Best Golf Balls for Seniors 2024

Our guide to the best golf balls for seniors will help steer the more mature golfer into the best golf balls for his or her game

Best Golf Balls for Seniors
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
Best Golf Balls for Seniors : Quick Menu

Some senior golfers break the mould, of course, but for most, swing speed gradually declines with the passing years. Many older golfers won’t be able to swing it as fast as they once did or hit it as far as they once could.

Regardless of ability or age, playing the best golf balls for your game is important. Thankfully most brands offer different models that have been specifically designed for different types of player, so what are the best golf balls for seniors and what is it about them that makes them a good choice for the older player? Swing speed is a major factor in determining distance, but the ball’s design and construction has a bearing too. As swing speed declines, many senior golfers find that they benefit from a ball with a lower compression. This allows them to still compress it a decent amount and maintain more of their former distance.

Others may not be able to launch the ball as high as they once did, which can make it harder to stop the ball as quickly on the greens. Many brands offer a ball designed to launch higher, and therefore come down steeper to help on that front. Vision often deteriorates with age too, and for some seniors, the modern breed of brighter-colored balls from Volvik and, increasingly, many other brands can be a real godsend, especially in gloomier light.

Bearing all of this in mind, at Golf Monthly we have tested a lot of golf balls and we have many senior staff members who test gear as well. As such we have put together this guide on the balls we think are best suited to senior players. We also recommend having a read of some of our other golf ball guides too, such as the best distance golf balls and best golf balls for slow swing speeds.

The Quick List

Best Golf Balls for Seniors

Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Top pick

Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball Review

a pack of the Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball on grass

(Image credit: Future)
A blend of distance, soft feel and all round performance

Specifications

Construction: Two-piece
Colors: 3 (White, Yellow & Green)

Reasons to buy

+
Bright white finish
+
Useful alignment aid sidestamp
+
Generous greenside spin

Reasons to avoid

-
Small drop in carry distance compared to a premium ball

Compared to the best premium golf balls on the market, the Tour Soft provides a lot of value and is our top pick in this guide on the best models for seniors. Why? Well firstly the 2022 version also worked well for seniors but the latest design has been refined with a reformulated thin Fusablend cover for reliable greenside spin. Additionally there is a thick line and ‘T’ marking on the side that will be handy for anyone looking for help with alignment.

But why is it good for senior players? This is because the Tour Soft delivers excellent all-round performance. As the name suggests, they feel extremely soft which is ideal for control and feel around the greens, and on short shots, but this comes without compromising on distance, both of which are vital for senior players. The Tour Soft also feels powerful off the face which translated to good speed as well, which will help senior players with slow to mid-swing speeds. (Those players looking for out and out distance, should read our guide on the best distance golf balls). This, including their great durability, make them another great option that won't break the bank as well.

Best value

The Wilson Duo Soft 2023 Golf Ball and its black packaging resting on the fairway

The Wilson Duo Soft 2023 Golf Ball and its black packaging

(Image credit: Future)
Outstanding value given the performance on offer

Specifications

Construction : Two-piece
Color: 5 (white, green, red, orange, yellow)

Reasons to buy

+
Long distance for a soft ball
+
Very high ball flight
+
Affordable price point

Reasons to avoid

-
Feels a little springy off the face around the greens

The 2023 Wilson Duo Soft is dubbed by Wilson to be the 'world's softest golf ball' and with a compression rating of 40, it's hard to argue against that. Akin to many of the best soft golf balls on the market, the Wilson Duo Soft is an ionomer covered golf ball that has been designed to allow for maximum energy return, meaning this ball flies further and launches higher with much less effort. We found this was the case when we took it out on the course, where we found it delivered towering, high trajectories with every club in the bag, an ideal element for senior players in getting the ball in the air. 

While it may not suit players with faster swing speeds the Duo Soft was an excellent ball for slower swinging players looking for a little bit more speed from their equipment. It was also extremely soft on the face but still felt springy when struck off the middle. We were very surprised with this golf ball and considering its price tag, this is definitely one of the best value golf balls going. What's even better is that it comes in several different colors, including fluorescent yellow and red. 

Best for long game

Callaway Supersoft golf ball at address next to a putter

The Callaway Supersoft golf ball at address next to a putter

(Image credit: Future)
A good soft ball for those seeking distance

Specifications

Construction: Two-piece
Colors: 6 (white, red, yellow, green, orange, pink)

Reasons to buy

+
Ideal all-round ball for those with average swing speeds
+
Maintained distance with longer clubs.
+
Superb control around the greens.

Reasons to avoid

-
Faster-swinging seniors won’t get the most out of the low-compression core

Callaway’s low-compression Supersoft ball has undergone several improvements, making it an even better choice for seniors whose swings aren’t as fast they once were.

Principle among these is a new hybrid cover featuring what Callaway has christened a Paraloid Impact Modifier. The benefits are improved distance and durability without sacrificing feel and short-game control. Callaway’s famous HEX Aerodynamics cover pattern reduces drag and increases lift to help you launch the ball better. The Soft Compression Core then enhances energy transfer for more ball speed and a high-launch, low-spin combo in your longer clubs. In our testing we definitely felt this was the case and we also saw some receptiveness with approach shots, especially longer irons and hybrids.

Two more features we liked were the black background on the sidestamp which made it easy to align, and the fact it is available in six colors - including white, yellow plus matte orange, green, pink and red.

Best control

Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls 2023

Two Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls next to the green packaging

(Image credit: Future)
A ball suited to those seniors wanting short game control

Specifications

Construction: Two-piece
Colors: 4 (white, red, orange and green)

Reasons to buy

+
Soft feel at impact
+
Good control around the greens

Reasons to avoid

-
Soft feel might not give enough audible feedback on putts

This is the 13th generation of Srixon’s Soft Feel model and is the softest ball they've ever created. Akin to the Srixon Soft Feel 2021 golf ball, it is designed to help slower-swinging golfers maximize distance without compromising on feel. It features Srixon’s softest FastLayer Core, which has a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge. This construction allows it to snap back into shape faster, delivering more ball speed at impact. Comparing it to the previous model, we found our Trackman numbers were pretty similar but the 2023 version did have better flight performance. 

The 338 Speed Dimple Pattern gets the ball cutting through the wind better by reducing drag at launch and increasing lift during the ball's descent. We got some great yardages with this ball, and with its compression rating of 60, it is great if you have a swing speed of around 90mph or less (which most senior players do). Finally one of the key features that separates this ball from others is the control around the greens and on the putting surface. The control from the 1.6mm ionomer casing gives a soft feeling, so if you like your golf balls to be a bit quieter when putting this is a great option for you. 

Best 3-piece

TaylorMade Soft Response 2022 Golf Ball Review

A pack of the TaylorMade Soft Response 2022 Golf Ball

(Image credit: Future)
A three-piece ball which won't break the bank

Specifications

Construction: Three-piece
Colors: 3 (white, red, yellow)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent feel off the putter face
+
Superb short game spin control

Reasons to avoid

-
Faster swingers may see a drop off in driver distance

The TaylorMade Soft Response is one of two Response models sitting beneath the brand's premium TP5 product, along with the Tour Response ball. Soft Response has been designed with moderate swing speeds in mind, offering all-round performance with a softer feel, courtesy of a soft but durable ionomer cover. 

In our testing we found players with mid-slow swing speeds (which most seniors fit into) will enjoy the long-game performance here but those with faster swing speeds will see a drop off. However the trade-off here is the stunning soft feel you get especially around the greens and with the putter. With the wedges it also produced slightly less spin than the best golf balls on the market so this is a big plus-point. 

 Overall what makes this a good model to consider for senior golfers is that slower swingers will still be able to benefit from the superb short game performance without seeing the drop off that faster swingers will when using this ball. 

How we test golf balls

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

First, if we say we have reviewed a product, then we would have done so fairly and comprehensively. In terms of golf balls that means we have used it out on the golf course and on launch monitors where applicable. Additionally we will always endeavor to use the latest and best equipment to assess performance. Another crucial point we want to make is no manufacturer can pay for a good review because the entire Golf Monthly team tell it how they see it. 

In terms of specifics for golf balls, we use several members of the Golf Monthly team, who play at a variety of levels and are at different ages, to put golf balls to the test out on the golf course. The entire team are regular golfers and therefore balls are tested indoors and outside, and then 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

We think the first thing to consider when buying golf balls is you having a think about your game. First you ultimately need to pick a golf ball designed to help you. This means having a clear indication of what level you are and what are your strengths and weaknesses. It is totally pointless using a golf ball that will dampen and limit your strengths, whilst also accentuating your weaknesses. In terms of this guide for seniors, additionally there are also some age-specific things to consider as well. 

Distance

As players get older, chances are swing speed will go down which makes getting distance an issue. A golf ball can help here though because a golf ball with a lower compression can allow players to still compress it a decent amount and maintain more of their former distance.

Launch

Another thing we have seen is senior players may struggle to launch the golf ball which can make it difficult when faced with a forced carry over a penalty area, or hitting into a green which is guarded by bunkers for example. Thankfully there are golf balls out there, many of them above, which have been designed to launch higher which gets the ball in the air. 

Colors

One final point to mention is vision can deteriorate for some people but golf is no longer just a white ball affair. Now most brands make bright golf balls which stand out better, especially in gloomier light.

FAQs

What golf ball should seniors use?

The answer to this question is entirely dependent on two things - what a particular senior player likes from their golf ball, and what level are they playing at. There is no one definitive golf ball that all senior players should play because no senior player plays the game the same way. However we do think there are some models that have been designed to help stay in the air longer, and get the ball up in the air, which are two aspects many senior players struggle with. 

What are the longest golf balls for seniors?

The longest golf balls for seniors are ones that combine to offer distance without sacrificing feel completely. Our guide on the best golf balls for seniors has many models like this from well-known brands like Titleist, Callaway, Srixon, TaylorMade and more.

We hope you liked this guide on the best golf balls for seniors. For more golf ball advice, check out our guides on the best mid price golf balls or best low spin golf balls.

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Joe Ferguson
Staff Writer

 

Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade.  He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice. 

Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.

Joe's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K 9 degree - Fujikura Ventus Red 6X 45.75"

Fairway wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour - Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro White shaft 70TX 43.25"

Irons: Callaway Apex CB 24'  3-11 - Project X LS 6.5 shafts

Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy 54 and 60 degree - Project X LS 6.0 shafts

Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9

Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x 

With contributions from