Best Golf Balls for Seniors 2024

While some senior golfers can still hang with the young pups when it comes to swing speed, for most swing speed will gradually decline as the years pass. So 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, and that will require a change of golf ball if they are to maximise their distance off the tee.

No matter what your ability or age, playing the best golf balls for your game is vital if you are to shoot your best scores. The wrong golf ball will not lower your score but it will lower your distance. Thankfully most brands offer a wide range of golf balls that have been specifically designed for every type of golfer. 

But what are the best golf balls for seniors and what factors go into making them a good choice for the older golfer? Swing speed is a major factor in determining distance, but the ball’s design and construction has an influence too. As a golfer's swing gets slower, they will benefit from a ball with a lower compression. A slow swing with a high compression ball will not go as far as the ball will not compress enough. A lower compression ball will compress nicely with a slower swing and then that extra compression will see the ball spring off the face and maximise distance. 

As swing speed lowers that can cause other problems rather than just a loss of distance. For example, some seniors may not be able to launch the ball as high as they once did, which can in turn make it harder to stop the ball as quickly on the greens. Many brands now offer a ball which is designed to launch higher and  come down steeper while will certainly help on that front. 

Something else to consider is visibility. Vision often deteriorates with age so for some seniors, the modern selection of brighter-colored balls from Volvik and many other brands now can be a real godsend, particularly when the light isn't great.

So with all of this in mind, here at Golf Monthly we have put together this guide on the balls we think are best suited to senior players. We have tested a lot of golf balls and we have many senior staff members who test gear as well. We have testers from a wide range of age groups and skill levels so we can identify which products are most suitable for you. 

We would 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

Top pick

Titleist produce the "number one ball in golf" in the ProV1 and as most people know that's the best golf ball for professionals and low handicap golfers. What might not be as well known is that they also cater for a wide range of other skill levels. For example, the Titleist TruFeel is our choice for the best golf ball for high handicappers and topping the list for seniors is the Titleist Tour Soft.  

While it may not be one of the best premium golf balls on the market, the Tour Soft provides a lot of value and in our view it is the best golf ball for seniors. What makes it so good? Well firstly the 2022 version was a terrific option for seniors but the latest design is new and improved. The 2024 version has been refined with a reformulated thin Fusablend cover for consistent greenside spin. Additionally there is a thick line and ‘T’ marking on the side which will be very handy for those who need help with alignment.

Our testing showed that the Tour Soft delivers excellent all-round performance. As you would expect from the name, this is a soft feeling ball which is ideal for control and feel around the greens as well as on approach shots. There is no compromising on distance though, which is vital for senior players. We found that the Tour Soft had a powerful feel off the face which translated to good speed as well, which will help senior players with slow to mid-swing speeds. 

• Read our full Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball Review

Best value

The 2023 Wilson Duo Soft is a terrific ball for senior golfers. Wilson claim this is the 'world's softest golf ball' and with a compression rating of 40, it's hard to argue against that. Our testing certainly backs up that claim as it is an incredibly soft golf ball.

As with 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. So golfers with slow swing speeds, such as seniors, will benefit from the low compression and see an increase in distance and launch.

We certainly found this was the case when we tested out on the course. The Duo Soft delivered towering, high trajectories with every club in the bag, which is just what you want if you're a senior player needing a bit of help getting the ball airborne. 

It will not suit players with faster swing speeds but we found the Duo Soft to be an excellent ball for slower swinging players who are seeking that little bit more speed. It feels pleasant too, extremely soft off the face yet still springy when struck off the middle. All things considered, we were very surprised with the performance of this golf ball, and considering its low price tag we would class this as one of the best value golf balls available right now. It also comes in several different colors, including fluorescent yellow and red, so it also offers added benefits to senior golfers who might not have the best eyesight. 

• Read our full Wilson Duo Soft 2023 Golf Ball Review

Best for long game

Callaway’s low-compression Supersoft ball has long been one of the most popular balls with mid-high handicap golfers. Over the years it has undergone several improvements, making it an even better choice for seniors whose swings aren’t as fast they once were.

A new hybrid cover featuring a Paraloid Impact Modifier has improved distance and durability without sacrificing feel and short-game control. Additionally, Callaway’s famous HEX Aerodynamics cover pattern reduces drag and increases lift to help you launch the ball, something which can be of great benefit to older players. 

A Soft Compression Core enhances energy transfer to give more ball speed and a high-launch / low-spin combo in the longer clubs, something that was very evident in our testing. We also saw some receptiveness with approach shots, especially longer irons and hybrids, which was an added benefit.

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.

• Read our full Callaway Supersoft Ball review

Best control

The 13th generation of Srixon’s Soft Feel model is the softest ball they've ever created. Designed to help slower-swinging golfers maximize distance without compromising on feel, this ball features Srixon’s softest FastLayer Core, which has a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge. This unique construction allows it to snap back into shape faster, benefitting slower swingers of the club by delivering more ball speed at impact. 

When comparing it to the previous model in testing, our Trackman numbers were pretty similar but the newer version did have better flight performance with a higher launch. This is in part due to the 338 Speed Dimple Pattern which gets the ball cutting through the wind better by reducing drag at launch and also increasing lift during the ball's descent. 

In terms of distance we were very impressed with the yardages we got with this ball. With its low compression rating of 60 it is an ideal option for golfers with a swing speed of around 90mph or less (which most senior players do). For us though the thing that impressed the most was the control around the greens and on the putting surface we had with this ball. 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. 

• Read our full Srixon Soft Feel 2023 Golf Ball Review

Best 3-piece

TaylorMade golf balls are among the best on the market and they cater for golfers of all skill levels. The premium TP5 sits at the top of the tree but just behind it sits the two Response models - the Tour Response and the Soft Response, which is a lower compression model.

As you would expect, Soft Response has been designed with slow/moderate swing speeds in mind. It offers a strong all-round performance with a softer feel, which comes courtesy of a soft but durable ionomer cover. 

In our testing we found that players with slow or medium swing speeds (which most seniors fit into) will really benefit from the long-game performance on offer, but those with faster swing speeds will see a drop off and might be better suited to the Tour Response. Unlike some other low compression balls the Soft Response delivers a stunning soft feel, especially around the greens and with the putter. We found that with wedges it performed surprisingly well and only produced slightly less spin than the best golf balls on the market, which is a big plus-point. 

This a good model to consider for senior golfers because it delivers close to premium performance with a lower compression. So slower swingers can still benefit from the superb short game performance while gaining distance from the tee.

• Read our full TaylorMade Soft Response 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 have reviewed a product, this means that we would have done so comprehensively and with impartiality. When it comes to golf balls this means we have used it both out on the golf course and also with launch monitors where applicable. Additionally we will always seek to use the latest and best equipment to assess performance, while it is important to state that no manufacturer can pay for a good review because the entire Golf Monthly team base their reviews entirely on how they see it. 

For golf balls, we use several members of the Golf Monthly team who play at a variety of levels and are at different ages, which means we can test extensively and give you the best reviews possible. 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, swing speed will usually decrease which obviously impacts on distance. Having the right golf ball can help with this because a golf ball with a lower compression will allow players with slower swings to still compress it a decent amount and maintain more of their former distance.

Launch

Another thing we have seen when swing speed drops is that senior players may struggle to launch the golf ball. This is especially problematic when you need to take the aerial route to carry over a penalty area, or if you are hitting into a green which is guarded by front bunkers for example. Getting the ball up and then stopping it quickly can be difficult for seniors, but thankfully there are golf balls out there, many of them above, that have been designed to launch higher which gets the ball in the air quickly. 

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. This will certainly help golfers who struggle to keep track of a white golf ball through the air.

FAQs

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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