Are you a high handicapper and looking for the right ball for your skill level?
Any golfer will know the importance of having the right equipment, regardless of your handicap. Choosing the correct golf ball is almost as important as having the right clubs, if not more so.
Unfortunately, many high handicappers are encouraged to play with second-hand equipment and old hand-me-downs from golfer friends without factoring in what features are going to help them to improve their skills. If your goal is to lower your handicap, then it’s imperative that you play with a high-quality ball that can also aid you in perfecting your game.
If you’re not sure what to look for when browsing for a ball suitable for high handicappers, then read on. In this article, we’re going to provide a list of our favorite options on the market right now and have even included a handy Buyer’s Guide and FAQ section so you can get your golfing game down to a tee.
No time to be puttering around on the Internet?
We understand that you’re probably eager to get back on the green.
So below is a quick link to our favorite golf balls and a few of their key features:
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
- Larger graphene-infused Dual SoftFast Core for increased distance
- Consistent speed and penetrating ball flight
- Soft feel and spin control due to the super-thin urethane cover
- Longer distance and consistent trajectory thanks to the optimized aero design
- 4-piece construction
- Great for beginners and high handicappers
Top 5 Best Golf Balls for High Handicap Golfers
OUR TOP PICK
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
EDITORS CHOICE
Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
Callaway is a well-loved brand in the world of golfing and are praised for their great performance without the premium price tag.
Their Chrome Soft Golf Ball is constructed from four pieces with a dual-core which is specially engineered for long distances. The large inner core of the ball also decreases spin, making it ideal for beginners and high handicappers. This Dual SoftFast Core is made from super-strong graphene which allows low compression.
High handicappers typically have a slower swing speed and softer balls are great for combatting this as they create a faster ball speed without the need for an intense, strong swing. This ball also has a urethane cover which helps to increase ball speed.
Pros
- Soft feel
- Low driver spin
- 4 piece construction with DualSoftFast Core
- Low compression
Cons
- Less spin on the green compared to premium balls
EDITORS CHOICE
Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls
Arguably one of the most popular brand names in the world of tires, Bridgestone has plenty of experience of making quality golfing equipment and has been doing so since 1935.
Their access to premium materials and innovative rubber polymers gives them a huge advantage when making high-quality golf balls. Their E6 Soft Golf Ball features a low driver and long iron spin which are ideal for long distances.
These balls feature the Delta Dimple design, which is known for its smooth air resistance and greater distance making it ideal for high handicappers as their swings will go further. The E6 Soft Golf Balls are also available in yellow as well as the usual white, this makes them much easier to spot on the course.
Pros
- Hundreds of positive Amazon reviews
- Strong mantle and cover
- Delta Dimple design
- Various color options
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Poor spin on the green
BEST VALUE
Srixon Q Star Tour Golf Balls
The Q Star Tour Golf Ball from Srixon is a two-piece golf ball for beginners and high handicappers alike. It’s becoming commonly known as a golf ball specifically made for high handicappers who still want to experience a premium ball.
These golf balls are tour tested and coated in a thin yet durable urethane cover. The balls themselves have 338 dimples which are designed in such a way that they provide extra distance on the course.This ball is very versatile throughout the course. Many Amazon reviewers compared chipping with the Q Star to chipping with a premium tour ball as it allows you to get a predictable and controllable spin, even on shorter chips. This may be thanks to the SpinSkin coating, which is also extremely durable.
Pros
- A soft ball with high resilience
- Specifically made for high handicappers
- SpinSkin technology
- Tour quality without the premium price tag
Cons
- The high launch is yielded due to low compression
RUNNER UP
Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
The Velocity Golf Ball from Titleist is made from a 2-piece construction making it ideal for producing distance.
The core of the ball is made using patented LSX technology which is encased in a NAZ2 cover which is also patented. These innovative characteristics are the reason why the Velocity ball travels on a consistent, deep downrange trajectory and can acquire a high initial velocity.
The dimples of this ball also allow it to achieve high flights. There are over 300 of them which allows the golfer to have more control over the ball. Also, to ensure that all of these dimples don’t slow the ball down, it has a unique tetrahedral design that experiences less air resistance.
Pros
- Reliable and stable flight
- Unique patented technology allows for consistency
- Dimple design decreases air resistance
- Relatively affordable compared to other options on the market
Cons
- Not as durable as other balls on this list and can be prone to marks and scuffs
RUNNER UP
TaylorMade TP 5 Golf Balls
The final addition to our list is these TP 5 Golf Balls from TaylorMade. These balls have a three-layer core system which helps to protect the ball as well as enabling it to deliver premium performance.
It’s made up of a firm inner layer and a softer outer layer made from urethane. Although it’s slightly firmer than some of our other options on this list due to its 2-piece construction, it’s still regarded as one of the best golf balls for high handicappers.
This ball boasts exceptional spin performance with full wedge shots and precise control when putting on the green. It’s even constructed from High-Flex Material (HFM) which delivers higher ball speed through a greater rebound effect. To put it plainly, HFM acts as a tightly wound spring that builds energy and rebounds quickly, generating more speed.
Pros
- Longer distance compared to other high-end golf balls
- Precision on the greens
- High launches
- Great for high handicappers
Cons
- More expensive than other options on this list
Best Golf Ball for High Gandicap Golfers for Beginners Buying Guide
Unless you’re playing golf at a professional level, which most of us aren’t, there’s no logic in using the same golf balls that they use at the big tournaments.
Different golf balls have different characteristics that can alter the way they work with different people’s swings. Fortunately, this is becoming more and more recognized among manufacturers and they’re designing balls that work specifically well for high handicap players.
Many factors should be considered before purchasing your golf balls including their construction, price and even their dimples.
To help you find the perfect ball, here’s our helpful Buyers’ Guide that provides a rundown of the key features you should consider before making a purchase.
Construction
The construction of your golf ball is arguably the most important factor, especially so if you have a high handicap as the number of layers you need will depend on what kind of shots you’ll be taking.
Golf balls are available in 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 and these numbers refer to how many pieces the ball is made from. Here’s a handy rundown on the first four, which are the most common.
1 Piece Golf Ball
These balls are made from one piece of solid metal and don’t have any sort of cover. They’re extremely cheap and never used by professionals. You’re more likely to see them at mini-golf courses and driving ranges.
If you have a high handicap, we recommend avoiding 1-piece balls as their low compression rating makes them have a poor spin and distance.
2 Piece Golf Ball
These balls tend to consist of a core and a cover and are ideal for beginners. They’re pretty affordable too so don’t expect them to be super high-quality. 2 Piece balls can provide a lot of roll on the greens or the fairway.
They’re by no means tour-level quality but could be a good starting point for high handicappers.
3 Piece Golf Ball
3 piece golf balls consist of a core, mantle and a cover. The cover is usually made from urethane which can produce a faster spin and is often the material of choice for professionals.
So if you’re looking to improve your spin specifically or to learn to control it better, then we recommend practicing with a 3 piece golf ball.
4 Piece Golf Ball
These balls are constructed from a dual-core, mantle and cover. They’re often used by professionals as they provide great precision but they also come with a hefty price tag.
Luckily for you, we don’t recommend splashing out on a 4 piece golf ball if you have a high handicap as they’re notoriously difficult to play with.
Spin
You’ll need to know which is most important to you, spin or distance as there is often a trade-off between the two. For example, if you’re looking for a better spin you’re going to have to compromise on distance and vice versa.
However, if you’re a high handicapper we recommend opting for a ball with a low spin rate until your performance improves.
Cover
The type of cover you need will depend on what kind of shots you’re wanting to make as the cover determines the balls flight and spin. For straight and long-distance swings, we recommend opting for a Suryl-covered ball, as they provide little spin.
On the other hand, urethane covers provide more backspin and are a little harder to control. As a high handicapper, we recommend practicing with different cover materials and working out what you prefer.
Dimples
Believe it or not, the dimples on a golf ball directly affect the distance that the ball is going to reach as they decrease the impact of air pressure while reducing its overall coverage area.
If you choose to buy a shallow and wide dimpled golf ball, you’ll be able to reach long distances with less backspin.
Budget
The amount of money you’re prepared to spend on golf balls will impact your decision, so we recommend finalizing a budget before browsing.
We recommend staying away from premium golf balls as these are usually unnecessary for high handicappers and more suitable for professionals. Of course, the more you’re willing to pay the better the ball could be but remember that more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do golf balls for high handicappers differ from regular golf balls?
Different players will choose different balls depending on their needs, such as a high spin rate or longer distances. A high handicapped golfer simply lacks experience and will need to practice to improve their skills.
This is why we recommend choosing a golf ball with low spin and compression. These are also much easier to control and don’t require a powerful swing to reach long distances.
What constitutes a ‘high handicapped player’?
The term handicap refers to the players’ skill level and this is measured on a numerical scale. In layman’s’ terms, the lower the handicap, the more skilled the player is at golf. The scale is necessary as it allows two golfers on two different skill levels to play against each other fairly.
Golfing experts typically agree that a player with a handicap over 18 is to be considered a high handicapped player. Surprisingly, almost half of all golfers in the world are considered high handicapped players.
- 5 Best Golf Clubs for the Money - November 25, 2022
- Signs You Need A Stiffer Shaft - November 22, 2022
- Can Golf Clubs Be Stored In Cold Weather? - July 20, 2022
