One of the biggest challenges to starting the game of golf is finding and selecting all of the correct equipment especially selecting the right golf ball. It can be intimidating if you are new to the sport or an average golfer.
Where do you get golf clubs? or golf balls with high swing speeds? Maybe a friend has an old set they will give you or sell to you at a discount. I also need a golf bag, right? Maybe someone has one you can borrow, or you can find a used one at your local pro shop. Do I need golf shoes? Nah, you can play in sneakers for now.
What about balls? Where can I find the best golf balls for beginner golfers and how do i clean a golf ball? Of course, I will need to learn how to hit them, but first I need to figure out what I should buy.
Should I spend $50 for a dozen golf ball? How long will that last me? Does the quality of the ball really matter? Quick answers, No, Not long, and Probably not.
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Golf balls can be very expensive, but if you look for the right deal, they don’t have to leave a hole in your wallet. As you are learning the game, you are very likely to lose your share of balls. The average golfer loses 1.5 golf balls per round, and a beginner may double or triple that number during a rough outing. Don’t be shocked if you lose 6+ balls in 18 holes as you start your golf journey.
With all the balls you will be donating to local woods and lakes, why care about brand or quality at all? You may not, but as you try to weight different options, you may find some feel better than others. You will develop preferences, even if they don’t stay in your possession very long.
With all of this in mind, what are the best golf balls for a beginner and also great for kids who are beginner golfers? Let’s take a look at 7 different products you may want to consider.
Best Golf Balls For Beginner Golfers
- Callaway Golf Supersoft Golf Balls
- TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls
- Recycled or Refurbished Golf Balls
- Vice Pro Plus Golf Balls
- Wilson Ultra 500 Straight Golf Ball
- Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
- TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls
1. Callaway Golf Supersoft Golf Balls
The Callaway Supersoft golf balls is a two-piece golf ball with an ultra-low compression core that promotes fast ball speed, high ball flight and accuracy. This ball has a soft feel and is designed for forgiveness and low compression golf balls can actually help relieve arthritis pain by minimizing vibrations.
The Callaway Supersoft golf balls was built with their new HEX Aerodynamics which helps reduce drag with a high launch and increase lift, leading to higher ball flight and longer shots.
If you like a softer feel around the green, this ball is worth a look. The cover was constructed to give you more touch when chipping and putting.
Pros:
- Trusted Brand in Golf – Callaway is well known for producing high quality golf products and golf balls for beginners
- Feels Soft – finding a non-premium golf ball with a soft feel can be challenging, but the Supersoft does feel like a high-end soft golf ball when putting and chipping
- Make a Statement – do you want a little flair in your game? The Supersoft is offered in several colors: white, green, orange, pink, red, and yellow
- Forgiveness – Callaway has placed technology in this design to help you with off-center shots
Cons:
- Mid-range pricing – definitely not premium pricing, but you can find cheaper options
- Sold in packs of 12, so if you are losing 6+ per round, they won’t last you very long
- The Callaway super soft is a long, straight distance ball that’s incredibly soft
2. TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls
The Noodle has been on the market for many years and if you are buying golf balls as a beginner, this has been a favorite of beginners and high handicappers in the golf world. It has a durable cover, so it can handle fast ball speeds, some mishits, cart paths, and tree limbs. This distance golf ball was built with an impact propulsion core.
The Noodle has been designed with a dimple pattern to help you hit straighter shots. Great for beginners or junior golfers practicing for college recruiting, with slower swing speeds.
Pros:
- Proven in the Marketplace – has been on the market for several years and continues to sell good golf balls for beginners
- Great Price – one of the cheaper balls you can find – very economically priced
- Long – this ball is built for distance – you hit it hard and it goes far
- Sold in larger quantities – you can purchase this ball in packs of 15 or 24
Cons:
- Like many low-priced golf balls, it does feel firm when you are chipping – jumps off your putter
- It has a low spin and won’t spin a ton on your approach shots
- Durable and soft IOTHANE cover
3. Recycled or Refurbished Golf Balls for Beginners
A bit of a different product, you can purchase recycled golf balls. These golf ball have been lost by a golfer, found, and sent to a company for re-sale. A recycled ball is sorted, washed, rated, and sometimes re-painted.
This golf ball is typically packaged in a plastic container or a mesh bag and sold in large quantities (24, 50, 72, etc.). Recycled packs of balls are typically one brand but will be various models and conditions. It is possible some will not be good enough to play on the course, but others will be like new.
Recycled balls are some of the best golf balls for beginner golfers as it is a great way to try out different models and see what works the best and they offer great value in a stage of your game that you may be losing your balls quite regularly.
Pros:
- Very economically priced – cheaper than buying new golf balls for beginners
- Treasure Hunt – half the fun of buying recycled balls is going through the contents – you never know what you might find – it is very possible you will find the best balls like a new premium soft golf ball in your purchase
- Large quantity – hard to beat 72 soft golf balls for a low price
- Variety – try different models of your favorite brand of beginner golf ball (Nike, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, etc.) with various qualities like a low compression rating, designed for a higher swing speeds and consistent flight, etc.
Cons:
- You could get a Dud – there is no guarantee on how many “good” balls you will get in a batch – it is a bit of gamble
- Random markings – recycled balls will often have sharpie marks from previous player or random logos – if this bothers you, you may want to avoid
- Assorted models of Callaway in one bag
4. Vice Pro Plus Beginner Golf Balls
The Vice Pro Plus golf ball is the most premium on our list. These are a 4-piece high quality golf balls, constructed with a highly durable 336 dimple design. It has a dual casing for extra distance and lower ball flight.
The Pro Plus has excellent green grabbing control, with great feel and low spin rates. This ball likes to hold the green on your approach shots. Do you like to aim your putts using a line? The Pro Plus includes the “Keep in Line” (KIL) putting line.
Pros:
- Cool, New Brand – Vice is a relatively new golf company and have already earned the reputation of offering cool golf products
- Premium ball, but mid-range price – you would typically pay much more for a golf ball with this much technology
- Color options – you can go with white, red, or yellow – you also may be able to find this golf ball with your favorite NBA logo
- Long and Soft – long off the tee, soft around the greens
- Great for golfers with slower swing speeds like beginners
Cons:
- While a great deal for a premium golf ball, still may be too pricey for most beginners or amateur golfers
- Too Soft? – if you are used to playing a harder ball, might actually feel “spongey” to you
- 3 piece cast urethane cover
5. Wilson Ultra 500 Straight Golf Ball
The Wilson Ultra 500 is a two-piece golf balls designed for distance. It is constructed with a titanium core and a cut-proof cover. The Ultra 500 decreases spin-off your club, for straighter shots.
Pros:
- Low price – really, really low – cheapest new golf ball you can find for beginners or novice golfers
- Cut Proof Cover – a great design for a beginner – can survive the occasional bounce off the cart path or a short trip into the woods
- Maximum Distance – this is a firmer golf ball and a long golf ball – swing hard and watch it fly
- Price – did we already mention the price? 15 balls per package for a price that won’t make you cry if one happens to disappear in the lake
Cons:
- Firm – this ball feels very hard when you hit it – not great touch around the green
- Doesn’t spin, so holding greens on your iron shots could be tricky
- Advanced two-piece construction
6. Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
This Titleist golf ball was named because of its explosive initial velocity that creates distance for the golfer. This ball has a soft feel and a unique dimple pattern, a spherically tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design that promotes flight and adds yardage to your shots.
The Velocity was engineered with a thinner cover that creates stopping power on the greens and a softer feel when you are chipping and putting.
Pros:
- Brand – Titleist is the premier brand in golf balls – their premium ball (Pro V) is the most used on professional tours
- Unique Numbering – Velocity are unique in that they typically come in double-digit numbers – doesn’t impact performance, but a cool feature if you are looking for something different
- Long off the tee, but doesn’t feel like a rock around the greens – approach shots spin
- Interesting color options – white, matte orange, matte pink, or matte green
Cons:
- Midrange pricing – you can find cheaper options
- Only offered in packs of 12 – beginners may want more of a bulk buy for this price
7. TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls
The TaylorMade Distance Plus ball was designed with a REACT speedcore to provide high speed, with a low spin off your driver. Less spin off the face of your driver means more distance. The ball also includes an aerodynamic, 342 dimple pattern to help reduce air resistance.
This is a two-piece golf ball, with a soft cover to help with feel when you are chipping and putting.
Pros:
- Brand – TaylorMade is a well-respected brand in golf, known for creating quality products
- Cost – economically priced golf ball that will meet a beginner’s budget
- Distance – the name says it all (Distance Plus) – this ball is designed to help you hit the ball a long way
- Less spin on your driver – less spin not only means more distance; it also means less curve – straighter shots
Cons:
- With this much distance, the tradeoff is feel – does feel a bit firm when chipping and putting
- Like most distance balls, you will need to play more release on your iron shots – less spin than a softer ball
- React core - low spin - high speed
Golf balls buyer guide
Types of Golf Balls
You can classify golf balls in a few different ways, but the simplest two are construction and pricing.
The best way to describe the construction of the modern golf ball is the number layers. The two-piece golf ball is designed to have more distance and less spin. These same golf balls are also cheaper to make, so most of your beginner-type balls will fall in this category. They are more durable but will feel firmer and spin less around the green.
More premium golf balls typically have 3+ layers. These added layers allow the manufacturers to add additional technology that gives a more advanced golfer more options. High-end balls will spin more and feel softer off the club. While a beginner may not care about these features, they are critical to elite players. Of course, the more layers and technology, the more the golf ball will cost.
The other key features that will vary from ball to ball include core material, cover thickness, and dimple pattern.
What Compression Rating Should You Look for in a Golf Ball as a Beginner?
Golf ball compression is the measure of how firmly a golf ball reacts to being struck. As a beginner, you should look for a golf ball with a low compression rating. A low compression rating range from 50-90 and are designed to provide more distance and forgiveness off the tee.
A higher compression rating (90-110) is designed for experienced players who can generate more clubhead speed and require a ball that will react better to their swing.
When selecting the right golf balls for beginners, it’s important to consider your skill level and playing style. Beginners should focus on choosing softer golf balls with a low compression rating that provides maximum distance off the tee and improved accuracy. Experienced players can opt for a higher compression rating to gain more control over their shots.
Ultimately, the correct compression rating for you as a beginner will depend on your swing speed and playing style.
How the Golf Ball Affects Your Game
Sometimes overlooked, but golf manufacturers have invested a significant amount of time to improve the golf ball. Many experts feel the most significant advancement in the last 50 years in golf is the ball, not club design.
So how does it impact your game? That definitely depends on your level of play. If you are just getting started in the game golf, the ball you play probably doesn’t make a significant difference. A simple way to think about it, the more solid you hit the ball, the more difference it will make.
If you consistently make solid contact, the type of ball you play will determine how much you can spin a wedge shot or how much your drive curves. If you have great touch around the green and want to save strokes with your putter, you probably don’t want the ball to feel like a rock when you hit it.
How to Select the Proper Golf Ball
The good news – you have plenty of options. The seven products we mentioned in this article provide you with different brands, price points, and features.
The best way to determine your favorite ball is to try different types. If you find a decent ball on the course, play with it for a few holes to see if it feels different than your current ball.
When you are purchasing balls, stay within your budget, but try different brands and models. The best players have a feel for the game, and you will find that you prefer the feel of certain balls versus others.
FAQs
Do golf balls make a difference for beginners?
Not as much as elite players, but you will find that you prefer a certain type of ball. Golf is a mental game, so if you feel more comfortable hitting a certain ball, it will make a difference in your score. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money – you may like the feel of the cheapest ball.
How much should I spend on golf balls as a high-handicapper?
Between $10 – $15 per dozen is a good price to pay for golf balls when you are just starting out, less if you are happy with recycled balls. Remember you may be losing between 1 – 3 balls per round so it doesn’t make much sense to spend more until your handicap comes down.
Does the color of a golf ball change performance?
No. There are more colors offered than every before. White, pink, orange, green, yellow, red, purple, blue, and various soccer-ball designs. These are cool if you like the look but doesn’t change how the ball performs.
Are recycled or used balls a good choice for beginners?
Yes. Recycled balls can be a great way to get a large number of balls for a cheap price. You might even get some premium balls. Be aware – no two packages of recycled balls are exactly the same. It is possible you get a bunch that includes several bad balls. It is a bit of a gamble, but that’s half the fun.
Are golf balls always sold in packages of 12?
No. You can find packs of balls that include 15, 24, 50, or even 72. Often, you can save some money if you buy a certain ball in bulk.
Final thoughts on the best golf balls for beginner golfers
If you are just getting involved in the game of golf especially as a parent to a junior golfer, you have discovered a sport that you can play for a lifetime and will give you years of joy (and maybe some frustration). Finding all the correct equipment can be stressful and you don’t want to look like you don’t know what you are doing.
What is the best golf ball for a beginner golfer? Don’t stress about this one – you really can’t go wrong. You don’t need to buy the ball Tiger, Phil, or Rory use. Find a ball within your budget, get it as a gift for your junior golfer and give it a try. Start with a cheaper model and see how it feels and performs.
As a beginner, don’t get too attached to your new balls – they probably won’t stay in your possession for long, but this just gives you an opportunity to try a different brand or model the next time. Stay patient and enjoy the game!