Updated July 29, 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.
One of the most overlooked areas of golf equipment for beginning golfers is golf balls. Rather than just going cheap in that department, new golfers have a chance to get golf balls that offer more spin, more distance, and better accuracy off the tee box.
Rather than just throwing random golf balls in your bag if you’re a beginner, I’ve tested dozens of options to help you find the best for your game.
In this review of the best golf balls for beginners, I’ll take a look at the top ten options on the market, all offering a unique set of features to shave strokes off your scores.
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Last updated on 2023-09-27. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Golf Balls for Beginners
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
Best All-Around Golf Ball for Beginners
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Specs
- Type: 3-piece
- Cover: Soft Urethrane
- Dimple Pattern: 388 Dimples
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 golf 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 golf ball for the first tee.
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
Most Accurate Golf Ball for Beginners
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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.
Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide
Most Forgiving Golf Ball for Beginners
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Specs
- Type: 3-piece
- Cover: Urethane
- Dimple Pattern: 338 Speed
Pros
- Divide pattern helps with putting alignment
- High ball speed off the tee for more distance
- Softer feel around the greens
Cons
- Two-color outer layer can be distracting
Srixon’s innovative Q-Star Tour Divide offers a unique design for beginners looking to improve their alignment. The ball’s outer layer has a 50/50 color design, offering a high-contrast appearance.
I found the Divide produces quick launch, extended distance, and a nice feel around the greens. While I don’t believe the golf ball does one thing particularly well, its well-rounded performance makes it a standout in the market.
I admit that the two-color outer layer does take some time to get used to, but it works if you want better alignment on the green. I even enjoyed how it helped me line up my body when hitting full shots.
The durability of the golf ball also delivers reliable performance, helping you get through a round with consistent roll on the greens and dependable flight on full swings.
A great first golf ball for beginners, the Q-Star Divide might not be for everyone, but it certainly provides an easy way to improve your game.
Callaway Warbird Golf Balls
Best Golf Balls for Beginners on a Budget
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Specs
- Type: 2-piece
- Cover: Ionomer
- Dimple Pattern: Hex Aerodynamics
Pros
- High launch with extended carry
- Reduced drag with Hexagonal dimple system
- Solid greenside control with spin
Cons
- Firmer feel makes for inconsistent short game
Callaway’s Warbird has long been a value entry-level golf ball helping beginners generate distance with solid durability.
Callaway has equipped the Warbird with an ionomer cover along the outer layer surrounding a large energetic core. A hexagonal dimple system adorns the cover, helping reduce drag and boost distance.
After using the Warbird on the range and course, I enjoyed the high launch and deep length the ball produces with woods and hybrids. The golf ball doesn’t generate much spin for the short irons, so there’s not much finesse here.
I did recognize quickly that the firmer feel of the Warbird did create inconsistent putting, especially from long-range distances. But distance and hitting the ball straight are far more important for most beginners, so the Warbird works well for these inexperienced golfers.
Featuring long-distance flight, high spin around the greens, and durable construction, the Warbird remains one of the most reliable entry-level golf balls for beginners.
TaylorMade Tour Response Golf Balls
Best Soft Feel Golf Ball for Beginners
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Specs
- Type: 3-piece
- Cover: Soft Tour Cast Urethane
- Dimple Pattern: Seamless Tour Flight
Pros
- Outstanding alignment guide for accurate putting
- Rounded dimple pattern boost carry distance
- 100% urethane cover for improved greenside control
Cons
- 3-piece construction isn’t as soft as other multi-piece balls
TaylorMade’s Tour Response offers a nice alternative to the top-tier multi-piece golf balls that cost significantly more, helping beginners save a few bucks at the start of their golfing journey.
The Tour Response has been built for high ball speeds, translating into more distance for beginning golfers. The 3-piece construction with a low compression core also delivers a spring-like feel off the face, boosting launch and extending carry.
Around the green is where I find the TaylorMade ball really excels. Along with high spin rates that stop chip and pitch shots cold on the putting surface, the softer feel of the golf ball offers sophistication on mid-range putts.
I also enjoyed the performance of these golf balls from the fairway on entry shots into the green. The golf ball landed softly with spin for better accuracy from inside 175 yards.
For fans of tour-level golf balls that don’t want the expense of a Pro V1 or Chrome Soft, the TaylorMade Tour Response delivers high-quality performance for a lesser price.
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Specs
- Type: 2-piece
- Cover: Ionomer
- Dimple Pattern: Icosahedral 332
Pros
- Energetic core produces solid yardage from the tee box
- Low driver spin keeps shots straight and on target
- Softer short game feel for better touch
Cons
- Firmer feel creates inconsistency in mid-range distance shots
The Pinnacle Soft golf ball provides a low-cost option for beginning golfers looking to save some cash but not at the expense of playability. The Soft does an admirable job keeping the spin low off the tee box and with the long irons while maintaining a softer feel.
The softer cover does shine through after you’ve spent some time with this golf ball. While most 2-piece soft golf balls claim to have a soft, spinny cover, the Pinnacle Soft actually delivers on its promise.
When playing with the golf ball inside 100 yards, I found the Pinnacle Soft provided nice stopping power on the greens to help me hold my accuracy.
The low compression core also helps boost the distance of golfers with swing speeds under 90 mph, a typical characteristic for beginning golfers.
I found the ball struggled with consistent dispersion from mid-range distances, but considering it’s a 2-piece golf ball, that’s not particularly surprising.
If you are looking for a ball that delivers distance with a soft feel, the Pinnacle Soft golf ball is well suited for your game.
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Specs
- Type: 3-piece
- Cover: Surlyn
- Dimple Pattern: 350 Octahedron
Pros
- Great for swing speeds under 90 mph
- Consistent, repeatable flight
- Low spin off tee box for upgraded accuracy
Cons
- Doesn’t stand out when sitting in rough
Volvik’s Crystal White golf ball offers an exciting array of features, not to mention it’s one of the best-looking golf balls on the market.
Along with Crystal White’s stylish matte finish, the golf ball delivers a premium 3-piece performance from tee to green. Not only does it provide consistent ball flight, speed, and length, but around the greens, it generates enough spin to stop cold on the greens.
I enjoyed putting the golf ball the most during my time evaluating the Crystal White. On longer lag putts, the 3-piece construction provided a soft feel that added sophistication to my attempts from distances over 20 feet.
Compared to the color Crystal version, the Crystal White can be tough to find in deeper rough, especially when searching for the ball in dead vegetation.
That said, the Crystal White does deliver a very enjoyable overall playing experience with a solid feel and dependable ball flight.
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
Best 2-piece Golf Ball for Greenside Control
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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 golf 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 Distance Golf Ball for Beginners
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Pros
- 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
Cons
- Isn’t as soft as Pro V1x
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. Its 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 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 ball for a junior golfer just learning the game, the Velocity is a blast to unleash on the course.
For beginners 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 High Spin 2-piece Golf Ball for Beginners
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Pros
- 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
Cons
- Doesn’t offer the distance as other 2-piece 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 golf 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 golf 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 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 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 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.
Conclusion
Regarding golf balls for beginners, the Titleist Pro V1 offers the best all-around package of features.
From low spin off the tee box with the driver to outstanding stopping power around the greens, the Pro V1 delivers high performance from anywhere on the course.
During my testing, I found the latest version of the Pro V1 provided tight dispersion, helping beginners find consistency in their game.
Regardless of handicap or experience, the Pro V1 offers the best chance for beginners to shave strokes from their average score quickly.
The Pro V1 also offers the most enjoyable playing experience on the links of any golf ball on the market, making it a slam dunk for the best golf ball for beginning golfers.
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