Updated June 26, 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.
If you want to improve your swing, you can do so without the hassle and expense of going to the range. If you have some space you can practice at and the right practice golf balls at your disposal, you’ll improve your game in no time.
Practice golf balls are designed for small and narrow space. Your backyard can be a great space to practice golf if you have the right practice balls to use.
Check out this guide and pick the best practice golf balls for your level.
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Table of Contents
Why It’s Important to Buy Practice Balls
Practice Makes Perfect
The top way to improve is through practice and repetition. These alternative golf balls offer a safe way to golf practice without the need for a driving range or the need for room.
These type of golf balls are long lasting and offer plenty of types of activities to boost your game on the golf course.
Safe, Inexpensive Way to Practice
Using a driving range frequently can be a costly endeavor, so alternative golf balls for working out offer the feel like a real golf ball without the need for large facilities and hundreds of yards of room.
Can Use Indoors
If you are struggling to find the room to practice your golf game, these lightweight golf balls are safe to use indoors. Each type of practice balls are made with safe materials, with foam and plastic being the most popular to use for weekend warriors.
Great for Short Game Practice
For fine tuning the short game, the alternative golf balls are wonderfully capable by providing a cheap way to increase your repetitions with limited space.
Foam golf balls are great for bump and runs and shallow chip shots, while plastic golf balls are ideal for high shots that generate a ton of spin. From inside 40 yards, practice balls really shine for amateurs looking to improve.
Things to Consider When Choosing Practice Golf Balls
Material
The material of great practice balls should replicate the feel of a real golf ball at impact, but with limited flight. Whether using plastic or foam, practice balls should provide a gateway to hitting a real golf ball without making an adjustment.
With limited flight, the difference between foam and plastic is vast. The foam is denser on the club, while the plastic is lighter and less like hitting a normal ball.
While most golfers like hitting a foam golf ball, the convenience presented by plastic practice balls is hard to deny. Whether it be balls made from foam or plastic balls, both will improve your game through repetition.
Dimpled Surface
Foam golf balls have outer layers that replicate the look and design of a real golf ball.
Although they might not have over 300 dimples like a Titleist Pro V1, the best golf foam practice balls offer the ability to impart spin and pierce the wind for a similar trajectory that mimics the ball flight of a regular golf ball.
Plastic practice golf balls have large holes throughout the outer layer for air to flow freely through the interior to reduce speed and diminish flight. The practice balls are great for golf practice, although it does not offer the feel of golf balls due to the lightweight of the material.
Ball Flight Simulation
The ball flight of practice golf balls can be surprisingly realistic when compared to a real golf ball. But when considering the differences between a plastic and foam practice ball, you’ll find startling differences in which product can fly like authentic golf balls.
For foam golf balls, the weight of the golf ball is denser than a plastic ball. The weight of a foam model is as close as amateurs will find to a regular golf ball, so for maximum speed swing practice, the foam ball is preferable.
Plastic golf balls are great for short game work because they offer a safe way to try new pitch and flop shots without the worry of making mistakes.
Construction and Compression
Both types of golf practice balls offer minimal compression and that’s a good thing because it reduces the flight of the balls for easy retrieval and maximum safety.
High-quality practice golf balls mimic the authentic trajectory of a real ball, but without the dynamic compression, they don’t have the exit velocity causing the speed to diminish quickly after impact.
The construction of the practice balls is rather simple as the foam and plastic are typically made with one material, unlike real golf balls that have multiple layers and are constructed with different components.
Price
Even the best golf balls for practice are very affordable and offer a very low price point for the value they present to the golfer.
Great for indoor golf practice, the minimal price of practice golf balls offers an inexpensive and safe way to hone a swing and help keep the skills sharp for the next round.
For less than the price of a dozen elite golf balls, golfers can purchase tens of practice balls to provide plenty of readily accessible balls for their indoor golf workouts.
Regardless of whether you choose foam balls with an advanced dimple pattern or the plastic ball that offers diminished flight for easy collection, both are very affordable options for any level of golfer.
Best Practice Golf Balls 2023
GoSports Foam Practice Golf Balls
Best Practice Golf Balls Overall
Pros
- Available in 16 or 64 pack at affordable price point
- Well-crafted foam ball with long-lasting durability
- Realistic dimple design on ball creates realistic shot trajectory off club
Cons
- Large logo unappealingly contrasts with the color of ball
The GoSports Foam Practice Golf Balls are our choice for the best practice golf balls. Made with dense foam, the GoSports balls act like a real golf ball off the face at impact but with the same ball flight limiting power golfers expect from foam balls.
These foam balls are dense enough that you can actually see your shot fade or draw after impact like a real ball. On fuller swings, the balls fly a few dozen yards before losing steam and falling harmlessly to the ground.
Great for long swings, the balls also perform well for a golfer’s short game. The balls provide accurate replication of mid-range pitch shots around 20-30 yards in length.
The foam balls are available in a 16-pack, but also in a value pack of 64 balls for a very affordable price that will allow you to easily get a high volume of golf balls for practice.
They weigh around 10 grams per golf ball for a heavier feel at impact that is close to the real thing.
A wonderfully capable foam practice ball that is great for either outdoor or indoor training, the GoSports practice balls are an absolute delight.
Bac-Kitchen Foam Practice Golf Balls
Best Lightweight Practice Golf Balls
Pros
- Incredibly safe in either indoor or outdoor practice setups
- Made from durable resin for long-lasting performance
- Available in 40-pack with five colors
Cons
- The lighter weight does minimize authentic shot replication
Our favorite budget practice balls are the Bac-Kitchen Foam Practice Golf Balls. Available in an inexpensive 40-pack, these practice balls offer durability, quantity for uninterrupted work, and a very low price point.
In our setup, we used an indoor hitting area to test products, and we were pleasantly surprised by the response of these foam practice balls. On the face, they feel dense and close to the overall expectation when hitting a real golf ball.
Outside, the dimples help provide a true shot shape that doesn’t fly far, allowing you to quickly retrieve the practice balls for efficient hitting.
If you are worried about safety with these foam balls, rest assured that the Bac-Kitchen product won’t hurt your furniture or any nearby animals fearing they could catch a wayward shot.
Available in four different colors, the soft balls are harmless to practice with near windows.
Great for junior golfers, or even the young child that enjoys swinging their parent’s clubs, the Bac-Kitchen foam ball delivers outstanding performance and quantity, for an incredibly low price.
Callaway HX Practice Ball
Best Luxury Practice Golf Balls
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Pros
- Simulates realistic ball flight at a controlled distance
- Available in 9-or 18-pack and in either orange, green, or pink colors
- Features the company’s famous HEX dimple pattern along the outer layer
Cons
- Expensive practice ball with a low quantity per package
The Callaway HX Practice Ball are the top name brand option on our list. Made from foam, these Callaway HX practice golf balls are available in either a 9-or 18 pack and in the colors of green, pink, and orange.
What stands out when hitting the Callaway balls is how the outer layer, utilizing the company’s patented HEX dimple pattern, provides an accurate replication of the shot shape of real shots.
Whatever you hit, whether it be a fade or draw, you’ll find that the Callaway golf ball offers instant feedback for each swing.
The balls are durable enough for complete swings but also offer excellent playability when working on your chip and pitch shots. For moderate pitch shots, the HX ball shines, providing distance control and accurate replication that you can take to the golf course.
One of the best practice golf balls on the market, the HX from Callaway is a wonderful alternative ball for golfers of all skill levels.
SKLZ Practice Impact Golf Balls
Most Durable Practice Golf Ball
Pros
- Excellent alternative to foam and plastic balls with hard outer shell
- Offers moderate flight distance of approximately 45 yards
- Regulation size mimics the feel and shape of an authentic golf ball
Cons
- Feels too firm on full swings, better for short game practice
The SKLZ Practice Impact Golf Balls provide the most durability in an alternative ball with a tough outer shell and a limited flight that stretches up to 45 yards in length.
What sets the SKLZ apart from the other alternative balls is that it offers a regulation size ball that limits flight to allow you to work on your swing for the golf course.
The ball’s outer shell is made from an indestructible plastic composite material. Since most plastic balls cave in on fast swings, this advanced alternative golf accessory provides an option for high-speed swings that won’t let you down.
Not only does the SKLZ ball work for complete swings, but it offers high spin rates for flop and pitch shots, especially when you use these balls off a mat. The ability to workout with high speed swings is invaluable for an alternative ball like the SKLZ model.
A dynamic alternate golf ball that definitely ranks among the best practice golf balls on the market today, the SKLZ Practice Impact Golf Ball can definitely help improve your game.
Jef World of Golf Practice Foam Balls
Best Value Practice Golf Ball
Pros
- Comes with durable steel range bucket for quick collection
- Simulates the real flight of a golf ball with either fade or draw shot shape
- Offers a quick way to get a large amount of balls for your workouts at a low price
Cons
- Extremely lightweight, doesn’t replicate feel of real golf ball
The Jef World of Golf offers a ball that’s great for different types of practice. From taking high-speed swings to working on your pitch and chip game, these foam-constructed balls deliver a realistic feel with moderately limited flight.
When judging these balls on complete swings, these foam-centric alternatives provide an authentic replication with spin that can create fade and draw shot shape.
For chip and pitch shots, the balls respond admirably with the dense weight of foam powering an honest replication of what it is like on entry shots into the green.
The collection of Jef balls are available in white, green, orange, and yellow for easy identification when practicing with dozens of repetitions before collection.
Once you get done with a session, the included metal bucket makes gathering these balls a painless endeavor.
For a package of practice foam alternative golf balls, the Jef pack of 42 balls stands out as a low cost option that delivers high performance.
BirdieBall Practice Golf Balls
Most Innovative Practice Golf Ball
Pros
- Unique form offers fun way to practicing complete swings in confined space
- Replicates with stunning accuracy the flight and shape of your shots after impact
- Incredibly durable construction that allows for high-speed swings and short game shots
Cons
- Not in the shape of a real golf ball
One of the most popular golfing accessories for practicing is the BirdieBall Practice Golf Balls. This golfing practice tool has long remained a mainstay for golfers who want an alternative way to work on their swings at home.
What’s unique about these BirdieBalls is the cylinder shape of the product. These balls are not shaped like traditional balls, but the rounded shape of the golf accessory does allow for full swings without worrying that you’ll split or shatter these plastic balls.
The product does offer a strange feel when trying to use them to work on your pitch shots and chips, but the BirdieBall does offer the same solid feel at impact that you’ll experience on complete swings.
The BirdieBall comes in a 12-pack and it costs around the price of a dozen multi-layer top-notch golf balls.
Easily winning our top choice for full swings, the BirdieBall is a one-of-a-kind practice device that golfers of all skill levels really enjoy.
The Floppy Indoor Practice Ball
Best Practice Golf Balls for Improving Short Game
Pros
- Well-made luxury ball that works well indoors off a mat
- Feels like an authentic ball with high spin rates that mimics the look of authentic shots
- Each ball is handmade for high-stress long-lasting durability
Cons
- Has a similar feel and construction to a hacky sack
For those seeking a high-end option in this buying guide, The Floppy Indoor Practice Ball is a stunner. Handmade, this accessory doesn’t use plastic or foam as its foundation. Instead, the ball feels more like a hacky-sack with a woven outer layer and pellet interior.
Heavier than a foam ball, the Floppy ball comes in a four-pack and remarkably will not break anything indoors.
Made primarily for nothing more than a half swing, amateurs love hitting these balls to improve their short game as these almost golf balls work extremely well for pitch and chip shots.
While these balls are at a higher price point, golfers should not consider using them at a maximum swing speed.
The Floppy Indoor Practice Balls is one of the best practice golf balls for amateurs looking for a high-performance alternative ball for their short game.
Almost Golf Balls
Best Distance Practice Golf Balls
Pros
- Weighing 13.5 grams, offers a safe, soft option to workout at home
- Made from high-density foam that flies a third of the distance of real ball
- Dense, high-quality option that replicates the feel and response of authentic ball
Cons
- Heavier than comparable practice golf balls
From Almost Golf, comes a well-crafted practice golf ball built from foam.
The density of these balls are a real asset when it comes to working on your game. Although each Almost Golf practice golf ball is about a one-quarter of the weight of a real ball, the density of the material delivers a surprisingly authentic replication.
After impact, the balls do have enough spin to show when you hit a fade or a draw. The ball’s outer layer has enough dimples to pierce the wind on full-speed swings for a more accurate understanding of the trajectory and flight of the ball.
Available in a 12-pack for an affordable price, the balls from the company are colored yellow for easy identification when it comes time for collection.
This limited flight foam ball can withstand your fastest swing, while also being delicate enough to help you increase the accuracy of your pitch shots, a great combination well worth your time and consideration.
PrideSports Practice Golf Balls
Best Plastic Practice Golf Ball
Pros
- Comes in 12-pack providing high volume of alternative balls for low price
- Very lightweight body offers quick retrieval for increasing repetitions in workout
- Perforated design limits flight and provides the ability to workout anywhere
Cons
- Cheaper plastic construction isn’t as durable as foam
From PrideSports comes our choice for the top plastic ball option. These perforated balls offer safe workouts when dealing with a confined space.
Made from a lightweight, but durable plastic, this PrideSports Practice Golf Balls is ideal for short yardage shots that can help you lower your scores.
Whether it be clearing a bunker or hitting a low pitch shot, these plastic alternative balls can offer a close replication of hitting a real golf ball next to the green.
Plastic balls are tough to use on full-speed swings because the outer shell isn’t durable enough to withstand that speed, and that is true here with the PrideSports product.
After hitting a few shots with these plastic-constructed balls, you’ll see that their real benefit is with short yardage work.
For golfers that need safety and convenience over performance, the PrideSports Plastic Practice Golf Balls offer a top-quality plastic golf ball that provides terrific value.
Questions & Answers
What’s the difference between foam and plastic practice golf balls?
Golf foam practice balls offer more density and a similar feel to regular golf balls, while plastic is safe to use and offers limited flight for quick pickup when through with workout.
The reason that plastic is so popular for practice is that they are light, durable, cheap, and don’t fly nearly as far as a regular golf ball.
Foam golf balls are perfect for hitting longer clubs because it replicates the feel of a real golf ball without worrying that you are going to break windows or need to walk hundred of yards to fetch the balls.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Golf balls have dimples so they can fly straight and not be obstructed by the wind. The dimple system reduces drag against the golf ball by moving the air around the outer layer more seamlessly.
Since golf balls are made with a urethane outer layer for increased spin, the dimples are crucial to reducing the force that wind can place on the ball.
Practice golf balls are made with dense foam and perforated plastic so they can reduce speed, but also navigate wind to replicate similar flight when compared to a real golf ball.
How do practice golf balls work?
Practice golf balls work similarly to regular golf balls but with a few important caveats. Since regular golf balls fly a few hundred yards when hit with high swing speed, alternative golf balls must put limiters in place to reduce speed and length.
These balls come available in high volume so that golfers can purchase a large quantity of them without spending much money.
The best golf balls for practice simulate the feel of a real golf ball without the worry of damaging nearby property, an important factor when planning at-home or indoor practice.
Do practice golf balls really help?
Most golfers live by the old adage that there’s no such thing as bad practice. So practice golf balls, although they might not be actual golf balls, still provide the ability for a golfer to take a complete swing without the need for an indoor golf facility.
With alternative balls that react like a real version, manufacturers have crafted practice accessories that actually allow the golfer to get repetitions in with each practice session.
Since practice golf balls offer limited flight, golfers can get in more swings in a tighter time frame. This type of high-quality practice is sure to improve your golf over time.
How can I practice golf swing at home?
One of the biggest obstacles to working on your swing at home is having the space to freely swing the club. Whether you choose to construct your practice area outside or in a garage, the room must be there to fully swing the golf club.
Alternative balls help expedite the process of creating an at-home or indoor practice area by offering a safe alternative to hitting real golf balls. With practice balls that react like an authentic golf ball, golfers can hit fuller swing shots and see what the trajectory would be if the ball was real.
What’s the best way of using training golf balls?
First, you must understand what your surroundings can endure and what type of practice is important for your game. For complete swings, a foam training golf ball with a hitting net can offer a similar experience to the practice range.
Since most golfers are dealing with limited space, the reduced flight distance of these practice foam balls allow for a full swing from the golfer. However you use the training balls, focused repetitions are the ideal way to improve your game.
Practice balls are great for hitting wedge shots and understanding how spin works with these clubs.
Conclusion
Our choice for the best overall practice golf ball, the GoSports Foam Practice golf ball, delivers a solid feel behind the dense foam at the heart of the product.
Great for golfers who want to take full-speed swings with their long irons and woods, the GoSports Foam Practice balls are affordable and work well for outdoor or indoor practice.
With a slightly heavier weight, the practice balls also deliver accurate short-game replication with a pure feel, especially on pitch shots covering 20-40 yards.
Ideal for serious players that need a safe way to practice golf when they can’t get to the range, the GoSports practice golf ball delivers exceptional all-around performance.