Best Golf Balls for 2023

SI Golf's list of the best golf balls to buy right now.

Author:
Paul Liberatore
Publish date:
Nov 10, 2023

Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority, which reviews the world's best golf products and gear.

If you’re an avid golfer, you know the importance of having the right equipment in your bag to play well. If you’ve done it right, you’ve gone through a professional fitting for your irons, woods and driver, and you’ve got a putter that fits your arm length and style of stroke.

But there’s an essential piece of equipment that most golfers overlook. It’s probably the most crucial piece of equipment. We’re talking about the golf ball you play.

If you reach into your bag and grab any random ball, there’s a good chance you’re holding one that isn’t the best for your game.

Playing with the right golf ball is as important as having a properly fitted set of irons.

However, there are literally hundreds of choices. It's daunting.

But there’s also good news: I’ve spent the better part of 2023 researching and testing the most popular balls on the market and have compiled a list of the best for this year.

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What You Should Look for in a Golf Ball

Like any piece of golf equipment, there are some essential things to consider before making a decision.

The first factor is price. Sure, golf balls aren’t as expensive as a new driver, but you’ll need a constant and steady supply. More often than not, golf balls are sold by the dozen, and they can cost anywhere from just a few dollars to $60 per dozen, depending on the brand. So, make sure you choose a golf ball that not only performs but fits your budget.

Next, you should be realistic about your ability. Just because the best players in the world are playing a particular ball doesn’t mean it's the ball you should be playing, too. Doing so is probably doing your game more harm than good. Golf balls are made for every type of golfer, from seasoned professionals to beginners. It’s a good idea to research and take whatever ball you’re considering for a test drive before you decide it’s yours.

In line with your ability as a golfer, you must consider your swing speed and the golf ball’s compression. You will benefit from a ball with lower compression if your swing speed is average or below. Conversely, players with swing speeds over 100 mph will want to play a ball with higher compression.

Next on the list are feel and performance. Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential balls to a few, you should choose the one that feels and performs the best. If you’re not confident the ball will perform or don’t like how it feels coming off the clubface, it’s the wrong ball for you. Your ball should inspire confidence and feel right when you hit it.

For many years, golf balls were just white. There were a few colored choices, but not many of high quality. That’s certainly changed in the last decade. All the major manufacturers make golf balls that are not just white, but pink, red, yellow, green, and many other colors. Some golfers prefer colored balls because they’re easier to see. Try playing with a few colors and see which you like best. It is all about personal preference.

Consider those factors and you’ll soon discover the best golf ball for your game.

Best Overall Golf Ball: - Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

It’s no secret that Titleist monopolizes the golf ball market. Their slogan, “The Number 1 Ball in Golf,” is backed up by more golfers playing their balls than any other.

The Titleist Pro V1 is at the top of that list and is widely considered the best-performing golf ball by PGA and LPGA Players and accomplished amateurs.

While the Pro V1 delivers an exceptionally soft feel on and around the green, its properties also reduce spin and flatten trajectory for unsurpassed distance off the tee.

At the same time, the ball’s urethane cover delivers optimal spin with short irons and wedges, allowing for consistent flights while controlling distance.

Golfers love the feel and responsiveness of the Pro V1 and the Titleist Pro V1x when they get to the green. It feels soft when it comes off the putter face, and the alignment arrow on the ball’s side makes it easy to start putts online. It really is the best Titleist golf ball ever made, and there are no two ways about it: more than any other ball on our list; the Titleist Pro V1 delivers the absolute best in distance, feel, spin, and overall performance.

Best Golf Ball for Most Golfers: - Callaway Super Soft Golf Balls

Callaway isn’t far behind Titleist in producing quality golf balls. But while Titleist is primarily considered a “good player’s” brand, Callaway has a storied reputation for producing world-class golf equipment meant for the average player like you and me.

That’s why I think the Callaway Super Soft golf ball is the best ball on the market for most golfers in 2023.

This golf ball is touted for its exceptional distance off the tee and with long clubs in general. That’s mainly due to its HyperElastic SoftFast core that increases ball speed, especially with the driver and fairway woods.

But the core also delivers an exceptional feel on short shots where golfers need it most. Coupled with an exceptionally soft cover, you won’t have any problem generating spin.

This ball continues to improve yearly, and the 2023 version is one of the best Callaway golf balls ever made.

Best Golf Ball for Distance: - TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

It should be no surprise that TaylorMade makes its way to an early spot on our list. Their TP5 golf ball is one of the longest golf balls on the market in 2023. It’s played by Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa and Lucas Herbert, to name a few.

The TaylorMade TP5 sets itself apart with its revolutionary five-piece construction making it one of the best low spin golf balls, giving you penetrating flight with the driver and long clubs, yet exceptional spin and control around the green. It’s the only five-piece golf ball on the market.

TaylorMade’s new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern is cutting-edge, too. It optimizes the ball's aerodynamics by maximizing carry distances along with a steep angle of descent, which helps golfers stop the ball quickly on the green. Maximum distance and a soft landing? It doesn’t get much better than that, making it one of the best TaylorMade golf balls on the market.

While the TP5 is unquestionably one of the best golf balls for distance, its other performance characteristics shouldn’t be overlooked.

Best Golf Ball for Mid Handicappers: - Vice Pro Plus Golf Balls

Chances are you’ve heard of Vice golf balls. Even though the company hasn’t been around nearly as long as Titleist, Callaway, or TaylorMade, they’ve quickly made a name for itself by producing top-shelf golf balls at a price everyone can afford.

As a mid-handicapper, I was blown away by the overall performance of the Vice Pro Plus golf ball. This four-piece ball has a fragile urethane cover that delivers an exceptional feel and spin on short game shots.

But it doesn’t come up short in terms of distance. The oversized High Energy Speed Core and elastic dual mantle promote lightning-fast ball speeds for explosive distance off the tee, making it one of the best golf balls for mid-handicappers.

The 336-dimple design also creates optimal aerodynamics for penetrating shots that stay online.

The Pro Plus by far one of the best vice golf balls and is available in white, lime, and red colors.

Best Golf Balls for Average Golfers: - Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls

While you might recognize Bridgestone as a company that makes tires, they make some of the world's most technologically advanced golf balls, especially for the average golfer.

The 2023 version of the Bridgestone e6 golf ball is the best one yet.

The new core is softer and more significant than in previous years, making it one of the best low compression golf balls on the market, as well as faster ball speed, which translates into increased distance from the tee.

Around the green, the e6 is soft and responsive. That’s thanks to the seamless cover that optimizes spin.

The Bridgestone e6 is one of the best golf balls for average golfers, and comes in both white and optic yellow.

Best Feeling Golf Balls: - Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track Golf Balls

As I mentioned above, how a ball feels is one of the most important things to consider.

Of all the balls I tested in 2023, nothing felt better than the Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track. That results from Callaway's all-new HyerElastic SoftFast Core, which delivers a ton of spin. Nothing else comes close to how this ball feels when it comes off the clubface on a putt or chip.

But that’s not all. Callaway secured over $50 million in additional funding to create Precision Technology, which considers every minute process and measurement during construction. The result is a ball that performs optimally for golfers of all abilities and playing conditions.

Lastly, there isn’t a golf ball that’s easier to line up. The triple track on the side of this ball takes the guesswork of alignment entirely out of the equation.

If you’re for one of the best soft golf balls that delivers the absolute best feel and excellent all-around performance, the Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track is worth trying.

Most Durable Golf Ball: - Srixon Z-Star XV Golf Balls

There’s nothing worse than pulling a brand-new ball out of the sleeve and having to replace it almost immediately because it gets scuffed up and is no longer playable.

If this is a common frustration for you, the Srixon Z-Star XV is worth considering.

This ball’s thermoplastic urethane cover and Spin Skin+ coating make it the most durable golf ball in 2023. But these features also deliver an exceptional feel and increase friction against the clubface at impact for maximum spin and control with short irons and wedges. It doesn’t get much better than a ball that won’t scuff up and stops on a dime.

The Z-Star XV’s core is cutting-edge, too. It’s soft in the middle and becomes gradually firmer toward the edges. This produces contrasting compression properties that help golfers maximize distance while maintaining a soft feel and responsiveness around the green.

Aerodynamically, this ball is right up there, too. Its 338-dimple design creates a launch that penetrates, and increases lift in the ascent. The design’s low drag coefficient allows the ball to perform consistently and reliably on even the windiest days, making it one of the best Srixon golf balls.

For a ball that will meet all your performance expectations, it doesn’t get much better than the Srixon Z-Star XV.

Best Short Game Golf Ball: - PXG Xtreme Golf Balls

PXG has quickly garnered a reputation as a quality golf manufacturer whose equipment is played by several pros on the PGA and LPGA Tours.

It wasn’t until recently that they came out with their first-ever golf ball.

It’s the PXG Xtreme ball, and it delivers short game performance that’s on another level.

The story begins with the ball’s ultra-soft urethane cover. Unlike other surfaces that are firm and designed only to maximize distance, the Xtreme’s cover maximizes spin for ultimate control around the green. Of all the balls I tested, I could generate the most spin with this one.

But the Xtreme performs quite well throughout the bag, not just around the green. The polybutadiene core has an incredibly high COR, which creates ball speeds that are off the charts. The result is increased distance.

The 338-dimple pattern has also been expertly engineered to optimize aerodynamic properties for shots that come off the face with a penetrating, consistent flight.

While nothing compares to the short-game performance of the PXG Xtreme, its overall performance shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Editor’s Choice Golf Ball: - Oncore Elixr Golf Balls

This might surprise you, but my choice for one of the best golf balls in 2023 isn’t made by one of the major manufacturers. It’s from a company you might not have heard of but should try.

It’s the Oncore Elixr golf ball.

This ball is the only kind that incorporates perimeter weighting into its design. This creates unparalleled balance, which leads to ball flights that are penetrating, tight, and consistent.

This polybutadiene core has been modified compared to previous versions of this ball. The result is both increased carry distance and roll. Talk about a win-win!

While the Elixr’s cover is firmer than that of other balls, it delivers an exceptional feel off the clubface on full swings and short shots around the green.

While there isn’t a singular characteristic that sets this ball apart from all the others, its total performance and price make it a terrific ball and one that’s unexpectedly turned many heads in 2023.

Best Soft Golf Ball: - Wilson Soft DUO Golf Balls

I firmly believe in soft golf balls, especially for chipping, pitching, and putting. There’s just something about a soft-feeling golf ball that gives you confidence and feels good when it comes off the club.

In 2023, there’s no softer golf ball than the Wilson Soft DUO.

This by far one of the best Wilson golf balls ever designed. But its core has received a significant upgrade. A velocity-boosting additive allows maximum energy transfer between the ball and clubface at impact. This equates to faster ball speeds and higher launch dynamics. In short, more distance.

The dimple pattern has also been re-engineered to optimize aerodynamics, especially with the driver. Even though this ball is soft, you won’t notice any distance lost off the tee.

For the price you pay and how this ball performs around the green and throughout the bag, the Wilson Soft DUO is worth trying out.

Best Golf Balls for Seniors: - Callaway Warbird Golf Balls

One of the questions I always get is about the best golf equipment for seniors. I’m not quite there yet, but my dad certainly is, and I’m lucky to play with him weekly. So, I had him try various golf balls and share his feedback.

Out of all the different balls he tried, the Callaway Warbird was his clear-cut favorite.

This two-piece golf ball is designed to give golfers maximum distance, something most seniors can benefit from.

The large, hyperactive core and aerodynamic HEX dimple pattern promote high launch and carry.

The Warbird’s ionomer cover is soft and affords golfers the feel and control they need to get the ball close to the hole.

While the Callaway Warbird might not be the right ball for accomplished players with fast swing speeds, best golf balls for seniors who want more distance and adequate feel and control.

Best Golf Balls for Women: - TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls

The TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls low compression have been specifically designed to help players hit the ball higher and carry farther

This ball’s three-layer construction and 30-compression core also work together to maximize energy transfer at impact for maximum ball speed, especially for players with slower swing speeds.

Lastly, the extended flight dimple pattern features deeper and shallower dimples. This dimple design minimizes drag and maximizes lift, further adding to the distance and high launch equation.

It should come as little surprise that TaylorMade’s Soft Response golf ball is loaded with the latest and greatest tech and design features, making it one of the best golf balls for women players.

Best Affordable Golf Balls: - Kirkland Signature Three Piece Golf Balls

Kirkland produces all sorts of stuff—everything from tequila to golf balls.

Even though their signature three-piece golf ball is one of the most affordable on the market in 2023, it doesn’t mean it fails in terms of performance. It’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the golf community, myself included.

This golf ball is designed to be durable and help golfers of all abilities maximize distance with every club in their bag.

Even though this ball’s urethane cover is soft and provides an exceptional feel, it’s designed to reduce spin on full shots. The less spin the ball has, the farther it goes. The cover is also highly durable and can withstand the occasional encounter with a cart path or tree.

The hyper-elastic rubber core of the Kirkland golf ball acts like a trampoline, allowing the ball to jump off the clubface at explosive speed. You guessed it once again: more distance.

But the rubber core isn’t great for just distance. It also gives the Kirkland ball a tremendous feel and responsiveness on and around the green making it one of the best cheap golf balls on the market.

Best Direct-to-Consumer Golf Balls: - Snell MTB Prime Golf Balls

Most golf balls you buy come from a pro shop, box store, or even a third party that buys them wholesale and marks them up to the consumer.

The good news is there are some direct-to-consumer golf ball options. Out of all of them, I like the Snell MTB Prime golf ball the best.

This three-piece ball is engineered to deliver maximum driver distance and the soft feel that golfers need with short-game shots to score well.

The FLEX+ mantle allows this ball to spin maximum with short irons and wedges. You can count on Snell MTB golf balls to be one of the straightest golf balls you will hit with these clubs.

The urethane cover minimizes driver spin while maintaining durability throughout the round.

For the price you pay and how well this ball performs, there’s no better choice for a direct-to-consumer golf ball than the Snell MTB Prime.

Final Thoughts on the Best Golf Balls for 2023

There’s no shortage of choices for best golf balls in 2023. The hard part is determining which best suits your game and budget.

Like every other piece of golf equipment, golf balls continue to improve yearly. This year is no exception.

The problem many golfers have is choosing the right ball for their game. Playing the wrong ball can do you much more harm than you think.

However, if you consider some of the factors discussed above and take the time to try out a few different balls for yourself, I’m confident you’ll find one you like and can rely on to perform consistently.