The quick answer
Start with how many balls you lose. If you lose several a round, a less expensive ball you are happy to lose is a sensible choice, whatever your handicap. If you rarely lose one, a more expensive ball costs you less per round than its box price suggests.
Then choose on cover and feel. Urethane covers are usually found on the more expensive balls and are generally aimed at more spin and control on short shots. Harder covers are usually found on less expensive balls. Whatever you pick, playing the same model every round makes it easier to learn how it behaves around the greens.
Who this is for
Golfers choosing a ball for the season, or wondering whether a premium ball is worth the extra money, who see words like compression, urethane and three-piece on the box and want to know what they mean.
What actually matters
Cover. The cover has a large effect on how a ball feels and how much it spins on short shots. Urethane covers are generally softer and generally produce more spin around the green. Ionomer covers are generally firmer, usually more resistant to scuffs, and usually found on less expensive balls. Some makers use their own names for covers: Callaway names the Supersoft’s cover the “Hybrid Cover” without stating the material.
Construction. Construction is the number of layers, usually given as a piece count. Two-piece balls are generally simpler and less expensive. Balls with three or more pieces add layers that makers use to change how the ball spins with a driver compared with a wedge. Several makers here do not state a piece count.
Compression. Compression describes how much a ball squashes when it is struck. Lower compression generally feels softer. Of the balls here, only Srixon publishes a compression figure. Some makers link compression to swing speed: Srixon says the Q-STAR TOUR is “tuned for real swing speeds, not just tour speed”. We have no swing-speed range from any of these makers, so treat compression mainly as a guide to feel.
The maker’s own ratings. Most makers grade feel, flight and spin on their own scales, such as “Low”, “Mid” or “Highest”. These are useful for comparing balls from the same maker, not across brands: one maker’s “High” greenside spin is not shown to be the same as another’s.
Consistency. Switching models from round to round makes it harder to learn how far your chips and pitches run out. Picking one model and buying it again is often more useful than chasing the ideal ball.
Price per dozen
Golf balls are usually sold by the dozen, but not always. Before comparing prices, check how many balls the price is for.
- Titleist states its prices per dozen for the Pro V1, Pro V1x and Tour Soft.
- Costco sells the Kirkland Signature V3.0 in packs of two dozen, so halve its price to compare it with a single dozen.
- For the other balls, check the pack size on the retailer’s page.
A simple way to judge the cost is per lost ball: divide the price of a dozen by 12. That is what each ball in the water or the trees costs you.
When a premium ball is worth it
By premium we mean the most expensive balls here, most of which have urethane covers. A premium ball is more likely to be worth it when:
- You lose few balls a round, so a box lasts.
- You hit a lot of chips, pitches and short approaches, where cover and spin matter most.
- You will play the same model every round.
It is less likely to be worth it when:
- You lose several balls a round.
- You play mostly for fun and would rather spend the money on something else.
- Your main aim is distance. None of these makers publishes distance figures that compare across brands.
Twelve current balls
Titleist recommends the Pro V1 for players who “may benefit from mid-trajectory flight, very low long game spin and high short game spin, and softer feel.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Cast urethane elastomer
- Compression
- Not published
$57.99
per dozen
See at TGW: Titleist Pro V1Affiliate linkTitleist recommends the Pro V1x for players who “may benefit from higher-trajectory flight, low long game spin with higher short game spin, and firmer feel.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Cast urethane elastomer
- Compression
- Not published
$57.99
See at Fairway Golf: Titleist Pro V1xAffiliate linkCallaway says the Chrome Soft is for “players who want fast ball speeds, higher ball flight, greenside control and soft feel.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Tour Level Urethane Cover
- Compression
- Not published
$57.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Callaway Chrome SoftAffiliate linkCallaway says the Chrome Tour is for “players who want outstanding performance, exceptional speed, consistent flight and greenside control.”
- Construction
- Not published
- Cover
- Tour Level Urethane Cover
- Compression
- Not published
$57.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Callaway Chrome TourAffiliate linkTaylorMade says the TP5 “is engineered to deliver world-class performance from tee-to-green.”
- Construction
- Not recorded
- Cover
- Not recorded
- Compression
- Not published
$57.99
See at Fairway Golf: TaylorMade TP5Affiliate linkSrixon’s main Z-STAR page describes “maximum greenside spin” and “Less Driver spin.”
- Construction
- 3-piece
- Cover
- Urethane
- Compression
- 88
$47.99
See at Fairway Golf: Srixon Z-STARAffiliate linkSrixon says the Q-STAR TOUR “brings tour-level distance, spin, and feel—tuned for real swing speeds, not just tour speed.”
- Construction
- 3-piece
- Cover
- Urethane
- Compression
- 74
$39.99
TaylorMade says the Tour Response is “engineered to promote consistent peak height performance, reliable distance, and tight left-to-right dispersion from tee to green.”
- Construction
- Not recorded
- Cover
- Not recorded
- Compression
- Not published
$42.99
Titleist recommends the Tour Soft for players who “prioritize both distance and stopping power, with soft feel.”
- Construction
- Not recorded
- Cover
- Not recorded
- Compression
- Not recorded
$39.99
per dozen
See at TGW: Titleist Tour SoftAffiliate linkKirkland Signature
V3.0
Costco describes its Performance Plus V3.0 as “a high performance ball that delivers high velocity, controlled Iron spin and consistent flight.”
- Construction
- 3-piece
- Cover
- Urethane
- Compression
- Not published
Out of stock
Srixon says: “If feel is what matters most to you, play SOFT FEEL golf balls for maximum all-around performance.”
- Construction
- 2-piece
- Cover
- Ionomer
- Compression
- 58
$24.99
Callaway 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 link
The six most expensive
These six cost the most per box of the balls in this guide. Each is also the most expensive ball here from its maker, or level with it.
| Specification | TitleistPro V1 | TitleistPro V1x | CallawayChrome Soft | CallawayChrome Tour | TaylorMadeTP5 | SrixonZ-STAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $57.99 (TGW) | $57.99 (Fairway Golf) | $57.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $57.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $57.99 (Fairway Golf) | $47.99 (Fairway Golf) |
| Construction | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not recorded | 3-piece |
| Cover | Cast urethane elastomer | Cast urethane elastomer | Tour Level Urethane Cover | Tour Level Urethane Cover | Not recorded | Urethane |
| Compression | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 88 |
| Feel | Softer | Firmer | Soft | Medium | Soft | Softer |
| Flight | Mid | Higher | Higher | Not recorded | Mid | Mid |
| Driver spin | Very low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Less |
| Greenside spin | High | Higher | Higher | High | Highest | Maximum |
Every maker here that publishes a cover material for these balls names a urethane. Feel, flight and spin are each maker’s own ratings.
Six that cost less
| Specification | SrixonQ-STAR TOUR | TaylorMadeTour Response | TitleistTour Soft | Kirkland SignatureV3.0 | SrixonSOFT FEEL | CallawaySupersoft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $39.99 (Srixon) | $42.99 (TaylorMade) | $39.99 (TGW) | Out of stock | $24.99 (Srixon) | $26.99 (Fairway Golf) |
| Construction | 3-piece | Not recorded | Not recorded | 3-piece | 2-piece | Not published |
| Cover | Urethane | Not recorded | Not recorded | Urethane | Ionomer | Hybrid Cover |
| Compression | 74 | Not published | Not recorded | Not published | 58 | Not published |
| Feel | Softer | Soft | Soft | Not recorded | Softer | Soft |
| Flight | Mid-High | Low | Not recorded | Not recorded | Mid-High | Not recorded |
| Driver spin | Not recorded | Low | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Greenside spin | Not recorded | Mid | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
Two of these have urethane covers, their makers say: Srixon’s Q-STAR TOUR and the Kirkland Signature V3.0. Srixon’s SOFT FEEL has an ionomer cover. The Kirkland price is for two dozen.
Pro V1 or Pro V1x
Titleist prices the two the same and gives both a cast urethane elastomer cover. The difference, on Titleist’s own description, is in flight and feel: it recommends the Pro V1 for “mid-trajectory flight, very low long game spin and high short game spin, and softer feel”, and the Pro V1x for “higher-trajectory flight, low long game spin with higher short game spin, and firmer feel”. Callaway also separates its Chrome Soft and Chrome Tour on feel, rating the Chrome Soft’s feel as soft and the Chrome Tour’s as medium.
What the extra money buys, from one maker
Srixon publishes compression, cover and construction for all three of its balls here, which makes it the clearest way to see what changes as the price goes up.
Step upSrixon SOFT FEEL to Srixon Q-STAR TOUR$15 more when last checked
| Published spec | SOFT FEEL | Q-STAR TOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 2-piece | 3-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer | Urethane |
| Compression | 58 | 74 |
The same on both: feel (Softer), flight (Mid-High).
Can’t compare, because one maker doesn’t publish it: driver spin, greenside spin.
The first step adds a layer and swaps the ionomer cover for urethane. Srixon gives the Q-STAR TOUR a higher compression figure than the SOFT FEEL but rates both as “Softer” on its own scale.
Step upSrixon Q-STAR TOUR to Srixon Z-STAR$8 more when last checked
| Published spec | Q-STAR TOUR | Z-STAR |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 74 | 88 |
| Flight | Mid-High | Mid |
The same on both: construction (3-piece), cover (Urethane), feel (Softer).
Can’t compare, because one maker doesn’t publish it: driver spin, greenside spin.
The second step keeps three pieces and a urethane-type cover. On Srixon’s figures, it raises compression, lowers the flight rating, and brings Srixon’s highest greenside spin rating. Srixon says: “Choose Z-STAR if finesse around the greens and pinpoint approach shots are your keys to record low scores.”
New or used
Used balls, often recovered from water hazards, are usually sold in condition grades, and each seller defines its grades in its own way. If you buy used:
- Check what the grade means for that seller, and whether a photo shows the actual balls.
- Some used balls are refinished, which can mean the cover has been cleaned, repainted or restamped. Check whether the listing says so.
- Check that the listing names the model and its generation, since makers update their balls over time.
- Counterfeit balls exist. Buy from a seller who will take them back.
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.
- Wedge bounce and grinds, explained, including how worn grooves affect spin.
- How we research, including what our evidence labels mean.
Sources
- Evidence: Researched
Titleist publishes the Pro V1 cover material, its player recommendation and a list price per dozen.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Titleist publishes the Pro V1x cover material, its player recommendation (flight, long-game spin, short-game spin, feel) and a list price per dozen.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Callaway publishes the Chrome Soft cover, its positioning, a comparison table (feel, long-game spin, short-game spin) and a list price.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Callaway publishes the Chrome Tour cover, its positioning, a comparison table (feel, long-game spin, short-game spin) and a list price.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
TaylorMade publishes the TP5 positioning, a comparison chart (feel, driver flight, driver spin, wedge spin) and a list price.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Srixon publishes the Z-STAR construction, urethane cover, feel, flight, driver spin, greenside spin and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. This is an older Z-STAR page that still shows compression 90; Srixon’s main Z-STAR page, which this page names as its canonical address, lists 88. The product’s values cite the main page.
- 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: Researched
TaylorMade publishes the Tour Response positioning, a comparison chart (feel, driver flight, driver spin, wedge spin) and a starting price.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed when we checked.
- Evidence: Researched
Titleist publishes the Tour Soft player recommendation and a list price per dozen. The specification sections of the page could not be read.
Read from the maker’s page as displayed 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.
- Evidence: Verified
Srixon publishes the current (14th-generation) SOFT FEEL construction (2PC Ionomer), compression (58), feel, flight and price. Its distance and spin ratings are shown as graphics, not text.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. The page sets the positioning line in capital letters; it is quoted here in sentence case. This is the 14th-generation SOFT FEEL page, which does not state spin ratings in words.
- 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.