Best Golf Balls for Beginners: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Best value
4. Best for distance
5. Best soft feel
6. Best for spin
7. Best cheap ball
8. How we test
9. How to choose
10. FAQs
When it comes to choosing your golf balls, there is a huge amount to consider, and your final choice may come down to your play style, your personal preference, or even just your budget. However for new players, deciding on your chosen golf balls can feel like a minefield, especially with the cost of some of the best premium golf balls up to $50. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, all the major golf ball manufacturers continue to make developments to help early-stage golfers with their game, at a variety of price points.
We have been sorting through the options currently on the market to help you make your choice. Some golf balls are designed to maximize distance, whilst some are designed to help control and, in this guide, we have taken a look through the golf balls that do both for a cut-down price. In this guide, we dig into some of the best golf balls for beginners currently on the market. While these may not be the outright best balls currently available, we have specially selected these options for the beginner golfer, offering them a variety of attributes from control to extra distance.
The Quick List
The Titleist Trufeel is the perfect ball for golfers just starting the game as well as higher handicapped golfers who want a strong performing ball that doesn’t break the bank.
Great value for money for new golfers, as the dimpled pattern helps offer greater distance to maximize your power. The Wilson Velocity balls are very durable, but you may notice the cover feels harder when you make it to the putting green.
Another great option for beginner golfers trying to get more range. The Callaway Warbird offers impressive distance and a good putting feel at outstanding value. You may notice a lack of spin in your approach shots however.
A great ball for beginners with a fast swing, with a nice soft feel around the greens. But beware the Srixon Ultisofts have a high trajectory, which won’t suit all playstyles.
A solid performer at a fair price, the Carver delivers impressive spin control around the greens and good consistency throughout the bag.
The Pinnacle Rush is a very good cheap golf ball that offers up plenty of distance in the long game, a nice feel off the clubface and decent durability.
Best Golf Balls for Beginners
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Top pick
First up we have the Titleist TruFeel ball, which comes in as one of the most expensive on this guide, but we think it is worth it given the performance on offer. A two-piece golf ball, there is a softer 3.0 Truflex cover which is said to provide more spin and control and around the greens, whilst also offering a springy feel too. As a result it is clear the ball has been designed with beginners in mind. What's more, there was a surprising amount of spin, which only aids the performance further.
A new TruTouch cover has been introduced which did offer adequate distances but this is not the top of the market in this sector (we would probably recommend the Callaway Warbird for out and out distance). That being said the performance will still be solid for slower swingers. We also really liked the red lines stamped on the ball for additional alignment and certainly helped with close-range putting. Overall given our testing, we think the latest TruFeel is one of the best value golf balls on the market and definitely a model to consider if you are new to the game.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Ball Review
Best value
This low-compression option from Wilson promises extreme distance through a hard ionomer cover material, which optimizes trajectory for maximum yardage and roll allowing players to get more length from their golf shots. In our testing, we can vouch for these claims, with its enhanced aerodynamic dimple pattern also adding to the yardage factor.
Along with distance, its durability was also a standout as the ball barely marked with even the hardest of hits and strikes and, considering this is a low-compression model, its mid-compression core did indeed have an element of greenside playability. This helped us generate control around the greens.
Arguably, the biggest upside to the Velocity though is the price tag, with it ranking as one of the best value golf balls on the market. This is not only, in part, due to receiving an extra three golf balls in the box, (Wilson provides 15 instead of 12), but also thanks to the increase in distance you get.
- Read our full Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball Review
Best for distance
The Callaway Warbird has always been synonymous with distance and speed, with its latest offering seriously living up to that claim. To begin with, it uses a two-piece construction with an extra-large, high-energy core to promote distance with a high launch at different swing speeds.
All of that will suit a beginner golfer who might struggle to get the ball in the air and also wants more distance, with our testing seeing an increase in yardage, especially on iron shots into the greens. One small thing to note though, is that the thin and firm ionomer cover does provide less check and control than some might want greenside.
However, we feel this tradeoff is worth it because of the yardage on offer with this ball and, with the value for money to be had, it is certainly one of the best Callaway golf balls you can buy.
- Read our full Callaway Warbird Ball Review
Best soft feel
This Srixon offering is slightly more expensive than most of the other balls on this list, but may appeal to beginners happy to spend a little more without venturing into the realms of premium-priced golf balls.
To begin with, the Srixon UltiSoft is the brand's lowest-compression and softest golf ball ever, courtesy of an innovative new core that produces softer feel while maximizing energy transfer at impact for more long-game distance. While it is designed primarily for low to mid-swing speed golfers, the Ultisoft performs well at faster swing speeds too.
We carried out testing side-by-side with a premium golf ball and, to be honest, it was much harder to tell the difference than we had perhaps expected. Not only was distance good, but the ultra-low compression core did limit sidespin and brought our dispersion down, which beginner players will find very useful. Around the greens, we also felt it was more than soft enough to inspire confidence on a variety of shots.
- Read our full Srixon UltiSoft 2022 Golf Ball Review
Best for spin
Having tested a variety of value golf balls over the years, we're always excited to see new offerings enter the market and bring something different to the game of golf. Carver is a relatively new brand, but offers golfers the chance to buy its 3-piece, urethane-covered balls as a one-off online purchase or through a monthly subscription.
This is a relatively new concept for golf balls, and we think it is an excellent option for mid-handicap or beginner golfers, giving them the chance to perform at a high level without the premium price tag.
So, how did this ball play for us? Well, we were impressed with how it performed. Distance off the tee was good and the ball offered solid greenside spin control and checked even in firm and fast summer conditions. Moreover, the ball felt soft enough to feel responsive and also delivered a fantastic rate of spin with our mid-range irons.
- Read our full Carver Golf Ball Review
Best cheap ball
The Pinnacle name has long been associated with cheap distance golf balls and the brand's latest edition, the Rush, is no exception. Its high-energy core drives the performance of this golf ball, which generates faster ball speeds with every club.
When testing, we found this ball delivered high-quality distance straight away with both our drives and our iron shots into the greens. It also offers a nice high flight and doesn't feel clicky or loud as you might expect an out-and-out distance ball to feel.
Its icosahedral dimple design, comprising 332 dimples in a durable ionomer cover, promises a consistent, powerful ball flight and not too much spin. It is quite firm on the clubface and won't dazzle on approach shots or around the greens, but that's not this ball's objective. You know what to expect and it produces exactly that - in spades. If you're looking to put a few extra yards on your game, then this is certainly one of the best distance golf balls.
- Read our full Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball review
How we test golf balls
Here at Golf Monthly, our testing for beginners golf balls is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the entire Golf Monthly test team. Ball testing is headed up by Sam De'Ath and Joe Ferguson and as far as the specific procedure goes, prior to testing, the team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology in each golf ball. Next the team will put each ball into practice on the range, using premium launch monitors to assess data on the ball's spin ratio, its launch angles and its distance.
We also test all golf balls outdoors over a number of rounds on the UK's best golf courses to see how these golf balls perform in real-life conditions. We try to use each ball in as many different conditions as possible and play them from many different lies. That allows us to get a feel of each ball performs in different conditions and which type of golfer it would be best for. We think it is vitally important to continue to test the balls so that they have been comprehensively put to the test and we can also see how durable they are. It should also be mentioned that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review and we make our conclusions from our testing and the experiences we have with each product.
What to consider when buying golf balls
With so many golf balls available on the market, picking the right ball for you can sometimes be a very overwhelming choice. Particularly for beginner players, cutting through the many different brands and types of ball to get the right one for your abilities can be a difficult task. But don't fret! We've set out below a list of things you need to consider when buying your next pack of golf balls. Take a look and keep these points in mind when you head down to your local shop.
Durability
When it comes to beginner golf balls this is one of the most important factors to consider. Occasionally cheaper models don't last as long because they cut up, or the cover isn't made of a high quality. These balls tend not to perform as well or for as long as more premium offerings on the market. But you can pick up durable balls for a reasonable price, and the longer that ball lasts, the better value you'll get out of it. For more durable golf balls, look out for offerings that have firmer covers because they will be less likely to sustain cuts and scrapes. But if feel is more important to you than durability, go for models with softer covers.
Long game or short game?
Which aspect of the game is most important to you as a beginner? Do you want to get as much distance as possible from your golf ball, or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to an improved feel?
If you're looking to add some yards to your game, pick a firmer golf ball as they spin less in the air and don't veer off as much if you hit a hook or a slice. For more control around the greens, look out for a ball with a premium feel that will give you more stopping power on the dance floor.
Color
No longer do your golf balls have to all be white. Instead they can be different colors like yellow, red, or even green. Do you regularly find yourself in the trees? Or do you have a hard time seeing your golf ball on the fairways as it is? Colored balls can help you find your ball in tricky situations and that can also prolong the life of your balls.
Budget
In the beginner section of the golf ball market, there are different price points to be aware of, so assess how much you want to spend before heading down to the golf shop and picking up a pack of balls.
Number of balls
Given how cheap some of the models are above, you can occasionally find deals on models that mean you can get 24 or sometimes even 36 golf balls for a generous price. Beginners tend to lose golf balls more quickly so it makes sense to get as many as possible when you can in the sales.
FAQs
Do golf balls matter for beginners?
We think golf balls matter at every level of the game. From a game improvement standpoint, there are serious gains to be made for a newcomer to the sport using the correct ball for their needs. There is no point in a beginner using a Tour-level golf ball as they wouldn't be able to consistently utilize what the ball has been designed for. But there are balls out there that can help beginner players get to a stage where they might one day be able to use a Titleist Pro V1, for example. So yes, golf balls do matter for beginners, as they can help you become a better player.
How many golf balls does a beginner need?
Generally, beginners tend to lose more balls on the course than players who have been playing for some time. Granted we all have days where we swat three balls into the water, but as beginners are less experienced players, it is wise to carry a few extra balls in the bag to ensure you have enough to get around with. Make sure though not to weigh your bag down too much with too many balls!
What types of golf balls should a beginner use?
This will vary from golfer to golfer but we have found the most common requirements are: balls that help players get the ball into the air and hit it further, adequate feel for those shots around the green, durable enough to deal with marks and dents during a round and a good value price.
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