How We Researched the Best Golf Balls of 2024

Our team is committed to bringing you objective, trustworthy, and fact-based reviews coming almost entirely from firsthand experience. Our team of golfers makes every attempt at physically using golf equipment to ensure that our content is drafted from actual experiences.

We try our best to ensure that you have every piece of information about our team because, let's face it, no two golfers are the same. What may work or feel right for one golfer can vary widely based on skill level, abilities, interest, and all of the subjective characteristics of a life playing golf. Please know that we aim to do our best and are also always open to your feedback, questions, or comments about our golf reviews.

For this review, I have personally tried more than 10 different golf balls for what's best for my game. You might be asking yourself what the best golf ball is for high handicappers. Perhaps you're interested in knowing what the best golf ball is for middle handicap golfers. Either way, we always try to bring subjectivity to the forefront of our coverage of the best golf equipment. In this case, I was in search of a golf ball that would help me maintain long distances with my drivers and irons while also being able to produce high spin around the green. With above average yardages from my mid to long irons, I wanted to also be able to land a 200-yard 6-iron softly. And because I am often finding myself 'on the beach', I'm also hyper aware of being able to spin and control chips, sand shots, and other short game approaches. While this is one of the weakest areas of my game, when I do make solid contact in my short game, having control is of the utmost importance.

For any of the information presented below, I used a set of Titleist T100s. My handicap is approximately 6.5. I am also playing at elevation in Denver, Colorado which has its own considerations for ball choice. Depending on the course, I am playing at elevations ranging from 5,000' to 9,000'. In those instances, I am focusing more on the feel, control, and trajectory of the golf balls I am testing. For this particular review, we tried golf balls made by Titleist, TaylorMade, Vice, Noodle, Srixon, Callaway, and Bridgestone.

What is a Golf Ball, How Do They Work, and Key Features of Golf Balls

Golf balls are an essential part of the game of golf, and their design and technology have evolved significantly over the years. Understanding the key features of golf balls, how they work, and the advancements in golf ball technology can help you make informed choices when selecting the best golf balls for your game. In this article, we'll delve into these aspects and also highlight some renowned brands that offer high-quality golf balls. While we could explore an extensive history of golf balls, we'll instead link you to this brief history and evolution of the golf ball published by the Professional Golfers Career College. Without further adieu, let's dive into the golf ball.

Key Features of Golf Balls

• Dimples: Golf balls are covered in dimples, which are not just for aesthetics but play a crucial role in the ball's flight. Dimples help reduce air drag and create lift, allowing the ball to stay in the air longer and travel farther.
• Core: The core of a golf ball is typically made of synthetic rubber or a combination of materials. The core's compression level affects how the ball feels and performs. Low compression balls are softer and provide more distance for slower swing speeds, while high compression balls are firmer and better suited for faster swing speeds.
• Cover Material: Golf ball covers are commonly made of two materials: Surlyn and Urethane. Surlyn covers are more durable and offer a straighter flight, making them ideal for beginners. Urethane covers, on the other hand, provide better spin control and feel, making them a preferred choice for advanced players.
• Number of Layers: Golf balls come in various constructions, ranging from two-piece to five-piece. More layers often translate to better control, spin, and feel. Two-piece balls are great for distance, while multi-layer balls offer versatility.
• Compression: Golf balls have different compression ratings, such as low (70-80), medium (90-100), and high (100+). Choosing the right compression is crucial for optimizing your game based on your swing speed and skill level.

When selecting the best golf ball for game, there is a lot to consider among these features. One way you might consider selecting your next golf ball is by purchasing a few sleeves of golf balls ranging in price and features to compare how they perform when out on the golf course. Of course, it's very important to be as objective about your perceptions of how the golf ball performs. In other words, golf balls do not solve for fundamental issues or mistakes that occur on a golfer-level. It's all a journey and selecting your next best golf ball can be served through firsthand experience as well as taking our word for it since we've played with many, many different golf balls to select our top pick of the year.

How Golf Balls Work

Golf balls work on the principle of aerodynamics. When you strike the ball with a golf club, the dimples create turbulence in the air around the ball. This turbulence reduces the drag force, allowing the ball to maintain its velocity and stay aloft longer. The lift generated by the backspin created by the club face's loft helps the ball achieve lift, further enhancing its flight.

Additionally, the type of ball you choose can significantly affect your game. A softer ball with a urethane cover offers more control and spin, making it ideal for precise shots around the green. In contrast, a harder, two-piece ball with a Surlyn cover maximizes distance and minimizes sidespin, making it suitable for long drives.

Technological Advancements in Golf Balls

Golf ball technology has witnessed significant advancements over the years. Some of the more significant advancements include:

1. Improved Core Design: Manufacturers have developed advanced core designs to optimize energy transfer from the club face to the ball, resulting in increased distance.
2. Cover Materials: Innovations in cover materials have led to improved durability, spin control, and feel. Urethane covers, in particular, have become more sophisticated, enhancing overall performance.
3. Aerodynamics: Extensive research into dimple patterns and aerodynamics has resulted in golf balls that offer better stability in the wind and improved accuracy.
4. Smart Golf Balls: Some companies have introduced smart golf balls equipped with sensors that provide real-time data on ball speed, spin rate, and trajectory, helping golfers analyze their game.

Brands that Sell Golf Balls

Several reputable brands offer a wide range of golf balls to cater to different player preferences. All of the following brands were considered in the process of selecting our best golf ball of the year. It's important to note that all of these brands as well as others not mentioned here produce desirable outcomes. Some of the top golf ball brands include:

1. Titleist: Known for their Pro V1 and Pro V1x series, Titleist is a trusted name in the golf ball industry, offering a variety of options for players of all skill levels.
2. Callaway: Callaway produces golf balls like the Chrome Soft and ERC Soft, known for their soft feel and impressive distance.
3. TaylorMade: TaylorMade's TP5 and TP5x golf balls feature multi-layer construction for exceptional performance and control.
4. Bridgestone: Bridgestone's TOUR B series includes options for both low and high handicap players, with an emphasis on ball fitting.
5. Srixon: Srixon offers a range of golf balls, including the Z-Star and Q-Star series, designed to suit various playing styles.

Golf balls are integral to the game of golf, and understanding their features, technology, and the options offered by different brands is essential for improving your performance on the course. It also helps you better understand what's available to you in the market, and that is part of the mission behind Planet Divot. Sure, we have strong opinions and conviction in our recommendations, but we also want to simply aggregate trusted information into more people's hands as they navigate purchasing decisions and their general relationship with golf.

Titleist ProV1 is the Best Golf Ball We Tested in 2024

First Impressions of the Titleist ProV1

The first thing I noticed about the Titleist ProV1 is its price tag. They're expensive! You can see in the photos that I paid over $50 for a dozen ProV1s. Because we try our best to be inclusive on Planet Divot, it's important to call this detail out straight away because these golf balls may not fit into the budget of some of our readers. For others, the ProV1 might perfectly fit your budget. That's great, and if that's the case then this review is built for you! For others who are restricted by budgets, we will be publishing a best golf ball for middle - high handicappers review. Within that context we will be exploring golf balls that are more affordable than the Titleist ProV1.

Once you hold the Titleist ProV1, you can immediately tell why this golf ball is trusted by touring professionals, club professionals, and many amateurs around the world. The ball has quality cover material consisting of urethane elastomer and 392 dimples to go along with it. The urethane cover offers a softer feel while the synthetic rubber core that delivers a super high energy return. In other words, the ball takes off from the club in a way that I don't find to be true with competitors in the market.

To summarize my first impressions of the Titleist ProV1 into one word: Quality

On Course Performance of the ProV1 Golf Ball

Playing golf in Colorado comes with some territory as it relates to playing conditions, and that comes with the benefit of having played in many different environments with the ProV1. From rain, sun, wind, and flurries of snow, I have played with the Titleist ProV1 in many different environments and I have found that the consistency of output from the ProV1 is stellar.

For example, when I play a round in the middle of summer in Colorado and at 5,280' elevation, I hit my Titleist T100S 9-iron between 155 - 170 yards when using the Titleist ProV1. Those same conditions in the late fall produce a total distance of approximately 147 - 165 yards. The difference is nominal for my game, and I also did not notice any variations in the amount of spin achieved in sunny, calm settings in the summer vs. fall.

Off the Tee: How the ProV1 Performs

Any shot that you are looking to hit off the tee, the ProV1 can deliver it for you. The precise dimple, cover, and core materials used in the ProV1 allow the most advanced golfers to hit the most demanding shots in golf. What that means for amateur players is that, if you perform the swing fundamentals properly, the ProV1 will produce a desired outcome that's considerably longer than most middle-of-the-road golf balls. Personally, I have a high driver trajectory so I do not typically get much roll out of my driver shots with the ProV1, but the carry distances I am able to produce are well above my expectations. Of course when teeing off on a par 3 and using an iron, the ProV1 marries up spin, control, and distance in the best golf ball we've ever played with.

Iron & Wedge Play: Is the ProV1 As Advertised?

The ProV1 is engineered to deliver exceptional performance with mid and long irons, a result of its advanced design and technology. I love the feel and distance I am able to achieve when using the ProV1 with everything from my 9-iron to my 4-iron. Whether I'm hitting a 230 yard tee shot with a long iron or a 100-yard approach shot with my Titleist vokey wedge, the ProV1 delivers quality and control that must be experienced by golfers.

The ProV1's core is designed to increase speed and reduce spin with long shots, including those made with long irons. The core's composition is optimized to transfer energy efficiently upon impact, maximizing distance. The ball features a casing layer between the core and the cover, typically made of a firm yet resilient material. This layer helps in controlling spin and adds to the velocity, particularly beneficial for shots with mid-irons. The overall design of the ProV1 facilitates efficient energy transfer from the club to the ball. This efficiency is crucial for both mid and long irons, as it translates into greater distance without sacrificing control.

The ProV1 has a compression rating that strikes a balance between softness (for feel and control) and firmness (for speed and distance). This balance is particularly advantageous for golfers who use mid and long irons, as it allows for a diverse range of shots.

Durability of the ProV1: How Many Holes Can They Last?

There are all sorts of different philosophies about how long you should use a golf ball, when its efficacy drops, how many rounds a golf ball lasts, and different ways to tell when it is time to change to a new golf ball. For me, if the golf ball continues to feel right in all phases of my game, I will continue to use the golf ball. I have balls in my bag right now that are probably several years old that I have used in the past year, and a lot of those are ProV1s. That's because even with scuff marks or imperfections in the ball, I notice that the ProV1 can last many rounds. If you're an average golfer, you might even be able to play with a ProV1 for 10+ rounds assuming there are no significant imperfections in the golf ball. Once you start looking at higher level players, they swap out golf balls after so many holes. Not all of us have the luxury of a deal with a golf ball manufacturer so we really have to make all of our golf balls last as long as they can! For the ProV1, its durability is notable. So while you may be paying a little more for the ProV1, you are also getting the highest caliber golf ball on the market.

Pros of the Titleist ProV1

• Merging Distance, Feel, and Spin: The Titleist ProV1 marries up all of the most important factors in a golf ball that deliver from tee to green. We noticed an ability to maximize distance, hit long iron shots with exceptional feel, and execute short game and approach shots that delivered optimal spin. 
• High Quality Construction: From the cover material, layers, core material, and dimples, everything about the ProV1 is crafted with intention. In this case, super high quality input materials produces the best golf ball available on the market. 
• Durability: I've never used a golf ball that can last as many holes and continue to produce optimal outputs. I have ProV1 golf balls in my bag right now that have endured 10+ rounds, and I intend on using those again on the golf course. This is the most durable golf ball. 
• Playability: All of these inputs lead to the most playable ball in golf. Any shot you need, ProV1 can deliver from tee to green. The low spin on long shots combined with high spin control on approach shots and in the short game make for a versatile golf ball that matches even the highest expectations.

Cons of the Titleist ProV1

• Price: Quality comes at a price. We paid over $50 for (12) ProV1 golf balls, which is a lot to ask. 
• Very High Spin: For some golfers who can produce high spin rates on their shots, the ProV1 may deliver too much spin causing outcomes that are less than desirable. The ProV1X offers a firmer core option that can help address high spin issues experienced in the ProV1.

Can high handicappers use a Titleist ProV1?

Yes, any golfer can use a Titleist ProV1. The reason why it is mostly touted as a golf ball for skilled players is because the benefits of using a Titleist ProV1 occur under more intense and accurate striking conditions. For example, if the Titleist ProV1 is rotating extremely fast after impact then the ball may check up, skip-and-stop, or even spin. For a player with a lower swing speed, those types of benefits won't be felt as often. On the other hand, we are all capable of making great shots at any time. We're even capable of hitting shots that are beyond our average skill level at any given time under certain circumstances. So, even the average golfer could experience the benefits of hitting a ProV1 when the execution of a shot goes well.

Which golf balls do most pros use? 

The overwhelming favorite brand of golf ball on the PGA Tour and in the world of professional golf is Titleist. The ProV1 and ProV1X are the two most popular golf balls played in professional golf with nearly 90% of PGA Tour pros opting for one or the other Titleist golf ball. Other brands that you will find in the bags of PGA Tour professionals include Callaway, TaylorMade, Srixon, and Bridgestone. Top players in the world like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Jon Rahm are among PGA Tour professionals who do NOT play a Titleist golf ball. Among the pros who use a Titleist ProV1 include Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and many more!

What ball does Scottie Scheffler use?

Scottie Scheffler is on Team Titleist and uses the ProV1.

What balls should the average golfer use?

My #1 favorite golf ball to suggest to average golfers is the TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball, and here's why. I have been able to find these golf balls on Amazon, my local pro shop, or other online retailers for under $40/dozen. With that price point, you get a 100% urethane cover which offers you control with wedges and irons without having to take big sacrifices on distance. The dimple technology featured on TaylorMade's Tour Response golf ball is also found in their TP5 and TP5X golf balls. Yes, this golf ball is technically designed for faster swing speeds, so high GHIN players should probably opt for a 2-piece option like TaylorMade's Distance+. If you shoot about 100 or less, I'd suggest grabbing a dozen of TaylorMade's Tour Response for the upcoming season! 

What are the best golf balls out?

After our testing of golf balls made by Callaway, Bridgestone, Vice, Titleist, Srixon, and TaylorMade, Planet Divot rates the Titleist ProV1 as the best golf ball available on the market. The reasons we feel that the Titleist ProV1 is the best golf ball are due to feel, responsiveness, distance, spin, and durability. The Titleist ProV1 excels in every category and is a staple in many PGA Tour professionals' golf bag. 

Which golf balls are most forgiving? 

Softer golf balls tend to be more forgiving and better suited for high handicap golfers. For people with slower swing speeds, softer golf balls work well due to their low compression ratings which mitigates large misses as compared to a firmer ball. The Callaway ChromeSoft is a really strong goft ball for players to use and it is comparable to the Titleist ProV1. However, we stand by our recommendation for the Titleist ProV1 as the best overall golf ball because of its versatility and performance for any golfer. Yes, the ProV1 is considered an expensive golf ball which may be out of reach for some golfer's budgets. We also love the TaylorMade Tour Response ball as a lower cost option to the ProV1.

How do I determine the best golf ball for me?

The #1 way to determine which golf ball is best for you is to try them yourself. First step would be to read reputable, human-generated online reviews of various golf balls to determine which style and formulation would be best for your game. If you're really invested in the research then you can start by determining whether you want a 2-piece, 3-piece, or multi-layered golf ball. The more layers that exist, the more shot-making you'll be able to execute. 2-piece balls can spin, check, and react to various shots, but more layers will improve those outcomes. We would suggest 3-piece golf balls like Titleist ProV1, Srixon Z-Star, Titleist AVX, or Bridgestone Tour B. Another consideration for you is your swing speed. Lower swing speeds won't require high compression, multi-layered golf balls. So if your swing speed as a male golfer is 90mph or less, go with a 2-piece golf ball. If your swing speeds are higher and generates more spin then you'll want to seek out a 3-piece or multi-layered golf ball.

Conclusion

There are a variety of golf balls that are suitable for many golfers. For us, the ProV1 delivered an unmatched experience compared to other options available in the market. Planet Divot selected the ProV1 golf ball as our top selection because it did everything we wanted and needed without requiring any compromises. Now, the ProV1 did not make me a scratch golfer. No, there is still much I need to work on and develop as a player. That journey will never stop. On that journey will be the Titleist ProV1 golf ball as our companion as we believe it is the top overall golf ball available. Happy swinging!