There are no shortage of balls on the market, in particular manufacturers updating existing products with slight modifications or limited editions, but it all comes down to a matter of choice, based on variables such as ball speed, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate and control. If you have a low handicap, you already know which ball you prefer. If you are somewhere between a 10 to 20 handicap, you might be set with one preferred brand but are always looking for a way to improve your score and changing balls might do it. If you are a beginner or novice, the best type of ball might be the one that is least expensive because you’ll probably be losing quite a few. Here’s an overview of the major brands with some product information from the companies, their primary balls, new balls, brand ambassadors from the PGA, LPGA and PGA Champions, and analysis by Kyle Tumblod, a scratch golfer who competes in Canada and works as a sales rep at GolfTown.
PRODUCTS: Pro V1 Series, AVX.
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024: AVX has a softer feel and a more piercing flight with new proprietary urethane cover, upgraded thin high-flex casing, new aerodynamic dimple pattern. Designed to produce longer distance tee-to-green, increased greenside speed and control.
TOUR AMBASSADORS: Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark, Cameron Young, Will Zalatoris, Sung Jae Im, Lilia Vu, Celine Boutier, Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko, Megan Khang, Allisen Corpuz, Amy Yang.
WHAT TITLEIST SAYS: The Pro V1 is designed to be exceptionally long with a midflight trajectory, maximum short game spin and a very soft feel. Designed to have the optimal flight for the majority of swing types, swing speed and skill level. The patented aerodynamics are always meant to fly in a way that maximizes distance on long shots and results on approach shots. The midflight trajectory is combined with very low long-gain spin, which leads to longer more consistent shots on a long par 3, a long approach on a par 4 or if taking an aggressive try on a par 5. The soft urethane cover produces the precise spin needed for trust and control and can be felt in your hands with a wedge or heard off the face of the putter.
The Pro V1x is different in design, construction and performance than the Pro V1. Offers exceptional distance with a higher flight, additional spin in the long game, combined with precise control, excellent stopping power and a firmer feel. Perfect for players who prioritize total performance in a golf ball but want higher flight and more spin across all of their clubs. Ideal for a lowball hitter who could benefit from a slightly higher ball flight. It could result in a few more extra yards of carry and better stopping power on approach shots to the green. The additional long gain spin can further optimize distance and generate more carry. The extra spin might make you feel like your drives hang in the air a bit longer or allows you to carry hazards. The same aerodynamics that create a taller peak height also makes for a safer angle of descent, so when hitting to an elevated green it offers maximum stopping power. Ideal if you prefer a firm feel and sound off the putter face.
The AVX, which mean alternative to V and X, delivers low, long-gain spin, low flight and incredibly soft feel. Provides a flatter ball flight for extra yards, which is ideal for a player who sees high drives balloon and cost distance.
WHAT KYLE SAYS: The Pro V1, Pro V1x and AVX are all four-layer balls, which will give you a lot more stopping power when it hits the green. If you’re looking for a softer option, the Pro V1x would be the one. If you’re looking for something a bit firmer and a bit less spin, you’d go with the V1 and AVX. The AVX is the least spinning ball of the three. Pro V1x is going to give you more ball flight just because of its lower spin. The Pro V1x will give you a higher ball flight just because it has a softer shell. Distance-wise it all comes down to clubhead speed. The AVX is good for golfers who generate a bit of a faster clubhead speed but not trying to sacrifice spin coming off the driver face. With a newly-opted driver, you always want lower spin coming off the face without missing out on feel. Off the fairway, the Pro V1 and Pro V1x will give you a lot more control with your ball flight in terms of if you want to shot shape it, but also gives you a lot more hold on the green just because it’s going to give you a lot more spin compared to the AVX. In terms of approach to the green, I’d say the Pro V1 or Pro V1x just because it is more of a higher spin compared to the AVX. But I’d say it all comes down to personal preference. When you’re a scratch golfer or close to it at least, you’re going to know what type of ball flight you’re going to get, what type of numbers are best for you in terms of clubhead speed, ball spin and angle of attack angle of descent of the ball as well.
Comes in a variety of other options: Pro V1 Pink, AVX, AVX Yellow, Enhanced Alignment, NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, NXT Mix, Tour Soft Yellow, Tour Speed, Tour Speed Yellow, Velocity, Tour Soft, Velocity Orange, Velocity Matte Orange, Velocity Matte Blue, Velocity Matte Pink, Yellow, TruFeel, TruFeel Yellow, TruFeel Matte Red, Velocity Matte Green, DT TruSoft, DT TruSoft Yellow, Practice Balls, Yellow X-Out Mix.
PRODUCTS: TP5 Series and Tour Response.
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024: Changes to TP5 and TP5x designed to be the fastest Tour ball ever made with new speed-wrapped core.
TOUR AMBASSADORS: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Harry Higgs, Robert MacIntyre, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Kurt Kitiyama, Rickie Fowler, Lucas Herbert, Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull, Park Sung-hyun.
WHAT TAYLORMADE SAYS: The TP5 delivers unmatched performance off the tee, from the fairway and around the green. The Tour Flight Dimple Pattern unlocks the next level of aerodynamics while promoting maximum carry distances and a steep angle of descent for extra stopping power, inside 100 yards. Fueled by a soft cast urethane cover, its increased greenside spin provides control and precision. A larger and more reactive core is the centerpiece designed to store and release energy more efficiently, delivering a spring-like effect that results in faster ball speeds and increased distance. For golfers who prioritize touch and feel in their short game, the TP5 provides precision greenside performance.
TP5x prioritizes ball speed for golfers seeking increased velocity off the clubface. Delivers low-spin performance with driver and long irons for more distance, while maintaining exceptional greenside control. Delivers a softer sound and better feel and promotes a faster and more responsive overall design. The Tri-Fast Core provides maximum energy transfer and speed, while the Dual-Spin Cover is designed to deliver superior greenside spin and control. The HFM (High-Flex Material) in the outer layers provides a higher ball speed and lower driver spin for increased distance.
Tour Response is similar to TP5 and TP5x and designed to deliver fast ball speed.
The TP5 PIX/TP5x PIX feature a unique pattern of multi-colored, high-contrast graphics that are designed to make it easier to align putts and hit shots with greater accuracy. The graphics also help golfers to identify their ball quickly and easily, even from a distance. The soft and durable urethane cover provides a great feel and excellent greenside spin.
WHAT KYLE SAYS: The only five-layer ball of all the premium brands. Each layer provides a lot more softness coming off the clubface without sacrificing spin or distance. TP5 will give you a bit of spin on the green, but coming off the tee it’s going to get you a lot more distance just because it has a bit more of a softer shell. It’s going to help you compress the ball much easier. If you are lower handicap or a scratch golfer and looking for a lot more spin and maximize distance and trying to get a lower ball flight, it’s ideal. It gives you a lot more diversity in terms of ball flight and shotshaping. Comes in many different options and in white and yellow. Also has the pix series, which has one logo scattered around the ball.
Also available in Tour Response, Project (a), New Project (a), Soft Response, Soft Response Yellow, Project (s) Matte Orange, USA, Triangle, Soft Response Red, Project (s) Matte Red, Kalea Purple, Kalea Peach/Pink.
PRODUCTS: Chrome Series
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024: Changes to Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X series on the 10th anniversary of the product launch, the changes are designed to outperform Titleist comparisons on speed and distance with a new Hyper Fast Soft Core, new Seamless Tour Aero for consistently stable fall flights in any condition, and a new High-Performance Tour Urethane Soft cover that better players can aggressively go after shots through added spin through the bag, while the cover system provides outstanding control and Tour-level feel.
TOUR AMBASSADORS: Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Phil Mickelson, Marc Leishmann, Lydia Ko, Madelene Sagstrom, Xiyu Lin, Min Woo Lee.
WHAT CALLAWAY SAYS: Chrome Soft provides outstanding performance with faster speeds, a new seamless Tour Aero to optimize your ball flight, increase greenside control and soft feel. It’s built for aspirational players who are looking for a Tour quality ball. It is engineered to generate the most speed from a golf ball with best compression and material properties. Produces consistently high ball flight with low spin. The uniquely designed aerodynamic package matches the launch characteristics of the ball for an optimized flight window from impact.
Chrome Soft X features Triple Track lines on the ball for improved putting accuracy. Has a low spin off the driver for long distance and a SoftFast Core with a Tour Urethane Cover.
Chrome Tour is engineered for outstanding performance with exceptional speed, consistent flight, incredible spin, and greenside control. The core is engineered for the optimized balance of long distance and soft feel. The aerodynamic package is built for consistently stable ball flights in any condition. Additionally, better players can aggressively go after shots from added spin through the bag, while the cover system provides outstanding control and Tour-level feel.
Chrome Tour X is for the best players who want speed and the ultimate control from their Tour ball. It provides outstanding distance, workability and spin so you can experience your best performance from tee to green. The core promotes maximum ball speed and distance, especially off the driver, while Seamless Tour Aero promotes consistently penetrating flight with enhanced workability from every club. Better players can also take advantage of the spin and workability in Chrome Tour to hit the most precise iron and wedge shots.
The Truvis pattern looks like miniature soccer balls and are specifically designed to maximize your view of the ball for better focus and visibility.
WHAT KYLE SAYS: The Chrome Soft is basically your standard option with a four layer like Titleist and TaylorMade if you are looking for a lower spin and higher ball flight. The Chrome Tour X is going to give you lower spin lower ball flight and firmer feel, more toward a faster clubhead speed. Comes in many different variations. The Triple Track 360, which has the logo going all around the golf ball. comes in yellow and white and many variations of the logo. Callaway has its own little design with a true track around the logo. If you are looking for a softer feel coming off the ball, it would be the Chrome Soft. If you are comparing it towards a lower-spinning golf ball with a firmer shell, it would be the Chrome 2 Soft X. For most of the X series now it’s lower spinning and if you’re looking for something more towards the average golfer, the Chrome Softs will give you a higher ball flight but also softer and you don’t have to swing too hard to get more out of it. For distance it all depends on your clubhead speed. If you don’t swing it too fast and you’re not toward the mid to lower handicap and you are looking for a good option, the Chrome Soft is the one because it has a softer shell. If you are more toward a lower handicap or scratch golfer, I’d say the Chrome Tour X is the best option because you are not sacrificing any speed. For control for the Chrome Softs, they are all the same at the end of the day. It call comes down to ball speed. If you are the standard, average golfer, I’d go with the Chrome Soft because of the softer shell. For lower handicaps or single-digit handicaps, the Chrome Tour X would be a better option because you are striking the centre of the sweet spot every time and that will help generate a lot more spin and lot more stopping power around the green. All the triple track technology from the ERC Soft all the way to the Chrome Soft series is the higher-end golf balls as well.
Also available in: Supersoft, Soft Triple Track, Soft X LS, Supersoft Yellow, Chrome Soft X, ERC Soft Triple Track, Soft X Triple Track, Superfast Matte Yellow, Superfast Matte Red, REVA, REVA Pink, Supersoft Magna, Supersoft Magna Yellow, Supersoft Max Yellow, Supersoft Max, Superfast, Soft Truvis Yellow and Black, Soft Truvis Stars and Stripes, Soft X LS Triple Track, Soft Truvis Red, ERC Soft Triple Track Yellow, Supersoft Matte Green, Supersoft Matte Pink, Supersoft Matte Red, Supersoft Matte Orange, Soft Truvis Mix, Soft Yellow, Soft X Yellow, Superhot Matte Yellow, Superhot Matte Red, Soft Truvis Green, Superhot, Soft Truvis Pink, Supersoft Pink.
PRODUCTS: Z-Star Series, Q-Star series.
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024: Q-Star Tour and Q-Star Tour Divide. The new Q-Star Tour is the company’s softest ball and has a new alignment aid with a longer side stamp to help in putting. The Q-Star Tour Divide built with a new unique 50-50 matte three-piece urethane cover.
TOUR AMBASSADORS: Hideki Matsuyama, Keegan Bradley, Ryan Fox, Lucas Glover, JB Holmes, Russell Knox, Shane Lowry, Andrew Novak, Taylor Pendrith, Andrew Putnam, Sam Ryder, JJ Spaun, Sepp Straka, Nasa Hataoka, Inbee Park, Ashleigh Buhai, Hannah Green, Grace Kim, Katsu Minami.
WHAT SRIXON SAYS: Z-Star series designed to deliver Tour-level distance, control and feel. Provides maximum greenside spin for unmatched control and stopping power. Premium three-piece construction gives skilled players complete tour performance tee to green.
Z-Star has lower compression and caters towards players who want more spin around the greens.
Z-Star XV has a firmer compression than Z-Star and focuses on distance.
Z-Star Triple Diamond is geared towards faster swing-speed golfers and golfers looking for both distance and feel off the tee.
Q-Star is a premium, lower-compression ball that delivers superior, balanced performance for golfers who demand exceptional distance, feel and greenside control. FastLayer delivers exceptional feel and ball speed. Compression lowered for superior flight on low-lofted clubs. Coating with flexible molecular bonds digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximizing spin for more control and more stopping power. Dimple produces less drag and more lift boosts overall distance and accuracy, even in the toughest wind conditions.
WHAT KYLE SAYS: Like the Titleist, TaylorMade and Callaways, it’s a three-layer ball. Uses a 338-dimple pattern on the cover for increased lift later in flight to provide more distance and carry. The urethane cover is a little layering around the ball that helps give you a lot more distance and a lot more spin when it’s a rainy day or with more moisture such early in the morning when there’s dew. A lot more moisture is going to come off the clubface more inconsistently. Q Star Divide Series features the golf split in half with two colors. The half and half color helps differentiate your ball with other people you are playing with and also helps you see the ball in the air.
Also available in: Soft Feel, Z-Star Yellow Mix, Z-Star Divide, Z-Star XV Divide, Soft Feel Matte Red, Soft Feel Matte Orange, Soft Feel Matte Green, Soft Feel Lady, Q-Star Tour Divide Matte Blue/Yellow, Q-Star Tour Divide Matte Orange/Yellow, Q-Star Tour Divide Matte Red/Yellow.
PRODUCTS: Tour B Series
TOUR AMBASSADORS: Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Chris Gotterup, Fred Couples.
Popularized by Tiger Woods after switching from Nike in 2016. Also became popular when Bryson DeChambeau was playing on the PGA Tour and winning several tournaments, including the U.S. Open in 2020.
NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024: Tour B X. Woods said the new edition provides him with more distance off the tee and more control around the green. Additionally, the company has entered into the printed category on its entire Tour B lineup with Mindset visual technology with the help of Jason Day and longtime mental performance coach Jason Goldsmith. The technology is designed to quickly and easily help a golfer get into the right frame of mind over the ball using three steps – identify, visualize and focus. The steps line up with the colors on the outside of the visual aid like a stoplight – red to help the golfer stop and identify what needs to be calculated, such as distance and wind; yellow to help the golfer prepare for the shot by visualizing what needs to be accomplished; and green for go.
WHAT BRIDGESTONE SAYS: Tour B X delivers increased ball speed for maximum distance off of the tee and hit and sit performance on approach shots. Ideal for players with speeds over 105 miles per hour who want additional distance. Tour B XS designed to offer exceptional distance, a great choice for low handicap golfers looking to maximize their distance potential. Reactiv Urethane cover and gradational core work together to reduce spin and maximize energy transfer, resulting in longer shots off the tee and on long approach shots. Offers high spin and great control, allowing for precise shotshaping and distance control that can help low handicap golfers hit more accurate shots and lower their scores.
WHAT KYLE SAYS: Feels very soft coming off the clubface, which gives more spin. Didn’t lose distance or spin when hitting mid to short-range iron and wedge shots and holds and sticks to the greens better than its competitors.
Also available in: e6, e6 Soft, e6 Speed, e6 Yellow, e12 Soft, e12 Speed, e6 Speed Yellow, e6 Soft Yellow, Tour B330 Mix, Tour B RX, e12 Contact, Tour B RXS, Tour B XS, Tour B X, e12 Matte Yellow, e12 Matte Green, e12 Matte Red.
