What is the difference between cheap and expensive golf balls?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 22, 2026
The cheap golf balls have fewer materials and they are designed to offer a single benefit to a golfer (ie. distance, high ball flight, low spin). An expensive golf ball is typically made of several more pieces and it can offer multiple levels of performance and functionality for a player.
Do expensive golf balls really make a difference?
The average golfer won't get enough benefit to justify paying the higher price and would be better off using that money to work on their swing. The only benefit to an expensive golf ball would be the increased spin around the green and the nice soft feel at impact.
Does quality of golf ball make a difference?
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.
Why are some golf balls more expensive than others?
The economics is simple, more layers mean more research, which means more money, and therefore a higher retail price. All golf balls start life as a core, made from a synthetic compound, and as a minimum also feature a cover. It's the materials used in these which play some part in the price.
Why are Pro V1 balls so expensive?
The quick answer is this: Titleist (and other leading manufacturers) have a ton of scientific man hours (think research, development, engineering) as well as significant production costs (think high grade materials and inspections) that contribute to the final cost of a Pro V1 or Pro V1x.
28 related questions foundDo 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.
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.
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.
Do golf balls lose distance with age?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
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.
Do golf balls matter for high handicappers?
Ionomer cover golf balls are usually less expensive, more durable, and produce less spin overall. Most importantly, most ionomer balls will produce less side spin off the clubface, which should help high handicap players keep the ball in play. The inside of the golf ball may be just as important.
Do golf balls spoil?
Golf balls can easily go bad if they are extremely scratched up. The damage taken from hitting solid objects such as trees or cart paths, even clubs repeatedly can limit the performance in terms of distance, spin, flight, and roll. Take note beginner golfers!
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
A standard amateur golfer can hit a 7 iron from 128 yards to 158 yards. The lower range will be for women and senior golfers. To hit the ball over 150 yards in total distance with a 7 iron club, an amateur golfer will have to have a good swing and be physically fit.
Is a 3 wood better than a driver?
For many golfers, a 3 wood will give overall better results than a driver and can be used regularly off the tee and even replace the driver. So a 3 wood is a valuable club that can give you the needed distance off the tee and is more versatile than a driver.
Why don t pro golfers use colored balls?
As a whole pros don't use coloured golf balls because white balls are easier to see. Since pros depend on the game for their living it's vital they maximise their ability to see the flight and where their ball goes. Bubba Watson and Hale Irwin are examples of major champions who have used coloured golf balls at times.
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.
What color golf ball is easiest?
Simply put, yellow golf balls are a lot easier to see. This is especially true with the fluorescent or neon yellow hue found on many balls, including the Srixon Q-Star and Q-Star Tour.
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.
What is the difference between soft and hard golf balls?
The main difference between a soft and hardball is that the softer ball feels much better when you hit it. Back in the 20s, there were two types of golf balls, Balata and hard cover golf balls. The Balata balls were designed to promote spin, whereas the hard-cover balls were created to provide more distance.
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.
What percentage of golfers can break 90?
According to data from the National Golf Foundation, only 26 percent of all golfers shoot below 90 consistently on regulation 18-hole courses; 45 percent of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round.”
How far should a 70 year old man hit a golf ball?
A 70-year-old man should be hitting a driver anywhere from 180 to 190 yards. This number has grown a bit in the last few years with the introduction of improved driver and shaft technology. At 70 years old, some golfers are having no trouble getting the ball to fly 200 yards or more.
Why do I hit my 3 wood as far as my driver?
Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.