The best value golf balls offer good all-round performance without breaking the bank. Check out our guide to the best value golf balls on the market
Best Value Golf Balls
As with nearly all things in life, the very best golf balls on the market come at a price that may well be too much for many to contemplate.
Yes, golf’s best golf balls, the top of the range models, may deliver the finest all-round performance when it comes to feel, spin control and distance. But the £40 to £50+ a dozen price tag can be a real obstacle for many, especially if you’re still losing so many balls that all the performance benefits in the world could never justify the expense!
The best premium golf balls undeniably offer the very best performance and should be considered if you have designs on improving and getting the very best out of your game.
But don’t underestimate value golf balls if you can’t, or don’t want to, pay premium prices. Many have improved beyond all measure and will happily provide you with all the performance you need for where your golf game or budget is at right now.
Gone are the days when all lower-priced balls felt like rocks. Times have changed, and so have the performance levels on offer.
We’d recommend you try a few before settling on a particular model, taking into account whether your game might benefit more from extra yards off the tee, better distance control on your approach shots or added feel around the greens.
Before you find yourself next standing in front of a large, often intimidating in-store golf ball display, dip into our guide to the best value golf balls, so you know what’s what before parting with your cash.
And take time to check out our other golf ball guides too, whether you’re looking for the best mid price golf balls, the best distance golf balls or the best soft feel golf balls.
Best Value Golf Balls
Srixon Distance Golf Ball
Top Pick
KEY INFO
RRP: £17.99/$N/A Construction: Two-piece Colors: 1 (white)
+ Ideal for 80+mph swing speeds
+ High penetrating ball flight
– Durable cover is very hard
The latest Srixon Distance model boasts a softer compression than the previous version. It is designed to deliver optimum distance via greater initial velocity and a higher launch angle for a penetrating ball flight.
The dimple count is down significantly too (108 fewer), which Srixon says will reduce drag and increase lift for better performance in all wind conditions. The durable cover is engineered for greater cut-proof durability.
Given these golf balls can come in with a price as low as £12.99 in the UK, they really are a top choice for the golfer seeking more value.
Callaway Supersoft golf ball
Ideal of average swing speeds
KEY INFO
RRP: £25.99/$24.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 6 (white, yellow, red, pink, orange, green)
+ Excellent all-round ball
+ New hybrid cover boosts distance and durability without sacrificing feel
– Faster swingers won’t get the most out of the low-compression core
Callaway’s low-compression Supersoft ball, aimed at those with average swing speeds seeking a soft feel, has undergone several improvements for 2021.
Principle among these is a new hybrid cover featuring what Callaway has christened a Paraloid Impact Modifier. The benefits are improved distance and durability without sacrificing feel and short-game control.
Callaway’s famous HEX Aerodynamics cover pattern reduces drag and increases lift to help you launch the ball better. The Soft Compression Core then enhances energy transfer for more ball speed and a high-launch, low-spin combo in your longer clubs.
Available in six colours! White and yellow plus matte orange, green, pink and red.
- Read our full Callaway Supersoft golf ball review
Titleist TruFeel golf ball
Good value given performance
KEY INFO
RRP: £23/$22.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 3 (white, yellow, red)
+ The least expensive option from golf’s premier ball brand
+ Performs particularly well on full iron shots
– Non-urethane covered so doesn’t spin as much around the greens
One of two Titleist models to make this guide on the best value golf balls, the TruFeel incarnation promises improved driver distance compared to its predecessor following feedback from consumers.
Titleist has achieved this by reformulating the core to include more of the speed-generating materials within. As a result, driver ball speeds are up, while also keeping spin low to maximise distance.
The cover’s aerodynamic properties have also been improved to further assist with long-game distance. Golfers keen to play golf’s premier ball brand now have an improved Titleist all-rounder at their disposal at an affordable price.
Available in white, optic yellow and matte red.
If you want to check out the rest of the Titleist ball range, have a read of our best Titleist golf balls guide.
- Read our full Titleist TruFeel golf ball review
TaylorMade Soft Response golf ball
Performs well in the wind
KEY INFO
RRP: £26.99/$24.99 Construction: Three-piece Colors: 3 (white, yellow, red)
+ Strong, true ball flight even when the wind gets up
+ Shallower U-shaped dimples decrease drag and increase lift
– Not quite as much spin control as the sister Tour Response model
The TaylorMade Soft Response is one of two Response models (Tour Response is the other) sitting beneath the brand’s premium TP5 models.
Soft Response has been designed with moderate swing speeds in mind, offering all-round performance with a softer feel, courtesy of a soft but durable ionomer cover.
The ZnO Flex 35-compression core helps maximise energy transfer at impact, with the Extended Flight Dimple pattern promoting decreased drag and increased lift. This allows the ball to stay in the air for longer at lower spin rates.
Available in white, yellow or pink.
- Read our full TaylorMade Soft Response golf ball review
Callaway Warbird golf ball
Boost your distance
KEY INFO
RRP: £16.99/$17.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 2 (white, yellow)
+ Excellent low price for one of golf’s top ball brands
+ Highly compressible core unlocks greater distance potential at any swing speed
– Cover will feel too firm around the green for some
Callaway has been using the Warbird name since the mid-1990s, and it has become synonymous with distance and speed in its ball range for some years too.
This latest model uses a two-piece construction with an extra-large, high-energy core to promote distance with a high launch at different swing speeds.
The ionomer cover adds feel and control around the greens, with its HEX Aerodynamics design reducing drag to generate more speed, greater hang time and added distance.
A great offering from one of golf’s top ball brands, making it undoubtedly one of the best value golf balls money can buy.
- Read our full Callaway Warbird golf ball review
Srixon Soft Feel golf ball
Perfect for around the green
KEY INFO
RRP: £24.99/$25.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 2 (white, yellow, also a Srixon Soft Feel Lady version)
+ This 12th generation model is Srixon’s longest Soft Feel ball to date
+ Very thin cover improves greenside feel and spin.
– This ball will feel a little too soft off the face for some golfers
Srixon’s latest Soft Feel model has been engineered primarily to help slower-swinging golfers max out their distances while retaining excellent greenside feel.
At its heart lies Srixon’s softest FastLayer Core, which is soft in the centre and firmer around its outer edges. This allows the ball to snap back into shape more quickly after impact for added speed.
It also helps reduce long-game sidespin, so those misdirected shots may not stray quite as far offline. The 338 Speed Dimple Pattern reduces drag and increases lift for better performance in the wind.
- Read our full Srixon Soft Feel golf ball review
Vice Tour golf ball
Suits wide range of players
KEY INFO
RRP: Varies depending on how many balls you buy Construction: Three-piece Colors: 1 (white)
+ A good all-round ball for golfers of all swing speeds
+ Designed for minimum driver spin to help eke out more distance
– Cover material may feel a little too firm to some golfers
The three-piece Vice Tour golf ball boasts a soft Energy Speed Core (ESC) to help boost ball speed, aided by a surlyn cover engineered to keep driver spin down.
The cover may be tough and cut-resistant, but still offers good levels of greenside control and feel.
Vice are a fairly unknown brand especially when it comes to the UK so if you want more information on the current ball range, be sure to have a read of our guide on the best Vice golf balls.
- Read our full Vice Tour golf ball review
Titleist Velocity golf ball
Good colour and finish choice
KEY INFO
RRP: £28/$27.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 3 (white, green, orange, pink)
+ The cover on the latest Velocity is designed to offer added feel
+ There are colour options and finishes to suit all tastes
– High-flying trajectory won’t be ideal if you already hit the ball too high
The latest Titleist Velocity model features a larger, higher-speed LSX core that boosts ball speed on all full shots while keeping spin down for optimum distance.
Its updated cover retains the Velocity’s renowned distance attributes, while adding a greater element of feel for more greenside playability.
Aerodynamics have been improved via a dimple design that promotes a high-flying trajectory for greater stopping power with your irons.
Available in white or matte pink, green and orange.
Honma A1 golf balls
Soft feeling model
KEY INFO
RRP: £14.99/$N/A Construction: Two-piece Colors: 4 (white, yellow, orange, red)
+ Low-priced option from one of golf’s premium equipment brands
+ Super soft core is designed to reduce sidespin and counter a slice
– May feel too soft for some off the clubface
Honma may be at the super-premium end of the club market, but the new A1 ball is anything but premium-priced and represents an excellent value option.
It’s lighter and around 20% softer than Honma’s D1 ball thanks to a newly developed super-soft core. The brand says this reduces sidespin to help counter the dreaded slice – the club golfer’s most common affliction.
Available in white, yellow or orange plus a multicolour pack option including pink.
- Read our full Honma A1 golf ball review
Srixon AD333 golf ball
Improved over generations
KEY INFO
RRP: £26.99/$N/A Construction: Two-piece Colors: 2 (white, yellow)
+ Surprisingly good short game control
+ A particularly good performer in crosswinds
– Cover perhaps scuffs up a little quicker than some
Srixon’s AD333 was first launched in 2003 and is now into its tenth generation. Such longevity is testament to its rightly gained popularity. It has been the UK’s best-selling two-piece golf ball for 11 years now.
It’s a great option for those who can’t justify premium prices but want as much all-round performance as a lower budget allows. It promises longer and more accurate driving distance, better iron control and improved greenside spin.
The latest AD333 features a new FastLayer Core that maximises speed and keeps spin low by being softer in the centre and then progressively firmer towards its edges.
Closer to the green, Srixon’s Spin Skin technology and Slide Ring Material (SeRM) increase friction at impact to maximise spin.
- Read our full Srixon AD333 Ball review
Wilson Duo Soft+ golf ball
Will suit moderate swing speeds
KEY INFO
RRP: £19.99/$19.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 1 (white)
+ Ultra-low 36 compression is perfect for more modest swing speeds
+ New core design promotes added distance
– Surlyn cover may feel too hard to some around the greens
The VelocitiCOR is the powerhouse behind the performance of the Duo Soft+ ball, which Wilson claims to be the softest and longest premium two-piece ball on the market.
Its low-spin credentials may also soften hook and slice spin a little for straighter shots.
The Duo Soft+ ball is also engineered to launch higher off irons for a steeper descent and added stopping power on full shots into greens.
Srixon UltiSoft golf ball
Playable and user-friendly
KEY INFO
RRP: £19.99/$19.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 1 (white)
+ Good feel off the face on and around the greens
+ Genuine long-game benefits for golfers with slower to average swing speeds
– Likely to roll out a little more than urethane-covered balls around the green
The final Srixon model ball in our value selection is the UltiSoft. It is the brand’s lowest-compression and softest golf ball ever courtesy of an innovative new core. This delivers softer feel while still maximising energy transfer at impact for more long-game distance.
The 324 Speed Dimple pattern reduces drag in flight for a penetrating trajectory.
Designed primarily with low to mid swing speed golfers in mind, but performs pretty well at faster swings speeds too.
- Read our full Srixon UltiSoft golf ball review
Mizuno RB566 golf ball
Designed for distance
KEY INFO
RRP: £29.99/$N/A Construction: Three-piece Colors: 3 (white, yellow, red)
+ Extra hang time keeps the ball in the air for longer
+ Ideal choice for mid to low swing speeds in warm conditions
– The cover is highly durable but not the softest
The best value golf balls should be cheap of course but that doesn’t mean they skimp on performance.
A large, high-energy core, the unique 566-dimple cover and a soft-compression design hold the keys to the Mizuno RB566’s excellent distance credentials and prolonged ball flight.
The core generates a straighter, more stable ball flight while the 566 micro-dimple design delays the rate of descent to eke out more yards
One of the best golf balls for slow swing speeds. Available in white, yellow or orange.
The sister RB566V model may help slower swingers launch the ball a little higher.
Inesis Tour 900 golf balls
Excellent value
KEY INFO
RRP: £24.99/$N/A Construction: Three-piece Colors: 2 (white, yellow)
+ Very good spin control on iron shots and around the green
+ One of the best-priced urethane-covered balls on the market
– Will spin too much for some players off the tee, especially into the wind
The appeal of Decathlon’s Inesis Tour 900 ball is 1) a great price for a three-piece urethane-covered ball and 2) excellent spin control and performance on approach shots and chips.
The ball has a slightly duller, darker finish than Titleist’s Pro V1, for example, and features a handy alignment side stamp. In essence, it offers mid-price performance at more of a budget price.
- Read our fill Inesis Tour 900 ball review
Volvik Power Soft golf ball
Best colour choice
KEY INFO
RRP: £19.95/$22.99 Construction: Two-piece Colors: 5 (white, green, yellow, red, orange)
+ Designed for a mid-high launch with the driver
+ Vibrant colour options can improve visibility
– Cover may feel too firm to some on and around the greens
The Volvik Power Soft is an inexpensive ball available in a wide palette of colour options.
Its oversized Power Core promises high ball speeds off the face for strong performance with the driver thanks to low spin and a mid-high launch.
A super soft ionomer cover adds in a suitable degree of greenside control too.
How we test golf value golf balls
When it comes to testing golf balls in general, as the video above shows, we use several members of the Golf Monthly team, who play at a variety of levels, to put golf balls to the test out on the golf course.
At Golf Monthly we are all regular golfers and therefore seek to be as honest and insightful as possible in reviews and buyers’ guides, so that you can make an informed decision.
We think golf balls have to be tested over a number of rounds because that is how you can test for things like distance, feel, durability, spin and so on.
Additionally we should make very clear that no manufacturer can buy a good review because we tell it how it is.
Related: How Golf Monthly tests products
What to consider when buying value golf balls
What factors should you consider when buying golf balls? We take a look here.
Durability – When it comes to value golf balls this is one of the most important factors. Occasionally cheaper models don’t last as long because they cut up, or the cover isn’t a high quality. Therefore they do not perform as well, for as long as other models. If you want durability to be a key factor, then check out balls that have firmer covers because they will be resistant to cuts and scrapes.
Alternatively if feel is more important than durability, go for models with soft covers.
Long game or short game? – Linking with the above point, which aspect of the game is most important to you? Do you want to get as much distance as possible out of your golf ball or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to improved feel?
For the former player, firmer and harder golf balls are better for distance, such as the Srixon Distance golf ball.
Or, if you put a real premium on feel then a model like the Honma A1 is the way to go. Whatever you value, there is a model for you. (Also read our best soft feel golf balls guide for more models designed for feel.
Color – No longer do your golf balls have to be white, instead they can be different colors like yellow, red, or even green.
Budget – In the value golf ball market there are still different levels and different price points so
Number of balls – Of course given how cheap some of the models are above, you can occasionally find deals on models that mean you can get 24 or sometimes even 36 golf balls for a cheap price. It is always worth checking this because we could always do with more golf balls in the bag right?
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best value golf balls.
This article Best Value Golf Balls appeared first on Golf Monthly.