Are you new to golf and looking to hit the market for some great balls? There has never been so much choice when it comes to buying golf balls, with various designs now suiting different skill levels. They all come with different features, promises and prices.
For example, some golf balls have low compression to provide slower swing speeds with the most distance. Others have a low spin rate and are suited for players who may spin the ball with an over aggressive fade or slice.
If you are reading this article, I presume you are motivated to improve your golf! Jump right on to the Titleist Pro V1 now and let the ball go with you on your journey!
We have tested dozens of golf balls and listed our top 5 picks. Irrespective of your budget or personal ideals for an excellent golf ball, we’re confident that our research will find a product that suits you.
Here’s our list of Best Golf Balls for Beginners in 2021,
- Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls– Best Overall
- TaylorMade Project (s) Golf Balls– Runner Up
- Nike PD9 Long GL0710-101 Golf balls– Best Distance Ball
- Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls– Best Value for money
- Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls– Best Budget
The Evolution of Golf Balls
What to Look Out For Before Buying a Golf Ball
Golf balls aren’t the same. Little, intricate alterations in their design and construction determine their overall performance. So, before you start to check out the products that made our list, it is imperative you know the features are behind the benefits each golf ball offers.
Construction
The construction of a golf ball can mean a number of things. However, we can break golf balls down into 2 -piece construction and 3- piece construction. Although some balls now are 4 or 5- pieces and I will explain in a moment why the need for so many layers.
2 -Piece Golf Balls:
The most common golf balls with more distance for a player with a mid to slow swing speed. They are ideal generally for beginner golfers. 2 Piece balls are typically compressed at a low rate. What this means for new players is, they can place less force onto the ball with their swing and the ball will still fly well.
3- Piece Golf Balls:
These balls are softer and produce better spin than the two-piece balls. Three-piece balls provide an extra layer, which allows a golfer to have better control of the golf ball. This is most useful when hitting into the green or pitching and putting.
4 & 5-piece Golf Balls:
They come with more cores and layers, for different purposes. The innermost solid rubber core for an extended distance and the inner cover for efficient energy transfer. Its mid cover is for performance with the irons and excellent feel around the green. The outer urethane cover has dimples that guarantee durability and reduce drag. With these balls, it’s typically someone with a fast-swing speed that will reap the benefits. It’s no surprise that the complex construction means they are the most expensive on the market.
Spin
When you think of spin on a golf ball, we think of the pro on tele, hitting his wedge onto the green and zipping it back to the pin. I will tell you now, there are a few other benefits of having a golf ball that has high levels of spin, or indeed low levels.
A high spinning ball will create more backspin under impact. What this means is the ball will land and stop on the green quicker than a ball with low spin. Don’t be confused into thinking that it is a soft ball that will stop quicker on the green. The thing that stops a golf ball on the green in its tracks is spin.
Low spin also has benefits, depending on where your swing plane is at. If you hit a slice or fade and want to reduce this, then a low spinning ball would be a wise choice. The reason is a slice is a spin on the ball. By purchasing a low spin golf ball, you are ultimately reducing the slice on the ball.
Don’t be fooled though! If you are right-handed and you start the ball right it doesn’t matter what ball you have! A low spin ball will mitigate to some extent by reducing the curvature in the air, yet it won’t mitigate the initial direction you send the ball!
A final benefit of a low spinning ball is the distance off the tee. If you can launch the ball with a fast enough swing speed the ball will not need the backspin to stay in the air. Subsequently, when it lands a low spinning ball will roll further down the fairway.
Compression
Compression is a literal term, it’s a rate that measures how much compression is in the ball’s core. Some of the golf balls described below will compress at a lower force because they are manufactured with lower compression rate. (60 -80 compression rate).
Compression determines the degree of force the ball needs when struck. Low compression balls have the softest feel and best distance. On the other hand, high compression balls have a hard feel and compress less; thus, offering more control.
What this means is that it’s easier to compress the low compression ball, so it springs into the air. This is typical of most 2- piece golf balls that are designed for golfers new into the game or high handicappers.
A golf ball which is compressed at 95 on above will require more force from the golf swing. Therefore, a higher handicapper will be forfeiting distance and potentially accuracy.
Think of an energy ball and a snooker ball. The energy ball will squash and spring into the air, much easier than the snooker ball. Compression rate is exactly the same.
What is the importance of dimples on a golf ball?
Personally, I wouldn’t choose a golf ball based on the dimple size, design or depth. I would look more towards the spin rate and the compression rate. However, the actual science behind the dimples is cool, and important to know!
The dimples create a mini air pocket around the ball. This keeps the golf ball in the air longer as air moves around it, there essentially is less drag created. The dimples also create spin when you strike a golf ball and it will create backspin. This is an essential factor that sends and keeps a golf ball up in the air.
If a golf ball had no dimples it would fly erratically and would not stay in the air. Think of a soccer player when he kicks a football for a free kick. He wants the ball to go up and down as quickly as possible. Therefore, he strikes the football with no backspin.
Our Top Five Best Beginner Golf Balls
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls: Best Overall
The Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball is a 3- piece ball whose target market is elite golfers and low handicap golfers. However, it shouldn’t be disregarded as a ball for beginner golfers. This is because it is one of the best in the market and mixes good distance features and fantastic control benefits around the green.
First, it comes with a 17% thinner cover than most. This more efficient design is for better scoring control in the short game. This unique, thin urethane cover is excellent for generating spin in and around the green. If you walked onto a PGA Tour event today, this ball would be one of the most used across the field.
However, consider this in your game. A high spin isn’t great for players who slice the ball or hit a large draw. The added spin will only emphasize the shot and could lead you into more trouble. If this sounds like you, consider a lower spinning ball, like the Nike PD9 below!
In summary, ProV1 has a fast core that generates mid-spin off the tee and a penetrating trajectory. All of which are perfect for new players and will adapt to their improving skill sets.
PROS
- Exceptional distance with consistent flight
- You can still hit this ball a good yardage despite it not being as easy to compress than a 2 piece balls
- Drop-and-Stop Short Game Control
- Excellent dimple design
CONS
- If you do not have a mid/ fast swing speed, you will not find the total benefits of the golf ball
- This is one of the most expensive golf balls
- If you want a ball from a leading brand at a lower price, consider Srixon SOFT FEEL below.
TaylorMade Project (s) Golf Balls: Runner Up
Our runner-up for the best beginner golf ball is the TaylorMade Project (s) golf balls and here is why.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the TaylorMade Project (s) is targeted towards beginner golfers. It achieves this through the design with low driver spin and significant driver distance. New golfers typically who have a high handicap will have a slower swing speed. This ball is created for that golfer! Giving you the most amount of flight, and the roll down the fairway.
Taylor Made have created this ball with a large core and a low compression rate. This Dual-Distance Core features a soft-resilient polymer on its outer core. It gives you some feel around the greens, without compromising its speed. There is also a large, low-compression inner core that decreases the spin and further steps-up the feel. However, not as much as the previous Pro V1.
So don’t be fooled, this ball is created for Distance as it’s number one priority. The dimple design and structure of the ball is to increase speed off the face and reduce drag in the air.
In conclusion, the core design, advanced cover, and dimple pattern makes the ball perfect if you’re looking for Distance. Without 100% compromising feel. Its overall construct eliminates drag and spin, offering longer flight for rookie golfers.
PROS
- Low spin and dimple design increases distance
- An affordable golf ball
- Taylor Made are a leading brand in the golf industry
CONS
- You do sacrifice spin control and feel by selecting this golf ball
- The (S) does stand for soft, however I don’t find this ball is as soft as competing brands
- If this is something you desire from your ball, and want to stay Callaway consider Callaway Chrome Soft below.
Nike PD9 Long GL0710-101 Golf balls: Best Distance Ball
Another similar ball to the Taylor Made (S) but this ball is harder still. A real emphasis on distance and roll on the ball. Beginner golfers will benefit from getting the most out of their tee shots with this ball. The low spin feature also benefits players by stopping off-center hits from slicing or hooking, like it would with a Callaway Chrome Soft or a Titleist Pro V1.
This ball features a design that produces a lower but more penetrating ball flight with added roll to optimize its distance.
Next is the product’s feel. While this ball does not even match the feel on TaylorMade’s Project (s) or the Titleist ProV1 around the greens, there are many improvements on this ball’s feel than its predecessors. That is at least something.
I’ll be honest with you, new golfers will need to find a ball that helps them with ball flight, and a hard ball like this will achieve this. Also, they are quite affordable, almost $20 cheaper per dozen than that of the ProV1. Therefore, if you are new to the game and aren’t too worried about losing a few balls during your round, I would suggest starting with a Nike PD9 Long.
Finally, long balls, generally, aren’t designed with keen attention to stopping power. Besides, the name power distance (which should tell you what these are built for) implies that stopping power for shots around the green isn’t a priority.
A good ball for someone new to the game, and hey, it comes with that famous Nike swoosh!
PROS
- Affordable
- It delivers long, powerful flights with added roll
- High-velocity core and ionomer cover
CONS
- Not the softest long ball
- Low stopping power, low spin
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls: Best Value for money
If you’re not willing to spend so much on golf balls, yet want a ball that has great performance benefits and is a fair price. You’re describing the Callaway Chrome Soft Balls. It’s a real hybrid ball that offers low spin off the tee but increased spin around the greens, for added benefits to your short game.
This product comes with the same core construction idea for fast speed as with Titleist ProV1. Therefore, this ball is appropriate for novice players, but only if you have a relatively fast to medium swing speed.
Precisely, a larger inner core which has been a feature of our ball review, again helping with that higher launch. Although the Chrome Soft also has a thinner but firmer outer core for better control from 100 yards and in.
The thinner Urethane cover design on this ball, also found in ProV1, blends perfectly with its 4-piece construction. The benefits include better control when hitting into the green. It does that by generating lower spins on full shots and maintaining a fairly high spin around the green.
This ball doesn’t have the softest feel you can get from the manufacturer. Callaway offers other balls that will compress at a lower rate to help slower swings.
Still, it is an excellent choice because as I said, it’s a hybrid. Its increased distance, consistent flight and dimple design optimize ball flight. They are also relatively soft in feel, but not the softest that we will review.
PROS
- Low spin off the tee for distance and reduced curvature, yet high spin capabilities around the green
- Remember in golf you will always have 18 tee shots. You can reduce your putts! This ball has a nice feel in and around the green. If you can chip closer, you will have fewer putts!
- Excellent value for its price
CONS
- Will not suit a new golfer with a slower swing speed, if this is you but you still want some softness, consider Srixon SOFT FEEL below
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls: Best Budget
We have all been there, you’re convinced the Titleist ProV1 is the ball for you. You’ve seen it on the tele, all your friends use it, but your budget isn’t happy to pay that premium rate. Why should it? You’ve only just stated!
Don’t worry, The Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls has your back!
This product takes the best value golf ball award on our list. This is because it easily out-performs competitors within its price bracket. We know that low price is, most times, synonymous with inferior-quality, poor design, low performance, and almost everything wrong. Whereas it isn’t valid for this ball.
First, it comes with the softest FastLayer Core design as with premium balls from this brand. This layered design gradually transitions from a soft inner core to a firm outer edge. Giving you the same distance, you could get from balls with so many layers without any compromise on its feel.
Unlike other products from this manufacturer, Soft Feel features a completely redesigned core. This improved core snaps back to shape after impact quicker than other models; hence, adding to its speed and tee distance. Once back in shape, those dimples can get to work and keep your shot in the air! For longer!
This ball will suit those who are just starting and may have a slower swing speed at the moment. It has a soft compression rate which helps the ball react with a higher ball flight under less force on impact.
PROS
- Low price
- Great feedback with chipping and putting due to the soft construction
- Soft compression with trajectory suited for slower swing speeds
- Comes in both Mens and Ladies versions
CONS
- Tests have shown, as your swing improves and gets faster you will lose distance vs another harder compressed ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can good golf balls improve your game?
Absolutely. There is a lot of technology packed into these little white balls. As stated each have their own features and benefits for your golf. Be sure to choose the one that suits your swing and game.
Are golf balls for beginners any different from that for high handicappers?
Not particularly. The technology is going to be harder balls, like the PD9 Long discussed earlier. The idea of balls for high handicappers and beginners is to let them enjoy the game as much as possible. To do that, we need the ball to go into the air and stay there!
How helpful are soft golf balls for the beginners?
It depends. If you are a beginner that naturally generates a faster clubhead speed than yes, a softer ball would be a good shout to get started. However, for most I would consider the harder, distance ball.
Are used golf balls any good?
For a beginner, of course grab some used balls and give them a go. Be sure to inspect the balls you find. What you don’t want is a ball that is too dirty, not circular or has gouges in the cover.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best golf balls for beginners, the Titleist ProV1 is your best choice. I have spoken in depth about the benefits of the ProV1.
However, another reason I included this ball is that I always advise new golfers to stick with the ball you select. Over time you will learn how that ball reacts off the tee, on the green, even out of the bunker. It means you won’t have any surprises down the line. And this ball sure can adapt to your improving skills.
Remember that your handicap will tumble down quicker when you have improved your short game. Concentrate on your chipping and putting. It’s easy to hit a ball a number of times off the tee and think it’s the best ball for you. What I suggest is basing your decision on the ball you like better on and around the green.
Our 2nd place golf ball is the more affordable TaylorMade Project (s) Golf balls. That is because these balls offer incredible speeds and distance but also give you the spin and feel that your short game will love.
In fact, while many balls allow you to pick either distance or control, our top pick and the runner up readily give you both. They would be a good choice now, and as you improve as a golfer!