One of the most widespread fallacies and contradictions in a game that is full of misunderstandings and contradictions is that golf balls are all the same for the ordinary golfer. There is a school of thought that suggests that if your swing is not consistent and you have a tendency to lose a few balls each time you play, the type of ball that you play really does not matter, and so you should play the most inexpensive ball that you can find.
It is true that the cost of all of your equipment is important, and current golf balls, with their aerodynamic cover patterns, active cores, and elaborate designs, are unquestionably considered to be equipment. This is the case unless you are able to receive golf balls for free like the professionals. There are, however, significant variances in performance that can be experienced by you between balls that are priced very similarly to one another. It is possible that one of the balls has a low spinning distance, while the other, which has a softer feel and greater spin around the green, gives more spin.
The highest performing golf balls, on the other hand, are typically among the most expensive. These are the balls that are able to offer most distance off the tee and the most control on the greenside. Additionally, they typically include three, four, or five-piece constructions to limit spin with woods and long irons, as well as soft urethane covers to enhance feel and increase spin with short irons and wedges. The price per dozen is at least $40.
Within the range of $30 to $40, there are a number of high-performance balls that are of outstanding quality and are priced just below the premium options. Two-piece constructions are typical of balls priced between $20 and $30 per dozen. These balls typically feature either Surlyn or ionomer covers, which are designed to increase their longevity. The vast majority of these balls are distance-oriented and perform well off the tee, but they typically do not generate the greenside spin that is associated with more premium balls.
The most effective method for determining which golf ball is best for you is to purchase a few three-packs and test them out. The first thing you should do is hit a series of short chip shots and pitch shots, paying great attention to how soon the balls stop and how they respond when they come off your wedges. You should next put them through lengthier approach shots, iron shots, and eventually hit each ball with your driver using your driver. As soon as you are finished, you should think about your priorities, how each ball performed, and how much it cost.
An excellent beginning to begin learning more about the balls that you are likely to find in your neighbourhood pro shop and golf specialty stores in the year 2022 is by consulting the list that is provided below.
Bridgestone e6
Price: From $23.97 per dozen
Specs: Two-piece, Surlyn-covered ball. White and optic yellow
Who it’s for: Budget-minded golfers who want more distance and less curve off the tee.
In addition to having a Surlyn cover that is placed on top of an incredibly big rubber core, the new E6 has a two-piece structure. Bridgestone has used a new core formulation in this edition of the ball, which results in the ball having a softer feel when it is struck and delivering more speed off the tee.
The e6 does not generate a significant amount of spin off the tee. This should not only assist players with moderate swings in achieving greater distance, but it should also assist in reducing sidespin, which is the cause of hooks and slices, so ensuring that the ball is thrown in a more straight line.
Bridgestone e6: $24.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $23.97 at Walmart
Bridgestone e12 Contact
Price: From $29.97 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece Surlyn-covered balls available in white, matte red, matte yellow and matte green
Who it’s for: Players who want more speed and less spin off the tee
“The term “contact science” as it is used in the e12 Contact ball alludes to something new. The core and the casing layer have not undergone any significant changes, and if you were to hold an E12 Contact in your hand and take a brief glance at it, you might not notice any differences either. On the other hand, if you look closely, you will notice that the dimples are distinct from one another. They have a raised circular area in the middle of each dimple, and they are only partially filled from the inside out.
Contact Force dimples is the name that Bridgestone gives to these dimples. The manufacturer claims that they are able to improve the surface area of the ball that is in touch with the clubface by as much as 38 percent. Additionally, according to Bridgestone, this results in a more effective transmission of energy through the cover and into the core, which in turn results in increased speed on tee shots. Additionally, it lessens spin, which, for recreational players, should lessen the curvature on strokes, resulting in a reduction in the severity of hooks and slices.
Bridgestone e12 Contact: $29.99 at PGA Tour Superstore ) / $29.97 at Walmart
Bridgestone Tour B X
Price: From $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Fast-swinging players who want to maximize carry distance
“The 2022 Tour B X, which is already in the bag of Bryson DeChambeau, is designed for players who have a driver clubhead speed of 105 miles per hour or greater and who are attempting to maximise distance. This version has a lower and flatter trajectory off the tee, but it should produce more spin than the previous version. According to Bridgestone, tests including 15-yard pitch shots produced over 300 rpm more spin than the previous version.
Bridgestone Tour B X: $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $54.98 at Walmart
Bridgestone Tour B XS
Price: From $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Fast-swinging players who like to shape shots and demand feel around the greens
“Tiger Woods used this ball at the 2021 PNC Championship, which took place in December of that year. In addition, golfers with a driver clubhead speed of 105 miles per hour or greater are eligible to use the Tour B XS. However, the Tour B XS generates more spin than the Tour B X off the tee and hits the ball somewhat higher. According to Bridgestone, the unique impact modifier that was applied to the urethane cover of this ball causes it to deflect less on swings that are less than full, which results in a little reduced speed. It was Woods’s desire that this be done, and he stated that it inspires him to be more aggressive with his chips and pitches. It is also true that the Tour B XS has a more comfortable feel than the Tour B X.
Bridgestone Tour B XS: $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore/ $52.99 at Walmart
Bridgestone Tour B RX
Price: From $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Moderate-swing players who like a higher trajectory off the tee
Lexi Thompson, a star player on the LPGA Tour, is a fan of the Tour B RX, which is designed for golfers with a driver clubhead speed of less than 105 miles per hour. This is yet another ball that, as a result of a modification to the cover formulation, has greater spin around the greens for the year 2022.
Bridgestone Tour B RX: $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $54.88 at Walmart
Bridgestone Tour B RXS
Price: From $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Moderate-swing players who like distance, but really need extra spin on chips, pitches and short-game shots
“The Tour B RXS is designed for players who have a driver clubhead speed of less than 105 miles per hour and who require a ball that spins quickly and has a very soft feel. The variant that was released in 2022 was intended to produce greater distance off the tee. Bridgestone conducted player tests that demonstrated that by modifying the cover, they were able to enhance carry distance and total distance by approximately 5 yards in comparison to the previous version of the ball. This ball will inherently spin more than the Tour B RX.
Bridgestone Tour B RXS: $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $54.98 at Walmart
Callaway Chrome Soft
Price: From $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Golfers who like a relative-soft premium ball that works through the wind effectively.
“The Chrome Soft 2022 model is a three-piece ball with a urethane cover, just like prior versions of Chrome Soft,” the manufacturer said. Nevertheless, a new Hyper Elastic SoftFast core has been utilised for this particular model. Callaway stated that this version’s core enables it to generate more ball speed with woods and long irons, despite the fact that it maintains the same compression characteristics as the previous generation, which resulted in a more comfortable feel. A new Tour Aero cover pattern has also been introduced by Chrome Soft. According to the firm, this pattern generates less drag, which means that it is less influenced by the wind. That combination contributes to a reduction in spin while using irons and woods. As a consequence of this, according to Callaway, the new Chrome Soft is five yards longer than the previous version, while still retaining a high level of greenside spin and control.
Callaway Chrome Soft: $49.99 at GlobalGolf / $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Callaway Chrome Soft X
Price: $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Heavy-hitters looking for distance off the and lots of spin around the green
The Chrome Soft X is the most popular ball used by the company on the PGA Tour, and it was utilised by Jon Rahm to compete in and win the 2021 United States Open. It is a ball that is composed of four pieces, with a huge core, two layers of mantle, and a urethane cover that is soft.
In point of fact, this ball is very comparable to the version that will be released in 2020. In spite of the fact that the spin profile has not been altered, the addition of the Hyper Elastic SoftFast core has enabled it to generate a little higher ball speed.
Callaway Chrome Soft X: $49.99 at Global Golf / $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Callaway Chrome Soft LS
Price: $47.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered golf balls
Who it’s for: Elite golfers who need a spin-killing ball with woods and long-irons, but a soft cover for greenside spin.
In 2021, this ball was introduced to the market and was designed specifically for players who desired a ball with a stronger feel but less spin. Xander Schauffele accomplished his goal of winning the gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 by utilising a Chrome Soft X LS.
Similar to the Chrome Soft X, this ball is constructed with a huge Hyper Elastic SoftFast core that is surrounded by two mantle layers and a urethane cover. This core gives the ball the ability to generate additional ball speed. The formulation of the cover was modified to make it softer, which allows the grooves in wedges and short irons to better hold it, resulting in more greenside spin than the Chrome Soft X LS that was released the previous season.
Chrome Soft X LS: $47.99 at PGA Tour Superstore/ $47.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Callaway ERC Soft
Price: $34.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece ball with single core and mantle layer under a hybrid ionomer cover. Available in white and yellow.
Who it’s for: Golfers who want premium performance, with extra durability
In order to deliver more distance off the tee while also producing less spin, the new ERC Soft features a big core that is packed with high energy. Due to this, it is an excellent choice for golfers who are interested in hitting the ball far and straight and who rarely look to shape their strokes.
The thin hybrid-material cover is constructed using a combination of ionomers and a specialised substance known as Paraloid, which is supplied by Dow Chemical. Ionomer and Surlyn coverings have traditionally provided producers with the option of making a ball either faster or more durable. However, according to Callaway, the Paraloid is an impact modifier that makes the material it is blended with less likely to deform or shatter. In this instance, it increases the cover’s flexibility, which in turn increases the ball’s speed, while simultaneously boosting its impact strength, which ensures that it continues to be durable.
Callaway ERC Soft: $34.99 at GlobalGolf / $34.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
OnCore Vero X1
Price: $39.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece ball with cast urethane cover
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for less spin and more distance off the tee
The Vero X1 is the only four-piece ball in the OnCore series, and it has a big core that allows for enhanced ball speed and distance off the tee. OnCore, on the other hand, incorporates metal into the mantle layer in order to transfer a greater proportion of the Vero X1’s total weight to the perimeter. The firm claims that the Vero X1 has a low spin off the tee, but it has additional spin around the greens and when used with short irons, which helps to improve control.
OnCore Vero X1: $39.98 at Oncoregolf.com/ $39.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Srixon Z-Star
Price: $44.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered ball. Available in white and yellow.
Who it’s for: Players seeking ball speed off the tee with stability in flight and spin around the green
The Z-Star, which is made up of three pieces, has a big core that is extremely pliable in the middle and progressively becomes more rigid as it moves closer to its edges. It is referred to as a FastLayer core by Srixon, and it is intended to create a softer feel while also increasing the ball’s speed off the tee.
After being enclosed in a mid-layer that has been made more rigid, the core is next coated by a urethane cover that has been further improved. Srixon has given the ball a new pattern that consists of 338 dimples. The business claims that this pattern will make the ball more aerodynamic and better able to navigate through the wind. The cover itself is also significantly thicker, which means that the grooves in short irons and wedges should be able to grab it more efficiently, which will allow them to generate spin on approach shots, chips, and pitch shots.
Srixon Z-Star: $44.99 at GlobalGolf / $44.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Srixon Z-Star XV
Price: $44.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered ball (Z-Star XV). Available in white and yellow
Who it’s for: Fast-swinging golfers who want a firm feel, speed off the tee and a higher peak-height off the tee
When Srixon designed the four-piece Z-Star XV, they placed a greater emphasis on improving the distance between shots. The inner core of the ball is soft and quick, and it was modified for the year 2021 to be “more springy” in order to increase the ball’s rolling speed. Srixon is able to reduce spin off the tee and with longer clubs while still retaining speed because it encases it in a core that is harder and then a mid-layer that is even firmer with each successive layer.
The 338-dimple pattern that is currently discovered on the Z-Star is also present on the Z-Star XV.
Srixon Z-Star XV: $44.99 at GlobalGolf / $44.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Price: $44.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered ball with outer cover coating
Who it’s for: Accomplished golfers who want a mid-spin, mid-trajectory ball off the tee and a soft cover
“The Z-Star Diamond is a three-piece ball that has a huge rubber core that is soft in the centre and gradually grows stiffer as it moves outward from the centre. A FastLayer Core is the name that Srixon gives to this particular design. For many years, the company has utilised the same core construction and design in a number of its premium balls, including the Z-Star and the Z-Star XV and other models. According to Srixon, it offers a faster feel while also providing a more satisfying experience.
A casing layer is placed on top of the FastLayer core, which is then coated with a urethane cover. On the exterior of the ball, the designers gave the Z-Star Diamond a new cover pattern that consists of 338 dimples. This pattern generates less drag, which means that it should be affected by the wind less and keep its line more effectively.
Srixon Z-Star Diamond: $44.99 at GlobalGolf / $44.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Srixon Q-Star Tour
Price: $34.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls available in white and yellow
Who it’s for: Anyone seeking premium shortgame spin for a less-than-premium price.
Similar to its processors, the 2022 Q-Star Tour is a three-piece ball that features a soft core that is built using FastLayer technology in the middle. Srixon believes that it plays like a ball with multiple layers, which allows for more speed off the tee and with long irons. This is because it becomes progressively firmer as it moves towards the outer half of the course.
After being covered in a solid mantle layer, the core is next surrounded by a urethane cover that is softer than the mantle layer. Although the 338-dimple pattern is intended to make the ball more stable in the wind, it is extremely thin. This is done so that the grooves in wedges and short irons can grip it more effectively, which in turn helps players generate more spin on approach shots, chips, and pitches.
Srixon Q-Star Tour: $34.99 at GlobalGolf/ $34.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Srixon Q-Star
Price: 27.99 per dozen
Specs: Two-piece, Surlyn-covered ball with spin-enhancing coating. Available in white and yellow.
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for more distance and durability
The new Q-Star is a two-piece ball with a huge FastLayer core, similar to the Z-Star. The core of the Q-Star is incredibly soft in the centre, and it progressively becomes harder as it moves outside. This design, as stated by Srixon, has the advantage of delivering more speed and an increased feel, which is something that is not normally found in a ball that is priced at this level.
To ensure increased longevity, the core is encased in an ionomer shell that is meant to protect it. It has a pattern on it that is 338 dimples in size, and its purpose is to reduce the amount of drag and make the Q-Star more stable when it is exposed to wind. An additional improvement that has been made to the cover is the incorporation of SpinSkin with SeRM, just like the Z-Star and Z-Star XV designs. It’s a particular coating that makes it easier for wedges and short irons to grab the cover, and it also makes it possible for them to generate spin more effectively on approach shots, chips, and greenside pitch shots. However, it does not bring about an increase in spin or a reduction in distance whether using long irons or short irons.
Srixon Q-Star: $27.99 at GlobalGolf/ $27.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Srixon Soft Feel Brite
Price: $22.99 per dozen
Specs: Two-piece golf ball available in matte green, red and orange
Who it’s for: Golfers who love soft feel along with colors and high-visability
Golfers who are looking for a ball that is easy to see, has a decent control around the greens, and increases distance off the tee will find the Srixon Soft Feel Brite to be an ideal choice.
This enhancement to the original Soft Feel Brite from the previous year incorporates Srixon’s FastLayer core, which is the same core technology that can be found in the Z-Star and Z-Star XV, which are the company’s premium offerings. It consists of a single solid core that is designed to be softer in the centre and gradually become stiffer as it passes through its exterior regions. According to Srixon, this construction makes it possible for the ball to have a softer feel when it is struck, while still offering the distance gain that a firmer ball would.
Srixon Soft Feel Brite: $22.99 at GlobalGolf/ $22.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
TaylorMade TP5
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Five-layer, urethane-covered balls
Who it’s for: Golfers who demand distance and stability with long clubs and maximum spin around the greens
“TaylorMade came up with what it terms a Tour Flight Dimple Pattern in order to improve the aerodynamics of their products. The dimples appear to be the same to the naked eye; yet, in actuality, they are shallower, and the walls of the dimples are steeper than they otherwise would be. According to TaylorMade, the shallower dimples lessen the amount of drag that the ball experiences as it rises off the tee, which results in greater speed. These details may not appear to be particularly significant. Then, as the ball begins to descend after reaching its top, the steeper side walls capture more air, which assists the ball in maintaining lift and increases the distance it can convey. Because it has a lower overall compression, the TP5 will continue to feel slightly softer than the TP5x. Additionally, it will continue to produce more greenside spin and fly lower off the tee than the TP5x does from the beginning of the game.
TaylorMade TP5: $49.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $49.99 at TaylorMade
TaylorMade TP5x
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Five-layer, urethane-covered balls
Who it’s for: Players who want more height and carry distance off the tee, along with elite-level spin with wedges
The inner core, which is softer, is designed to generate speed, and it is wrapped in three layers that become increasingly rigid, as well as a cover made of cast urethane resin. When it comes to pitches, chips, and short approach shots, the grooves in wedges have the ability to readily grab the cover, which in turn increases spin. On the other hand, when the shots are more full, the three layers that are located under the cover and above the core help transmit energy more efficiently, which results in improved performance.
The recipe for the cast urethane cover on the TP5x was altered by TaylorMade in order to make it softer. This was done in response to the fact that some players switched from the TP5x to the TP5 during the previous season in order to get greenside spin. Because of this, the grooves in wedges and short irons are able to bite into it more easily, which results in it spinning more than the prior TP5x, which brings about greater control around the green.
TaylorMade TP5x: $49.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $49.99 at TaylorMade
TaylorMade Tour Response
Price: $39.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, 40-compression ball with cast urethane cover available in white and yellow.
Who it’s for: Players who want soft feel and premium-ball technologies at a less-than-premium price.
The Tour Response ball is constructed out of three separate pieces and features the same seamless design with 322-dimples that is seen on the TP5 and TP5x. Additionally, the Tour Response ball has the same mantle layer that is found in premium balls. Furthermore, it is equipped with the same cast urethane cover material that is found on the TP5x, which provides improved spin and control on wedge shots that are played around the green.
There is a fundamental difference between the three-piece Tour Response and the other models. Because of its exceptional softness, the core is designed to make it easier for golfers to compress it and generate more speed. In addition to this, the Tour Response, which has an overall compression of 40, offers a gentler sensation when impacting the ground in comparison to the TP5 with 85 compression and the TP5x with 97 compression.
TaylorMade Tour Response: $39.99 at TaylorMade
TaylorMade Soft Response
Price: $24.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, 35-compression ball with ionomer cover available in white, yellow and matte red.
Who it’s for: Players who want soft feel and good value.
” Because [Soft Response] has a somewhat lower compression (compared to Tour Response), it ought to feel gentler when it comes into contact with the ground. Additionally, it features a modified dimple pattern, and the dimples itself have more steep edges and a more shallow design. This is done in order to offer the Soft Response with more lift and less drag, which results in enhanced distance for players who swing at slower rates.
Additionally, the Soft Response is equipped with an ionomer cover; nevertheless, despite the fact that it is likely to produce less greenside spin than the Tour Response, it is just ten dollars less expensive.
TaylorMade Soft Response: $24.99 at GlobalGolf / $24.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Titleist Pro V1
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered ball
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for a mid-trajectory flight and lots of speed off the tee, coupled with drop-and-stop spin around the greens
Titleist designed the three-piece [Pro V1] with a more flexible core that was covered in a new layer of casing that was more rigid. While the softer core helps to offset the firmer feel that would otherwise be created, the firmer casing layer helps to boost ball speed and reduce spin on high-speed shots. Titleist created and applied a softer thermoset cast-urethane cover that incorporates a new 388-dimple pattern over those layers. This cover was applied over the layers. The manufacturer claims that the new dimple pattern makes the Pro V1 more aerodynamic and consistent, and it is the first new dimple pattern that has been added to the Pro Version since 2011.
The new Pro V1 is designed to increase ball speed and fly somewhat higher off the tee and from the fairway, something golfers can expect to happen when they use longer clubs. The grooves in wedges and short irons are able to more easily capture the softer cover around the greens, which results in better spin and control. This is especially true around the greens. As a result of the harder casing layer and the softer core cancelling each other out, the softer cover should likewise produce a softer feel for golfers on each and every shot.
Titleist Pro V1: $49.99 at GlobalGolf/ $49.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Titleist Pro V1x
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered ball
Who it’s for: Golfers who want high ball speed and a higher-trajectory off the tee with lots of greenside spin
The same casing layer that was used in the Pro V1 was utilised by the engineers, and the overall compression of the dual cores was lowered in order to achieve increased ball speed. Following the testing of 32 different dimple patterns, Titleist discovered a new 348-dimple pattern that was produced in 2012. This pattern provides the combination of aerodynamic stability and speed that the firm desired to couple with the fundamental and casing layers that were recently improved. A thermoset cast-urethane that is softer than the one that was used in prior years is utilised in the 2021 Pro V1x, just like it is in the Pro V1.
As a consequence of this, the 2021 Pro V1x is able to fly higher than the new Pro V1, has a softer feel than the previous iterations, and offers golfers greater spin on chips, pitches, and approach approaches.
Titleist Pro V1x: $49.99 at GlobalGolf/ $49.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Titleist Pro V1 RCT, Pro V1x RCT
Price: $64.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece urethane-covered ball (Pro V1) and Four-piece urethane-covered ball (Pro V1x) with radar reflective elements
Who it’s for: Golfers and custom fitters who want to replicate Pro V1 and Pro V1x performance using indoor TrackMan launch monitors
“Radar capture technology” is what the acronym RCT stands for. It is a technique that was developed to make it possible for a TrackMan launch monitor to assess the spin rate of shots that are successfully hit inside in a more accurate and efficient manner. In the normal course of events, fitters will apply little silver stickers to a golf ball in order to monitor the spin rate of a shot executed in an indoor setting. After that, players are responsible for ensuring that the stickers are positioned in such a way that the launch monitor can see them. TrackMan is able to measure the spin rate by monitoring the distance between the stickers and their position at various moments during the first instants after the hit.
The Pro V1 RCT and the Pro V1x RCT, on the other hand, are developed with a one-of-a-kind printed layer that has a silver-toned appearance in addition to the casing layer of each ball. Because it is concealed by the urethane cover, it is not visible to the naked eye; nonetheless, the TrackMan is able to identify it regardless of the orientation of the ball on the ground prior to the player impacting the shot. It is claimed by Titleist that the reflective layer is responsible for achieving a spin accuracy of 99 percent for TrackMan. Players and fitness trainers alike will find that this makes things a great deal simpler.
Titleist Pro V1 RCT, Pro V1x RCT: $64.99 at Titleist.com
Titleist AVX
Price: From $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf balls in white and yellow
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for a lower trajectory, less spin and softer feel off the tee, while maintaining good greenside spin.
“With the redesigned three-piece AVX, Titleist has utilised a new core composition that is designed to be softer in the centre and get gradually firmer in the outer portions. This new formulation was designed and implemented by Titleist. According to the designers of the company, this enables them to get precise control over the interaction between the core and the material, while also contributing to a more comfortable feel.
During the same time period, a softer urethane formulation was utilised in the production of the cover for the new AVX. As a consequence of this, the AVX ball continues to have a low-spin profile when used with woods and long-irons, but it now spins more when used with approach shots and wedges.
Titleist AVX: $49.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $49.99 at Walmart
Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Price: From $50 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered balls available in white
Who it’s for: Players who want a high-launch, low-spin condition off the tee, with a firm feel
“The Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash is yet another alternative to the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x. However, similar to the AVX, it was developed for a particular portion of the golf market, which means that it might not be the best option for individuals who play the game.
Following in the footsteps of the normal Pro V1x, the Pro V1x Left Dash is a four-piece ball that features a dual-core technology. Prior to the addition of a cast urethane cover, the cores are first wrapped in a mantle layer that is robust and low-spin.
Titleist engineers are able to produce a greater stiffness gap between the inner core and the outer core with the assistance of the dual-core technology. This allows players who swing quickly to achieve longer distance off the tee with less spin.
Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash: $53.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Titleist Tour Speed
Price: $39.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece construction with a urethane cover
Who it’s for: Players who want a piercing ball flight off the tee with solid spin around the green
A strong, low-spin casing layer surrounds the core of the Tour Speed, which is designed to produce distance off the tee. The core is meant to deliver distance overall. On top of those layers, Titleist added a cover pattern with 346 dimples to the Tour Speed. This pattern was designed to provide a ball flight that penetrates through the wind and creates a penetrating effect.
In contrast to the Tour Speed, which features a cover created from a thermoplastic polyurethane that is exclusive to the Tour Speed, the Pro V1 and Pro V1x are constructed using cast urethane coverings. According to Titleist, it is more cost-effective than the urethane that is used in the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, but it is more durable and generates more greenside spin than the Surlyn covers that are often found on balls in this price category.
Titleist Tour Speed: $39.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Titleist Velocity
Price: From $27.99 per dozen
Specs: Two-piece, Surlyn-covered ball
Who it’s for: Anyone who prioritizes distance and ball speed above everything else
“Just like its predecessors, the 2022 Velocity is a two-piece ball. However, this particular model features a new LSX core that has a higher compression and measures 1.55 inches in diameter. One should keep in mind that the entire diameter of a golf ball is 1.68 inches, which means that its core is quite large in order to offer more speed off the tee and with long irons.
The octahedral pattern on the exterior, which consists of 350 dimples, has not been altered; however, the formulation of the NaZ+ cover material has been modified to make it significantly faster. When combined with increased ball speed, the dimple pattern is intended to increase both height and carry distance, which, in turn, should result in an increase in carry and overall overall distance.
Titleist Velocity: $29.99 at GlobalGolf/ $27.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Wilson Staff Model
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Specs: Four-piece, urethane-covered ball
Who it’s for: Golfers seeking tour-level performance off the tee and spin around the greens
The four-piece Staff Model R has a big core that is encased by two mantle layers to offer additional speed and distance off the tee. This design allows the club to be more versatile. For better control on approach shots, chips, and greenside pitches, it also has a soft urethane cover that can be readily grasped by the grooves of wedges and short irons. This allows for increased control all around the golf course.
Wilson, on the other hand, has chosen to keep the raw urethane on the top of the final ball rather of applying paint to it. As a result, the Staff Model R does not have a shiny or glossy appearance. When you hold one in your hand, it appears as though the ball has a matte white texture, and it has a soft, almost powdery feel rather than a slick one.
Wilson Staff Model R: $49.99 at GlobalGolf/ $49.99 at Wilson
Wilson Triad
Price: $39.99 per dozen
Specs: Three-piece, urethane-covered golf ball
Who it’s for: Players who want a low-spinning ball that’s fast off the tee but reduces shot curvature
“[The Wilson Staff Model and the Wilson Staff Model R] were the two models that the new Wilson Triad was designed to perfectly fit between.” Players who wish to hit more fairways, hold more greens, and anticipate solid performance around the greens are the ones who should consider purchasing this product.
The Triad is a three-piece ball that has a compression of 85, making it softer than the Staff Model balls but firmer than the Duo Soft+ balls. It was initially given the codename “Nemesis” in the Wilson Lab.
Wilson took part of the weight from the core and put it into the mantle layer, which is the layer that surrounds the core. This allowed the ball to fly more straight off the tee and locate fairways more frequently. As a result of adding weight to the outside of the ball, the Triad has perimeter weighting, which inherently reduces spin, according to Wilson.
Wilson Triad: $39.99 at Wilson
Wilson Staff DUO Soft+
Price: $22.99 per dozen
Specs: 36-compression, two-piece ball with Surlyn cover
Who it’s for: Budget-minded golfers who love bright colors and soft feel
The Staff DUO Soft+ is a two-piece ball that was developed to provide golfers with increased distance. This was accomplished by the implementation of a new core formulation known as VelocitiCor. According to the firm, it enables the Staff DUO Soft+ to generate an additional one to one and a half miles per hour of ball speed, which is equivalent to around four to six yards of range.
According to Wilson, the Staff DUO Soft+ is the two-piece ball that has the lowest spinning speed available on the market. It is possible that this could make it a great choice for golfers who struggle with a slice or a hook because a lower total spin should result in less sidespin and straighter strokes.
Wilson Staff DUO Soft+: $22.99 at GlobalGolf / $22.99 at Wilson