The Best Premium Golf Balls (2024 Edition)

Searching for the best golf balls to enhance your game? You’re not alone. Every golfer, from beginners to seasoned pros, understands the importance of choosing the right ball.

In this guide, we cut through the noise and present the top picks that could transform your game: from affordable options like the Wilson Staff to tour favorites such as the Titleist Pro V1.

Get ready for a deep dive into the attributes that make a great golf ball and find your next game-changer.

What Are The Best Premium Golf Balls?

We’ve compiled a list of high-quality premium golf balls, each boasts its unique strength. Players seeking a high flight and considerable spin might fall in love with the TaylorMade TP5, while those favoring balance in distance, spin, and control should give the Titleist Pro V1 a whirl. Wilson Staff is an underdog that’s definitely worth considering, especially for those on a budget.

The Srixon Z Star could be your go-to choice if you need a ball that performs well in all aspects. The Vice Pro Golf Ball is a viable option for those seeking performance on a budget. The Bridgestone Tour B XS, a.k.a., the “Tiger Ball,” is a soft-feeling, high-performance golf ball designed for high swing-speed players. Last but not least, the Callaway Chrome Soft X is a forgiving friend on the golf course that offers consistency in weight, diameter, and cover quality.

Let’s dive into the best premium golf balls of 2024:

TaylorMade TP5: The High-Flyer’s Choice

Pros:

• High flight and considerable spin
• Versatile in different weather conditions
• Soft feel helps with spin and control around the greens

Cons:

• Might not perform as well for players with slower swing speeds
• Some players might find it too soft

Featuring a five-piece construction, the TaylorMade TP5 stands out as a top pick in the golf ball market. It’s designed to give a nice high flight and good spin, which I found improved my performance around the greens. The TP5 is built to handle all kinds of weather, it seems to punch through the air (especially the firmer TP5x) during windy conditions and I got great pickup from both the rough and harder fairways. This makes it a highly versatile option to have in your golf bag.

Both the TP5 and the TP5x are great golf balls, I found that the TP5 gives a softer feel and better spin control around the green, while the TP5x model is more about getting the longest distance with the lowest spin. The choice comes down to the feel and control differences between the two, with the TP5x providing a deeper ball flight.

I really love playing with the TaylorMade TP5 and would go as far as saying, I prefer it to the Titleist Pro V1 which I also really like. It just has more character with it’s higher ball flight and amazing greenside spin control. The TP5 is used by seasoned tour pros such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day just to name a few.

Rating:

• Performance: 4.5/5
• Durability: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4/5

Titleist Pro V1: The Crowd Favorite

Pros:

• Less spin for longer shots
• Great spin with irons for scoring
• Awesome control and feel around the green

Cons:

• Might feel a bit firm for some players
• Might not last as long as some other balls with similar compression

The Titleist Pro V1 is cherished by many professional golfers and has long been regarded as the best premium golf ball available. It’s designed to give less spin for longer shots and great spin for scoring, making it a favorite premium ball. With an average compression of 87, it feels a bit firm but still has that soft touch that I appreciate when playing, it is perfectly balanced.

Its core is made to be firmer on the outside and softer on the inside, which really amps up its performance and ball flight. One of the things that makes the Pro V1 stand out is the Radar Capture Technology (RCT) developed by Titleist Golf Ball R&D engineers. This groundbreaking technology significantly enhances the Pro V1 performance, contributing to its popularity among golfers.

The Pro V1 is ridiculously consistent and high performing from tee to green. You’ll notice a lower ball flight with the Pro V1 compared to other premium balls which will suit some players, and it is designed for medium to high swing speeds in mind.

Related article: Titleist Pro V1 vs Pro V1x

Rating:

• Performance: 4.5/5
• Durability: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4/5

Wilson Staff Model®: The Underdog Worth Considering

Pros:

• High ball speed off the club face
• Suitable for moderate swing speed players
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Not as widely recognized as other brands

Despite being an underdog in the golf balls world, Wilson Staff Model® is definitely worth a glance. It’s a golf ball that offers impressive performance from a medium compression core which gives you great ball speed. One of the things I appreciate about the Wilson Staff golf balls is their four-piece design and tough urethane cover.

It enhances their performance and feel, making them a great tour golf ball option. I have been very impressed with the improvements Wilson have made in recent years, and this ball is no exception. They perform remarkably well off the tee and the stopping power and spin when throwing it into the green is also very impressive. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality golf ball that won’t break the bank, the Wilson Staff Model® golf balls are worth considering.

Rating:

• Performance: 4/5
• Durability: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4.5/5

Srixon Z Star: The Middle Ground Master

Pros:

• Excellent soft feel
• Great spin around the greens
• Good distance off the tee

Cons:

• Might not perform as well for players with slower swing speeds

Offering an optimal balance of performance and value, the Srixon Z Star is a mid-launch, mid-spin golf ball. I have a soft spot for Srixon golf balls because I used them a lot as a teenager and what I really like about them is their feel. The Z Star has an amazing soft feel and its performance around the greens makes it an excellent choice for short game shots. It also delivers good distance off the tee and stays consistent throughout the game. It’s a solid choice among premium golf balls for golfers with faster clubhead speeds and those who want extra spin around the green.

One of the things that makes the Z Star stand out is its super thin, thermoplastic urethane cover, which gives it some serious stopping power around the greens. Plus, they made a few small changes and one major update in the 2023 lineup, making it a competitive three piece golf ball.

Rating:

• Performance: 4.5/5
• Durability: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4.5/5

Vice Pro Golf Ball: The Budget-Friendly Performer

Pros:

• High-quality experience similar to premium balls
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Quality is good but has received mixed reviews

Despite being cost-effective, the Vice Pro Golf Ball does not compromise on delivering premium performance, making it a great choice for those seeking a premium golf ball at a lower price. It has a 3-piece design with a thin cover for better short game spin. I found it to be a great option for those looking for a soft golf ball at a lower price.

The Vice Pro Golf Ball holds its own against the more expensive options, giving players a high-quality experience similar to premium balls. If you swing the golf club hard and are chasing distance with a little less spin, the Vice Pro Plus is a great option too. However, it’s worth noting that some users have found the quality to be just okay. I certainly don’t rate it as high as the Titleist Pro V1 for all round performance, the TaylorMade TP5 for spin or the Srixon Z Star for feel, but it is still a really good golf ball.

Related article: Vice Pro vs Pro Plus

Rating:

• Performance: 4/5
• Durability: 3.5/5
• Value for Money: 4.5/5

Bridgestone Tour B XS: The Tiger Ball

Pros:

• Soft feel (from Bridgestone’s REACTIV IQ cover)
• Designed for high swing-speed players
• Good distance and control

Cons:

• Compression consistency varies

Designed for high swing-speed players, the Bridgestone Tour B XS is a three-piece golf ball. The XS has a softer feel than the X and is a more balanced golf ball. I noticed a slightly low launch angle when using the Tour B XS which certainly gave me some good carry distance and roll from tee shots. Bridgestone’s REACTIV IQ cover really seems to work well because this ball does have a soft feel even though it is suited to players with high swing speeds (over 105 mph) and has a compression of 84. The double dimple design is strange at first but you get used to them fairly quickly.

The B XS offers great distance from the tee and good spin on iron or wedge approach shots. I noticed a little bit of inconsistency with the compression between clubs and shots. Once you use this ball on a consistent basis I’m sure any good player will make it work for them. Overall, it is a good ball for high swing-speed players looking for a soft feel.

Rating:

• Performance: 4.5/5
• Durability: 3.5/5
• Value for Money: 4/5

Callaway Chrome Soft X: The Forgiving Friend

Pros:

• Popular among tour pros
• Long distance

Cons:

• Limited availability in retail market

The Callaway Chrome Soft X acts as a forgiving companion on the golf course. It’s the company’s most-played ball across the men’s professional tours and features a four-piece construction with a TPU urethane cover. With an average compression of 95, the Soft X is known for its mid-flight, high-spin characteristics. I found it to offer excellent consistency in weight, diameter, and cover quality. It offers great launch and speed off the tee with very respectable spin around the greens. I feel as though this ball is more geared towards tour pros – who would be able to get optimum control and performance from this ball with mid to low irons. The triple track design is one of my favorites for lining up putts and it certainly stands out.

Rating:

• Performance: 4.5/5
• Durability: 4/5
• Value for Money: 4/5

Choosing Your Perfect Premium Golf Ball: A Comprehensive Guide

Selecting the ideal golf ball goes beyond merely choosing the most expensive one or the one used by your favorite golfer. It involves understanding your game and identifying a ball that aligns with your playing style and skill level. One important factor to consider is the compression of the golf ball. Softer, lower compression balls squish on the clubface and then bounce forward, giving you more distance. Higher compression balls can take a bigger hit and keep more energy, so they might help you hit longer shots with a more penetrating ball flight.

Another thing to think about is how the construction of the golf ball affects how it flies and spins. Different golf ball constructions, like high-compression balls, can make the ball spin more and travel farther. The core of the ball is a big factor in reducing spin, and the spin rate affects how the ball flies and how quickly it stops after landing. This is especially important for moderate swing speed players who want to optimize their performance.

Summary of The Best Premium Golf Balls

Choosing the right golf ball can make a significant difference in your game. From the high-flying TaylorMade TP5 to the crowd favorite Titleist Pro V1, the underdog Wilson Staff, the middle ground master Srixon Z Star, the budget-friendly performer Vice Pro Golf Ball, the “Tiger Ball” Bridgestone Tour B XS, and the forgiving friend Callaway Chrome Soft X, there’s a golf ball out there for every player.

Remember, the perfect golf ball for you depends on your skill level, the type of shots you play, your swing speed, and, of course, your budget. These are premium golf ball options, the best that you can buy, but they are geared towards better players. Mid handicappers, high handicappers and beginners are probably not suited to these golf balls. Not yet anyway.