It's no secret that golf balls can be expensive, with some models costing upwards of $50 for a dozen. These are obviously some of the best premium golf balls that money can buy but, in the current climate, many golfers don't want to pay high-end prices for their golf balls, some will much prefer spending a little bit less whilst also getting a performance that will still benefit their game.
Now, we all know how important it is for you to get the best golf balls for your game, and you may feel that you’re at a stage where you want more all-round performance than even the best value golf balls can offer. However, if you aren’t quite ready for the more significant investment required to stock up with premium balls then it is good news as that is where the mid-price range comes in.
We have tested a lot of mid-price golf balls and we think our selections below symbolize everything that is good in this sector. What's more, we have also created guides on specific aspects of the game, with our other articles focusing on the best distance golf balls and best soft feel golf balls on the market.
The Quick List
Our top pick for 2025 in this category is the Pro X from Mizuno, a ball that truly outperforms the price tag. Ball speed and distance is delivered in abundance alongside a responsive soft feel.
Providing generous greenside spin and a useful alignment stamp, the new faster core helped keep ball speeds high, whilst the soft feel helped us when around the greens.
The e12 Straight is a golf ball that can definitely help the wayward golfer keep the ball in play more thanks to its specifically engineered dimple pattern.
The 2025 iteration of the Tour Response golf ball provides fantastic tee-to-green performance, a responsive but soft feel as well as excellent levels of durability.
The Triad golf ball from Wilson takes the 'best value' title, a versatile option that flies long and consistently straight whilst also providing a soft feel on the greens.
Featuring Callaway's Triple Track design, the ERC blends a great mix of distance off the tee and a soft feel on a variety of shots. The value for money is certainly competitive in this offering.
The Srixon Soft Feel does exactly what it says on the box, with the upgraded core providing more ball speed and the soft feel creating ample spin on greenside shots.
Providing users with an extremely soft feel, there is more to the eye than just the eye-catching colorways. Certainly, thanks to the solid all-round performance, it is a great value option that stands out from the crowd.
Best Mid Price Golf Balls
Top pick
We were blown away with the performance of the Pro X golf ball during testing. The only real downside is the brand - Mizuno, solely from the sense that they are more so known for their clubs than their golf balls. If you can get used to staring at a Mizuno logo whilst standing over the ball instead of Titleist or TaylorMade, then you enjoy all the benefits this terrific option has to offer.
During testing we found both exceptional ball speed and distance, with the numbers showing the Pro X flew further than the Srixon Z-Star XV and seven yards longer than the Titleist 2023 Pro V1x. With iron in hand the ball flight was high but both controlled and consistent, whilst the feel of the ball around the greens is superb. It felt very responsive while chipping and soft with putter in hand on the green.
With all this performance, it's very surprising how cheap this golf ball is. It's a lot cheaper than the best premium golf balls and yet performs as good if not better than a lot of the market leading options. It is without doubt one of the best golf balls for 2025 and certainly one of our favorites thus far.
Best for spin
The Titleist Tour Soft golf ball features a number of refinements compared to the previous iteration, including a reformulated thin Fusablend cover for reliable greenside spin. Along with the cover, there is a thick line and ‘T’ marking on the side that we found useful for alignment purposes.
In our testing, we felt that it performed well around and on the the greens, with there being a decent amount of control on a variety of chip and pitch shots. Because of the control, it gave us the confidence to really go at the flag, knowing that the spin would hold the ball on the green. What's more, what makes this an excellent value option is that the durability was superb, as it held up to the various strikes we inflicted through testing.
Where this model stood out was in how soft it felt off the face, with the powerful sensation still remaining. Overall, Titleist have managed to blend spin and distance very well indeed but, that being said, we must note that if you are a high spin player you may be better off looking elsewhere, as these balls did have a tendency to fly a little higher.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball Review
Most forgiving
Golf is hard - we know this - but what if I told you there's a golf ball that can help you hit the ball straighter? It won't guarantee you hit 100% of fairways every round, but the E12 Straight from Bridgestone is specifically designed to achieve straighter flight and during testing it did indeed fly straighter than the other models, specifically off the tee and most notably with longer fairway wood shots. This is mainly thanks to the very unique dimple pattern which are designed with a Contact Force dimple pattern to reduce excess sidespin and flight curvature, giving you a better shot at keeping your ball in play.
This ball is part of a trio of new releases alongside the E12 Hi-Launch and the E12 Speed. The balls also feature the brand's new visual aid system which they've called the 'Mindset logo' - it’s a visual cue to start a three step process; identify the target, visualise the shot path and then clear your mind and focus on the green dot before executing your shot. A features on all of the latest releases of the best Bridgestone golf balls, it can help focus your mind when standing over the shot before pulling the trigger.
For those that struggle with a slice, for example, this could be a great value golf ball to add to your arsenal. While it is not the highest spinning on approach shots, nor deliver greenside feel and control like the best premium golf balls, it remains a very good option at this price point.
- Read our full Bridgestone e12 Straight Golf Balls Review
Best ball flight
The Tour Response golf ball from TaylorMade is a perfect ball for the player who doesn't want the splash the cash on a premium option but is still looking for plenty of performance from their golf ball. It's an option that hits a sweet spot between performance and value whilst also boasting a number of handy quirks and features.
One such feature is the unique stripe version of this golf ball which helps provide a visual aid on the green. We'd encourage anyone struggling with their putting to start using the alignment tool on the side of their golf ball - not every ball has one, but most do. Some are smaller than others but few are as big as the Tour Response, with a bright stripe taking up a lot of the face of the golf ball. This can be used to help you visualize your line before you hit the putt and is great for putting practice.
In terms of the performance, like the best TaylorMade golf balls, the Tour Response performs well tee-to-green. It's also very durable, a very important feature to have when we consider the value of a golf ball. We used the same ball across multiple rounds and found few defects which was pleasing to see. This is also an option that provides a responsive, soft feel which we loved both chipping and putting.
- Read our full TaylorMade Tour Response 2025 Golf Ball Review
Best value
The Triad golf ball will be familiar to those who shop in this category, with the brand looking to hit that middle ground between solid performance and an affordable price - we feel like that they've done it again with the 2025 edition.
This is a very versatile golf ball, performing consistently well across both parkland and more 'linksy' style courses. The ball flight was strong, long and consistently straight part in thanks to the solid durability on offer. What arguably pleased us most during testing was the soft feel on offer around the greens, particularly while putting. There was no 'clicky' sound when we were on the greens, a feature seen and heard all-to-often with more budget friendly options. Instead, this was a pleasurable ball to putt with.
What stood out as well was the spin, which was fractionally higher on full shots than other models so, for those with slow swing speeds, this model will help get the ball airborne.
- Read our full Wilson Triad Golf Ball Review
Best for alignment
The ERC Soft ball is billed as Callaway’s longest golf ball with soft feel. It does this via the use of a high energy core and a high speed mantle, which are both engineered to deliver more distance throughout the bag.
So, are these claims true? Well, in our testing, it definitely increased carry when the ball was struck from the middle of the club and it also produced a higher launch. These extra distances achieved highlighted that less spin was being created than expected from a soft-feeling ball.
It also has a host of new technology, with a ‘hybrid’ cover helping the distance and control. Where this cover really helped, though, was in the durability. In testing, it survived a number of hits from trees and bunkers, which puts it in the best golf balls for beginners category. It's worth noting that the ERC also has the option of Triple Track technology to aid alignment, something which will prove useful when on the green and on the tee box.
- Read our full Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball Review
Best soft feel
Featuring a two-layer construction, the Soft Feel golf ball has a soft centre core that gradually gets firmer as you move towards the cover. This construction enables it to snap back into shape more quickly and it is this process that has been improved over previous models.
Thanks to the 338 dimple cover, the Soft Feel is designed to maximize flight performance by reducing drag. What's more, it helps create the launch conditions to get the ball flying high with enough spin and height to land and stop within a reasonable distance.
In testing, it did this very well and, along with the long game performance, there is also a decent amount of grip around the greens, with the Soft Feel doing exactly what is says on the tin by being one of the best soft golf balls on the market. One final point to mention is that the 1.6mm ionomer cover produced a fair amount of control, albeit not as much as Srixon's more premium Z-Star golf ball.
- Read our full Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball 2023 Review
Best color choice
To begin with, the TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink is a new model from TaylorMade, and is designed to be a low compression golf ball that is engineered to produce speed off the face while feeling extremely soft. Certainly, out of the box, it's the ink pattern where this model stands out and, admittedly, we know that it will divide opinion.
Performance-wise, the SpeedSoft Ink produced a high flight and copious amounts of spin, with the standout being the incredibly soft feel. In total, it has a compression delta below 50, which is why it feels extremely soft off at impact, and the soft feeling nature of the ball made it feel slightly spring-like when it came to the driver and irons.
Although not the longest TaylorMade golf ball on the market, there is a lot to like about the SpeedSoft Ink and, in our opinion, the ink pattern puts it amongst the best balls for beginners and higher handicappers, due to the fact it makes them easier to find in the rough.
- Read our full TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink Golf Ball Review
How we test golf balls
The quality of Golf Monthly's reviews and buyers guides is built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team that has a sterling reputation in the industry, known for delivering the key points you want to know in a concise, easy-to-digest manner.
Our review process is a thing we take great pride from here at Golf Monthly. We have spent over a decade testing and reviewing some of the best (and worst) golf equipment. Our goal has remained the same the entire time - to give our readers informative reviews based our real evidence from our testing to help them make the best informed buying decisions in a sport that is only becoming more and more expensive. Throughout the years, we have gained the trust of thousands of readers and it's something we do not take for granted. That is why we will continue to simply call it how we see it, rather than falling to biases or giving preferential treatment to one brand over another.
Putting the e12 Straight golf ball through its paces around the green
With our golf ball testing, our procedure revolves around indoor and outdoor testing conducted by our team of reviewers. With golf balls, our procedure revolves around indoor and outdoor testing conducted by our team of reviewers. Our golf ball testing is split between PGA Professional Joe 'The Pro' Ferguson, former college golfer and Mini Tour pro Sam De'Ath and Deputy Editor Joel Tadman - all of whom know a thing or two about what makes a good golf ball! We also draft in other members of the Golf Monthly team to test more budget friendly golf balls or those catered to more towards mid-to-higher handicappers to get a true understanding how each ball performs within different ranges of abilities.
Starting with indoor testing to get some controlled statistics, we always get golf ball data using launch monitors like SkyTrak or Foresight Sports GCQuad to gain an understanding of spin and other facets of performance. Outdoor testing is a lot more rigorous as we look to really put each golf ball through a thorough test to get the best understanding of it performs.
Joe Ferguson testing the Wilson Staff Model X Golf Ball
This includes playing over multiple different rounds across different conditions and types of golf course, including parkland, heathland and links. We again involve a launch monitor to see how the ball performs 'in the wild' in comparison to the comfortable surroundings of an indoor studios, driving range or practice facility, but we would also put the balls to the test out on the course to get some real data and feedback as well. This way we can see how the ball performs playing a variety of different shots and in different conditions.
How to choose golf balls
Soft or firm? - The best premium golf balls, and some of the models above, come in alternative versions that spin slightly less for players who prefer a firmer feel or more control off the tee. Try both from various distances to find your preference.
Cover material - Urethane-covered balls offer the best spin control and feel but do cost more. Whereas more budget conscious golf balls tend to have covers that feel harder and compromise on feel but instead give more durability. Experiment to see if you notice enough of a difference to justify the extra cost.
Long game or short game? - Which aspect of the game is most important to you? Do you want to get as much distance as possible out of your golf ball or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to improved feel?
Price - No buying guide would be complete without at least mentioning the price factor. Even in the mid-price sector there are models which are cheaper than others. For example there is a good price difference between the Titleist Tour Soft and the Kirkland Signature 2.0 ball, so we would recommend trying out some models first, and then seeing how much you are willing to spend on a dozen golf balls.
FAQs
What is the best golf ball for the average golfer?
The term average golfer can probably be defined as someone with a mid-handicap and as such there are lots of golf balls designed for that sector of the market, many of which are in this guide - such as the Titleist Tour Soft, Srixon Soft Feel, Wilson Triad, TaylorMade Tour Response and Callaway ERC Soft. These golf balls suit mid-handicap players nicely because they perform well for players with moderate to slow swing speeds, and yet give distance, spin and control.
