Golf can be a costly sport—you’ll discover that it isn’t merely the price of shoes and clubs that increase expenses. The cost of golf balls can pinch your pocket as well. While some branded golf balls can cost between $40 and $50, you can still find quality ones that cost below $20.
Remember, not all golf balls are created equal. Even though there are similarities in appearance, different brands and types of golf balls serve different needs. This is why their price range varies so greatly.
Looking beyond rates and factoring in other considerations like the number of layers and types can help you make an informed decision, leaving you a happy golfer. You’ll finally have golf balls that fit your needs, meet your expectations, and help you achieve better performance.
Here’s a list of the best budget balls.
Any sport-specific equipment carries tangible value to that sport. Golf is no different. While most people consider golf clubs central to their performance, golf balls also contribute to a player’s overall performance.
This makes investing in a golf ball appropriate for your style and handicap very important.
Best Budget Golf Balls: Our Favorites
OUR TOP PICK
Srixon AD333
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Smart Core
BEST VALUE
Callaway 2017 Warbird
OUR TOP PICK
Srixon AD333 Golf Ball
Right off the bat or tee, you will be impressed with the performance of the Srixon AD333, thanks to its active gradient core that allows you to hit the ball with higher degrees of control.
This is primarily because of the low spin that these golf balls have, helping them consistently retain a straight trajectory.
As far as distance shots are concerned, you can have an above-average flight trajectory even if your speed swing is slower than 80 to 90 mph.
The Srixon AD333 comes with a total of 338 dimples with five different size patterns. These unique dimples help enhance the golf balls’ aerodynamics.
You will notice that these balls are softer than most typical golf balls because they fall in the low compression golf ball category. However, they still produce that powerful and confident sound when you chip them.
Some golf players may consider these golf balls too soft, causing some hesitation when purchasing this product.
Pros:
Comes with an active gradient core for better control
Consistently leads you to a straighter swing path
Designed with 338 dimples with five different size patterns
Soft low compression golf balls
Gives that powerful and confident sound
Con:
Too soft for some golf players
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Smart Core-24 Pack Golf Balls
You can’t go wrong with a Wilson!
With its Soft Core technology, these balls will adjust and keep up with your swing speed automatically.
As a result, you can achieve better distance with every shot. The technology incorporated in these balls also gives you additional spin on your short shots, leading to better control. For longer shots, expect lesser spins.
This will help you achieve straighter drives—thanks to this smart technology and Wilson’s innovation.
The Smart Core-24 Pack comes with an ionomer cover that can guarantee long-lasting performance on varying golf courses and unique conditions.
The Smart Core-24 Pack is a great deal as it offers 24 balls for a price tag of less than $20.
Pros:
Incorporated with Soft Core Technology
Gives you more spins on shorter shots
Provides reduced spin but straighter drives in longer shots
24 balls in a pack
Cons:
Not recommended for better golf players
Produces a “pinging” sound
Distance achieved is shorter compared to other brands
BEST VALUE
Callaway 2017 Warbird Golf Ball
Callaway offers some of the best deals in the affordable but high-quality golf equipment segment.
If you are looking for bargain golf balls, then be sure to check out their 2017 Warbird Golf Balls.
These balls come integrated with the brand’s innovative technology—the HEX Aerodynamics—that helps boost your distance, launch, and speed while reducing drag.
You can also obtain extra yardage courtesy of its huge and high-energy core.
Callaway’s golf balls feature two-piece construction and an ionomer cover, enhancing their softer feel while giving you more control with every swing and shot.
These balls are also generous in providing you with the maximum possible forgiveness while reducing the balls’ spin.
These balls are best recommended for beginners and intermediate players.
Pros:
Integrated with HEX Aerodynamics for distance, launch, and speed
Reduces drag
Designed with an ionomer cover for a softer feel
Provides generous forgiveness
Minimizes the spin
Con:
Easy to scuff, especially if you hit the cart path
RUNNER UP
TaylorMade Burner Golf Balls
The TaylorMade Burner golf balls are a steal for less than $15.
Don’t be deceived by the price, though. Bargain golf balls don’t mean poor quality.
These balls are designed with 342 dimples that help you get that extra yard or two by minimizing the spin on your tee shots.
The TaylorMade Burners golf balls are also an excellent purchase for their soft but extremely durable ionomer cover as they offer that additional layer of control and better feel.
The balls are hence highly responsive for your short game performance.
With a compression rating of 60, these balls can help you reach that maximum distance possible off the tee while keeping a soft feel into the fairway and greens.
This low compression golf ball is perfect for seniors with slow swing speed and even average golf players.
Pros:
Designed with an ionomer cover for a softer feel
Intended to give you additional yardage
Compression rating of 60
Soft but durable design
Con:
Not suitable for more experienced players
RUNNER UP
Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Balls
Enjoy better play with the Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Balls without putting a massive dent in your golf budget.
Golfers who like to show off a bit of their personality can do so with these golf balls.
They come in several color variants such as Orange, Yellow, White, and Pink. You can happily splurge on them without any guilt since they only cost less than $15 for a dozen.
Each Nitro Maximum Golf ball boasts a two-piece build that includes a titanium core and a reliable cover complete with symmetrical dimples and aerodynamics.
These features will help you achieve maximum ball speed with straighter and longer shots.
Pros:
Designed with a titanium core
Has several color options
Integrate aerodynamic dimple design
Minimizes drag
Comes with a two-piece tournament construction
Con:
Not suitable for expert golfers
RUNNER UP
Titleist DT TruSoft Prior Generation Golf Balls
Every golfer will always have a Titleist tucked somewhere in their bag. Getting a dozen quality golf balls below $20 from this brand is a steal, given their reputation.
As expected from Titleist, these balls showcase a distinct dimple pattern.
The advantage?
You get confident control and launch off the tee along with extra distance.
Made with a durable, high-quality ionomer cover, these golf balls have a softer feel. You will also appreciate their forgiveness during your shorter games and when you get to the greens.
Although it can add extra distance to each swing and reduce spin on longer irons, many would want to cover more yards than these balls can provide.
Pros:
Low compression ball
Distinct dimple design for enhanced control
Made with a soft, pure, and durable ionomer cover
Helps you achieve consistent flight
Minimizes spin
Con:
Does not give the maximum distance possible
What to Consider When Purchasing a Budget Golf Ball
You can be the most experienced golfer in the club, with a handicap in single digits, but you can still benefit from better golf balls.
While price or budget will be your primary consideration, learning more about what makes a golf ball tick can help you make informed decisions the next time you make a purchase.
Here are some of the factors that you need to consider when you are out shopping for your next set of golf balls.
Types
When it comes to golf balls, there are three significant categories that you need to look into: the distance, the tour performance, and the spin control.
Distance
One of the major factors that can help you with yardage in your gameplay is your ball’s compression.
Low compression golf balls are designed to be softer, so they compress more, and as a result, you can gain more distance with them. These are perfect for beginners and seniors. On the other hand, high compression balls are more suitable for players with faster swing speeds and tour-level players.
Additionally, golf balls made with a thinner cover but with a larger-sized core can also help you gain more yardage, especially from the tee box.
Premium or Tour performance
Tour performance golf balls are primarily used on the PGA Tour. Considered top-tier golf balls, these are designed to spin less off the tee, augment distance on your longer shots, deliver better control on shorter shots, and allow more spin around the greens.
Premium golf balls are also built with high-compression cores and are usually multi-layered constructions finished with reliable urethane covers.
Spin Control
Spin pertains to your golf ball’s movement on an axis at the right angle of its flying path. You either have backspin or sidespin. You want as much backspin as possible in your game while avoiding the latter.
Backspin aids in pushing the air down, helping the ball lift and boost to increase its trajectory, so you maintain a straighter direction. Sidespin will either direct your ball to the left or right based on your swing direction. If you’re targeting hook shots, you will benefit from the additional sidespin.
The best way to identify and get the best spin control during your game is to check whether the golf ball you have is a low spin, medium spin, or high spin ball.
One of the best golf balls with a competitive spin is the Bridgestone e6 Speed.
Golf Ball Construction
Golf balls are constructed differently, depending on the performance they are designed to enhance.
The naming convention is straightforward and easy to understand: one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and multi-layered balls with five layers.
The two-piece is a favorite among recreational players and those just starting out. Golf balls with two-layers are composed of a cover and a core. The core can be solid or liquid, but typically solid cores are made from rubberized materials. Depending on the brand, you will find two-layer golf balls with compact, solid centers, while others will have a softer but larger build. The cover used can also vary depending on the manufacturer.
Two-piece layered golf balls are perfect for novices and high-handicap golfers who have slower swing speeds. The ball’s larger core makes the most of the distance while reducing the spin and unwanted movement. The abundant cover delivers further protection on errant shots.
Pro players use multi-layered balls. Since they come with several layers, they are more suitable for varying gameplay conditions. Multiple-layered golf balls will have additional layers aside from the basic cover, core, and mantle, all intended to improve your performance.
These balls are best for mid-to-low handicappers who have faster swing speeds. The core and mantle layers upraise better control shot sculpting and even feel, while its designed thinner cover promotes and boosts spin control while ensuring a soft feel.
Cover
Golf balls are usually made of two covers: Surlyn and Urethane.
Surlyn is an ionomer resin that was developed by DuPont and has been used since the mid-1960s. Surlyn-covered golf balls are known for their durability. They offer the lowest spin off the tee. As such, they are preferred for distance balls by brands such as Pinnacle and Top-Flite.
Surlyn will not scuff or cut when used under normal golfing conditions. Golf balls with Surlyn covers are highly recommended for amateur and mid-skilled golfers. They do have a flaw, though. Surlyn covered balls don’t offer the backspin required by most professional golfers and low-handicap amateurs.
On the other hand, Urethane covers are commonly used on high-end balls and are favored by skilled players and professionals. They have the softest feel and offer maximum control.
Urethane also causes higher spin rates on a wedge and iron shots. Finally, urethane-covered golf balls generate high clubhead speeds.
In a nutshell, Surlyn golf balls are more economical, slightly more durable, and can give you additional yards compared to urethane covered balls, but they lack the spin needed to stop shots in the greens quickly. If you don’t mind paying more, then opt for urethane. You will appreciate its perks in the short game.
More:
Do different golf balls really make a difference?
Are oversized golf balls legal?
Conclusion
Sports as hobbies can become very expensive habits, especially if they involve multiple accessories, not just basic equipment.
Golfing requires a golf kit, complete head-to-toe attire, club and caddy expenses, and so much more. No wonder it has earned a reputation for being a rich person’s game. Add in the costs of game-specific or age-tailored golf balls, and you’ve surely blown way more money than what was initially in your budget.
Golf balls are not cheap, but you don’t have to put a dent in your wallet to get the best balls on the market today. You have the option to invest in low-cost but quality golf balls from well-established brands.
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