The quick answer
Decide first whether you want a ball sold on soft feel or one sold on distance, because that is how the makers split their less expensive balls. If you want soft feel, start with the Bridgestone e6 Soft, Titleist TruFeel, Wilson DUO Soft or Callaway Supersoft. If you want distance, start with the Callaway Warbird, Srixon Q-STAR ULTISPEED, Titleist Velocity or Bridgestone e12 Speed. If you want a higher launch, Bridgestone sells the e12 HiLaunch, and if your main problem is a slice, the e12 Straight.
No maker of these ten says it has a urethane cover. That is the main thing you give up at this price.
Who this is for
Golfers who lose a few balls a round, don’t want to pay tour-ball prices, and want to know which of the less expensive balls is built for what they care about. If you are new to cover, construction and compression, read How to choose a golf ball first.
How we chose the ten
The rule is simple. A ball is on the list if we have a current new price for a single dozen of $35 or less. Pack size has to be confirmed: a retailer listing that says “per 12-ball pack” or “per dozen”, or a maker that states its price per dozen. A price for a box of unknown size doesn’t count, and a two-dozen price is halved before it is compared.
We then grouped the balls by the headline claim each maker makes for it, feel, distance, or launch and straightness, and ordered each group by its confirmed dozen price.
Every ball on the list was $29.99 or less a dozen at our October checks, so the $35 line leaves room for ordinary price changes. Above it, the next confirmed dozen price was Snell’s MTB Black LTD at $38.99, so nothing sits just over the line.
Bridgestone calls the e6 Soft “the ultimate combination of soft feel and long distance.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
$23.99
See at Fairway Golf: Bridgestone Golf e6 SoftAffiliate linkTitleist says “TruFeel is recommended for players who prefer ultra-soft feel, long distance and consistent greenside spin.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- 3.0 TruFlex cover
- Compression
- Not published
$24.99
per dozen
See at TGW: Titleist TruFeelAffiliate linkWilson calls the DUO Soft “The World’s Softest Golf Ball.”
- Construction
- 2-piece
- Cover
- Surlyn
- Compression
- Not published
$24.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Wilson DUO SoftAffiliate linkCallaway says the Supersoft “is designed for increased ball speed with exceptional soft feel, control, and spin from tee-to-green.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Hybrid Cover
- Compression
- Not published
$26.99
See at Fairway Golf: Callaway SupersoftAffiliate linkCallaway says the Warbird is “a distance ball that creates maximum speed from an extra-large, high energy core.”
- Construction
- 2-piece
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
Out of stock
See at TGW (out of stock): Callaway WarbirdAffiliate linkSrixon says the Q-STAR ULTISPEED “delivers blistering ball speeds and extreme distance on every swing.”
- Construction
- 3-piece
- Cover
- Ionomer
- Compression
- 85
$29.99
See at Fairway Golf: Srixon Q-STAR ULTISPEEDAffiliate linkTitleist says “Velocity is recommended for players who value explosive distance and durability.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
$29.99
per dozen
See at TGW: Titleist VelocityAffiliate linkBridgestone says the “e12 Speed delivers longer, piercing flight.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
$29.99
Per dozen
See at TGW: Bridgestone Golf e12 SpeedAffiliate linkBridgestone says the “e12 HiLaunch increases carry” with a “Low compression soft core for higher initial launch.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
$29.99
Bridgestone says the “e12 Straight reduces hooks and slices.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Not published
- Compression
- Not published
$29.99
Sold on soft feel
| Specification | Bridgestone Golfe6 Soft | TitleistTruFeel | WilsonDUO Soft | CallawaySupersoft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $23.99 (Fairway Golf) | $24.99 (TGW) | $24.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $26.99 (Fairway Golf) |
| Construction | Not published | Not published | 2-piece | Not published |
| Cover | Not published | 3.0 TruFlex cover | Surlyn | Hybrid Cover |
| Compression | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Feel | Soft | Softer | Soft | Soft |
| Flight | Not recorded | Low | High | Not recorded |
| Greenside spin | Not recorded | Not recorded | Mid | Not recorded |
Bridgestone e6 Soft. Bridgestone calls it “the ultimate combination of soft feel and long distance,” and describes a “Softer and larger core for faster compression.” It publishes no piece count or cover material.
Titleist TruFeel. Titleist recommends it “for players who prefer ultra-soft feel, long distance and consistent greenside spin.” Its FAQ gives the TruFeel a softer feel than both the Velocity and the Tour Soft. Titleist describes a “penetrating low ball flight”, which is worth knowing if you already struggle to get the ball up.
Wilson DUO Soft. Wilson calls it “The World’s Softest Golf Ball.” It is the only ball in this group whose maker states both the construction and the cover: a two-piece ball with a Surlyn cover. Wilson rates its trajectory “High” and its short-game spin “Mid”.
Callaway Supersoft. Callaway says it “is designed for increased ball speed with exceptional soft feel, control, and spin from tee-to-green.” Callaway names the cover the Hybrid Cover without stating the material, and calls the core low-compression without giving a number.
The clearest choice here is flight. Titleist describes the TruFeel’s flight as low and Wilson rates the DUO Soft’s as high. Bridgestone and Callaway give no flight rating for theirs.
Sold on distance
| Specification | CallawayWarbird | SrixonQ-STAR ULTISPEED | TitleistVelocity | Bridgestone Golfe12 Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | Out of stock | $29.99 (Fairway Golf) | $29.99 (TGW) | $29.99 (TGW) |
| Construction | 2-piece | 3-piece | Not published | Not published |
| Cover | Not published | Ionomer | Not published | Not published |
| Compression | Not published | 85 | Not published | Not published |
| Feel | Not recorded | Soft | Firmer | Not recorded |
| Flight | Not recorded | High | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Driver spin | Not recorded | Not recorded | Lower | Not recorded |
| Greenside spin | Not recorded | Not recorded | Less | Not recorded |
Callaway Warbird. Callaway calls it “a distance ball that creates maximum speed from an extra-large, high energy core,” and states a two-piece construction. It was the least expensive ball on the list at our October checks.
Srixon Q-STAR ULTISPEED. Srixon publishes the most here: three pieces, an ionomer cover, a compression of 85, a “Soft” feel and a “High” flight. Srixon says it “delivers blistering ball speeds and extreme distance on every swing.”
Titleist Velocity. Titleist recommends it “for players who value explosive distance and durability.” Its FAQ is direct about the trade: the Velocity has a firmer feel and less greenside spin than the TruFeel.
Bridgestone e12 Speed. Bridgestone says it “delivers longer, piercing flight” from a “Fast gradational core for a more penetrating ball flight.” It publishes no piece count, cover or compression number for it.
That makes Titleist’s two balls the cleanest choice on this page. They are from the same maker, both under $35, and Titleist describes one as softer with more greenside spin and the other as firmer and built for distance.
Sold on launch and straighter flight
Bridgestone says the “e12 HiLaunch increases carry” with a “Low compression soft core for higher initial launch.”
Bridgestone says the “e12 Straight reduces hooks and slices,” crediting a “Contact Force Dimple for reduced side spin and increased forgiveness.” Bridgestone publishes no piece count, cover or compression number for either ball.
What the makers say about swing speed
We have no swing-speed range from the makers of any of these ten balls. What they do publish is about the core:
- Srixon gives the Q-STAR ULTISPEED a compression of 85. It is the only ball on the list with a published number.
- Bridgestone describes the e6 Soft’s “Softer and larger core for faster compression”.
- Callaway says the Warbird’s core “is highly compressible to unlock more potential distance at any swing speed,” and calls the Supersoft’s core low-compression.
So if you searched for a ball for a slow swing, none of these makers draws that line for you. Choose on feel and flight. Golf ball compression covers the makers that do link compression to swing speed, including Bridgestone’s speed threshold for its TOUR B balls.
What you give up: a urethane cover
Of the ten, Srixon names an ionomer cover and Wilson a Surlyn one. The other makers don’t name the material. The least expensive urethane balls in our records cost more, and How to choose a golf ball explains what the cover changes.
| Specification | Snell GolfMTB Black LTD | SrixonQ-STAR TOUR | Kirkland SignatureV3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $34.99 (Snell Golf) | $39.99 (Srixon) | Out of stock |
| Construction | 3-piece | 3-piece | 3-piece |
| Cover | Cast urethane | Urethane | Urethane |
| Compression | 80–85 | 74 | Not published |
| Feel | Soft | Softer | Not recorded |
Srixon’s own range shows the step most clearly:
Step upSrixon Q-STAR ULTISPEED to Srixon Q-STAR TOUR$10 more when last checked
| Published spec | Q-STAR ULTISPEED | Q-STAR TOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Cover | Ionomer | Urethane |
| Compression | 85 | 74 |
| Feel | Soft | Softer |
| Flight | High | Mid-High |
The same on both: construction (3-piece).
The Q-STAR TOUR keeps three pieces, swaps the ionomer cover for urethane, and has the lower compression of the two. Srixon says it is “tuned for real swing speeds, not just tour speed.”
The Kirkland Signature V3.0 is the exception on price. Costco sells it in packs of two dozen, so its dozen price is half the box price, which would put it under $35. Costco listed it as out of stock at both of our checks, so it is not on the list.
Left off the list
These balls are priced under $35, but none of the listings we recorded states a pack size next to the price. They will join this list once we can confirm a dozen price.
- Srixon SOFT FEEL and SOFT FEEL LADY. Both have ionomer covers and Srixon’s lowest compression numbers.
New or used
Used balls cost less again, but grades and refinishing vary by seller. How to choose a golf ball covers what to check.
Where to go next
- Golf Ball Finder: answer three questions about your budget and what matters most to you.
- All golf balls we have researched, with their latest price checks.
- Callaway Supersoft vs Srixon SOFT FEEL, two low-priced soft balls side by side.
- Golf ball compression, for what the numbers mean.
Sources
- Evidence: Researched
Callaway publishes the Warbird positioning, its 2-piece construction, its “extra-large, high-energy core”, that it “promotes high launch and long carry”, and a list price. The page names the ball “Warbird Distance+ Golf Balls” (2025). It gives no cover material, compression number, pack size next to the price, or feel, flight or spin ratings.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bridgestone publishes the e6 Soft feel and distance positioning, its core and cover descriptions and price. It gives no piece count, cover material, compression number or flight and spin ratings.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Titleist publishes the TruFeel player recommendation, its TruTouch core and “soft 3.0 TruFlex cover”, its “penetrating low ball flight”, an FAQ that gives it a softer feel than Velocity and Tour Soft, and a list price per dozen. It gives no piece count, cover material or compression number, and its spin comparison scales show no rating in text.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Wilson publishes the DUO Soft construction (two-piece surlyn), its specification table (distance, feel, trajectory, short-game spin) and price. It gives no compression number. It says the ball “reduces spin on longer shots”.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Callaway publishes the Supersoft core and cover names, its positioning and a list price.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bridgestone publishes the e12 Speed positioning (longer, piercing flight; fast gradational core) and price. It gives no piece count, cover, compression number or feel, flight and spin ratings.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Srixon publishes the Q-STAR ULTISPEED positioning, construction and cover (“3PC Ionomer”), compression (85), feel (“Soft”), flight (“High”) and price. Its spin ratings are shown as graphics, not text.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. The page’s model comparison reads “EXTREME DISTANCE, CONSTRUCTION 3PC Ionomer, COMPRESSION 85, FEEL Soft, FLIGHT High” for this ball, next to the Q-STAR TOUR column.
- Evidence: Researched
Titleist publishes the Velocity player recommendation, a list price per dozen, “lower long game spin”, and FAQ comparisons with Tour Soft and TruFeel (firmer feel, less short-game and greenside spin). It names a “new faster cover” without its material and gives no piece count or compression number. Its flight is described only relative to other Titleist balls (“slightly lower” than Tour Soft, “higher” than TruFeel), so flight is not recorded; its feel, flight and spin comparison scales show no rating in text.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bridgestone publishes the e12 HiLaunch positioning (increased carry, low compression soft core for higher initial launch) and price. It gives no piece count, cover, compression number or feel, flight and spin ratings.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bridgestone publishes the e12 Straight positioning (reduced hooks and slices), its Contact Force Dimple, its colors and price. It gives no piece count, cover, compression number or feel, flight and spin ratings.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Srixon publishes the Q-STAR TOUR construction, urethane cover, compression (74), feel, flight and price. Its spin ratings are shown as graphics, not text.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Snell publishes the MTB Black LTD construction, cast urethane cover, compression range, feel, long-game and short-game spin and its price per dozen. Snell describes its trajectory as “Pentrating [sic] Trajectory”.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Costco publishes the Kirkland Signature V3.0 construction (3 piece), urethane cover and pack size (24 balls).
Kirkland Signature product page
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.