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Do pros play soft golf balls?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 22, 2026

World number one Jon Rahm uses the Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball having signed with the brand in 2021. The X model's design differs from the Chrome Soft in several ways. Rather than having a dual core, it features two mantle layers between the core and cover.

Do pro golfers use soft balls?

The top 100 PGA Tour players use 9 different golf balls produced by 5 manufacturers. 69% play a Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x with Callaway's Chrome Soft X the next most popular.

Do pros use soft or hard golf balls?

Do Pros Use Soft Golf Balls? On average, 55% of professional golfers use a softer feeling golf ball. Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Rory Mcilroy use softer balls and some of the more popular choices are the Taylormade Tp5/Tp5x and the Titleist Pro V1.

Are softer golf balls better?

Lower compression balls tend to be softer and compress more to create more distance. Higher compression balls offer more control and are used by better players who can produce faster swing speeds to compress the ball.

Who are soft golf balls best for?

What Are Softer Golf Balls Good For? Softer compression golf balls compress more easily, which helps create more distance and lower spin for high handicaps and players with a slower swing speed. The low compression will create more distance for players with swing speeds under 90 MPH.

29 related questions found

Are soft golf balls more forgiving?

The softer ball offers more game control on poorly centered hits and offers increased distance on low impact shots. I've ranked them a bit lower because of cost. These Titleist Tour golf balls are ideal for beginner golfers who require plenty of forgiveness on their hits. What do golfers have to say?

Do warm golf balls go further?

Generally, a warmer golf ball travels farther. The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft.

Do softer golf balls spin more?

As said, the softer ball feels superior when you hit it. Also, it spins almost five times more than the hardball, which is an incredible amount of spin. Still, if you want to see the difference on your own, then head to the driving range with a few hardballs and softballs.

Are soft balls hard?

Balls with a solid rubber core often feel hard and tend to primarily be two-piece balls. These will typically be more durable and generate better distance. Balls with a soft rubber core and soft urethane cover will feel soft and tend to be three, four or five-piece balls.

Which Callaway ball is like Pro V1?

The ball that most closely resembles the Pro V1x is the Srixon Z-Star XV. The balls above aren't all identical to the Pro V1x but they should perform pretty similarly. They all have a compression rating around the same number, they all have a high amount of wedge spin, and are built for fast swing speeds.

Who Should Use Pro V1x?

If you're looking for a softer feel, especially in the short game department – select the Pro V1. If you normally hit a high ball off the tee and don't mind launching a little lower, the Pro V1 is again the answer. However, the low-ball hitter will definitely benefit from the Pro V1x.

What golf ball does Dustin Johnson use?

Dustin Johnson uses TaylorMade's TP5x golf ball.

What ball does Justin Thomas play?

Titleist Pro V1x golf ball

It is the highest-flying, highest-spinning golf ball in the Titleist stable, and also the company's firmest-feeling ball. Traditionally, Titleist releases an update to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls every two years.

What golf ball goes the farthest?

Analyzing the individual ball statistics we can see that the Titleist Pro V1x averaged the farthest distance as well at 266.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Callaway Chrome Soft X averaged the shortest distance at only 259.3 yards. This results in a difference between the average maximum and minimum of only 7.4 yards.

Are old golf balls still good?

Do Unused Golf Balls Go Bad? If unused golf balls are stored at room temperature which is around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, they can last for 10 years. Golfweek.com indicates that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a new ball off the shelf and a new one that has been stored for years.

What is the difference between soft golf balls and hard golf balls?

Historical Differences Between Hard and Soft Golf Balls

Balata golf balls were made with a soft cover designed to promote spin, especially on short iron and pitch shots. Hard-cover balls were designed almost solely for distance and provided very little spin on shots around the green.

What's the best golf ball for distance?

Best Distance Golf Balls

  • Srixon Distance Golf Ball. Our pick. ...
  • Callaway Warbird Golf Ball. Best for speed off the face. ...
  • Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball. High launch. ...
  • Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball. ...
  • TaylorMade Distance + Golf Ball. ...
  • Honma D1 Golf Ball. ...
  • Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball. ...
  • Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball.

What is the difference between Chrome soft vs supersoft?

Chrome Soft is a premium, all-round golf ball intended for golfers that seek more control and spin around the green, while Supersoft is an oversized, distance golf ball designed for golfers who seek speed and distance.

Do harder golf balls go further?

The harder the ball, the further it tends to go with less spin. Harder golf balls tend to be much cheaper than softer golf balls. If you lose balls regularly then harder golf balls could be ideal for you. Soft balls stick to the grooves of your irons and wedges and spin much more.

What's the difference between e6 and e6 soft?

As you would expect, the e6 Soft is the softer of the two, and the difference is significant. With the e6 Speed, the feel is firmer throughout the bag. If you prefer a ball that lets you feel like you're compressing it, opt for the e6 Soft.

Will microwaving a golf ball make it go further?

Yes, you too can get greater distance on your shots in just seconds - The Microwave Way. Merely pop a golf ball into your microwave oven - and voila! This juiced-up dimpled dumpling surprisingly flies farther than the ball pros use.

Do golf balls lose distance with use?

Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.

Does heat damage golf balls?

High temperatures will affect the covers of golf balls which in many cases are made of an ionomer which is a thermoplastic which starts melting and deforming at temperatures above about 170 Degrees F.

Should high handicappers use Pro V1?

Should High Handicappers Use Pro V1 Balls? As a general rule, most golf coaches wouldn't recommend Pro V1 to a high handicapper. The extra cost and higher compression rating make Pro V1 suited for better players with higher swing speeds.

Do matte golf balls go further?

Some golfers believe that matte finish golf balls spin fast in dry conditions but decrease their spinning capacity in wet conditions. However, the correct answer to whether matte golf balls spin more is that they do not.