, the Vice Drive golf ball will only cost you $12.99 per dozen. They were made with you in mind - beginners and occasional golfers. You won’t see this model/brand on the PGA Tour, but we are guessing you don’t plan to tee it up with the professionals anytime soon!
13. Pinnacle Soft Golf Ball
Pinnacle doesn’t make premium golf balls. They stay focused on beginners and provide products designed to help them learn the game. The Pinnacle Soft golf ball wants to give you the best of both worlds - a soft feel and distance. You can select pink or white for $24.99 for 15 golf balls.
14. Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball
We get it. You’re a beginner, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to enjoy a premium golf ball. The Chrome Soft can be used by players with a scratch to a 40 handicap! The Chrome Soft Golf Ball is longer through the bag while providing the signature soft feel that golfers love. Callaway also provides you with a ton of options. Use the Chrome Soft Triple Track for better alignment on the greens or have fun with their “soccer ball” design. In white or yellow these golf balls will cost you $49.99 per dozen.
15. Volvik Crystal Golf Ball
We mentioned above that Volvik is known for making cool looking golf balls and their Crystal collection is the most unique. They’re extremely bright in multiple super glossy colors with a semi-transparent cover. They’re engineered for slower swing speeds (70mph - 90mph) and will turn heads on the first tee. You can choose from red, white, or assorted (3 yellow, 3 orange, 3 green, 3 red) for $34.99 per dozen.
Things To Consider Before Buying Golf Balls
Price
When trying to figure out the best golf balls for beginners, the first thing to consider is the price. Golfers just learning the game should never get too attached to their golf balls. Odds are, you’ll lose several golf balls every time you play. With this in mind, it doesn’t make sense to play with premium golf balls. You want to find lower-cost golf balls that still allow you to enjoy the game.
Cover
Beginner golfers tend to struggle with distance. They have slower swing speed than advanced players and make less consistent contact. The cover of the golf ball is important if you want to get the most out of your swing. Premium golf balls are made with softer covers because skilled players want a soft feel and the ability to spin the ball. Beginners need to focus on hitting the ball solid and will play better with a firmer ball. Another way to put it is that high handicappers are better off playing with a distance golf ball.
Compression
Did you know that golf balls compress at impact? It’s true - if you slow it down, you can see them flatten against the face of your golf club. This is called “compressing the golf ball” and it’s essential if you want maximum distance. Did you know that different golf balls have different compression levels?
The higher the compression of the golf ball, the harder you have to swing to properly compress it. Players with slower swing speed should use a golf ball with a lower compression rating. High swing speed players will get more distance from a golf ball with a higher compression rating. Choosing the right golf ball for your swing can help you hit more fairways and shoot lower scores.
Style/Color
Gone are the days of all golfers playing the same style of golf ball. You have plenty of options when you go golf ball shopping. You can buy white, yellow, orange, red, green, pink, purple, or even red golf balls. TaylorMade has also started adding additional designs as well. Be bold - your golf ball selection can help you stand out from the average golfer.
Golf Balls For Beginners FAQs
Do golf balls make a difference for beginners?
The short answer is not really. As a beginner, you will make inconsistent contact with the golf ball, so the ball you decide to play will not dramatically impact your score.
How many golf balls should a beginner buy?
Beginner golfers should always buy golf balls in bulk. If possible, find a 36-pack of balls, but never buy them in less than a dozen. It is not uncommon for a beginner to lose 5+ golf balls during an 18-hole round of golf.
What types of golf balls should a beginner use?
A beginner should use an inexpensive ball that allows them to practice the game without breaking the bank. Pick your favorite golf brand (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, etc.) and select their most economical product.
As You Learn To Play Golf, Don’t Get Too Attached To Your Golf Balls
All golfers are the same when first learning the game. You’ll hit some great shots and some terrible shots. Your ball may occasionally find the fairway or green, but will more likely be attracted to the woods, bunkers, and hazards. In other words, your golf balls are there for a good time, not a long time!
Don’t stress over the golf balls you use when you start playing golf. Buy them in bulk, pick a color or style you like, and make sure the price tag is reasonable. Enjoy your time on the golf course and before you know it, you will no longer be considered a beginner or a high handicapper! Good luck and play well.
