Updated January 23, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Our Pick: Callaway Chrome Soft
“With the Chrome Soft balls, Callaway has made a top-shelf ball that will remain durable and high performing long after being taken out of the box – perfect for beginners.”
Our Upgrade Pick: Titleist Pro V1
“The V1 is very durable and provides a distance increase off the tee box. You’ll get more spin and better control. It offers tremendous performance.“
Our Budget Pick: Callaway SuperHot
“On a budget? You’ll love the Callaway SuperHot Golf Balls. It’s the perfect choice for the moderate golfer looking to improve their distance off the tee without breaking the wallet.”
In case you’re wondering, here are the best illegal golf balls.
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Last updated on 2023-03-29. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Golf Balls for Beginners
- Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
- Titleist Pro V1
- Callaway SuperHot Golf Balls
- Srixon Soft Feel 12, White
- Titleist Velocity Golf Balls, Matte Green, (One Dozen) (T8425S-M)
- 2021 Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls , Green
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
Best Golf Balls for Beginners Overall
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PROS
- New larger core infused with graphene maximizes compression while preventing side spin and promotes higher ball flight for longer distance
- Premium dual-core construction helps longer clubs in your bag with boosted distance and enhanced control for irons and wedges
- Thin and soft, the tour urethane cover provides incredible control
- Soft cover coupled with lower compression makes the Chrome Soft more forgiving on off-center strikes
CONS
- Some players with high-velocity swings may frown at the low compression design
Callaway’s Chrome Soft is another dependable addition to the two-piece golf ball market. It deserves to be among the best golf balls for beginners.
Touting faster speeds and a stable ball flight on drives, the Chrome Soft balls benefit from the newly designed Graphene-infused Dual Soft Fast Core.
The patented Core maximizes compression of the soft balls for maximum distance while reducing side spin for straighter drives making it one of the best golf balls for beginners.
A thin yet durable Tour Urethane Cover provides a tremendous feel.
Golfers will notice that the Chrome Soft delivers exceptional spin rates for enhanced shot-stopping ability.
The Chrome Soft’s design also is very forgiving when contact with the clubface does not find the sweet spot.
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
Best Golf Ball on PGA Tour
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PROS
- Longer distance for the golfer regardless of swing speed which is a primary feature of the multi-layered golf ball
- Lower long game spin for reduced side spin on drives and iron play resulting in straighter drives
- Dimple design produces more consistent flight for exceptional distance and boosts confidence when shaping shots
- Drop-and-Stop greenside control promotes exceptional feel on pitch and chip shots
- Long lasting durability for consistent performance regardless of how many rounds the ball is played
CONS
- Ranks among the most expensive golf balls on the market despite the high performance
- Potentially too much golf ball for the beginner who needs to focus on building one aspect of their game such as solid contact
Off the tee, the beginner will immediately notice an improvement in the distance of their drives.
The Pro V1 balls are superb from the fairway with extra feel and control as the shot heads into the green.
The golfer can be confident that the ball flight with the Titleist will be stable through weather elements such as wind for enhanced shot shaping.
Another highlight of the Pro V1 golf balls is the improved spin on pitch and chip shots due to the redesigned urethane elastomer cover that utilizes 352 dimples.
Some amateurs will be concerned with the price tag of multi-piece golf balls, but for beginners looking to improve their game dramatically, the Titleist Pro V1 is the smartest choice they can make when grabbing a ball for the first tee. The Titleist Pro V1 is Golf Influence’s choice for the best golf balls for beginners.
Callaway SuperHot Golf Balls
Best Budget
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KEY FEATURES
- Three-piece construction and high performance at a very affordable price point make it one of the best golf balls to buy if you’re on a budget
- Soft cover delivers exceptional spin, added control and boosts the quality of pitch and chip shots
- Hexagonal dimple design on the SuperHot’s cover is built for low drag and optimal lift for longer ball flight
- When using driver, the SuperHot has been engineered to add tremendous distance for shorter entry shots into greens
Another one of the best golf balls for beginners, Callaway’s SuperHot golf balls have been designed to be a monster off the tee box.
Maximized for distance, the SuperHot has been created to withstand the elements with low drag and optimum lift to keep the ball in the air as long as possible with a strong flight.
The SuperHot works hard from the fairway with the increased distance allowing for shorter second shots.
The SuperHot touts a three-piece construction for a splendid feel.
Pitch shots stop dead in their tracks with the SuperHot for augmented feel and spin control. On putts, the SuperHot balls roll true for better lag putts and more birdies making it one of the best golf balls for beginners
If feeling adventurous, Callaway has created a Bold line of the SuperHot balls with a variety of colors that will have playing partners ask about what you are playing your round with that day.
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
Best Distance Golf Ball for Beginners
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PROS
- A softer, lower compression core improves feel without sacrificing the distance off the tee typically associated with two-piece golf balls
- The thinner cover provides a spin on entry shots and with pitch and chip shots around the green
- Energetic gradient growth core is an advanced technology that promotes distance and optimizes performance with every drive and iron shot
- The 324 dimples along the Ionomer cover assists with stability with ball flight
CONS
- Low compression inhibits the distance off the tee of golfers with elite swing speeds
The Srixon has been radically redesigned to create balls that deliver reliable performance from anywhere on the course.
The first thing Srixon has done is give the Soft Feel a lower compression core.
The improved core offers golfers the ability to hit shots with a smoother feel without sacrificing an inch of distance off the tee box.
Another feature Srixon has added that you don’t usually see in two-piece golf balls is a durable yet thinner cover.
The balls’ cover provides enhanced spin and additional control for the beginner.
Affordable and high performing, the Soft Feel is something that golfers looking to save some cash to play better courses while not sacrificing the improvement that proper equipment can make on their bottom line of posting low scores.
Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
Best Beginner Golf Balls with High Spin
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KEY FEATURES
- High launch that stays true throughout the flight with shot-stopping power on greens
- Low drag HEX dimple system increases carry off tee box for longer distance
- Redesigned cover provides low compression for more feel and better greenside control
- Several colors offer accessibility for beginners who love to play golf with bright, colorful balls
Titleist decided to up their offerings with their latest two-piece golf ball, the Velocity. The Velocity golf ball is a savior for beginning golfers struggling to find consistent launch and maximum distance.
Featuring several proprietary features that only the good designers at Titleist could discover, the Velocity is about adding muscle to your game. The ball’s high speed LSX core creates long range length with its response, especially on higher speed swings.
One of the major ways that the Velocity adds distance is through the newly designed outer layer. Not only does the aerodynamic dimple system offer low spin with the driver, but with reduced drag, you’ll find it carries much farther than a standard two-piece golf ball.
The Velocity golf ball also reduces the sidespin that causes errant shots. It reaches back and unleashes long, straight shots that allow the beginning golfer to develop their game without worrying about the distance.
Another fun aspect of playing with the Velocity is the multiple bold colors available for the golfer. If you are looking for a great golf ball for a junior golfer just learning the game, the Velocity is a blast to unleash on the course.
For beginning golfers who just need more length from every shot on the course, the Titleist Velocity delivers unbelievable yardage with low spin for more accuracy.
Callaway SuperSoft Golf Balls
Best Soft Golf Ball with Excellent Feel Around Greens
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KEY FEATURES
- Top-tier two-piece ball that offers outstanding softness from the fairway and around the green
- Low spin off the tee box for more forgiveness and less punishing slices
- Incredibly long distance with exceptional feel and response, even on the greens
- Multiple colors offer fun designs for amateurs who love to play with bold-colored golf balls
The Callaway SuperSoft has long reigned as one of the company’s most popular and best golf balls for beginners. After looking over the ball’s features, it is easy to see why it has stayed relevant.
It has long reigned as one of the company’s most popular golf balls for beginners. After looking over its features, it is easy to see why it has stayed relevant.
If you are looking for more control, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better two-piece golf ball than the SuperSoft. It offers a wonderful feel when you have a wedge in your hand. While you won’t get the spin rates that you’ll find with a ball like the Titleist Pro V1, for the value, the SuperSoft delivers great greenside control for shorter birdies and par putts.
Off the tee box, the SuperSoft does struggle to keep up with the two-piece distance balls like the Titleist Velocity. But if you are a beginner that swings hard, the SuperSoft does provide exceptional forgiveness by reducing that dreaded side spin that creates those ugly slices and hooks we are all trying to avoid. As one of the best golf balls for beginners, you can’t go wrong with buying one of these.
On the green, these soft golf balls does offer a vast improvement over the harder two-piece distance balls. If you struggle to find a consistent stroke with your putter, the SuperSoft offers terrific value with its consistent performance on longer putts.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Golf Balls
Skillset Level
There are two types of golf balls to evaluate to make your final golf ball choice; the two-piece and multi-piece golf ball. High handicappers and beginners typically play with two-piece balls, while mid and low handicappers use multi-piece golf balls on the course.
The two-piece golf ball comes at a lower price and usually offers one specific benefit, such as longer distance or higher spin and a softer feel around the greens.
A multi-piece golf ball offers more sophistication, increasing workability, spin, and control. For advanced golfers, a multi-piece ball is a must to benefit from their higher swing speed.
Dimples
The dimple system helps reduce the drag against the surface of the golf ball so it can fly straighter and longer.
With two-piece golf balls, especially ones marked as distance balls, the dimple system is there to increase length. Most golf balls sacrifice spin to help the golfer obtain more distance.
On multi-piece golf balls, the dimple system is more advanced to allow the golfer to create higher spin and customized ball height.
Spin Rate
Spin rate is essential for control. Regardless of the distance, spin rate helps stop the ball on the green or helps control your pitch and chip shots with more authority.
Two-piece golf balls struggle to generate high spin rates, even if they are marked as soft golf balls with better greenside control. These golf balls have tougher outer layers, mainly to make the ball more durable and last longer. While these balls don’t offer the best performance, they provide more bang for the buck for value-seeking golfers.
On multi-piece golf balls with a softer urethane outer layer, the ball will generate high spin rates on shots inside 150 yards. When the golfer uses a wedge with sharp, clean grooves, the player can expect a high spin that stops quickly on the green.
Tip! Here’s how to clean golf balls for your next game.
Questions & Answers
Should I use the same golf ball consistently?
Yes, there are advantages of playing the same golf ball every time you hit the links, but for golfers improving with their fundamentals and post lower scores, a new brand or type of golf ball can help further reduce the learning curve of the golfer.
One of the biggest leaps a golfer can make with their golf balls is playing a multi-piece ball instead of a two-piece ball. The player will find that the multi-piece golf ball offers higher spin from inside 150 yards, better greenside control, and a lower spin off the tee for straighter shots.
What’s the difference between a high handicapper and a beginner?
A beginning golfer has just started to play the game of golf. They are starting with no experience on how to swing the club or even the game rules. So every time they practice or play a round, they are learning new facets of the game.
A high handicapper averages a high score with each round they play. High handicappers are golfers who have a handicap over 18. These players routinely shoot scores in the 90s and 100s.
Should beginners use hard or soft golf balls?
The ball you should use on the golf course depends on the specific elements your game needs most to lower your scores.
Some beginning golfers need more yardage with their driver and would be better suited to use a harder, distance golf ball. These golf balls are two-piece, meaning they have an outer layer and a one-piece internal core.
A softer golf ball is for inexperienced players who need more greenside control. These are classified as a two-piece, but the outer layer offers more feel. So when you’re looking for a golf ball, consider if you need hard or soft golf balls first.