With the advancements in launch monitor technology over recent years, it's much easier for golfers to find out what their swing speed is, but for golfers who aren't sure how fast (or slow!) they swing the club the easiest way to estimate it is by how far you hit driver. If you don't hit it very far even when you make a good connection, then you will almost certainly come into the 'slow swinger' category.
TrackMan data accumulated over several years has revealed that the ‘average’ mid-handicap, male golfer has a swing speed of 93.4mph with the driver and hits it 214 yards. If you don’t hit it as far as that, your swing is probably in the slower half which means that you could be just the sort of golfer to benefit most from the offerings we showcase here.
Many club golfers think that buying the best golf balls gives them the greater chance of success, that isn't necessarily the case. A slower swing speed is not going to benefit from. Titleist ProV1 even if it is "the number one ball in golf". The superior short-game performance a premium ball offers may still make it worthwhile, but for the golfer looking to gain as much distance as possible, having the right ball to suit their swing speed is essential. Thankfully nearly all ball manufacturers make models designed to help them do just that.
There are many reasons a golfer may have a slower swing speed. It could be down to age (old or young), technique or perhaps even injury. There are many factors that can slow a golfer down and if you are suddenly noticing a drop off in distance then you could benefit from a change in golf ball. There are plenty of balls on the market that will help you squeeze a little more mileage out of what you do potentially have in the tank and because these are typically not the tour-calibre models, they wont cost you anything like as much.
Read on to find out more about nine of the best golf balls for slow swing speeds. You might also find other models of interest in some of our other ball guides, such as the best distance golf balls or the best golf balls for beginners.
The Quick List
The Titleist 2024 Tour Soft offers really strong performance for a mid-priced golf ball. The soft feel will please those who prioritize this, particularly with the scoring clubs but, thanks to a new faster core, ball speeds also remained fairly high.
The Wilson Duo Soft 2023 offers very long distance for such a soft ball, and features a very high ball flight. This all comes in an affordable package.
The Ink golf balls offer a balanced blend of feel and performance. The eye-catching colors and splatter design makes them easy to find in the rough
The 2023 Srixon Soft Feel balls have been upgraded to offer more ball speed than previous versions. These balls are ideal for anyone looking for a quality softer ball at a lower price.
Callaway Warbirds are a strong distance ball that can improve your yardages. For those who want some help getting more distance, these are a solid option, and the price point is also a highlight.
Low compression from these Inesis Soft 500 golf balls help create better energy transfer for slower swingers. These are also a great value option.
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Wilson's Velocity Tour Distance golf balls offer excellent value for new golfers, and come with great all-round distance. They are also very durable.
Looking for some additional distance in your game? Look no further than the OnCore 2022 ELIXR golf balls, which have a high and powerful ball flight, are incredibly durable, and offer excellent value.
Best Golf Balls for Slow Swing Speeds
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Top pick
Our top pick for slow swingers is the Tour Soft from Titleist. As the name implies, they are very soft indeed but we would certainly say they still felt powerful off the face during our testing.
Some soft feel golf balls struggle to maintain speed but this wasn't the case with this Titelist model, so even those golfers with slower swing speeds will be able to get good distance from this ball. Be warned though, if you are a high spin player you are probably better off looking elsewhere as these balls did have a tendency to fly a little higher because of the spin.
Spin is not a good thing off the tee, but it's certainly valuable when playing from the fairway and around the green. Out on the course we experienced good levels of spin with the wedges and around the greens, which was pleasing to note. We also found that the Soft Feel gave us a decent amount of control and we managed to get good spin on pitch shots and flighted wedges. This is in large part down to the refined thin Fusablend cover which Titleist say helps with greenside spin. This impressive performance coupled with great durability, makes this ball a great option that won't break the bank.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball Review
Best high flight
The 2023 Wilson Duo Soft golf ball comes with a compression rating of 40 that makes it easily one of the softest balls on the market and an ideal choice for the golfer not blessed with much clubhead speed. The softness comes from an ionomer cover that has been designed to deliver maximum energy return, making it one of the best golf balls for seniors players and those who struggle to get the ball into the air as it will fly fast off the clubface due to the springboard effect caused by the lower compression.
We certainly found this to be the case when we took it out for testing on the course. The Duo Soft delivered high trajectories with every club in the bag, while delivering a very pleasing soft feel off the club face while still feeling nice and springy too. This feeling continued with the putter and if you like a soft feel with the flatstick then you'll love this ball. Overall we were pleasantly surprised with this offering from Wilson and considering its price tag, this is definitely one of the best value golf balls going. It also comes in several different eye catching colors, including fluorescent, yellow and red.
- Read our full Wilson Duo Soft 2023 Golf Ball Review
Best feel
The TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink is a low compression golf ball engineered to produce speed off the face for slower swinging players while feeling extremely soft.
We think the combination of feel and performance will make this a popular choice for golfers who lack clubhead speed and are looking for a few extra yards withouy losing the buttery feel the best soft feel golf balls
What stood out to us the most was the visual design that features splashes of color splattered on the golf ball. Of course, this might not be to everyone's taste but it definitely makes finding your golf ball in the rough a lot easier. If the graphic really bothers you, the SpeedSoft range is also available in the classic all white and yellow colors.
Labelled as a mid-launching golf ball, in our testing this ball produced more spin and climbed a little higher than we were expecting, so golfers who struggle for height will benefit, and golfers who already produce height will see their ball flight climb even further. We found that the higher launch and spin actually allowed us to be more aggressive on the course and attack pins we may not otherwise have gone at.
- Read our full TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink 2024 Golf Ball Review
Best control
Srixon's Soft Feel model has been around for a little while now and is one of the more popular golf balls with club players. This latest generation of Soft Feel is perhaps one of the softest options on this list. Srixon has given it an upgrade to improve speed and lift in comparison to its predecessor, the Srixon Soft Feel 2021 golf ball and this is a ball that has been designed to help slower-swinging golfers maximize their distance while not compromising on feel. The ball has a compression rating of 60 which makes it ideal golfers who struggle to generate much club speed as the way it is constructed allows it to snap back into shape faster, delivering more ball speed at impact.
When putting this golf ball to the test on the course, we felt that the 338 Speed Dimple Pattern really helped generate piercing ball flights and allowed us to easily cut the ball through the wind. We had no problems working the ball to play different shots and we noted some impressive distances when struck out of the middle of the clubface. In terms of the short game, again we were pleased with the results. Around the greens the ball really excelled in terms of control, which is probably due to the 1.6mm ionomer casing that helps to add to the overall soft feeling. It's especially pleasing when putting and those who like a soft feel off the putter face will love this golf ball.
- Read our full Srixon Soft Feel 2023 Golf Ball Review
Best distance
The Warbird from Callaway is a big favorite of ours and features in several of our best golf ball guides as when it comes to a combination of distance and price, itr's almost impossible to beat, Callaway has used the Warbird name for several decades now, and it has become synonymous with distance and speed in its ball range. The latest model is the best yet, as it uses a two-piece construction with an extra-large, high-energy core to promote distance and deliver a high launch at different swing speeds, including slower speeds.
This makes it ideal for the golfer in need of extra yards off the tee or who has difficulty getting the ball in the air. In our testing we certainly noticed that there was a bump in distance from the previous model, especially on iron shots into the greens, so if length is your priority this is the ball for you. Be aware that the firmish ionomer cover does produce less check and control than some golfers might want in the short game, but for us this tradeoff is worth it because of the extra distance delivered. For more golf ball offerings from Callaway, check out our best Callaway golf balls guide.
- Read our full Callaway Warbird golf Ball Review
Best cheap model
This Inesis Soft 500 two-piece ball from Decathlon has a low compression, so those not blessed with the fastest of swings can optimize their distances. The low compression allows them to generate better energy transfer at impact, which then translates into those added yards.
Despite its name, it’s not the softest ball, but is eminently playable around the greens. Perhaps the biggest attraction, though, is its price – less per dozen than some lake balls! This makes it a good option for those who prefer to play with new balls but don’t have a limitless budget. It is available in six nice colors ranging from classic white, to bright pink.
Best 15-pack
First things first, there's 15 balls in each box which is great value, especially when you compare it to our best distance balls guide where most brands just give you 12! We'd definitely consider these some of the best value golf balls.
In terms of performance, we can vouch that this ball certainly delivers. This is thanks to the enhanced aerodynamic dimple pattern which adds to the power potential from the tee. Despite being a low-compression ball overall, its mid-compression core introduces an element of greenside playability too.
Admittedly, chipping did take a little longer to get used to with this ball, as it came off the face hotter and didn't bite as much on shots where we'd usually hope to get more grab on the greens. Overall, it is the perfect golf ball that can help recreational golfers reach higher distances off the tee.
- Read our full Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball Review
Best durability
OnCore are continuing to innovate and produce an excellent range of high-quality golf balls—and the Elixr is one of their best offerings yet.
In testing, we thoroughly enjoyed playing with this three-piece golf ball. It boasts a urethane cover that delivers a Tour-quality feel and performance from tee to green. It is a little firmer than previous models and has a new dimple pattern that is designed to deliver a higher ball flight.
It was impressively long with the driver and when hitting full approach shots. The ball has a strong flight and travels pretty straight for the most part. Around the greens, the Elixr performed very well too and generated pretty adequate amount of stopping power too. With a retail price of just $29.99 this is easily one of the best value golf balls on the market, as well as a contender for any best premium golf ball list.
- Read our full OnCore Elixr 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. 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, 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 swing speeds, you need to hit golf balls on a launch monitor or with a coach so you can have an idea of how fast you swing the golf club. This will then give you an idea on how to narrow your search on finding the best golf ball to work for you.
1. Distance
As players swing slower, distance can be a big 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. Additionally we have found the best distance golf balls tend to have simple two or three-piece constructions as well.
2. Launch
Another thing we have seen is slower swingers 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.
3. Control
Of course there is some focus on distance with slower swinging players but good models should also give a degree of feel and control as well. The best way of finding the best model for you in this regard is to try different balls out and hit different shots with them to see which you like the most.
4. Colors
Golf balls these days come in lots of different colors and have varying alignment aids on as well so have a think about what kind of golf ball you want here. Why not take a look at our guide to the best glow in the dark golf balls if you're after something that will stand out on the course.
5. Budget
The final point to mention would be about budget. 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 then we have got you covered there too.
If you're in the market for a new pack of golf balls, why not take a look at our guides to the best Titleist golf balls, best Callaway golf balls and best Wilson golf balls.
FAQs
What golf ball should I use with slow swing speed?
Most brands make golf balls for slower swinging players these days and we have found the common design features include - low compression, simple two or three-piece construction, aerodynamic dimple design, and often the best golf balls for slow swing speeds often have soft in the model name! As far as specific models go, the Titleist Tour Soft, TaylorMade Soft Response and Srixon Soft Feel are three of the best.
What does a soft feeling golf ball do?
Soft feeling golf balls are designed with a low-compression core that can improve ball flights, help you hit each shot straighter and get more distance. Akin to firmer feel balls, they have much less spin and allow players to control the direction of the ball a little easier.
What does a slow swing speed mean?
Slow swing speeds relate to how fast you swing the club and how much power you are able to put on the ball at impact. If you have a slower swing speed you're likely to not be able to strike the golf ball as far as some one with a faster swing speed.
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