30+ Golf Ball Reviews: The Results from Our Testing
Written by August Noble

August Noble was first introduced to golf at 7 years old. In 2013 he started seriously working on his game and was able to reduce his handicap from 19 to 3.4 in less than two years. He's been helping other golfers do the same ever since. Current Handicap: 4

Our team has hand-tested a lot of the best golf balls.

From Callaway to Titleist to Taylormade and more, this is the ultimate list of every golf ball we’ve ever reviewed.

Below you’ll find a quick list of the pros and cons of each ball, as well as our overall rating of it.

Then you can click into each review if you want to read the full breakdown about any particular ball.

 

  • Pros:
    • Long distance off the tee shots and on iron approaches
    • Low spin and higher ball flight from the tee
    • Approach shots have enough spin to stop the ball on the green
    • The softer outer cover is responsive off the tee and around the greens
  • Cons:
    • Greenside spin is still a little low
    • Matte red color can be harsh to look at
    • High ball flight from the tee is difficult for faster-swinging golfers
  • Pros:
    • Solid performance from the tee and green
    • Responsive around the greens
    • Priced lower than other 3 piece golf balls
  • Cons:
    • Might not be best for the fastest swing speeds
    • Not as much spin as the 4 and 5 piece golf balls
  • Pros:
    • Performance of a more premium ball at a more affordable price
    • Solid distance off the tee
    • Good overall feel
    • Strong spin around the greens
  • Cons:
    • Iron distance can sometimes be not as good as expected
    • Thinner cast urethane cover will cut (esp. for very fast swing speeds)
  • Pros:
    • Elevated compressibility
    • Contained driver spin to preserve ball speed
    • Good wedge spin
    • Well priced for a urethane ball
  • Cons:
    • Clicky acoustics
    • Alignment aid can be distracting on certain shots
  • Pros:
    • Good playability around the greens
    • Fair price for level of quality
    • Nice range of color options
    • Responsive
  • Cons:
    • Not a great choice for faster swing speeds
    • Cover cuts relatively easy
  • Pros:
    • Great distance from the tee and irons
    • Fair price
    • Great feel and sound compared to similar priced two piece golf balls
    • Very durable
  • Cons:
    • Would look better if it was a matte white
    • High ball flight can be an issue for higher swing speeds golfers
    • Average greenside control
  • Pros:
    • Controlled iron spin
    • Greater greenside spin
    • Speed dimple pattern
    • High compression core
    • Affordable
  • Cons:
    • Higher driver spin which can result in reduced distance
    • Low durability
    • Inconsistent launches
  • Pros:
    • Soft feel
    • Solid wedge spin
    • Increased compressibility on high-impact shots
    • Affordable
  • Cons:
    • Some loss of distance with the driver due to increased long-game spin and moderate speed
    • Clicky acoustics
  • Pros:
    • Good distance off the tee
    • Solid spin on approach shots
    • Lowest priced ball in the Vice lineup
  • Cons:
    • Greenside spin leaves something to be desired
    • A little soft feeling on big shots
  • Pros:
    • Great distance off the tee, plus generous roll
    • Expect a few extra yards on your iron shots
    • Cover doesn't cut easily
  • Cons:
    • Lacking in greenside spin
    • Overall ball flight on the driver is quite low
Primary Rating:
4.6
Pros:
  • Long off the tee box
  • Responsive around the greens
  • Priced a little lower than other premium balls
Cons:
  • High gloss cover
  • Low to mid iron spin
Primary Rating:
4.6
Pros:
  • Long distance off the tee shots and on iron approaches
  • Low spin and higher ball flight from the tee
  • Approach shots have enough spin to stop the ball on the green
  • The softer outer cover is responsive off the tee and around the greens
Cons:
  • Greenside spin is still a little low
  • Matte red color can be harsh to look at
  • High ball flight from the tee is difficult for faster-swinging golfers
Primary Rating:
4.5
Pros:
  • Consistent ball speed
  • Low driver spin
  • High ball flight
  • Offered in a range of colors
Cons:
  • Limited spin on approach shots
  • Reduced greenside spin
Primary Rating:
4.5
Pros:
  • Solid performance from the tee and green
  • Responsive around the greens
  • Priced lower than other 3 piece golf balls
Cons:
  • Might not be best for the fastest swing speeds
  • Not as much spin as the 4 and 5 piece golf balls
Primary Rating:
4.5
Pros:
  • Great feel around the greens
  • Tons of distance
  • Fair price
  • Quality build for the price
Cons:
  • Low greenside spin
  • Cheaper look compared to other Titleist balls
Primary Rating:
4.5
Pros:
  • Performance of a more premium ball at a more affordable price
  • Solid distance off the tee
  • Good overall feel
  • Strong spin around the greens
Cons:
  • Iron distance can sometimes be not as good as expected
  • Thinner cast urethane cover will cut (esp. for very fast swing speeds)
Primary Rating:
4.4
Pros:
  • Elevated compressibility
  • Contained driver spin to preserve ball speed
  • Good wedge spin
  • Well priced for a urethane ball
Cons:
  • Clicky acoustics
  • Alignment aid can be distracting on certain shots
Primary Rating:
4.4
Pros:
  • Great playability around the greens
  • Good overall feel
  • Solid distance from the tee
  • Fairly priced
Cons:
  • Not a good choice for slower swing speed players
  • The cover can cut
Primary Rating:
4.4
Pros:
  • Good playability around the greens
  • Fair price for level of quality
  • Nice range of color options
  • Responsive
Cons:
  • Not a great choice for faster swing speeds
  • Cover cuts relatively easy
Primary Rating:
4.3
Pros:
  • Great distance from the tee and irons
  • Fair price
  • Great feel and sound compared to similar priced two piece golf balls
  • Very durable
Cons:
  • Would look better if it was a matte white
  • High ball flight can be an issue for higher swing speeds golfers
  • Average greenside control
Primary Rating:
4.3
Pros:
  • Low driver spin
  • Highly compressible
  • Medium launch
  • Entry level price
  • Bold alignment arrow
Cons:
  • Low greenside spin
  • Clicky acoustics
Primary Rating:
4.3
Pros:
  • Low driver spin
  • Soft feel
  • Solid spin with wedges
  • Straighter and consistent flight
  • Moderate compressibility
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Low iron spin
Primary Rating:
4.3
Pros:
  • High-quality performance from the aerodynamic Hex dimple pattern
  • Reduced driver spin
  • Highly compressible
  • Moderately affordable
Cons:
  • Minimal greenside spin
  • No alternative colors
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Controlled iron spin
  • Greater greenside spin
  • Speed dimple pattern
  • High compression core
  • Affordable
Cons:
  • Higher driver spin which can result in reduced distance
  • Low durability
  • Inconsistent launches
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Soft feel
  • Solid wedge spin
  • Increased compressibility on high-impact shots
  • Affordable
Cons:
  • Some loss of distance with the driver due to increased long-game spin and moderate speed
  • Clicky acoustics
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Low driver spin
  • High compressibility
  • Stable ball flight
  • Great greenside feel
Cons:
  • Reduced workability
  • Shorter distance off the tee
  • Moderate price
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Easily compressible
  • Low driver spin
  • Consistent ball speed
  • Stable flight
  • Elevated launch
  • Ample distance
Cons:
  • Low greenside spin
  • Clicky acoustics
  • No alternative colors
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Good distance off the tee
  • Solid spin on approach shots
  • Lowest priced ball in the Vice lineup
Cons:
  • Greenside spin leaves something to be desired
  • A little soft feeling on big shots
Primary Rating:
4.2
Pros:
  • Great distance off the tee, plus generous roll
  • Expect a few extra yards on your iron shots
  • Cover doesn't cut easily
Cons:
  • Lacking in greenside spin
  • Overall ball flight on the driver is quite low
Primary Rating:
4.1
Pros:
  • Easy launch
  • Consistent off the tee and on approach
  • Affordable
  • Low driver spin
Cons:
  • Low greenside spin
  • Clicky sound
  • Lack of colors
  • Higher ball flight for mid-high swing speeds
Primary Rating:
4.1
Pros:
  • High wedge spin
  • Increased iron spin
  • Workable ball flight
  • Offered in 3 designs
Cons:
  • High driver spin
  • Shorter distance off the tee
  • Expensive
Primary Rating:
4.1
Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Low driver spin
  • Highly compressible
  • Durable
  • Forgiving
Cons:
  • Minimal greenside spin
  • Clicky acoustics
Primary Rating:
4.1
Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Strong distance
  • Impressive feel on approach shots
Cons:
  • Can be a struggle to get low spin off the tee
  • Thin cover
Primary Rating:
4.0
Pros:
  • Increased wedge spin
  • Soft feel
  • Workable flight
  • Enhanced shot stopping power
Cons:
  • Medium-high compression
  • Expensive price tag
Primary Rating:
3.9
Pros:
  • Solid wedge spin
  • Aerodynamic dimples obliterate drag
  • Soft feel
  • Hi-visibility yellow color option
Cons:
  • Not made for moderate or slow swing speeds
  • Expensive
Primary Rating:
3.9
Pros:
  • Good distance off the tee
  • Good spin control on approach shots to the green
Cons:
  • Clicky acoustics
  • Hard feel
  • Overall performance is average
Primary Rating:
3.8
Pros:
  • Good distance off the tee and low spin
  • Affordable price
Cons:
  • Poor feel around the greens
  • Lower durability
  • Cheap look
Primary Rating:
3.8
Pros:
  • Easy launch
  • Solid irons distance
  • Matte color options
  • Higher ball flight
Cons:
  • Low greenside spin
  • Clicky accoustics
  • Priced too closely to 3-piece Titleist balls
Primary Rating:
3.8
Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Good distance
  • Straight flight
  • Good approach shots
Cons:
  • Lacking in greenside feel and control
  • Higher ball flight
Primary Rating:
3.6
Pros:
  • Low driver spin
  • Highly compressible
  • Good launch
  • Affordable
Cons:
  • Minimal greenside spin
  • Rock hard feel
  • Ballooned shots
Primary Rating:
3.5
Pros:
  • Highly affordable
  • Good option for slower swing speeds
Cons:
  • Poor feel and spin around the green
  • Less distance for mid to high swing speed players

 

How We Conduct Our Golf Ball Reviews

Our team wrote about each golf ball after thoroughly testing it at the driving range and/or playing a few rounds of golf with the ball.

Before delving into personal experiences, we provide detailed technical specifications of the product. This includes the ball’s construction, materials used, and the technology behind it. This offers you an understanding of the product’s design and intended performance.

Here’s what else you can expect in each review:

  1. Hands-On Testing and Observations:
    • Performance Attributes: We cover multiple performance-based attributes, including compression, spin, ball speed, and distance. This allows you to understand how the ball performs in different scenarios, from drives to short game.
    • Aesthetics and Design: Beyond just performance, we look at the visual and design elements of the golf ball, like color choices and alignment aids, that might affect the user experience.
    • Auditory Experience: An often-overlooked aspect, each review delves into the sound the ball makes on impact, contributing to the overall feel and experience of the product.
  2. Comparative Analysis: We compare the golf ball in review to other balls (potentially from the same brand). This helps the reader understand where the product stands in relation to other similar products in the market.
  3. Personal Feedback: Crucially, the review includes feedback sections detailing what our team of experts liked and disliked about the product. This gives a more personalized touch and provides insights that might not be apparent from purely objective analyses.
  4. Target Audience Clarification: By the end of the review, we reveal who we think is the intended or best-suited audience for the product (whether it be for beginners, average golfers, or low handicappers). We make clear recommendations based on swing speeds and playing styles.
  5. Overall Rating: Each review culminates with an overall score, providing a quick, at-a-glance measure of the product’s quality and performance.

Our Methodology and Testing:

  • The review is heavily rooted in hands-on testing. Our experts don’t just rely on manufacturer specifications, but instead takes the golf ball to the course for real-world testing.
  • This methodology ensures that the product is tested in various scenarios, from different types of shots to varying conditions.
  • Personal experiences, both positive and negative, play a crucial role in shaping the review’s conclusions.

 

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August Noble

August Noble was first introduced to golf at 7 years old. In 2013 he started seriously working on his game and was able to reduce his handicap from 19 to 3.4 in less than two years. He's been helping other golfers do the same ever since. Current Handicap: 4