Playing golf really is a fun activity to take part in, especially when you are good at it. If you feel like you are one of the more average golfers out there then you may be looking at ways that you can try and improve your game.
Before you go and spend unwanted money on a new set of clubs there are a few things you should think about. First of all, it could be the clubs you are using, but most likely it isn’t. Really you should start to look at what you are doing wrong in terms of your technique.
Once you have done that and are still feeling like you need to improve, you may want to start looking into what golf balls you are using. The reason for that is that some balls offer different advantages over others.
If it is your long game that is holding you back then you want to start looking for balls that offer a high flight and low spin so that velocity is wasted drifting out wide. In other words, the ball will travel straight.
If it is your short game you are trying to improve then you want a ball that is going to help you be more accurate. These are minuscule little details but can really improve your game. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of all the best balls for you average golfers.
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls
OUR TOP PICK
Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls
One of the undisputed best balls in golf is the Titleist Pro V1x, and while many folks believe that these balls are “too good” for them, it’s actually quite the opposite – both the ProV1 and the ProV1x are suitable for most golfers.
One of the biggest differences between the ProV1 and the ProV1x is the launch angle. The ProV1x has a higher launch angle than the ProV1, making it better for the average amateur golfer by adding more height and increased carry distance. Added to this is the lower long game spin, making this ideal for high spin golfers to help keep their drives straight. As we know from our strokes gained lessons, the further the ball travels the lower your expected score on the hole will be.
Don’t worry we haven’t forgotten about your short game. The four-layer construction of this ball allows for Tour-level greenside control and Titleist-trademarked “Drop-and-Stop” control, keeping your shots on the green.
Titleist recently added a yellow ball to the ProV1x, so if you prefer brighter colors you now have that option.
Pros
- Higher launch angle helps most amateurs increase carry distance
- Lower long-game spin
- Will also improve your short game due to the drop and stop features of the ball
Cons
- A premium golf ball with a premium price tag
You can also find them here.
EDITORS CHOICE
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
Again another great golf ball on the market is the Srixon Soft Feel golf ball. It is actually quite a uniquely designed ball too.
It has a 338-speed dimple pattern, this will improve its ability to travel in the wind over long distances and in turn improve your long game because you will be able to hit the ball at a much further distance than you previously could have. The dimple design also improves the lift of the ball, this means that the ball will travel at a higher distance and reach that distance at a much quicker rate.
If a ball offers you poor lift then it will struggle to rise to the level that you want, this means that it is more likely to hit obstacles along the way.
Though they are not very durable and may pick up scuffs. Due to the ball offering such a soft thin cover it will provide you with a lot of greenside spins, this will improve many other areas of your golf game and not just your long game. It will improve your chipping and your putts.
When you chip a ball you are normally looking to gain enough height to make it over something with greenside spin you will be able to lift the ball and have it travel a little further than before which can be extremely helpful.
Pros
- Will perform very well in the wind and travel for longer distances
- Will have a great lift and reach higher distances at a much quicker rate.
- Will also improve your chipping and putting game which is an area that many average golfers can struggle
Cons
- Not very durable and may pick up scuffs.
BEST VALUE
TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls
These specific TaylorMade Distance Plus balls are again one of the best on the market for average golfers.
They have a very low spin and are able to travel at a high speed, this will improve your long game massively allowing you to make the ball travel at a much further distance than you previously may have been able to make it. It has a 342 aero dimple pattern. This like the previous ball will allow it to travel at a very high-performance rate during strong winds.
It is no surprise that in many cases the ball’s expected distance can be impacted by how strong the wind is and how far it is pushing against it. That shouldn’t be a problem with these specific balls. The ball itself is only available in white so if you are someone who has always struggled to track your ball then you may want to look for options that include very bright colors.
Tracking a ball in golf can be difficult because they travel at such high speeds, if there is an option to improve that feature you should always take it, it just makes your life easier.
Pros
- Will travel at a low spin rate meaning no power is wasted by the ball skewing to the side
- Will also travel at a high speed which means it will cover more distance much quicker
- It performs very well in the wind and will not be majorly impacted by it.
Cons
- Only available in one color so if you struggle to track golf balls once you’ve hit them you may want to find a ball that is much brighter.
HONORABLE MENTION
Vice Tour Golf Balls
Another great ball for average golfers to use is the Vice Tour golf ball. They again offer a 392 aerodynamic dimple design, this will keep the ball traveling at a great performance level during stronger winds.
It will keep the flight of the ball much more stable, if a ball’s flight is unstable it can damage the end result of the distance traveled. Distance really is key to this ball’s features, it has a soft energy speed core, which means that it will be able to travel those extra few yards that you are pining for, it will be incredibly smooth on impact and will really accentuate how good your technique really is. This will help improve your golf game as a whole. This ball is great off the tee and will obviously travel a fair distance, though it doesn’t do much for improving your short game.
If your short game is the area in which you need to improve then you may be better looking at balls that are specifically designed to be more accurate on the green.
Pros
- Will perform well in the wind
- Will improve your technique
- Great off the tee and will travel far
Cons
- Doesn’t do much for improving your short game
- Not the most durable ball
Best Golf Balls For Average Golfer Buying Guide
Short Game
The short game is an area of golf that most people falter at, so if you consider yourself an average golfer it is no surprise that that is an area in which you are trying to improve, after all, it is where you are probably picking up your most attempts.
The short game isn’t about power, it is about being accurate and hitting the ball with just the right amount of strength for the ball to travel.
There are many balls on the above list that are great for improving your short game. This is one of the most important aspects when it comes to improving your golf game and turning you from an average golfer into a great golfer.
The short game is unavoidable so you need to have a good one if you are going to be taken seriously on the golf course.
That is why it is one of the most important things that you need to consider when it comes time to improve your golf game. As stated there are lots of balls above that can do that.
Long Game
Your long game again is just as important as your short game, I mean what is the point of having a really good short game if it is taking you 6 attempts to get onto the green. The way to improve this is of course first by looking at your technique.
If you find that still is leaving you a few yards short of where you want to be then the best thing you can do is look at what type of ball you are using and if they are able to improve the distance in which you can hit the ball.
This will be in the areas of aerodynamic performance and low-spinning balls. These will improve your distance game massively and help improve your game as a whole.
The above balls are all great for improving the long game and maximizing the distance in which the ball will travel so if that is an area in which you are struggling then this will help you massively. This is an important aspect for you to consider when trying to become a better golfer.
Aerodynamic
The reason aerodynamic balls are important for you to consider is that it will mean that the ball will not struggle when there are very strong winds, if the ball struggles in high winds then it will be difficult for you to be able to make the ball travel for a very long distance.
Many of the above balls travel well in strong winds. If a ball does not travel well in long winds then it will be difficult for you to improve the distance that you can reach when playing golf.
Distance covered is one of the most important aspects of golf so improving that part of your game should be one of your highest priorities. This will take you from the amateurs to the pros in no time.
Low Spin
Balls that offer low spin are again incredibly useful when it comes to improving your golf game, the reason for this is that if a ball has high spin over longer distances it can start to skew to the side.
By doing this the ball is hindering the maximum distance that it is able to achieve. This can be incredibly irritating especially when you feel like you are doing nothing wrong.
This really is one of the most important things that you’ll need to consider when looking into what golf balls can improve your game.
Color
The color of the ball isn’t always important unless you normally struggle to track your ball after you have hit it, this is due to the fact that balls travel at a very high speed and can in some cases blend into the background.
Balls that are bright colors are naturally much easier for you to able to see and track the distance in which you have covered when striking the ball.
If that is an area in which you struggle then you should certainly look into what color golf balls you are using and if you are able to find a brighter one to make that much easier for you.
Soft Feel
Soft feel balls will significantly improve your technique when striking the ball as you will feel exactly what it is that you are doing wrong.
If the technique is an area in which you find yourself struggling then selecting a soft feel ball may be the best idea for you, as stated it will enhance your ability to improve your technique which in many ways can help your performance more than anything.
This really can be important to you if you feel like your technique is lacking so should be considered with great importance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Low spin balls are great over long distances because they will not skew to the side, if a ball skews to the side then a lot of the initial power that you hit the ball with can be taken away by the ball traveling to the side instead of the ball traveling directly which is what you want the ball to be doing if you want to improve your long game.
They will perform at a high level during strong winds, strong winds can majorly impact how well a ball performs so it is important to have a ball that will not be hindered by the wind pushing against it.
After failing to hit a curveball, Ryan turned to golf more seriously as a teen. He played in high school in and around Scottsdale, Arizona before taking a break through college and his 20s. Today, Ryan spends his weekends playing Torrey Pines as a San Diego resident, working to chip away at his single-digit handicap.
While he's had great mentors along the way, much of Ryan's game improvement has been from study of the game itself. Ryan hopes to give these keys to success to other golfers through his work here at Better Golf Online.
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