Looking to get that extra edge on the course? You’re not alone. Golfers around the world search for helpful products and equipment every day to help them up their game. While the fanciest gear in the world won’t make you a pro, a good set of distance golf balls can certainly give your swing the boost it needs.
Golf balls for distance are designed to travel significantly further than your typical golf ball. Even with a slower swing speed, you should be able to achieve some impressive lift after a few practice swings. On this page, we’ll be reviewing some of the longest golf balls available.
We’ll discuss their performance, cost, and how they can transform your point average. We’ll also talk about a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a good distance golf ball. Read on to up your golf game!
The Best Distance Golf Balls
Right, let’s get into it! The list below contains some of the best distance golf balls money can buy. We’ve tried to find options for a broad range of requirements here so be sure to read through the whole thing.
Special attention has been paid to the distance of each product, as well as its spin, self-correction, and overall performance.
1. Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
Titleist Velocity golf balls are fantastic in our opinion. They’re built from the ground up with distance in mind. Where other products on the market would let you down with unpredictable spins and accuracy, these distance balls offer a remarkably low long game spin.
This means you can achieve the killer distances you’re looking for without compromising too much on your overall level of control. The “NAZ+” cover on these golf balls also deserve a mention. They’re engineered for speed and aerodynamic performance.
Your golf balls will soar through the air and travel far further than you may be used to. Remember what we said about the importance of your golf balls’ dimple pattern? Titleist are well aware of this fact. The “octahedral” dimple pattern offered here allows for significantly higher levels of consistency and accuracy.
Why We Love Them:
- Engineered as a distance ball first and foremost
- Great accuracy and consistency
- Very low long game spin
- Comparatively affordable
Some Drawbacks:
- Pack may contain a mixture of year models
2. Srixon Distance Golf Ball
As far as premium golf balls go, this option from Srixon is definitely worth a look. Like the other golf balls on this page, they offer exceptional distance without a significant compromise on control or accuracy.
Even with a slower swing speed, these are unlikely to let you down. As mentioned above, soft golf balls are usually the way to go if you care about distance when playing. Fortunately, these golf balls are “soft rated” with a design that gradually hardens towards the outer layers.
This results in a compression rating that is mercifully low. As you may remember, a lower compression rating makes it much easier to transfer the energy of your swing to the ball that you’re hitting. In short, soft golf balls travel further on average.
Why We Love Them:
- Soft golf balls for distance and low compression
- Dimple pattern designed for long distances
- Easy to launch
Some Drawbacks:
- The spin takes a little getting used to
3. Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls for Distance
We’re huge fans of these Callaway chrome soft golf balls. As with the option listed above, they’re comparatively soft and offer a super low compression level. This means that even slower swing speeds will still be able to launch these things pretty far.
Callaway has reached legendary status in the world of golfing equipment and it’s easy to see why. Time after time, their products consistently deliver the levels of performance and affordability consumers are looking for.
One area that these golf balls really shine – aside from distance, that is – is their precision and accuracy. A ton of research and engineering work has gone into developing this product. The result is a set of golf balls that not only travels far, but travels accurately too!
Why We Love Them:
- Some of the best golf ball accuracy in the ‘distance’ category we’ve ever seen
- Low compression and high softness
- Very forgiving for beginners
Some Drawbacks:
- The forgiveness is a double-edged sword – pros will want something different
4. Volvik Crystal
This golf ball set is something of a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario if you ask us. They’re engineered for swing speeds of between 70 and 90 mph and can be exceptionally accurate and high performing overall. However, there’s good news here for those with a swing speed that’s a bit on the slower side.
Volvik has combined a great dimple pattern, a soft body, low compression, and several other factors to produce a golf ball that still travels remarkably far regardless of how fast you swing your club. You shouldn’t have to worry too much once you’re on the green either.
The levels of control and precision on offer here are really quite something. Even less experienced players might be pleasantly surprised when using a Volvik golf ball. At the very least, you won’t be able to blame them for your high point average!
Why We Love Them:
- Works great for a faster and slower swing speed
- Consistently stable flight paths
- Great control on the green
Some Drawbacks:
- Not the cheapest option out there
5. Taylormade Distance+ Golf Balls
This is our recommendation for those who value speed above all else. A slew of incredible design and technology is at play here. These things simply soar through the air, especially if it’s not your first time on the golf course.
Among these innovations are a two-piece construction and an “ultra-soft feel” that results in a compression rating that’s significantly lower than a big chunk of the competition. In short, these are a fantastic option if you want a distance ball that’s speedy as well as long.
While not strictly related to distance, we’re big fans of the built-in alignment aid that comes with this product. It makes it much easier to line up your putts and drain them in record time. If you’re a newbie who’s still laying the foundations of their technique, features like this can be a real Godsend.
Why We Love Them:
- The “ultra soft” design feels great
- Exceptional speed and distance
- Aerodynamic dimple pattern
Some Drawbacks:
- Get scratched and worn quite easily
6. Bridgestone E12 Contact
The contact force dimple design used on this golf ball set deserves a fair bit of praise. According to Bridgestone, it results in up to 38% more surface contact between your club’s head and the ball. This allows for a better transfer of energy and a longer distance overall.
If you’re worried that your swing speed is letting you down, this kind of innovation can help out to an extent. It doesn’t hurt that these premium golf balls also come with a host of other features that make them some of the best golf balls we’ve ever reviewed!
Expect a softer core, reduced slice, and phenomenal accuracy no matter what you throw at them. Beginners and pros alike should find plenty to appreciate here. Just keep in mind that you’ll need at least some experience to achieve the super long distances you might be looking for.
Why We Love Them:
- Dimple design that allowed for greater surface contact
- Super soft core design
- Reduced slice
- Great accuracy and control
Some Drawbacks:
- Not super affordable
7. Wilson Duosoft +
If you’ve never heard of Wilson before, you’re likely very new to the world of golf. Since the early 20th century, these guys have been producing stellar golfing products that consistently delver on performance, value, and durability.
This product is no exception – they’re some of the best golf balls in this category that we’ve ever seen. Expect a forgiving, soft design; surprisingly reliable accuracy; and a distance that will launch you far away from the tee box every time.
As a two piece golf ball, this product is great at transferring the energy of your swing to the flight path you’re able to achieve. In short, you’ll be able to achieve more distance with less effort time after time!
Why We Love Them:
- Two piece design for great energy transfer
- Soft design for low compression
- Great accuracy
- Legendary Wilson brand
Some Drawbacks:
- The durability leaves a little to be desired
8. Taylor Made Noodle Balls
These distance boosting golf balls take things to the next level. They’re built with extreme levels of softness in mind. This can make them super fun for more casual games where you don’t have to comply with the strict rules of organisations like the USGA.
Even less experienced golfers can achieve pretty impressive distances with this kind of golf ball. They’re not unpredictable either. The patented dimple pattern used here ensures a straight ball flight that’s far easier to control than you might expect.
Add this to the fact that this high quality golf ball is covered with a durable iothane layer and you’re looking at a real winner in our opinion. Whether you’re a newbie looking for a decent long golf ball or a pro wanting to have some fun, we think it’s hard to go wrong here.
Why We Love Them:
- Patented dimples for straighter shots
- A great distance boosting golf ball
- Surprisingly low spin
Some Drawbacks:
- The ink on the balls can scuff quickly – the durabiltiy is otherwise strong
Distance Golf Balls – What to Look Out For
When shopping for golf balls for distance, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid disappointment. The best golf ball in this category will perform very well for you. The worst can leave you frustrated and scratching your head.
We list the key features of the longest golf balls below.
Piece Number
The number of pieces a golf ball is made from will inherently influence its behaviour on the course. Coreless, cheap golf balls are made from one piece of material, usually solid plastic or resin.
More serious golf balls are made from two, three, four, or five distinct pieces. We explore the best options for those who want distance balls below.
Two Piece Golf Balls
A premium two piece golf ball is one of your best options if you’re buying golf balls for distance. They offer an excellent transfer of energy through their high energy core. This means that from the moment your club head strikes the golf ball, as much energy as possible is transferred to the task at hand – launching your ball into the air.
A two piece ball consists of a core and an outer cover.
A Three Piece Golf Ball
Those with a slower swing speed might not benefit from a three piece golf ball. If you put a bit of oomph behind your golf club, however, this type of golf ball might be perfect. A three piece ball has a core, an outer cover, and a performance layer in between the two.
This can help to control things like trajectory, ball speed, and ball spin so this kind of golf ball is worth considering if you’ve got a bit more experience under your belt.
A Four and Five Piece Ball
Four and five piece designs exist and they can work fantastically well. It’s just that they’re usually designed with specific play styles in mind. This doesn’t mean they can’t make a great distance golf ball, but it does mean that newbies might want to look elsewhere.
Further down this page, we make a few recommendations for the longest golf balls available. Many of them are made from two or three pieces, but there are a few wild cards thrown in for good measure too.
Compression
In essence, the compression level of a ball is the amount that it ‘squeezes’ after it’s been struck by your club head. The easier it is to compress a golf ball, the further it’s able to travel when you hit it. Those looking for a distance ball should look for products with low compression.
“Low compression” means that these golf balls compress easily. For a swing speed that’s a bit on the slower side, this can be ideal. If you’re a bit more experienced or just happen to have a faster swing, consider golf balls with a slightly higher level of compression.
Other Features of Distance Golf Balls
Some of the longest golf balls out there come with a slew of unique features that are designed to deliver the explosive distance that consumers are looking for. A word to the wise – sometimes you’ll be dealing with snake oil rather than real-world results.
The recommendations further down this page are all for golf balls that we truly believe in. They’re some of the longest golf balls we’ve ever seen and are well worth the money in our opinion.
Dimple Pattern
The dimple pattern on a golf ball is hugely important. It affects its spin, aerodynamics, and maximum distance. A good distance golf ball will come with the dimple pattern you need to send it flying through the air without losing that much-needed control.
The best golf balls use patterns that strike a balance between distance and control. The longest golf ball in the world will let you down if you can’t actually maintain accuracy with it!
Are Distance Golf Balls Legal?
If you’re just playing a casual round on a Sunday, you can use any golf ball you’d like to provided your friends are onboard with the idea. If you’re competing professionally or semi-professionally, however, you’ll need to make sure you’re using a product that’s approved for play by the USGA and R&A.
In general, the rules state that you shouldn’t be using a golf ball with a distance greater than 317 yards. There’s a small tolerance of 3 yards here. Basically, if your ball is capable of traveling further than 320 yards, it’s probably illegal.
The List of Conforming Golf Balls
To know whether a golf ball is legal for professional competitions, you’ll need to consult the List of Conforming Golf Balls laid out by the USGA and R&A. This is the only way to know for sure that you’ve chosen a product that complies with the standards of a professional round.
Keep in mind that the committee involved with your competition may have their own rules to follow. Another helpful resource is this page. Fill out some details about your golf ball and you’ll get confirmation about its legality.
What’s the Longest Illegal Golf Ball?
Okay, but what if playing with illegal golf balls isn’t a problem for you? If you’re just playing casually among friends, there’s nothing wrong with using ‘non conforming golf balls.’ If you really want the maximum distance possible, you’ll want the Polara “Ultimate Straight” golf balls.
They’re 75% self-correcting, fly very long distances, and can be super fun for casual play. Just remember that these definitely aren’t suitable for professional tournaments or competitions. You’ll be disqualified if you’re found to be using balls like these in most cases.
What the Best Distance Golf Ball Can Achieve
So, what sort of extra distance are we talking here? What exactly can these golf balls offer? In this section, we’ll briefly discuss the main benefits to using this kind of product. They’re not just for newbies. either.
More experienced players with higher swing speeds can still find plenty to appreciate here.
Maximum Distance For Your Ability Level
When it comes to improving your distance off the tee, it’s hard to deny the impact of a long golf ball. Even average golfers can appear far more competent with the right ball on their side. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you might not be able to maintain this edge in a professional tournament.
Most pro-level games are controlled by a strict set of rules laid out by the USGA and R&A. They’re designed to keep to game fair for everyone. Using balls designed to maximize distance isn’t usually allowed.
Better Ball Speed
Speed and distance aren’t the same thing in golf, but they often come hand in hand. One benefit to using the longest golf balls is that you’ll also see an increase in speed. For lightning fast speeds that are bound to impress, you’ll want a long golf ball.
Can Be More Forgiving
This isn’t always the case, but many long golf balls are pretty forgiving. If you’re new to the game, this can be an absolute Godsend. There’s nothing worse than making a minor error and watching your ball fly way off course.
With a softer, more forgiving ball, you’ll have the space you need to improve your technique without unwanted pressure.
Slow Swing Speeds Don’t Matter as Much
While we’re on the subject of ‘more forgiving,’ this kind of golf ball doesn’t demand a faster swing speed to go the distance. Even with a beginner’s swing, you should still see a reasonable flight path after a few practice runs.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve found our suggestions above helpful. Remember that if you want to play professionally, you’ll need to make sure that any golf ball you’re using conform’s to the USGA’s list of conforming balls.
Whichever balls you choose, we hope they serve you well on the golf course. Happy swinging!
More: Ball speed to swing speed conversion chart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest golf ball for seniors?
A low compression ball with a soft core and lots of lift will be beneficial to senior players.
Something like the Callaway Super Soft would be perfect. They’ll give you maximum carry distance with a slower swing speed.
Do soft balls go straighter?
Softer balls do typically hold a truer line than hard.
This is mostly because they spin slower than their rigid brethren. Diminished side spin means less radial arc potential.
Does course altitude affect distance?
Yes, it absolutely does. The closer you are to sea level, the shorter the distance.
The Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico has an altitude of about 7800 feet above sea level. Players famously hit a couple clubs less on this course.
You can expect a 10% increase in distance with every 5000 feet. It’s good to learn both the altitude of your local course and any you travel to so you can adjust your game accordingly
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