Most golfers pay greater emphasis to the quality of golf clubs, but not golf balls. Those are equally important. There are a wide variety of golf balls, ranging from a one-piece to a five-piece, what kind of spin you want, what type of compression is needed, and so on. That’s why they’re so expensive in the first place.
If you’re like me, who’d want to save some money and not see a $4 golf ball lost in wedges, water, bushes, or trees, then read ahead for a guide personally created to buying cheap golf balls – the most affordable – under $10.
Golf has always been portrayed as a rich man’s game. When most people think of golf, they picture immaculately dressed folk with expensive clubs, caddies, golf carts, sprawling greens, and country clubs. All of these are signs of high status.
Like any other sport, golf requires proper training and equipment. You can’t just pick up a club and swing. You need to pay for the training grounds, golf kit, caddies, and lessons. All of which are expensive. It’s also a sport (or a game, as some feel that golf isn’t exactly a sport) that does not make you dirty. So you wear spotless white or khakis.
While most other sports require high-intensity physical movement, golf works on experience and precision. This is why golfers, even in their 50s and 60s, can hit eagles, birdies, albatross, or even better, an ace – and then brag about it later!
But not all golfers are rich. Nor do all rich people play golf.
Whether you choose to learn the sport to impress your boss or client or play it because you like it, you should know how to keep expenses at a minimum.
Cheapest Golf Balls Under $10
Golf ball brands like Dixon Fire, Titleist PRO V1X Golf Balls, and Srixon Z Star are the cream of the crop.
Bridgestone E series, Srixon Men’s Soft Feel Golf Ball, and Callaway Hex Soft Balls are brands that fall in the mid-range or budget section.
And then… you have cheap golf balls. You pay less than $1 per ball. So, they’re not really ‘cheap,’ but they are less expensive than the rest.
Of course, they will not perform like the premium variety. However, if you’re a beginner or an amateur, you’d honestly not even realize the difference. If you’re slightly experienced, then you would. And if you’re a pro-level golfer, I’m betting that you wouldn’t even want to be on this page!
Nevertheless, if you just want to enjoy a game of golf without being luxurious about the equipment, then here’s a list of brands that might just fit the bill:
OUR TOP PICK
Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Ball (12-Pack)
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Staff F.L.I. Golf Balls (Pack of 12)
BEST VALUE
Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Ball (15-Pack)
OUR TOP PICK
Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Ball (12-Pack)
The Nitro Max golf ball has a super-reactive two-piece titanium core with tournament-level construction.
It amplifies the energy transfer from the club head to the ball, thereby giving you maximum distance with each shot.
These golf balls are most suitable for novice golfers. Novice golfers also turn to the Nitro Max because of its affordability and design.
The cover is made of Dupont Lithium Surlyn, which helps it take any kind of beating without any ill effects.
This feature, combined with the symmetrical dimple design, allows the Nitro Max to deliver a higher lift – giving you an almost “explosive distance.” But it won’t skyrocket you to the moon.
The combination of titanium core and aerodynamic, symmetrical design gets you a bazooka for a golf ball.
And that, too, an inexpensive golf ball. The dimples cause less drag, creating low pressure around the ball, facilitating a higher and longer shot.
Pros:
Gives great distance
Symmetric and aerodynamic dimple design
Decreased drag, giving a higher and longer shot
Titanium core and durable cover gives straighter shots
Cons:
Not so durable
Could be hard to touch for some golfers
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Staff F.L.I. Golf Balls (Pack of 12)
If you’re looking for a golf ball that packs a punch and has blazing speed, then you must stop right here. Look no further.
F.L.I. stands for “Freakishly Long on Impact.” The name itself suggests what the ball does.
The Wilson F.L.I. is a great value set of golf balls that you get for a fun game of golf. It is suitable for beginners who want to play without much of an investment.
The two-piece construction with a cut-proof Ionomer cover and a high energy core gives you a powerful golf ball. For a golfer with low-swing speed, the Wilson F.L.I. gives extra distance, and you get some pretty straight, long shots.
Pros:
High power core
Distance
Durable and strong
Straight, long shots
Cons:
Less backspin
Rolls a lot on the green
Feels rock hard at impact
BEST VALUE
Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Ball (15-Pack)
Since Nitro Golf caters to a wide range of golfing needs, you’ll most assuredly find the ball to suit your requirements.
The Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Balls, for instance, are favored for their ‘ultimate distance.’ The Nitro Ultimate is a two-piece titanium core construction with many advantages, including greater stability on windy days.
Pros:
High quality for low price
Outer cover is made of Surlyn that lends it a softer feel and greater control
Reactive titanium core gives it fabulous speed
Aerodynamically designed dimples to give great flight stability and low drag
Less spin, more velocity
Lithium Surlyn – highly durable material, making it nearly indestructible
High compression of 90 – for those with a faster swing speed
Cons:
Harder to cover long distances for those with low-swing speed
Not for the elite professional
The overall performance of this ball is unmatchable compared to balls under the same price bracket
RUNNER UP
SKLZ Limited-Flight Practice Impact Golf Balls, (12- Pack)
The SKLZ is a perfect choice if you’ve just begun practicing golf or want to play golf at home.
Not only are they plastic and hollow, but they also offer limited flight, which makes them suitable for shorter distances.
Pros:
More durable than traditional plastic training balls
Designed to limit flight; play indoors without damaging your walls
Last longer than one season
Good with wedges and short irons (do not use woods and long irons)
Reacts like a real ball
Cons:
You can take shots with these, but you can’t putt as they will not roll
Being hollow, they weigh less than a typical golf ball
Might be difficult to spot on the green since they are half-black
Poor impact feel
The flight pattern is disappointing
Despite the cons, the SKLZ Impact Golf Balls are worth the money for practice and an amateur game.
What to Consider Before You Buy a Golf Ball
After reading all the technical information on all these brands, you must have come to realize that many factors go into making a good quality golf ball.
From the outer cover to the inner core – the foam or the plastic – they all impact your game. Even though they are made by the same brand, different golf balls cater to a potential customer’s needs and capacities. Here is a list of things you need to consider before buying golf balls.
Dimples:
To the naked eye, all golf balls look the same. A smiley face with too many dimples. But these dimples aren’t to make them look cute. It gives them an aerodynamic design that helps to reduce drag.
Reduced drag means a much higher and faster shot. Dimples work by pulling the air close to the ball, causing turbulence. When you hit two balls, one with and one without dimples, you’ll notice that the dimpled ball flies much farther and faster than the latter.
Construction:
The layers in a golf ball determine its quality. Each type of golf ball is identified by the number of layers of material that form the ball. A one-piece is made of only one solid mass, a two-piece has two layers, and so on till you have the five-piece.
Materials like Surlyn and Urethane are most commonly used as the outside layer. More experienced golfers prefer the three-piece and four-piece golf balls on the course.
Materials:
The material used and the placement layer impacts how the ball will move, bounce, fly, and spin. The most commonly used materials include rubber or silicon. Manufacturers have patented their formulas to stand out. Cheaper alternatives usually use a rubber core and a common material like a Urethane or a Surlyn cover.
Spin:
Spin is the ball’s movement on an axis at a right angle to its flight path. They are classified as sidespin and backspin. While playing golf, we attempt to avoid the former and achieve the latter. Unexpected sidespin from your ball could have you miss the hole by just a few inches.
Now that would be pretty frustrating. So before you buy your golf ball, check whether it’s a low spin, mid-spin, or a high-spin golf ball.
Compression:
Compression is how a ball reacts to pressure. It shows how much your ball squeezes on impact with the club. A low compression ball will squeeze easier and will feel softer.
A high compression ball will not compress as much and is harder to the touch. Softer balls work better with less-experienced players as they add more flight.
The stored potential energy releases after the ball gets decompressed – or loses contact with the club. This adds an advantage in terms of distance for novice golfers.
Players that have great aim and good swing speed gain more precise shots with the harder balls.
Durability:
A cheap ball is of no use if you have to keep replacing them. Affordable balls that aren’t durable enough are a total deal-breaker. Unlike all the other equipment that you require – from tees to clubs – golf balls are the only ones that need constant replacement. You either lose them, or you bruise them.
This is why durability is quite important when it comes to choosing the right ball for yourself. After all, if you don’t end up losing them, they need to survive many more shots.
Conclusion:
If you’re a new player, you’d be surprised by how different balls affect your shots. If you have sufficient experience, you have probably tried your hand at many different types of balls.
By now, you know what your handicap is, how fast your swing is, and what kind of ball is most suited for you. For experienced and professional players, the best game is played with the best quality golf balls. But you can still enjoy this sport with affordable varieties.
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