Our guide to the best premium golf balls highlights the key performance attributes of all the best ball models from golf's top brands
Best Premium Golf Balls
The best golf balls are the cream of the cream.
Many golfers starting out will understandably be keen to find the best golf balls for beginners or the best value golf balls. They might then look to progress on to the best mid price golf balls as they improve in the quest for better all-round performance.
But at some stage, many long-time golfers will begin to hanker after golf’s premium balls whatever their ability. They know that these are the balls that the top tour pros use, typically offering the very highest levels of all-round performance in the key areas of distance, spin, feel and control.
There is one drawback – they’re pretty expensive! But if your heart is set on playing the best premium golf balls, you can either hunt around for the best golf ball deals, or perhaps consider some of the slightly less expensive options among our selections below.
Read on to find out more…
Best Premium Golf Balls
Titleist Pro V1 golf ball
+ Greater longevity and tour-validation than any other premium golf ball
+ Designed to offer total performance for all types of golfer
– Unwavering demand makes bargain prices harder to track down
The latest Pro V1 has undergone significant design changes in the pursuit of greater ball speed for more distance compared to the previous version.
This has been achieved by a reformulated 2.0 ZG Process core and a mid casing layer that is now 14 per cent thicker. The latest Pro V1’s cast urethane cover, however, is 17 per cent thinner.
The overall result is higher ball speeds without compromising the Pro V1’s renowned soft feel and greenside controllability.
The Pro V1 flies slightly lower than the Pro V1x with a penetrating trajectory.
Titleist Pro V1x golf ball
+ Firmer feel matches better with softer-feeling putters
+ Offers a higher, low-spinning trajectory than the Pro V1
– The slightly firmer feel compared to Pro V1 may not be right for some golfers
Like the Pro V1, the latest Pro V1x has undergone significant design changes in the pursuit of greater ball speed for more distance compared to its predecessor.
Again, there’s that reformulated 2.0 ZG Process core at the heart of the ball, with the casing layer directly beneath the cover now 11% thicker. As with the Pro V1 model, the cast urethane cover is now 17% thinner.
The overall result is higher ball speeds without compromising on soft feel and greenside control.
The Pro V1x model is ideal for those seeking tour-level, all-round performance with a slightly firmer feel and higher flight than the Pro V1.
Additionally if you are a fan of Titleist, take a look at our guide on the best Titleist golf balls too.
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $47.99
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £36.99
TaylorMade TP5 golf ball
+ Complex five-piece design for optimal performance
+ Very soft feel brings greater scope for workability than the TP5x
– Lower-launching iron flight will not be right for some golfers
Both TaylorMade’s TP5 and TP5x balls feature a five-piece design boasting a new woven-in ‘high-flex’ material called HFM. HFM improves energy transfer and rebound at impact.
Then there’s a new Tri-Fast core featuring an extra-large inner core wrapped in layers of increasingly stiff materials. The result is more speed without adversely affecting spin rates.
The TP5 has a softer feel, launches lower on iron shots and spins more compared to the TP5x, especially on wedge shots. As a result of its softer feel, it will also prove more workable than the TP5x.
TaylorMade TP5x golf ball
+ Impressive driver ball speeds and low spin
+ Engineered for a higher launch and more piercing ball flight
– Only faster swing speeds will get the most out of the TP5x model
Another model that we included in our best TaylorMade golf balls guide, TaylorMade’s TP5x balls share the TP5’s same essential five-piece design, with the new woven-in ‘high-flex’ HFM material improving energy transfer and rebound at impact.
Again, there’s the new Tri-Fast core with an extra-large inner core wrapped in layers of increasingly stiff materials to generate more speed without adversely affecting spin rates.
The TP5x can create faster ball speeds than the TP5 in the right hands, and delivers a higher, more piercing ball flight. It will feel a little firmer though, and won’t spin quite as much as the TP5 on wedge shots.
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $39.99
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £41.99
Callaway Chrome Soft golf ball
+ Premium level performance at an affordable price
+ New softer cover for better short-game control
– Less durable than models with firmer covers
The latest Chrome Soft model features a Graphene Dual SoftFast core. A larger inner core delivers the ideal high launch/low spin combination for longer drives, while the thinner, firmer outer core promotes greater durability and wedge spin.
An updated urethane cover delivers increased ball speed on full shots while providing an even softer feel around the greens for maximum control. Also available with Triple Track alignment technology.
Callaway Chrome Soft Ball Review
Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball
+ X model is more workable than the Chrome Soft
+ Ideal for faster swingers seeking maximum distance
– Added workability makes it less stable than the Chrome Soft model
The X model’s design differs from the Chrome Soft. Rather than having a dual core, it features two mantle layers between the core and cover.
The softer inner mantle layer combines with a firmer outer mantle to increase ball speed off the face for those with faster swing speeds, and therefore total distance. Although it still promises high levels of greenside spin and control, it doesn’t feel quite as soft as the Chrome Soft.
It is also available with Triple Track alignment technology.
Callaway make so many outstanding models that we created a comprehensive best Callaway golf balls guide to help you understand the current range.
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $47.99
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £39.99
Srixon Z-Star golf ball
+ Spin Skin coating improves short-game spin
+ New Slide-Ring (SeRM) cover material is more scuff- and scratch-resistant
– Only fast-speed players will reap maximum benefit from the FastLayer core
The 6th-generation Srixon Z-Star balls are the first to use the macromolecule Slide-Ring (SeRM) material in the cover. This helps the ball restore its shape more proficiently post-impact, while absorbing impact vibrations better.
This unique SeRM blends into a Spin Skin coating to improve not only driver distance but also feel and spin.
The new FastLayer Core is soft in the centre, becoming gradually firmer around the edges to boost ball speed and maximum distance for faster swingers. The Z-Star has a 90 compression – slightly softer than the Z-Star XV model.
Available in pure white or tour yellow.
Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball
+ New Slide-Ring (SeRM) cover material is more scuff- and scratch-resistant
+ Four-piece construction for complete tour performance from tee to green
– Only fast-speed players will reap maximum benefit from the FastLayer core
The Z-Star XV also uses the macromolecule Slide-Ring (SeRM) material in its cover. As well as helping the ball restore its shape more proficiently post-impact, it also absorbs impact vibrations better and makes the ball less susceptible to damage.
This unique SeRM is blended into the Spin Skin coating to improve short-game spin performance without compromising distance.
The new FastLayer Core becomes firmer around the edges to boost ball speed and maximum distance for faster swingers. The Z-Star XV has a 102 compression – slightly firmer than the Z-Star model.
Available in pure white or tour yellow.
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $39.99
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £39.99
Mizuno RB Tour golf ball
+ The unique C-Dimple design promotes superior performance in the wind
+ Will work well for those who hit down on the ball a little more
– Relative lack of tour presence for a premium-priced ball
The Mizuno RB Tour and RB Tour X balls both feature the brand’s new drag-reducing Cone Profile Dimple (C-Dimple). These help to keep fast-flowing air close to the ball’s surface for improved performance.
This is particularly noticeable on iron shots where reduced drag generates a more penetrating flight and extra carry distance. A high-traction urethane cover then comes in handy around the greens.
The RB Tour offers low driver spin and will suit more downward attack angles – those who tend to hit down on the ball a little more.
Mizuno RB Tour X golf ball
+ The unique C-Dimple design promotes superior performance in the wind
+ Will work well for those who hit up on the ball a little more
– Relative lack of tour presence for a premium-priced ball
The RB Tour X also features Mizuno’s new drag-reducing Cone Profile Dimple (C-Dimple) to keep fast-flowing air close to the ball’s surface for improved performance.
On iron shots in particular, this can help reduce drag and deliver a more penetrating flight and extra carry distance.
The RB Tour X offers mid/low driver spin for flat-to-upward attack angles.
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $34.99
UK Buy Now at Scottsdale Golf for £39
Bridgestone Tour B X golf ball
+ Designed to reduce driver sidespin for longer, straighter drives
+ REACTIV urethane generates extra wedge spin and control
– Maximum performance benefits only for 105+mph swing speeds
The Tour B X is the Bridgestone ball used by 2020 ‘man of the moment’, Bryson DeChambeau. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that it is the longer of the two Bridgestone balls targeted at the fastest swingers.
REACTIV is a smart urethane cover that reacts differently depending on the force of the impact. It provides shock-absorbing properties for improved wedge spin and control, while being highly resilient on high-impact drives for more power and distance.
Bridgestone’s Gradational Compression core boosts both distance and forgiveness via higher initial ball speeds and reduced sidespin, particularly with the driver.
Bridgestone Tour B XS golf ball
+ Offers more spin and a softer feel than the Tour B X model
+ REACTIV urethane generates extra wedge spin and control
– Maximum performance benefits only for 105+mph swing speeds
The B XS is the ball played and designed by 15-time Major winner, Tiger Woods. There’s even a special Tour B XS – TW Edition, created in Tiger’s honour. It delivers the precise specifications and requirements that Woods demands, and comes with ‘Tiger’ imprinted on the ball.
Tiger loves a spinny golf ball and that’s why the B XS suits him best. It also comes with the new REACTIV smart urethane cover that reacts differently depending on the force of the impact.
This means it’s highly resilient on high-impact drives for more power and distance, but with excellent shock-absorbing properties for added playability and control around the greens. Indeed, it is Bridgestone’s highest-spinning ball for greenside shots.
Bridgestone Tour B XS Ball Review
US Buy Now at Worldwide Golf Shops for $44.99
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £34.99
Honma Future XX golf ball
+ Six-piece construction optimises all-round performance
+ Inner layers are cleverly engineered to assist golfers of varying swing speeds
– The promised towering ball flight may not suit all golfers
Honma’s best premium golf balls in the current range are the Future XX. The ball boasts an incredible six-piece design engineered to provide more distance and short-game spin than any previous Honma ball.
The first three layers incorporate a highly resilient core – suitable for varying swing speeds – a soft second layer and a slightly firmer third layer. This combo encourages high levels of energy that translate into faster ball speeds and more distance.
The fourth and fifth layers become gradually firmer for consistent spin. The soft urethane cover then completes the package by offering high levels of short-game spin and improved feel.
US Buy Now at Amazon for $59.05
UK Buy Now at American Golf for £29.99
Vice Pro golf ball
+ A very good value premium ball option
+ Extra-thin urethane cover for feel and short-game spin
– Those with slower or very fast swings won’t get the most out of the Pro model
Both Vice Pro models feature a High Energy Speed Core (HESC) for higher ball speed and more driver distance.
The three-piece Pro model features 318 large dimples for a stable trajectory and is suitable for moderate-to-high swing speeds.
Vice’s ‘stick to the green’ (S2TG) technology promises excellent levels of control in both models.
Vice Pro Plus golf ball
+ Lower launch than the Pro model for a penetrating trajectory
+ Extra-thin urethane cover for feel and short-game spin
– Only suitable for golfers with 110+mph swing speeds
Both Vice Pro models feature a High Energy Speed Core (HESC) for higher ball speed and more driver distance.
The four-piece Pro Plus features two mantle layers, whose elastic properties reduce driver spin and increase carry distance. It launches lower than the Pro model to give faster swingers a more penetrating flight.
Vice’s ‘stick to the green’ (S2TG) technology promises excellent levels of control in both models.
Vice are not as well known as some other golf ball brands so to get fully informed on the current range have a read of our best Vice golf balls guide.
Vice Golf Pro Plus Balls Review
US Buy Now at Amazon for $34.99
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