Does it really matter what golf ball you use?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 25, 2026
The quality of golf ball you use definitely matters and impacts on your game. Higher quality, more expensive golf balls generally have a urethane cover, leading to greater 'feel' and spin control. Premium balls will usually perform longer and hold greens more consistently, helping you shoot lower scores.
Does it make a difference what golf ball you use?
Softer golf balls are ideal for shots around the green. If you have a high golf handicap, the ball you choose to hit makes little difference. If you like a particular brand of golf ball or prefer one type of ball over another, you should use it regularly.
Do premium golf balls make a difference?
Well, premium golf balls are used on the PGA Tour for a reason. The top-tier golf balls are made to spin less off the tee, optimize distance on longer shots, provide control on shorter shots, and spin more around the greens for greater control.
Do golf balls matter for high handicappers?
Beginner and high handicappers should use golf balls that are two-piece, low-spinning and low-compression as they will generate the greatest distance but least curvature through the air. As the player improves, only then should they consider moving to a three-piece, higher spin ball.
Do golf balls matter for beginners?
If a beginner is still learning how to make the correct contact with the ball, as well as how to chip and leave it relatively close to the hole, the ball won't make a massive difference. 2-piece golf balls are ideal golf balls for a high-handicapper. Two-piece golf balls have harder shells and a sturdy core.
16 related questions foundDoes golf ball matter for average golfer?
A softer compression ball will still help those with slower swing speeds, while a harder ball might be the right fit for those with faster speeds. Most mid handicappers would benefit from a firmer golf ball that can produce more spin and control on the course. Anything between 70 and 90 would probably fit most swings.
What is a good round of golf for a beginner?
According to National Golf Foundation data, 45% of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round. With that said, it is believed that a 108 is considered to be a good score for a beginner golfer, which equates to double bogey on each hole of a par 72 course.
Do soft golf balls go further?
Do Softer Golf Balls Go Further? As a general rule, soft low compression golf balls will travel further when you hit your driver and irons. With your wedges, soft and firm golf balls should travel the same distance.
What are the most forgiving golf balls?
Most Forgiving Golf Ball, Ranked
- #1 – TaylorMade Soft Response.
- #2 – Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls.
- #3 – Callaway Super Soft Golf Balls.
- #4 – Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls.
- #5 – Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls.
- FOR WOMEN – Bridgestone 2019 e6 Lady Golf Balls.
- THE OLD #1 – TaylorMade Project (a) Golf Balls.
- Bridgestone e7 Golf Balls.
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 expensive golf balls go further?
Do the less-expensive balls travel a little farther and straighter off the tee? They can, but when we tested both types of balls at average-golfer swing speeds, the difference was almost negligible: six yards, usually less.
Are good golf balls worth it?
Certainly, players will see no difference between a cheap ball and an expensive ball. If you can't see or feel the difference, there is no reason to spend the extra money. Generally speaking, the better a golfer is, the more it makes sense to use a higher quality golf ball.
Do matte golf balls make a difference?
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.
Should I use the same golf ball?
As you can tell already, our answer to the question of 'should you always play the same model' golf ball is a resounding yes. Continuity in your equipment is tremendously helpful, and that applies to your golf balls just as it does to your clubs.
Is 14 a good golf handicap?
While not quite a scratch player, you have plenty of experience and get around a course well. If you are in the 10 to 15 handicap range, you are well above average and would be considered good by most standards. For the rest of the golfers near the middle and above, it is all about practice and experience.
Do golf balls matter for distance?
Distance isn't everything, but it matters. The same is true for greenside spin, launch characteristics, and every other aspect of golf ball performance. Fitting for the golf ball absolutely matters – in fact, it matters every bit as much as club fitting, and likely more.
Do any pros use colored golf balls?
Using a colored ball on the PGA Tour isn't a new phenomenon. Jerry Pate used an orange ball to win the 1982 Players Championship.
What is the lifespan of a golf ball?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
How often should you change your golf ball?
The most simple answer to the question of how often should you change your golf ball is that there are no set rules. Some Tour players change their ball after a certain number of holes, but the truth is, this is more based on superstition than the diminishing quality of the ball itself.
What is the hardest golf ball made?
The hardest golf ball available is the Mizuno RB Tour X, which has a compression rating of 110. This ball produces low-mid driver spin, high wedge spin, and is ideal for better golfers with swing speeds above 105 MPH. Another option for a hard golf ball is the Titleist Pro V1X Left Dash.
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 is a recycled golf ball?
In essence, you're getting a golf ball that looks brand new but is a second hand ball that has been stripped of some of the outer layer and repainted. A recycled ball on the other hand is a ball found on the golf course and resold in the condition that is was found.
Is under 100 a good golf score?
Since a score of 100 is considered an average score for an average golfer, you'll be considered an above-average golfer if you can consistently break 100.
Is 18 a good handicap in golf?
Someone with a handicap of 18 is sometimes called a "bogey golfer," meaning she averages a bogey, or one shot above par, per hole. A high handicap is anything above 18, but even a high handicap can indicate you are an okay golfer. According to the Golf Channel, the average score for all U.S. golfers is 100.
Is 120 a good golf score?
In golf, scores less than 120 strokes are seen as respectable, or "good" scores among amateur golfers. While 90 stroke scores are considered average, scores below 120 strokes on an 18-hole course are seen amongst the golf community as relatively good.