How to choose golf balls
The ball is the only piece of equipment you use on every shot. That does not mean you need the most expensive one, but it does mean the choice deserves a little thought.
Golf balls all look much alike, yet prices run from inexpensive recycled balls to premium models costing several times as much. The differences are real, but whether they matter to you depends mostly on how you play and how many balls you lose in a round.
What the rules allow
Any ball you use in a competition must conform to the Rules of Golf. The governing bodies, The R&A and the USGA, set limits on size, weight and how fast and far a ball can travel off a test machine, and they publish a list of conforming balls. Almost any new ball from a recognised manufacturer will be on it. Some clubs and competitions also use a “one ball” condition, which means you must play the same brand and model for the whole round, so it pays to carry several of the same ball.
Construction: how many layers
Golf balls are built in layers, and the number of layers is the main way manufacturers describe them.
- Two-piece balls have a large solid core and a cover. They are durable, generally cheaper and tend to spin less, which can help reduce the curve on a slice or hook. Many are aimed at beginners and higher handicappers.
- Three-piece and multi-layer balls add one or more mantle layers between core and cover. This lets designers tune how the ball behaves with different clubs: low spin off the driver for distance, more spin with short irons and wedges for control around the green.
More layers do not automatically mean a better ball for you. They mean a ball designed for players who can make use of the extra short-game spin.
Cover material
| Cover | Typical characteristics | Who it tends to suit |
|---|---|---|
| Ionomer (often sold under the name Surlyn) | Hard-wearing, firmer feel, less greenside spin | Beginners, high handicappers, anyone who loses a few balls a round |
| Urethane | Softer feel, more spin on short shots, scuffs more easily | Players who strike the ball consistently and want control around the greens |
A urethane cover is the main reason premium balls cost more. If you are not yet able to control how the ball checks on the green, you are paying for performance you may not use.
Compression and feel
Compression describes how much the ball deforms when struck. Manufacturers often call low-compression balls “soft”. The common advice is that golfers with slower swing speeds may find a lower-compression ball easier to launch and more pleasant to strike, while faster swingers may prefer a firmer ball. Feel is personal, though, and the best test is to hit a few chips and putts with different balls and see which you like.
Colour and visibility
White is still the norm, but yellow, orange and other high-visibility colours are widely available, and many golfers find them easier to follow in the air and to find in the rough, particularly in flat winter light. Matte finishes reduce glare. None of this changes performance much, so choose what you can see.
New, recycled or “lake” balls
Recycled balls are recovered from water hazards and rough, cleaned and sorted into grades. They can be good value for beginners and for practice, especially on courses where losing balls is common. Grades vary between sellers, so check how the grades are described. Balls that have spent a long time under water may not perform exactly like new ones, which matters more to a low handicapper than to someone starting out.
Refurbished balls that have been repainted or recoated are a separate category; check how they are described before buying.
How to choose: a simple approach
- Be honest about how many balls you lose. If it is several a round, choose a durable, inexpensive two-piece ball or good-quality recycled balls.
- Pick one model and stick with it. Playing the same ball every time makes your distances and short game more predictable than switching between whatever is in the bag.
- Test around the green. Most of the difference you will notice is in chipping and putting. Try a handful of models there before deciding.
- Move up only for a reason. If your striking is consistent and you want more control on approach shots, try a multi-layer urethane ball and see whether your results change.
- Look for value packs of the model you like rather than chasing a different ball each time.
Storing golf balls
Keep spares somewhere at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Very cold balls feel harder and do not travel as far, which is one reason winter golf feels short. Retire balls with cuts or deep scuffs, as damage to the cover affects how the ball flies.
For advice on the rest of your bag, see our guide to choosing your first set of clubs.