Menu
Welcome to the wonderful world of golf! As you wiggle your way into this brand new sport, you might find yourself overwhelmed with all the various considerations that the game entails. This is especially so when it comes to your gear. In fact, there might not be a game that’s more gear-intensive than golf. With much of your performance relying on how well you’re able to choose the right stuff for your bag.
Sure, at the start, it’s going to feel a little clumsy as you navigate the course. But before you scrutinize some of the more expensive stuff in your golf bag, you might want to consider some of the smaller essentials that play a vital role in the game. In most cases, golfers will find that buying the best golf balls for beginners can significantly improve their performance for no more than a few bucks.
As a beginner, it might not be immediately apparent what makes a good golf ball for someone who’s just starting out. After all, they pretty much all look the same. So what qualities should a golf ball have to make it a viable choice for a budding new golfer? These features and factors should help you make the right decision.
A golf ball’s cover is the first thing you’ll see, and to be perfectly frank, they’ll almost always look identical, save for the case of colored golf balls. But despite looking relatively unchanged, these golf ball covers can vary in ways that are more than just skin deep. For starters, different golf balls from different manufacturers can use distinct materials for their golf ball covers. Some of the most common include:
Typically found on two to three-piece golf balls. This material is highly regarded for its ability to maximize distance, energy transfer, and neutralize spin on full swing shots.
Usually used for golf balls with more layers. Urethane covers are highly coveted for its greenside control and versatility. This material is also preferred by more advanced players who prefer the crisp clap of a slightly firmer yet thin cover.
For beginners, the obvious choice would be ionomer, which is also sometimes advertised under the name Surlyn. As a general rule, most beginners also prefer golf balls with softer, thinner covers. By reducing the thickness of the outermost layer, these golf balls make it easier for external forces to penetrate into the rubber material inside.
On the topic of covers, there’s also the issue of colors. As a beginner, you might still have to train your eye to track your golf ball as it flies through the air. You’ll find that keeping your sights set on a tiny little golf ball that’s flying several hundreds yards away might not be the easiest task. So a high visibility golf ball should be ideal to start.
Painted with vibrant, high-contrast colors. These high visibility covers can come in shades that make them easier to pick out against the various backdrops and textures of a standard golf course. Aside from visibility however, golf balls that use colored covers are also less prone to cosmetic damage and to fading caused by excessive UV exposure.
A golf ball’s compression rating pertains to how loose or how tight its interior layers are. The softer the golf ball, the lower its compression rating. Conversely, any golf ball with an interior that’s denser and tighter will be categorized a high compression golf ball. The reason why this matters is because a golf ball’s responsiveness to your swing will depend largely on the tightness of its interior.
A ball that’s too ‘hard’ on the inside might not readily respond to a swing that’s slow or weak. That’s because a ball needs to ‘compress’ - kind of like a spring - as it absorbs the energy of the hit. As softer golf balls are easier to compress compared to a ball that’s dense and firm. Beginners with slower swing speeds can generate fast, long distance flight even if they’re not necessarily the hardest or fastest hitters off of the tee. On average, a 20 handicapper or beginner will average around 80 to 85 mph, which could definitely benefit from the use of a softer ball.
In general, a golf ball with a rating of 75 or less on the compression scale can be considered a low compression golf ball. Some balls can go so low that they’re rated zero on the PGA Compression Rating Scale. As a general rule, the worst golf balls for beginners will be the ultra tough, high compression balls that require a high level of skill and professional swing speed to really maximize their potential.
Back in the day, golf balls were made of just solid beech wood through and through. These ancestral golf balls were tough and unforgiving. They were later improved by changing the material to sewn leather stuffed with bird feathers. Today, golf balls can come in a variety of materials, and may even showcase a number of different internal layers. As you might have already guessed, these layers change the way the golf ball performs on the course.
In general, beginners are best served by golf balls with two or three layers. These designs are the easiest to hit, and offer impressive forgiveness that minimizes the risk of mishits. Typically designed for distance and consistency, two and three-piece golf balls neutralize side spin on full swing shots using drivers and long irons. The result is straight flight that doesn’t veer to the left or right - a common error for most beginners.
Another thing about two and three layer golf balls is that they’re also typically the ones that offer the lowest compression rating. In effect, they respond more readily to the force of your swing. It also flies farther and faster even if you’ve yet to perfect your stroke.
Yes, even those little divots on the cover of your golf ball plays a role in its performance. Incorporated for the sake of aerodynamics, the dimple pattern on the surface of a golf ball work to reduce the power of drag. This ‘vacuum’ of reverse wind pulls the ball backwards during flight, causing a reduction in speed and therefore distance. The pocket of drag is formed when the wind that hits the front of the ball closes up on the rear.
Experts have found that adjustments to the dimple pattern can actually improve aerodynamics by reducing the size of this drag vacuum. While there are no rules that oversee how many and how big the dimples should be, research has found that larger, shallower dimples perform better in terms of increasing carry and speed.
Now, how can you tell that a golf ball has bigger dimples? Easy - just check the specified number. Most manufacturers will indicate how many dimples their golf balls have. The more dimples, the smaller each divot is. The less dimples, the larger they should be.
Spin can actually be a really, really good thing - as long as you know how to use it. The problem is that as a beginner, you might not have the experience to fully understand how to make the most of spin. That said, it’s always better to learn the basics first before you move on to more complicated techniques. So as you learn how to handle a more forgiving ball, you should soon find yourself better equipped to step up to more advanced play.
That said, a golf ball that delivers controlled spin should be ideal for golfers who are only just starting out. A ball that produces low spin off of the tee or with long irons can help prevent slices and hooks which are all too common for budding players. But then again, there are some balls that reduce spin for long range shots while still offering enough spin for greenside play.
Short-game will often require far more spin to get your ball around hazards and out of bunkers. With that in mind, you’ll still want to be able to control your ball around the putting greens in order to maneuver the terrain without spending too many strokes.
Aside from knowing the qualities of a good golf ball, it also helps to factor in a few other elements that will likely impact your performance on the course. These considerations should help you pick out the best golf balls for a high handicapper while taking your budget and preferences into account.
There are an estimated 300 million golf balls lost in the United States alone every year. So many businesses have gone out in search of these balls to breathe new life into their existence. And thus, the recycled and refurbished golf ball industry was born.
These are exactly what their name suggests - balls that have been retrieved, washed, sorted, and then offered for sale.
Recycled golf balls go through nothing more than a good scrub down to get rid of cosmetic blemishes. They’re lumped together based on the quality of their cover, their brand, compression rating, and so forth. That said, you can’t really expect to get all of the same ball in one set, but you should be able to get a few that have pretty much the same cover quality and compression range.
These have been blasted of their original cover and then repainted. While they can look clean and brand new, there’s really no way to tell what the original condition of the ball was before it was refurbished. Another thing is that some sellers will slap on a completely different brand and golf ball model to entice buyers, despite the actual ball being a lower quality.
Then of course, there’s brand new. What else is there to say? Fresh from the store and scuff free. New balls cost more but are often more satisfying to play because of that brand fresh sheen. Do they outperform used or recycled balls? Not quite. But if you have the budget to spare, then brand new might not be such a bad idea.
When it all comes right down to it, the main consideration when choosing between recycled and new is your budget and your purpose. If you’re buying golf balls for practice in your backyard, used balls should be a practical choice. But if you were hoping to measure up your performance on the course, brand new could be a smarter choice.
The quick answer is that they’re for absolutely nothing. The numbers on a golf ball serve no other purpose than to simply make it easier for you to know which golf balls are yours. After all, you’re not going to be alone on a golf course, and the chances of getting your golf balls mixed up with someone else’s aren’t slim. That said, numbered balls that come with a distinct brand logo should make it easier to spot your ball among others.
Way back when, manufacturers would use color coding to give extra meaning to these numbers. Red numbers would indicate that you’re using a low compression ball while black meant high compression. But today, there’s really nothing special about the colors. In some cases, you might also see a higher number with three digits on the cover. Some manufacturers like to indicate the number of dimples on their golf balls, just for the sake of letting their patrons know.
Certain brands will let you choose a custom number at an added price. Sure, it might seem impractical for some, but you can’t deny the appeal of having a customized golf ball with your lucky number slapped across its cover.
As a beginner, you should be careful to buy golf balls that cost more than you should actually spend. There are tons of great brands out there, and most of them will price their golf balls relative to their popularity and reputation. That said, there are some lesser known brands that produce some pretty impressive golf balls that they can afford to offer at much lower prices.
Another thing is that manufacturers have a tendency to mark down their golf balls if they’ve been on the market for a while. Don’t think that older models are obsolete or outdated - they’re golf balls after all. Some of the models on the market from a couple of years back will offer the best value and still provide the same, reliable performance they became known for when they were first released.
Don’t let marketing tactics sway you from buying an older model. There are some pretty impressive, high-performance choices out there that have taken a back seat only because there are newer, more expensive golf balls that are being hyped on the market.
A certified crowd-pleaser, the Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls have dominated the market since they arrived on the scene. With a compression rating of just 38, these pillow soft golf balls leave a pleasant clap on your club during impact, and fly high and straight for consistent performance each time. But even with their spin-limiting launch off of the tee, these golf balls provide the opportunity for beginners to explore greenside spin through its dynamic cover layer that permits excellent short-game control.
At a whopping 29 compression rating, the Wilson Staff DUO Golf Balls are some of the softest in the business. Providing the best feel for competitive play, these golf balls produce satisfying feedback that resonates with gentle vibration through your club shaft. According to the brand, their Staff DUO design also clocks in with the lowest spin rate on full shots, letting you achieve dead straight trajectory from the tee box and with long irons for accurate, consistent, and reliable performance.
A favorite for high handicappers, the Pinnacle Soft Golf Balls are designed for supremely satisfying feel and high-energy performance. The low compression core feels extra soft against the clubface, and creates straight flight by neutralizing side spin off of the tee. But even then, the ultra soft ionomer cover - textured with 332 icosahedral dimples - works to improve greenside spin for more versatile short-game performance.
Incorporating an impact propulsion core, the TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls were designed to improve carry and speed even when powered by a relatively slower swing. These golf balls bring together a soft iothane cover and a low compression rubber core that respond readily to force, compressing like a spring and then releasing its pent up energy during the upswing. Aerodynamic and fast flying, these golf balls cover long distances to minimize the need for extra strokes between the tee and the pin.
With a compression rating of just 60, the Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls provide a soft, satisfying feel against the club, letting out a crisp clap during impact. This softer feel on full shots makes the ball a dream to play, without compromising the distance of its total carry. Flying high and far, the Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls incorporate a thin ionomer cover that’s 11% thinner and 5% softer than the previous model, allowing more dynamic performance for short game and approach shots.
There’s a lot more to golf than just your skill. As one of the most gear-intensive sports out there, golf requires an in-depth understanding of how your gear factors in to your performance - and that includes your golf ball of choice. The best golf balls for beginners deliver great feel, long distance carry, and forgiving performance that can help you learn the ropes of the game. Our best bet for the ultimate golf ball for budding players would have to be the Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball that doesn’t only meet the basic requirements for a suitable beginner ball, but also offers its stellar performance at a reasonable price.
