In this article, we cover the best golf balls for distance. Getting the right golf ball can give you an average increase in distance of 2-10 yards. That might not sound like a lot, but when you remember that figure is an average across all your drives, those extra yards start to add up.
Here, we’ll offer you options based on your golf game, but before we do, let’s look at some of the science behind what makes a golf ball better or worse for distance. If you don’t want the science and just want an answer click the pictures below and jump your top pick.
BEST FOR LONG HITTERS WITH HIGH SPIN
BEST FOR LONG HITTER WITH LOW FLIGHT
BEST FOR MID-SWING SPEED WITH HIGH FLIGHT
BEST FOR MID-SWING SPEED WITH LOW FLIGHT
BEST FOR SLOW-SWING SPEED WITH HIGH FLIGHT
BEST FOR SLOW-SWING SPEED WITH LOW FLIGHT
- Best for long hitters with high spin – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash
- Best for longer hitters with a low flight – Titleist Pro V1 or Mizuno RB Tour X
- Best for mid-swing speed with high flight – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash or Bridgestone TOUR B XS
- Best for mid-swing speed with low flight – Vice Pro or Titleist Pro V1
- Best for slow swing speed with high flight – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash
- Best for slow swing speeds with low flight – Vice Pro Plus or Callaway SuperSoft
What makes a golf ball travel further?
The basics
To hit the golf ball a long way you want a golf ball that maximises ball speed from your club head speed. Higher-compression golf balls deform less on impact and retain more energy, resulting in a higher ball speed.
You also want to launch the golf ball in an optimum window, this means the launch angle of the golf ball and the amount of backspin. However, here is where it gets complicated – the optimum launch angle and spin rate depend on your club head speed driver loft at impact and your angle of attack.
More advanced insight
Golf balls behave differently depending on how you hit them. That sounds obvious but the characteristics that make a golf ball travel a long way for high-swing speed players are different from those that are important for golfers with slower swing speeds.
In other words, distance balls for one golfer may not be distance golf balls for another.
High-Swing-Speed Golfers & Distance
The key enemy of high-swing speed golfers is generally too much backspin—increased backspin results in more drag and less distance. If you fall into this category, you are looking for a golf ball that reduces your backspin while still launching the ball into an optimal launch window.
Distance combined with the right amount of backspin (to stop a ball on a green) is the winning combination for higher swing speeds.
Slower swing speed golfers
Slower swing speed golfers are generally looking to maximize ball speed from their club head speed. Depending on how you hit the golf ball, you may benefit from more or less spin to help maximize carry. Most shorter-hitting golfers benefit from a higher launching ball to maximize carry. Changing your golf ball can change how high you launch it, but the effect is marginal.
Best Golf Balls for Distance
For our testing, we collected a variety of data from sources and even tested these golf balls on the course and with our Trackman. In some categories, we have given you more than one option, so you have some choices with both budget and feel.
Best for long hitters with high spin – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash
Quick Facts: 4 Pieces, Urethane Cover, Slightly lower flight, lower full swing spin rates
Distance & Spin
Long hitters or higher swing-speed golfers generate a lot of spin naturally. The Pro V1x Left Dash is actually a lower-spinning high compression ball designed to help keep things under control. The flight from Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash is also consistently lower than the standard Titleist Pro V1x, which makes it one of the best distance golf balls in the game.
Feel
This high compression four-piece golf ball does feel harder than other golf balls on the market and you will notice the difference if you are used to a Pro V1.
Value
It is one of the most expensive golf balls in the game and also one of the best distance golf ball options you have. So you will have to decide how much are the extra yards worth to you.
Golf Insider Verdict
It’s the longest golf ball in the game across many testing sources (not just ours). The Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash is great for golfers with a lot of speed, spin, and a higher flight. A golf ball for distance needs the right combination of spin, flight, and speed to help you max out your yards.
Best for longer hitters with a low flight – Titleist Pro V1 or Mizuno RB Tour X
Quick Facts: Titleist Pro V1, 3 pieces, Urethane cover, Slightly higher ball flight than X, Soft feel
Distance & Spin
The Titleist Pro V1 is another excellent distance golf ball with lower long game spin. This ball feels soft yet powerful and for many golfers is one of the longest golf balls on the market. If you have a lightly lower flight and low spin you’ll find the standard Pro V1 bumps those numbers up, hopefully into your optimal launch window.
Around the greens, you can still get the Pro V1 to spin, maybe even a little more than it will spin with the Left Dash. For golfers with a lower flight who also want that drop and stop control, the Pro V1 is a great choice.
Feel
The softer feel here than other higher compression golf balls. It’s three pieces, and it has the softer cast urethane cover. For higher swing speed players looking for a soft feel without giving up too much compression, the Pro V1 checks the boxes.
Value
Again, one of the higher-priced golf balls in the game. However, it holds up well, and it does what it says it does.
Golf Insider
The Pro V1 is one of the most premium golf balls in the game, but it continually delivers a great performance. This is the go-to golf ball for most golfers wanting great distance and all-around performance.
Alternative Pick – Mizuno RB Tour X
Quick Facts: Mizuno RB Tour X, 3 pieces, Higher flight, soft but durable feel, larger dimple changes the look a bit
Distance & Spin
The Mizuno RB Tour X is a 3 piece ball with low spin off the tee and moderate to high spin around the greens. This ball was designed specifically for golfers looking for a higher ball flight on their drivers. This one is a good choice if you feel you aren’t reaching that peak height that would ensure maximum distance.
Feel
The RB Tour X started with a soft feel, and then Mizuno wanted to ensure the golf ball wouldn’t cut quite as easily as others on the market. The result is a moderately soft feel.
Value
You will pay about $15 less per dozen on the Mizuno RB Tour X; it’s; it’s a good value.
Golf Insider
The Mizuno RB Tour X offers similar characteristics off the tee at a lower price so it is well worth checking out if you want great distance and value.
Best for mid-swing speed with low flight – Vice Pro or Titleist Pro V1
Quick Facts: Vice Pro: 3 pieces, Cast Urethane cover, higher ball flight, low spin
Distance & Spin
The Vice Pro golf balls offer mid-low spin from the tee and a higher launch, making it a strong choice for the mid swing speed golfers with a lower flight. Check out the link above for our full testing data, but they really do keep up with Pro V1s (well almost).
Feel
The feel is similar to a Pro V1, but it feels a little less premium. However, the Vice Pro golf ball is still spades ahead of most golf balls at its price point.
Value
Vice has done a great job with these golf balls regarding value. They are about $20 less per dozen than premium golf balls because of the direct-to-consumer business model. This doesn’t quite keep up with a Pro V1 in all areas of the game, but it is still very impressive.
Golf Insider
Great value for solid on-course performance. If you have been afraid to try a value-type brand golf ball, the Vice Pro is an easy decision.
Best for mid-swing speed with high flight – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash or Bridgestone TOUR B XS
Quick Facts: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash 4 Pieces, Urethane Cover, Slightly lower flight, lower full swing spin rates
Distance & Spin
The Left-Dash Pro V1x is one of the highest compression, lowest spinning golf balls on the market. This makes it the best choice for golfers who already launch the ball high at any swing speed.
Feel
The feel of the Pro V1x Left Dash is firm, but it still feels fantastic.
Value
The Left-Dash is one of the more expensive golf balls in the game, however, it does what many other distance balls won’t do. It makes the ball flight controllable and improves stopping power simultaneously.
Golf Insider Verdict
This is a premium four-piece golf ball that many mid-swing speed golfers have passed over because of the misconception that these are only for high-swing speed golfers. Give this one a try you won’t be disappointed.
Alternative Pick
Quick Facts: Bridgestone TOUR B XS, 3 Pieces, Reactiv iQ cover for spin variety, lower ball flight
Distance & Spin
An alternative pick for mid-swing speed golfers looking to max out their distance are the Bridgestone Tour B XS golf balls. This performs very similar to the Left-Dash, is a little cheaper and works very well for mid-swing speed golfers.
Bridgestone created a very unique Reactiv iQ cover on their golf ball that reacts to the force of impact. With higher forces, you get lower spin and more distance; with lower forces, the spin rates increase slightly. Therefore you get distance from the tee and some spin around the greens.
Feel
Feel from the Bridgestone Tour B XS is softer than the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash. You will notice the difference coming off of the golf clubs around the greens.
Value
Priced a few dollars less than the Pro V1, this is still a premium three-piece golf ball, but it does the job for golfers in the mid-swing speed category.
Golf Insider Verdict
The Bridgestone Tour B XS keeps the ball flight controlled, the spin from the tee low, and the overall feel mid to soft. That’s a really good combination on the golf course and worth the extra money over a value-priced two-piece golf ball.
Best for slow swing speeds with low flight – Vice Pro Plus or Callaway SuperSoft
Quick Facts: Vice Pro Plus: 4-piece golf ball, cast urethane, medium soft feel, higher ball flight
Distance & Spin
If you have a slow swing speed and a low launch you need a golf ball that will give you a higher launch and likely need some extra spin to keep the ball in the air longer.
The Pro Plus is Vice’s highest-spinning golf ball, don’t be put off by it being marketed for high-swing speed players you’ll find this high-compression golf ball (100 compression) does a good job at maxing out ball speed with your club head speed.
You will notice that the Vice Pro Plus spins quite well around the greens. Not quite like a Kirkland or a Pro V1, but it definitely has some grab, especially on shots 50 yards and more away.
Feel
The cover of the Vice Pro Plus is a cast urethane. It is not as soft as something like the Callaway Supersoft of the Vice Pro Soft, but it does have an impressive overall feel.
Value
Vice golf balls truly have some of the best value in the game; we are impressed with what they offer for the price. It’s a perfect alternative if you don’t like to spend $50+ a dozen.
Golf Insider
This is a rouge choice, but based on the characteristics this golf ball offers it will work well for many golfers in this category. It also offers great value given its performance.
Alternative Pick
Quick Facts: Callaway SuperSoft, 2 Piece ball, Hybrid cover, soft feel
Distance & Spin
If you’re after a more classical choice in this category you should check out the Callaway SuperSoft golf ball, these are one of the best-performing distance golf balls on the market in their golf ball compression range.
Spin from the Callaway SuperSoft from the tee is low. It’s a lower compression golf ball than others on the list which is typically marketed towards the slower swing speed players. The real distance gains on the SuperSoft are seen in the iron shots.
Spin around the greens from the Supersoft isn’t great, but the soft feel helps many golfers get the necessary control.
Feel
The soft feel is the real reason to go for the Callaway Supersoft golf ball. There is a noticeable difference in the feel that this golf ball has and others on this list. If you like how a golf ball feels when you compress it, you will notice it instantly off the tee when you hit the Supersoft.
Value
One of the lower-priced golf balls in the game. The Supersoft brings a good value when it comes to distance, especially with the irons and preforms really well in most areas.
Golf Insider
The Supersoft is strong for iron distance, a good soft-feeling option for golfers who need that. It does fly high, long and you will still get it to stop on the greens.
Best for slow swing speed with high flight – Titleist Pro V1x Left-Dash
Quick Facts: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash 4 Pieces, Urethane Cover, Slightly lower flight, lower full swing spin rates
Distance & Spin
Yes, this is the third time this golf ball has appeared in this article. We’re not here to sell you fancy marketing, we just want to get you the best equipment for your golf game. In robot testing, the Left–Dash outperforms all low-compression golf balls for distance at slower club head speeds.
This is because it’s high compression results in a higher ball speed for any club head speed, and it generates some of the lowest backspin off the tee. So if you hit the ball high and have a low swing speed, this is an ideal fit for you.
Slower swing speeds often struggle to get the ball to stop on the shorter shots, but the Left Dash will offer a penetrating ball, stoppable flight.
Feel
The feel of the Pro V1x Left dash is firm. This is the only thing some slower swing speed players do not enjoy about the Left Dash. (..that and the price).
Value
It’s one of the more expensive golf balls in the game. But it is one of the best-performing golf balls out there.
Golf Insider
Every golfer has unique characteristics, but if you fit into the category of a slow swing speed and high launch you should grab a sleeve of these and test them out for yourself vs your normal golf balls.
Summary
That wraps up our picks for the best golf balls for distance. We’ve hopefully covered some useful science to help you understand what generates distance too.
We do our best to provide data-driven advice, but if you truly want to find every 1% a golf ball can give you I would advise you to go for a ball fitting. This way you’ll be able to find a golf ball that really hits your optimal launch window.
Happy golfing.