5 Best Golf Balls for Beginners in 2024
Starting out in golf can be a little overwhelming especially when it comes to golf balls and finding the right one for you. Beginner golfers are usually not sure what they are looking for in a golf ball as they try and understand their own golf game. We’ve narrowed down the best golf balls for beginners to help you out, beginners golf balls need to provide a good feel, durability, control, distance and be forgiving, all at an affordable price.
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The Beginner’s Line-up
Embarking on the golfing journey can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time, especially when faced with the myriad of golf ball choices. But fear not! We have handpicked the best golf balls that offer the perfect blend of control, distance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. These balls are designed to give beginners an edge, helping you adapt to the greens and finesse your strokes.
The best golf balls for beginners are:
- Titleist TruFeel – offers excellent responsiveness, durability, and a soft feel on full shots
- Srixon Soft Feel – prioritizes a soft impact with its FastLayer core and gradual firmness
- Callaway Warbird – an affordable yet performance-packed option
- Volvik Vivid – stands out for its unique matte finish and color options, ensuring visibility on the course
- Wilson Tour Velocity – perfect for those seeking distance.
Each of these golf balls bring a unique attribute to the table, catering to different needs of novice players. Whether it’s the softness of the Srixon Soft Feel, the affordability of the Callaway Warbird, or the visibility of the Volvik Vivid, these balls will have a significant impact on your golfing journey.
Titleist TruFeel: Best Overall for Beginners
Pros:
- Excellent responsiveness
- Durable
- Soft feel on full shots
Cons:
- May not be suitable for advanced players
For beginners, the Titleist TruFeel is a prime recommendation, attributed to its exceptional responsiveness and durability. Titleist golf balls are some of the best golf balls available for all skill levels, the TruFeel is an entry level golf ball from one of the world’s best golf ball makers. It boasts a soft feel on full shots, making it a popular choice among new golfers. The TruFeel’s features include:
- New TruFlex cover
- TruTouch core
- More distance
- Stable ball flights
- Softer feel
- Affordable price point
Around the greens, the Titleist TruFeel shines, offering plenty of spin and softness. This offers beginners more control and an opportunity to enhance their short game skills. Being recognized by Golf Monthly as the best golf ball for beginners, the Titleist TruFeel golf ball further affirms its reputation as a beginner-friendly golf ball with remarkable performance.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Durability: 5/5
- Feel: 4.5/5
Srixon Soft Feel: Best for Soft Impact
Specifications:
- Compression: 60
- Cover Material: Ionomer
Pros:
- Soft feel at impact
- Good control around the greens
Cons:
- Soft feel might not give enough audible feedback on putts
Thanks to its ultra-low compression core, the Srixon Soft Feel soft golf ball is renowned for its soft impact feel. This core ensures a comfortable and soft feel upon impact. Its two-piece construction aids in providing good durability and long distance even for those with slow swing speeds.
Its ultra-low compression core also limits sidespin and reduces dispersion, a significant advantage for beginners grappling with accuracy. This low compression golf ball offers a gentle and softer feeling golf ball at impact while maintaining distance, ideal for a beginner golfer.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Durability: 4/5
- Feel: 4.5/5
Callaway Warbird: Best Budget-Friendly Option
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Long distance off the tee
Cons:
- Hard feel
- Limited spin and control
For budget-conscious beginners, the Callaway Warbird is an excellent option. It is appreciated for its:
- Cost-effective two-piece design
- Impressive performance on various golf courses
- Ability to help golfers get the ball in the air and keep it flying, essential for achieving maximum distance
Its long game performance makes it a premium choice for beginners. Moreover, the Callaway Warbird has been tested to give more yardage and a longer roll on the course because of its lower spin, which can help improve overall distance. One thing to keep in mind is that it has a significant roll out on the green, so plan your approach and green side chipping accordingly.
Rating:
- Price: 5/5
- Durability: 4/5
- Distance: 4.5/5
Volvik Vivid: Best for Visibility
Specifications
- Cover: Matte finish
- Dimples: 322
- Swing Speed: 70-90 mph (slightly slower swing speeds)
- Trajectory: Mid to high
- Spin: Relatively low
Pros:
- Colorful matte cover design
- Good alignment lines
Cons:
- Firm sound and feel
- Higher price point
Available in 11 vibrant colors, the Volvik Vivid distinguishes itself as a premium golf ball with its unique matte finish. It is designed for golfers with a driver swing speed of 70 to 90 mph, offering a mid to high trajectory. Despite its firm feel and relatively low spin, the Volvik Vivid is known for its colorful matte cover design and good alignment lines, making it easy to find on the course. These premium golf balls are perfect for those looking to add some style to their game.
The Volvik Vivid is the perfect ball for beginners who seek a golf ball that’s easily noticeable on the course, particularly in the rough.
Rating:
- Visibility: 5/5
- Durability: 4/5
- Feel: 3.5/5
Wilson Tour Velocity: Best for Distance
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Long distance off the tee
Cons:
- Hard feel
- Limited spin and control
Offering long distance off the tee, the Wilson Tour Velocity is a budget-friendly golf ball ideal for beginners who may lose a few balls on the course. Despite its hard feel and limited spin and control for short game shots, the Tour Velocity offers good distance off the tee and is very affordable.
I found the Tour Velocity to have a hard feel and limited spin around the greens. It’s not the best ball for control, but it gets the job done. The affordability and distance make this a ball to consider for beginners.
Rating:
- Price: 5/5
- Distance: 4/5
- Feel: 3.5/5
The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Golf Balls
Selecting the right golf ball goes beyond just opting for the most colorful or the cheapest choice. Factors such as durability, feel, and price play a crucial role. For instance, golf balls with firm outer covers are less likely to get cuts and scrapes, making them a good investment for beginners. Similarly, softer covers give a better feel and more control.
It’s tempting to go for the fanciest, most expensive golf balls out there, beginners should try to look for the best value new options, or second-hand beginner golf balls. This way, they can try out different models and makes to find what works for them, all while keeping costs low and being able to play on various golf courses.
Understanding Golf Ball Types
Though understanding golf ball types may seem overwhelming, it’s a crucial aspect in enhancing your game. Golf balls come in different types tailored for different skill levels and swing speeds. They come with specific features to help beginners improve aspects like distance, spin, and control. For example, distance golf balls are made to help you hit longer drives by reducing drag and increasing ball speed.
It’s also important to consider your swing speed when choosing a golf ball. Different balls are designed for people with slow, moderate, or high swing speeds. Too much spin on golf balls can make the balls go a shorter distance and veer off to the side more, especially when they don’t hit the ball right in the center. This can make it tougher for beginners to play well on the course and improve their golf game. The extra spin can help around the greens though so you need to weigh up what best suits you.
Related article: Understanding Golf Ball Compression
How Many Golf Balls Does a Beginner Need?
As a beginner you should have at least 20 golf balls in your bag. You could expect to lose a golf ball for each hole played, so 20 is a good number to have if you are playing 18 holes because it allows 1 golf ball per hole plus a couple of extras. Having so many golf balls in your bag may seem a little bit too much, but you want to make sure you always have enough.
You could get through a round of 9 holes without losing a single golf ball even as a beginner, you might actually find some golf balls on the course that others have lost.
Do Golf Balls Matter for Beginners?
Indeed! For beginners, selecting the appropriate golf ball is crucial for boosting their game and building confidence on the course. While it may be tempting to use those high-end premium balls meant for the pros, it could actually hold back their confidence from growing. Confidence is like your secret weapon in golf, especially for newbies.
It really helps to have gear that boosts your confidence levels and improves your golf game.
Summary
In conclusion, choosing the right golf ball as a beginner is a balance of performance, feel, visibility, durability, and price. Whether it’s the Titleist TruFeel for its overall performance, the Srixon Soft Feel for a softer impact, the Callaway Warbird for budget-friendly options, the Volvik Vivid for visibility, or the Wilson Tour Velocity for distance, there’s a golf ball out there that suits your needs.
Remember, golf is a game of patience, skill, and, most importantly, confidence. So, choose a golf ball that aids your game, boosts your confidence, and lets you enjoy your time on the course. Happy golfing!
