The 9 Best Golf Balls for the Average Golfer [2024 Edition]

Being an Average Joe with a mid 20’s handicap, I’ve hit the greens with countless golf balls seeking to up my game. Here, I’m sharing my top picks of the balls I’ve teed off with.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here are my top choices:

Why listen to us? Our team has tested and reviewed dozens and dozens of the top balls on the market (you can see those here). We keep detailed notes and findings about each one to come up with our list of recommendations for you.

 

1. Callaway Supersoft

The Callaway Super Softs take home our #1 spot for average golfers. Callaway is a great company that makes fantastic products. The are a fabulous choice for average-level golfers. Folks who want plenty of distance off the tee, accuracy on all shots, and a soft feel on impact will love the Supersoft.

The Supersoft’s new Hybrid cover provides extra ball speed, a high trajectory, and a plethora of greenside control. This ball is also made with Hex Aerodynamics, which results in less drag and even more launch. This means this ball is going to give you more control on all of your approach shots toward the flagstick.

This ball also has a thick black line on the side to use as a putting alignment tool on the greens. All in all, this is one of the best balls on the market for average golfers. Loads of golfers have been playing with the Callaway Supersoft for years.

 

2. Bridgestone e12 Contact

The Bridgestone e12 checks all the important boxes as far as good distance, soft feel, and plenty of greenside spin. The cost of the e12s is also very affordable.

These are made with Bridgestone’s unique Contact Force Dimple Pattern that creates 38% more surface contact on impact. This dimple pattern also makes your ball fly longer and straighter than any other ball that is marketed to the average golfer.

This ball has a soft core, which means you’ll love the nice feel it gives you when you make contact. Bridgestone also invented this ball with a sidespin reducing mantle, so your typical hooks and slices won’t be nearly as pronounced as it is with other brands.

The e12 also provides plenty of greenside spin to help make your short game a bit easier. The Reactiv cover on this ball gives it a softer feel when you are putting.

 

3. Titleist Tour Soft

Titleist is the most renowned brand in the golf ball manufacturing business, so you can rest assured that you are getting a great product with the Tour Soft.

Average golfers who desire extra distance and a more consistent ball flight will love the Tour Soft. Titleist makes this ball with special technology that results in less spin when hitting your longer clubs (driver and fairway woods). This is a huge advantage for the average golfer because the longer clubs are more difficult to control.

If it’s short game control and a soft feel you are after, you’ll love the Tour Soft. The Tour Soft also comes with a nice side stamp that makes it easier to line up your putts. It’s kind of nice to not have to mark up your ball with a permanent marker.

 

4. Srixon Soft Feel

Srixon has come a long way since arriving on the golf scene in 2000. The brand has been highly successful at making quality balls. The Srixon Soft Feel is an excellent choice for lots of average golfers.

This ball is made with a FastLayer Core that provides plenty of yardage and a nice, soft feel on the greens. The secret to Srixon’s extra distance is their 338 Speed Dimple Pattern. This pattern helps reduce drag during the launch of your shot and increases lift on the downward portion of your shot.

The soft, thin ionomer cover provides lots of control on pitches, chips, and putts. The compressing rating of 60 means it’s perfect for average golfers with slower swing speeds.

 

5. Wilson Golf Staff Fifty Elite

If you’re an average golfer who is looking for the most value, you may want to consider buying the Fifty Elites from Wilson.

These little beauties perform exceptionally well on the course and they cost only a little more than one dollar each. That price is by far one of the cheapest in the industry.

They feature a responsive cover, low spin while hitting the driver, and a soft feel both at impact and around the greens. Wilson strikes the perfect balance with its rubber core and firm ionomer cover.

This ball has a compression rating of 50, which means it is an ideal choice for average golfers with slower swing speeds. Wilson has been an established name in the golfing world for several decades and the quality of their products is unquestioned.

 

6. Titleist Velocity

Titleist makes its second appearance on our list with their Velocity balls. These are a little less expensive than their Tour Soft counterparts but they still offer plenty of outstanding features.

The Velocities are known for reducing side spin on every shot. This means that average golfers with a pronounced hook or slice will appreciate how this option increases accuracy. The Velocity also provides the exceptional distance that the Titleist brand is known for around the world.

Lots of golfers love the high ball flight that the Velocity provides. They also rave about how the Velocity makes it easier to stop their iron approach shots. The Velocity used to only be available in white, but now it’s offered in green, orange, and pink as well.

 

7. TaylorMade Distance Plus

The Distance Plus is specifically designed for maximum ball speed, which leads to more distance. The React Speed Core helps give this ball a fantastic feel at impact.

It has 342 dimples that are aerodynamics friendly and able to reduce the drag on your shots. Though this is a two-piece ball, its compression rating is 77. This means it’s a good choice for average golfers with slow or medium swing speeds.

TaylorMade has also added what they call a Plus Alignment Aid on the side of the ball. This makes it easier than ever to start your putts on the correct line and sink more birdies. The ionomer cover provides a high level of durability and resistance to scuffs and nicks.

 

8. Vice Tour

Vice is a newer brand on the market. However, the brand has exploded in popularity over the last couple of years. Vice has figured out how to offer a three-piece ball at a much cheaper price than other brands.

Most three-piece or four-piece balls run in the $4 apiece range, regardless of the brand you buy. The Vice Tour are in the $2 apiece range. Enjoy the extra softness and increased spin of a premium option, but at half the price!

This ball has a 392 dimple design that leads to more stability than other brands. The Soft Energy Speed Core provides some extra distance off the tee and a wonderful feeling at impact. Most golfers are amazed at the minimal amount of vibration this ball gives off, even on shots that aren’t hit on the sweet spot.

It holds up incredibly well, even in tough weather conditions. The ball flight seems unaffected and consistent, even on windy days. Vice also adds its KIL (Keep In Line) putting line on the side to help you line up your putts.

 

9. Volvik Vimax Soft

The Volvik brand came to the forefront of the golfing world because it was one of the first balls with striking matte colors.

These balls are available in red, green, orange, and yellow so there are plenty of options for folks that like something that stands out on the course. Lots of golfers claim that the matte colors are easier to focus on during their swing.

The core of this ball is soft and is designed for lots of ball speed. This leads to maximum distances off the tee box and a high trajectory. Volvik also manufactures these with a patented dimple design that promotes a steady ball flight.

This ball also has a super soft ionomer cover that leads to more control for your short game shots. This ball is made up of two pieces and has a compression rating of 75.

 

What Kind of Ball is Best Suited for The “Average” Golfer?

Average golfers typically have slow to moderate swing speeds. They also tend to struggle with accuracy issues like huge slices and duck hooks off the tee box. If you are an average golfer, here are a few key features to look for in a golf ball.

1. Opt for a Softer Option

Average golfers usually need a softer ball since their lower compression rating will help make it easier to hit the ball a decent distance. Soft balls provide plenty of yardage for average golfers with slow to medium swing speeds.

They also have a better feel at impact than hard ones. This is especially true if you are playing in a colder climate. Golfers who hit soft balls won’t have to deal with nearly as many painful vibrations versus folks who choose a hard one.

2. Choose Something that Limits Side Spin

Some select balls on the market are aimed at helping reduce sidespin. Sidespin is what causes those annoyingly inaccurate slices and hooks that we all hate while on the course. Since the average golfer often fights these directional problems, a ball with lower sidespin will help limit the damage when he happens to mishit a shot.

3. Choose a Ball with Lots of Greenside Spin

Though you want to limit sidespin as an average golfer, you do need plenty of spin when it comes time to hone in your short game. Find something with a higher greenside spin. This will help you hit more accurate pitches, chips, and putts.

We know it’s a bit confusing to recommend a ball with a low amount of sidespin as one feature but a high amount of greenside spin as another feature. Put your mind at ease though, because many ball manufacturers make balls with these attributes.

4. Find One that is in the Medium Price Range

We’ve talked in some previous articles about how more expensive, premium balls aren’t necessarily better. It all depends on each golfer’s swing speed and swing type. For most average golfers, it makes sense to find a ball that is in the medium price range.

Can an average golfer play with an expensive Titleist Pro V1? Absolutely, but they must keep in mind that those are designed for the experienced golfer that shoots low scores regularly.

Average golfers should expect to pay around $20 to $35 per dozen balls.

 

How to Select the Right Option for Your Skill Level

Still not sure how to pick the right ball for your game? Here’s a brief checklist of factors to take into account before deciding on which ball to buy.

1. Price

Like we mentioned above, only highly skilled golfers will benefit from premium options (Titleist Pro V1, Bridgestone B RX, etc). Average players will not notice much difference between an expensive four-piece ball and an inexpensive two-piece ball.

2. Compression Rating

This one has a lot to do with swing speed. Golfers with a slower swing speed will perform better with a low compression ball. On the other hand, golfers with faster swing speeds won’t get nearly as much distance with a lower compression option.

3. Spin Rate

Most average golfers have accuracy issues, especially with the driver and other long clubs. These folks will benefit greatly from a ball that limits sidespin. Along those same lines, advanced players need higher spin rates so that they can shape shots on certain holes.

4. Type of Course

What are the greens like at the main golf course you play at? Are they super fast? If so, you may want a ball with a little less greenside spin.

Are the greens a little on the slow side? If so, you may want something with as much greenside spin as you can find.

How about distance? Is the course you typically play on super long? If so, opt for a ball that is designed for maximum ball speed. If your course is shorter, distance is less of a concern.

 

Other FAQs on This Topic

Does it really matter what ball you use if you’re an average player?

Yes, it matters quite a bit what type of ball an average golfer chooses. Though it’s not a hard and fast rule, most premium balls are designed for low handicappers. Low handicappers typically have much faster swing speeds than average golfers.

Make sure your ball matches your swing speed. Most average golfers will benefit from playing with a soft golf ball that limits sidespin.

Do expensive balls make a difference?

Yes and no. It depends on what your skill level is as a golfer. Average golfers won’t notice much of a difference between an expensive ball and a cheap one. That’s because average golfers aren’t trying to shape shots or stop their iron shots on a dime.

As a general rule, we recommend that average golfers select something that is right in the middle as far as price is concerned. Leave the premium-priced ones to the single-digit handicappers and save your money.