Best Golf Balls For High Swing Speeds 2024
Check out the golf balls that are best suited for the high swing speed golfer to maximize distance, accuracy and short game control
Best Golf Balls For High Swing Speeds: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. How we test
3. How to choose
4. FAQs
In order to hit more accurate and consistent golf shots you need to use the right equipment. Much like using the right heads and shafts with your clubs, using the right ball is essential to produce an optimal flight because you use it on every shot. Most, if not all, manufacturers create up to four different varieties of ball to suit players with different swing speeds and preferences in feel, flight and short game spin. For those who have a higher swing speed than the average golfer there are certain balls designed to reduce long game spin and produce a powerful trajectory.
Golf balls compress at different rates depending on the speed of the club at impact. Typically, those golfers who swing a driver over 105mph will need to look for a high compression golf ball; this will allow them to maximize accuracy with irons and distance with the driver. If a high speed player uses a ball that has a lower compression, the ball will spin too much resulting in shots climbing too high and often finishing further off line. If distance is all you desire, it may be worth looking at what we think are some of the best distance golf balls on the market.
So, as a high swing speed player, what are the most suitable golf balls out there? Our team has put the most relevant balls for high swing speeds through rigorous testing, including numerous rounds on the course, with the leading selections outlined below. Interestingly, we found that some of the balls that performed best for faster swinging players were also some of the best golf balls over the last year for all levels of golfer. However we understand that not every player that swings it quickly is a low handicapper, therefore we have also composed a guide on the best golf balls for high handicappers as well as some of the best mid-price golf balls so you don't have to spend too much money on ammunition.
The Quick List
Titleist has raised the bar again with its new Pro V1 design. In our testing, it was the added consistency in the long game that shone through.
The TP5 is a fantastic golf ball and, if you are a player who favors copious amounts of greenside spin and a very soft feel, it is a must try.
A beautifully soft feeling golf ball that will appeal to high speed and high spin players. This ball is extremely consistent in its delivery of spin and stability of flight.
A strong offering from Bridgestone. For a ball designed with distance in mind, it has a relatively soft feel and decent levels of greenside spin.
This is a solid, tour-level golf ball that won’t disappoint purchasers. Performance levels are competitive with the best premium balls on the market.
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An impressive performer in all areas, the Mizuno RB Tour X offers a strong ball flight in the long game and plenty of greenside stopping power. Significant improvements made to the durability of the ball make this a top quality premium offering.
The latest iteration of the Titleist Pro V1x delivers in all areas of the game. We noticed a jump in ball speed off the tee which, combined with a strong flight, offered superb distance. That this didn’t come at the cost of short game control was a big win.
There are genuine, tangible improvements in this ball from the previous iteration. TaylorMade has achieved an increase in speed throughout the bag while somehow providing a softer feel and maintaining spin characteristics.
An excellent premium ball. Spinnier, more workable and firmer feeling than the Chrome Tour, this ball will suit players looking for maximum spin and those who love to shape the ball.
The Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball 2023 offers a firmer option to the Z-Star and is ideal for those with higher swing speeds. Despite the firmer feel, it has plenty of spin and control and the yellow option will make this a great winter ball.
Extremely high levels of spin make this a really effective and fun ball around the greens, with the spin on longer approach shots providing increased confidence to attack pin positions.
Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speeds
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Titleist Pro V1
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Titleist has raised the bar again with its new Pro V1 design. Widely regarded as one of the best golf balls on the market, the Pro V1 is back again for the 23rd year running with new improvements. It comes with the promise of longer distance, lower long-game spin and a more consistent ball flight. The main technology upgrade here is the high-gradient core, which Titleist claim promotes faster ball speeds. But how did it fare when we put it to the test against its predecessor?
With our mid-irons, we certainly found that there was a reduction in spin and a little more distance in the new model compared to the 2021/22 version. It's hard to say whether that was because of the new core, but interestingly we found flights were similar in both versions. Off the tee, we found it hard to see many major differences between both models with each offering excellent ball speeds and lovely flights, yet the 2023 ball delivered a little more consistency in the long game.
If you already use a Pro V1, the latest edition of this ball delivers familiar flights and feel, with the brand improving on the speed of the ball off the face which was seriously impressive. Ultimately though, we were most impressed with how much this ball has raised the bar in terms of consistency. Both during our launch monitor testing and out on the course, we felt like the flight was impressively stable and reliable and is a worthy inclusion in this guide.
- Read our full Titleist Pro V1 2023 Golf Ball Review
TaylorMade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The TP5 golf ball is one of the most recognized on the professional circuit and, for 2024, TaylorMade have given the ball an update via the core of the ball. How, you may ask? Well, the material that makes up the core has been altered, with TaylorMade using a lower density acoustic material that sounds and feels softer than its previous model.
In testing, it provided us with greenside spin and a soft feel no matter what club we hit. However, one slight downside is that the speed was slightly less than the TP5x, something which, as a result, concluded with less distance. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as the TP5 provided slightly more spin, meaning it was easier to get airborne.
Where this model stood out was in the short game department. Because of the soft feel, it seemed to stay on the wedge face for an eternity, rolling up the grooves and imparting very impressive levels of grab on the green. This meant we were able to get aggressive with shots around the green.
- Read our full TaylorMade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball Review
Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Chrome Tour range is new to the market and, with the standard Chrome Tour model, it is designed to be the softer feeling ball that has slightly lower spin. How is it different to the Chrome Soft? Well, Callaway have implemented a new core and dimple pattern to help those with fast swing speeds.
It has a new Hyperfast Soft core, which has been constructed to give as much speed as possible. What's more, there is a new rubber system where a new base polymer has been combined with a mixture of other ingredients to create optimal compressions for speed. If that's not enough, there are both hexagonal and spherical dimples to help stability and consistency in a range of conditions.
In testing, we found that all of this new technology gave a premium performance and is perfect for those who want repetition and reliability. The particular standout was indeed the flight in the wind and, although the ball speed was slightly less than the Chrome Tour X, the drop offs were minimal.
- Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball Review
Bridgestone 2024 Tour B X Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
At the 2024 Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods was seen using the Tour B X during the tournament, with the ball specifically designed for those with swing speeds of over 105mph. Such is the quality, Jason Day and Matt Kuchar have also put this model in the bag.
Technology-wise, we see a new Reactiv X system that we thought created more rebound on tee shots to increase distance, as well as the ball staying on the face longer on approach shots that provided more spin and a softer feel on shorter, more precise shots.
Overall, it is a consistent performer with excellent durability. It is worth noting that the ball is slightly lower spinning and also provides a middle ground in terms of feel, with it not too firm and not super soft. Put simply, it is one of the best Bridgestone golf balls on the market.
- Read our full Bridgestone 2024 Tour B X Golf Ball Review
Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Diamond is back in 2023 and it is better than ever, combining the compression and firmer core of the Z-Star XV with the softer feeling cover and better spin of the Z-Star. Ultimately, it strikes the balance as a premium ball with both distance and feel. It is ideal for mid to high swing speed players and plays brilliantly in breezy conditions, delivering the control of some of the best premium golf balls on the market. One thing to note is the cover did scuff a little after a few rounds, but it wasn't the worst out there.
The improvements made here though, combining the best aspects of two of Srixon's most impressive golf balls, makes this a real winner if you're looking for distance. The 0.6mm cover thickness is the same as the Z-Star and, combined with a mantle layer that is also the same as the original Z-Star, this gives a lot of fire power off the tee.
Around the green, the Diamond wasn't too soft on the putter but wasn't too firm on chips, delivering what we felt was the right feedback to get the correct distance on each shot. Ultimately, this is a great option that strikes a balance between being a firm feel golf ball and a soft feel ball that delivers excellent levels of control, distance and spin.
- Read our full Srixon Z-Star Diamond Golf Ball 2023 Review
Wilson 2024 Staff Model X Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A new model to the market, the Model X is hoping to put itself amongst the best premium golf balls and, from a tech standpoint, we see this golf ball retaining similar aspects to the original Staff Model ball. However, that's not to say Wilson haven't done anything to it, far from it in fact, with the company providing slight modifications to optimize iron-spin levels based on tour-player feedback.
In testing, we found that the Model X spun a little higher than other models on this list and the ball speed was slightly lower. Certainly, if you are a player with low spin numbers, we would recommend this ball but, overall, the numbers are only marginal.
What's more, in the short game area, it has a slightly firmer feel and it felt very responsive when in and around the greens. There was plenty of grab on chip shots and, when it came to putting, it felt very solid, something which many players will like.
- Read our full Wilson 2024 Staff Model X Golf Ball Review
Mizuno RB Tour X 2022
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This is the second-coming of the Mizuno RB Tour X golf ball and we saw immediate gains in both distance and peak height compared to the previous generation. This new ball features a new ultra soft Urethane cover, three-piece design and new dimple pattern to help with a slightly higher trajectory off the tee and a flatter flight with the wedges.
The ball flight is stronger than the previous generation and resulted in up to a six yard gain in carry, something extremely impressive from being only one generation apart. The RB Tour X launches high but on a forward trajectory and provides superb distance combined with stopping power with the irons. It has more durability than the previous generation and it wouldn’t surprise us to see this played more by tour players in the future.
- Read our full Mizuno 2022 Tour RB X Golf Ball Review
Titleist Pro V1x 2023
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Two years on from the latest set of updates, the hugely popular Pro V1x is back with a bang in 2023. It is one of the best premium golf balls, aimed at those looking for higher flights and more spin. Compared to the standard Pro V1, it offers a firmer feel, with its main upgrade being the new core Titleist have inserted into the ball which the brand says works to reduce long-game spin and deliver greater speeds.
During testing, we enjoyed the level of control on offer here, which came in particularly handy when hitting into the greens. Comparing it to its predecessor, when struck with our mid-irons, the ball showed a big jump in ball speed and a modest reduction in spin.
With the driver, the Pro V1x delivered some small gains in speed and distance but the higher ball flight and launch was the standout in the new Pro V1x. With our wedges, the new model offered a little more spin than the outgoing golf ball and delivered excellent control and feel on shorter chips. Compared to the standard Pro V1, the x is designed as the higher flying model for those after more spin.
- Read our full Titleist Pro V1x 2023 Golf Ball Review
TaylorMade 2024 TP5x Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Aesthetically, the TP5x is very clean and, like the TP5, there is a handy alignment aid on the side. There are various versions of the model available, with TaylorMade adding never before seen customisation options to its Pix models. What's more, there will even be a new MySymbol collection in Europe, which will offer a large range of fresh, individual logo options to choose from.
Performance-wise, there was a slight increase in speed over the standard TP5, but the spin levels were almost identical through the bag. One thing we will say is that, if you want a little more spin around the greens, the TP5 will be better suited, but if you are looking to increase and maximise distance then the X will be the model for you.
In all honesty, we struggled to find any negatives with the TP5x. Not only did it have a lovely soft feel at impact, but the muted audio puts it up there with one of the best golf balls that money can buy.
- Read our full TaylorMade 2024 TP5x Golf Ball Review
Callaway Chrome Tour X Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Chrome Tour X shares much of the same technology as the Chrome Tour, with the same hexagonal and spherical dimple pattern on show. You may wonder then, what are the main differences? Well, the X is slightly firmer than the standard Chrome Tour, with the speed also fractionally up.
In our review, our tester, Joe Ferguson, wrote: "To me, it feels like the excitable sibling of the Chrome Tour. Its slightly firmer and livelier feel gives it more life, and the extra spin it produces promotes more creativity and flight options. Or, to put it another way, the Chrome Tour is your reliable bank manager friend that will always do a good consistent job, whereas the Chrome Tour X is your freelance artist buddy, full of ideas that thinks a little more outside the box and is your first choice for a night out."
Overall though, Callaway have done an excellent job of creating two models that will appeal to the wide range of fast swing speeds. If we were to put this ball into a certain category, we think it will suit those that like to shape the ball.
- Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour X Golf Ball Review
Srixon Z-Star XV 2023
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The latest Srixon Z Star XV offers a firmer option to the Z-Star and is fantastic for those with higher swing speeds. Despite the firmer feel, it does offer plenty of spin and, if you choose to use this in the yellow colorway, you'll see that this is an excellent winter golf ball.
It is packed with technology, with its upgraded FastLayer DG Core, that is softer in the middle and progressively firmer towards the mantle layer, allowing it to deliver excellent ball speeds off the clubface. The compression comes in at 102, which is 10 points more than the Z-Star and the same as the Diamond, making this a great ball for those who swing faster and are looking for extra rigidity.
It is one of the best premium golf balls on the market and can offer excellent spin, thanks to its revised Spin Skin+ coating, which is a huge bonus when chipping around the greens. It does feel firm when putting, which is great if you use a soft insert and like to hear the ball at impact. While it's casing did scuff up a little after a few rounds, looking at its performance, we were impressed with what this ball offered out on the course
- Read our full Srixon Z-Star XV Ball 2023 Review
Bridgestone 2024 Tour B XS Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Like the Tour B X in this list, the B XS is designed solely for those who swing the club at over 105mph, with the new Reactiv X system present in this model. The main difference between the two models, though, is that this ball is slightly slower than the B X, with the spin on the higher side.
Again, this is designed for those who tend to hit a lower ball flight and, as such, we found it slightly tricky to flight down when the wind conditions were up. Despite this, the increase in spin did mean we were able to be a bit more aggressive on pins that were tucked, something which will help lower scores.
The main area where this ball stands out is in the short game department. Such was the performance when hitting chip and bunker shots, it felt like we were hitting into Velcro! The reason as to why we have included this model in the fast swing category is due to the fact that, those with fast swing speeds, will be the ones to gain the maximum amount of performance from it.
- Read our full Bridgestone 2024 Tour B XS Golf Ball Review
Titleist 2024 AVX Golf Ball
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Introduced in 2018, the newest AVX offering comes in at a lower price point than the Pro V1 models above and, with a number of new technological aspects added, such as a new high gradient, high speed core, a new thin flexible casing layer and a newly designed soft urethane cover, there's a lot to like if you have a quick swing speed.
In testing, we thought that the long game aspect was the star of the show, as the AVX provided a penetrating ball flight with excellent distance. In still conditions it was on a par with the Pro V1x but, when the wind is up, this is where it excelled, as the low spin nature meant it wasn't affected whilst in flight.
Moving away from tee shots, the AVX is a tad more lively and jumpier around the greens and pitch shots. One aspect is that there isn't as much spin in the AVX and it did tend to release out more. However, despite this, the ball did have a soft feel and muted sound and, for added assistance, there is even a handy alignment line either side of the AVX which should help with putting on the green. Overall though, we feel that this ball could fall under the best winter golf balls, given its performance in windy conditions and the fact that it releases out more.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 AVX 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 specific golf ball testing is built upon this procedure so we can get controlled data inside, and then see how the golf ball performs outside and on the golf course. That way we can get a more complete picture and get greater feedback to pass on to you.
The first port of call is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using the GCQuad launch monitor. The majority of Golf Monthly’s outdoor testing takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a stunning course in Surrey with excellent practice facilities. By using the balls over a number of rounds, and in different conditions, we can get a clearer understanding on factors like feel, control, ball flight and so on.
How to choose golf balls
As a player who swings it faster than average, what is the best golf ball for you? Let's take a look.
Distance or feel?
One of the key areas to think about when choosing a golf ball is feel. This is a very personal matter with some preferring a firmer feeling ball such as the Taylormade TP5x, as opposed to a softer feeling ball like the Titleist Pro V1.
As a high swing speed player, distance is something that comes naturally through clubhead speed but can be determined by how a ball launches. The Callaway Chrome Soft X was a ball that we noticed launched high and had impressive ball speed which would almost certainly meet your needs for a few extra yards.
Long game or short game?
Which of the above is more important to you? Despite all of the balls referenced through our guide being suitable for high swing speeds, certain balls will spin more than others and at different ends of the bag. For example the Srixon Z-Star Diamond performs superbly off the tee, but was slightly harder to generate spin with greenside shots.
Price
Thankfully most brands do offer different models at various price points, however the majority of balls that are best used by high swing speed golfers are normally some of the best premium balls around also. This does typically mean they come with a premium price tag, although some of the brands such as Srixon and Mizuno tend to come in at a slightly lower price.
FAQs
What Ball Should I Use For A High Swing Speed?
There are plenty of models from various manufactures that would suit a golfer with a high swing speed. There are balls with a softer feel and lower flight such as the Titleist Pro V1 and Taylormade TP5, conversely there are balls such as the Callaway Chrome Soft X and Srixon Z-Star Diamond which offer a firmer feel and higher launch.
What Is Considered A High Swing Speed In Golf?
If your clubhead speed with driver is over 105mph you would be considered a high swing speed golfer.
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Sam has worked in the golf industry for 12 years, offering advice on equipment to all levels of golfers and as Staff Writer, he tests and reviews equipment throughout the bag. Sam graduated from Webber International University in 2017 with a BSc Marketing Management degree while playing collegiate golf. His experience of playing professionally on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tour, alongside his golf retail history, means Sam has extensive knowledge of golf equipment and what works for different types of golfer.
Sam is a member of North Hants Golf Club in Fleet, Hampshire, where he won the club championship 3 times in succession from 2015-2017. His golfing highlight to date is shooting a round of 10-under 60 at his home club, narrowly missing a wedge shot for a magical 59.
Sam’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2, 9°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus, 15°
Hybrid: Ping G430 19°
Irons: Titleist T-100 4 iron, Titleist 620MB, 5-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 50°, 54°, 62°
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select GoLo
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x 2021
- Matt CradockStaff Writer
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