Best Golf Balls For High Handicappers 2024

When the term high handicapper is used, most people probably envisage a slow swinger who doesn't hit the ball very far. Often that is indeed the case, but not always. All of us will have played with golfers who hit it miles but are very wayward and have an awful short game. So not all high handicap golfers can be grouped together, which makes coming up with a list of the best golf balls for this particular group of golfers trickier than you might think.

There is no 'one size fits all' solution as you can have three golfers who all have the same high handicap but who also have completely different swing speeds and requirements for what they need a golf ball to do.

So this list can't just focus on which ball goes furthest, although we will feature some of the best distance golf balls as well as the best golf balls for slow swing speeds. 

There are also balls on the market that seek to neutralize the damaging effects of sidespin to a degree by spinning less. The slice is the most common high handicapper’s affliction, so anything that might stop the ball heading quite so far right would be great for many. Hitting straighter also usually means hitting further as slice spin is the avowed enemy of distance! Inconsistency is another hallmark of many higher handicappers’ games - especially off the tee - which often means losing a lot of golf balls. This will be a key consideration for many golfers as it can be very expensive if you are using the best premium golf balls.

Rest assured though we have you covered, because we have tested a lot of golf balls, and I mean A LOT. So we think we are in a good position to filter down the golf ball market into the best models for higher handicap players in this guide.

The Quick List

Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers

Top pick

When it comes to all around performance our top pick for higher handicap players currently is the latest version of Titleist's TruFeel golf ball. Everyone knows the Titleist ProV1 is the number one ball for professionals, but Titleist don't just focus on the best players, they cater for all abilities and the TruFeel is in some ways the ProV1 for high handicappers.

TruFeel is a two-piece construction golf ball that features a new, softer 3.0 Truflex cover which improves greenside spin and control. There is also a new TruTouch core which promote longer distances, making it a versatile golf ball with no real weakness. But how did the ball test for us? Very well is the answer. 

This is an excellent ball to consider for higher handicap players because it did indeed offer good distance, especially with the driver. Off the face the ball felt springy and got into the air easily, both of which will suit higher handicap players as well as the beginner golfer. In testing we were also impressed with the performance around the greens. 

The springy feel was also present with wedges and putter in hand, while we were pleased to discover there was a surprising amount of spin, which only aids the performance around the greens further.

Finally, we really liked the red lines stamped on the ball for additional alignment which helps with close-range putting. This kind of visual stimulation is very important for beginners and higher handicap players as making short putts is the easiest way to lower a score.

• Read our full Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Ball Review

Best for alignment

Having the correct alignment on the greens is essential for newer golfers or those looking to get their handicap down. Saving shots on the green is the easiest way to lower a score but if your alignment isn't right then you will not consistently make putts. 

The Triple Track alignment aid features on several of the best Callaway golf balls including the latest version of the ERC Soft, which is packed with technology and features designed to make it Callaway’s longest soft-feeling ball and an ideal option for higher handicap players. 

One of our testers for this ball was an 18 handicapper and he noticed a higher launch and extra distance, with less spin being created as well. It impressed in the short-game performance too. The ERC Soft shares the same hybrid cover featuring a Paraloid Impact Modifier as Callaway’s Supersoft model, and in testing it produced a distinctly soft feel and plenty of greenside spin. 

But the design feature that will really help high handicap players be more consistent on the green is Triple Track. Having not used the tool before our tester was somewhat sceptical about it but was pleasantly surprised and felt it really helped him concentrate more on lining up the ball properly, which in turn leads to a better start line and more holed putts. 

• Read our full Callaway ERC Soft ball review

Best for distance

If distance is your over-riding priority when it comes to a golf ball, the Srixon Distance ball is a model that seems to sell very well everywhere. It has a number of design features which many high handicap players will benefit from. First and foremost, it has a softer compression compared to the previous iteration. This helps deliver added distance through more velocity and a higher launch. 

In our testing we saw a good increase in distance and we also noted how it penetrated the air in windy conditions a little better than other distance ball as well, which also resulted in more yardage. This is because of the reduced dimple count which impacts ball flight. 

High handicap players will also enjoy the durable cover which is engineered for greater cut-proof durability, meaning it will perform well for longer and you won't need to change your ball due to scuffing. This undoubtedly makes the Srixon Distance one of the best cheap golf balls, but the trade off with this ball is the lack of significant feel when compared to more premium models, especially around the greens. That being said, we were pleased that it did not feel like a rock, which has often been an issue with golf balls designed purely for distance. 

• Read our full Srixon Distance ball review

Best soft feel

The TaylorMade Soft Response golfball is a great choice for golfers with a slow swing speed. Compression is the key to distance. The ball needs to compress against the clubhead and then it springs off the face. If you have a slow swing and a high compression golf ball, it won't compress enough and you will lose distance. A high swing speed with a low compression ball results in too much compression and once again you will lose distance.

This is the softest ball TaylorMade has ever produced so it's aimed primarily at golfers with slow swing speeds, and as such it is one of the best golf ball for senior golfers. With a low 50-compression, the Soft Response is aimed at players with mid or slow driver swing speeds. With faster speeds we noticed in our testing that there was a drop off in distance, but if your driver speed is around the 90mph mark, you may well find the long game performance is good.

The softness really stood out on the greens during testing as it has a lovely feel off the face of the putter, which also extends to the wedges with the spin numbers produced being only slightly behind the best golf balls on the market. 

Faster swingers of the club will see a drop off in distance at the top end of the bag but may like how it performs closer in, while slower swingers will still be able to benefit from the superb short game performance, while maximising their distance off the tee.

• Read our full TaylorMade Soft Response 2022 ball review

Best for durability

As you will have gathered from everything mentioned above, a good golf ball for a high handicapper has to do a lot of things well. Another good example of this is the Hex Soft from Callaway, which delivers a good all-round performance in both the long and short-game, whilst also being extremely durable, making it one of the best value golf balls on the market. In fact, in testing we managed to get two and a half rounds out of the same golf ball and found it to be extremely resistant to cuts, scuffing and general wear and tear. 

In terms of performance, in the short game this ball undoubtedly feels soft, which will certainly appeal to a lot of golfers, whilst we found that the distance on offer, while not being the best, was at least competitive with more expensive models. Importantly you can also find these golf balls at a good price too, further adding to the overall value on offer. 

• Read our full Callaway Hex Soft Golf Ball Review

Best value

Wilson released the Triad golf ball at the beginning of 2022 and was designed for those golfers after the feel and control of a urethane model without having to pay the premium price of a Tour golf ball. Did it deliver when we tested it? 

From a high handicapper perspective, it certainly did. We experienced good distance on all shots and we were very happy with the consistency of the ball flight too. While the Triad is a level below the most premium golf balls out there, we still found that it delivered an element of short game control and spin. Higher handicap golfers do not tend to have the kind of touch and skill around the greens to get the full benefit of the most premium golf balls so the Triad delivers more than enough performance.

So with good distance and consistency in the long game as well as a nice feel on and around the green, the Wilson Triad is definitely a golf ball to consider if you are a high handicapper who seriously wants to improve your game. When you factor in the total performance of this ball, and combine it with the lower price you can find the Triad for, this is a great value product.

• Read our full Wilson Triad Golf Ball review

How we test golf balls

Our testing procedure for golf balls, as well as all other golf gear, revolves around several key commitments;

When we say we’ve reviewed a product, it means that we’ve used it out on the golf course and also on a launch monitor where applicable. So all clubs and balls are extensively tested on course as well as with a launch monitor to give us the most information possible for our reviews. It is important to state that manufacturers can’t pay for a good review – we always tell it how we see it. And finally we will always do everything possible to use the latest and best equipment to assess performance. In terms of specifics for golf balls, we use several members of the Golf Monthly team, who play at a variety of levels, to put golf balls to the test out on the golf course. This gives us as wide a scope as possible when it comes to assessing the performance of a golf ball at different swing speeds and different skill levels.

The entire team are regular golfers and therefore balls are used over a number of rounds because that is how you can test for things like distance, feel, durability, spin and so on. We then seek to be as honest and insightful as possible in reviews and guides to help you be more informed.

How to choose golf balls

If you are a high handicap player and want to find the best golf ball for you, what are some of the things you need to consider? Well this section is here to help...

Distance or feel?

The area of the game that higher handicap players usually need the most help is in getting the ball in the air and maximising distance, especially off the tee. Therefore many models listed above have simple constructions which are designed to create a high launch, stay in the air longer, and feel a bit harder at impact. Models like the Srixon Distance for instance.

It isn't all about just distance though. There are also golfers who struggle in terms of feel so we have also included some models above in this regard too, such as the Titleist TruFeel or Callaway ERC Soft. So regardless of which part of the game you most struggle with, there is a ball to help.

Spin

Linking with the above point many models above are going to spin less, which will help destructive tee shots become less so. For example the Bridgestone E12 Contact helps reduce sidespin which means it won't curve as much after a sliced tee shot. That will undoubtedly mean fewer lost balls, plus you will also find yourself further up the fairway with a shorter shot in.

Durability

Golf balls for higher handicap players need to be durable, as they tend to get into more trouble in terms of sand, bushes, trees and so on. All of which can damage the cover of a golf ball. A good golf ball for higher handicap players will be resistant to cuts and scrapes and many of the models above have firmer covers to help in this regard.

Color

No longer do you have to plump for a white golf ball because now you can go for greens, reds, yellows and just about any color you can think of. If you struggle to see the white golf ball in the air or when it lands, why not try a different color?

Budget

Finally be aware of how much you can or want to spend on golf balls. If you want the cheapest dozen possible with a degree of performance then a couple of models will suit you above, whereas if you want to spend a little more we have got you covered there too.

FAQs

If you want more golf ball buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf balls for slow swing speeds and best golf balls for seniors.

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