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Best Golf Balls for Beginners

Updated On December 2, 2022

Are you new to golf? Do you enjoy this game? Would you like to get better more easily? 

As most of the new players know, golf isn't easy. As a beginner, you'll certainly face a lot of challenges during your games, starting from your skill development, up to finding the right golfing equipment that suits your needs best. As a crucial part of the golfer's equipment, you'll find yourself overwhelmed when choosing the right golf balls for you. They come in various colors, possess different kinds of characteristics, and of course, each of them behaves differently on the golf course.

After doing some research, we've come to the conclusion that the Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls is our choice for the best golf balls for beginners. In this article, we've gone over some other points of interest, aside from the golf balls:
  1. The best golf balls for beginners
  2. What to look for when buying golf balls
  3. Frequently asked questions
  4. Other useful information

Here at golferpros, we constantly keep researching for the best golf equipment. So, if you're looking out for the best golf balls for high handicappers and beginners, or you're interested in improving your skills, keep on reading.

You may want to check here the best cheap golf balls in the market this year.

Quick Summary: Top 9 - Golf Balls For Beginners



Best Overall:Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
Cheap, high-forgiving and low-compression golf balls for beginners.

Runner-Up:Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls
Soft golf balls featuring slow-spin for straight flights.

Also Great:Pinnacle Soft Golf Balls
US-made golf balls for beginners or high handicappers.

Also Great:Strata Boom Golf Balls
Cheap, soft-feel balls for beginners.

Also Good:Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls
Soft feel golf balls, great forgiveness, straight flight.

Also Good:Callaway Golf Supersoft Magna Golf Balls
Ultra-soft, straight flight balls for beginners.

Also Good:Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Balls
Cheap, low swing distance golf balls.

Also Good:TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf balls
Cheap to replace, low-compression golf balls for beginners or handicappers.

Also Good:Wilson Ultra 500 Distance Golf Balls
Soft golf balls, great forgiveness, recommended for beginners.


1. Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls

Best Overall

Cheap, high-forgiving and low-compression golf balls for beginners.
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

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As our top choice would be, the Srixon Soft Feel is probably the best beginner's golf ball out there. This golf ball will provide you with a soft feel and more greenside spin, so you'll be able to control this ball with ease. It's a 2-piece ball, which features a softer core, and a firmer outside cover which provide high off the tee launches at low spin rates, for a straighter flight. The Srixon Soft Feel also features Speed Dimple Pattern cuts, that come to 338 aerodynamic dimples that will cut through the wind with no additional problems. Srixon also made sure that you have color options, so aside from the standard white, you can go for the yellow option. All in all, if you're looking to improve your game at a relatively cheap cost, then this is the best golf ball for you. 

And in case you need to see more, you can also check some of the best cheap golf balls here.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Forgiveness: Best
  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Color: White, Yellow

what we didn't like

  • Not recommended for fast swingers
What Other Golfers had to say:
"These are great feeling balls (if you like soft feel), long off the tee and with a moderate amount of spin around he greens. Spinning less that premium balls means they travel straighter. My favourite balls."

2. Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls

Runner-Up

The Titleist TruFeel golf balls come as our second choice for best golf balls for beginners. This golf ball will provide you with an ultra-soft feel, and excellent greenside control. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Ultra-Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

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The new technology that Titleist has used on this ball will prove most useful when the ball shows its superior distance covering ability. You'll also find that this 2-piece ball is very easy to control because it features the new Truetouch Core technology. The dimples are designed to provide you with long, aerodynamic flights with low spin features. The Titleist TruFeel comes in 3 color options, which include basic white, yellow, and red. This ball is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, by showing you that golf can be easy if the right equipment is used.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Color: White, Yellow, Red
  • Spin: Slow
  • Manufacturer: US-made

what we didn't like

  • Not recommended for professionals
What Other Golfers had to say:
"I like the soft feel off the tee and I really liked the feel around the green as well. ChromeSofts will always be my favorite but the Titliest TruFeels are a very close second and for the price of a dozen you can't beat it! Great ball"

3. Pinnacle Soft Golf Balls

Also Great

Pinnacle is a known name in the golf world. With the new Pinnacle Soft Golf Balls, they have succeeded in producing a soft golf ball for every beginner, at an affordable price.
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

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They feature a soft, low-compression core that will provide you with a soft feel, yet cover great distances. The ionomer cover adds to the soft feel of the balls as well. These 2-piece balls feature 332 icosahedrical dimples that will provide you with a straight flight, over a long distance, while cutting winds with ease at a slow spin rate. This is a great ball for beginners or low swingers, that comes in 2 color options, white and pink. Overall, the Pinnacle Soft will provide you with a great, soft feel and help you improve your skills on the golf courses.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Color: White, Light Pink
  • Spin: Slow
  • Manufacturer: US-made
  • Pricing: Highly affordable

what we didn't like

  • Poor color options
What Other Golfers had to say:
"Pinnacle golf balls are some of the very best for amateur or beginner golfers. Long distances for such a soft golf ball."

4. Strata Boom Golf Balls

Also Great

Strata's Boom Golf Balls may just be your best budget solution for a best golf ball for beginners. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

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This ball will prove itself most useful in your attempts to better your game. They feature a Strata High Energy Core, to ensure the ball covers large distances at a straight flight. This is a 2-piece ball that features a low-compression core to ensure that you get to be as accurate as possible. As a beginner, at a price lower than 1$ per golf ball, you'll be sure to save some money when losing them around the golf courses. You'll be sure to notice this ball's soft feel and high forgiveness features on the course and as a beginner, you won't be disappointed when you see the ball fly off into the air, covering great distances at a low spin. You get to choose from the multiple color options. You can go for a pack of whites or can choose the multi-color option, featuring orange, yellow, blue, and green. 

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Color: White, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green
  • Spin: Slow
  • Pricing: Highly affordable

what we didn't like

  • Not recommended for professionals
  • Visibility on blue and green options can be improved
What Other Golfers had to say:
"Awesome ball great feel. Straight and long off the tee. Played 18 today and usually play Prov 1, Mabye a little shorter but I hit every fairway. These will be my go to ball for acurracy."

5. Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls

Also Good

The Bridgestone E6 Soft will surely better your golf game on the course, providing you with great softness and control. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

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We've also covered this ball in our best golf balls for high handicappers article. They feature Bridgestone's Delta Dimple technology, which means that the ball will provide you with a straight distance while having great forgiveness, due to the smoother air resistance from the dimples. They are 3-piece, surlyn covered golf balls that will react great on the golf course. This golf ball can be found incredibly useful for your long and short games, thanks to the optimized core and cover. Although, these balls can be a little improved upon the landing since they don't cover enough distance after landing. The E6 Soft also features 2 color options, basic white and yellow for better visibility. In the end, if you're looking for a golf ball that will cover distances at reduced spin, this would be your choice, and at a pretty reasonable price too.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Design: For Beginners, Handicappers

what we didn't like

  • Loses momentum after landing
What Other Golfers had to say:
"Tried these for the first time recently - and I like them. I always use yellow balls, have done so for a while now. And these fit my requirements, I have a slowish swing speed and prefer a soft ball."

6. Callaway Golf Supersoft Magna Golf Balls

Also Good

Callaway's Supersoft Magna golf balls are yet another great set of balls for golfers that are just starting to get into the game. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Softest
  • Forgiveness: Best
  • Flight: Straight

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The Supersoft Magna is an oversized ball that will provide you with super long, straight, and soft characteristics. This is a great beginner's ball that promotes an ultra-low compression core, for faster ball speeds and longer distances, over straight flights, and increases accuracy as well. The ball features Callaway's new HEX Aerodynamics technology that allows the ball to fly through the air, at a low spin rate while slicing the wind with relative ease. This is a 2-piece golf ball that features an Ionomer cover for the soft fell this ball promotes. The Supersoft Magna also features 2 color options, that is, regular white and yellow. All in all, this ball is going to make you feel like a professional player that has spent years on the course, at a highly affordable price. 

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Low
  • Price: Affordable
  • Design: For Beginners and skill improvement

what we didn't like

  • Sometimes the spin is too low
What Other Golfers had to say:
"Fantastic if you carry a high handicap (it’s a good day breaking 100). They do everything they claim & distance is further than I expected. I finally found a ball I plan to stick with."

7. Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Ball

Also Good

This is a golf ball meant for beginners or high handicappers. The Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Ball will prove itself useful, especially if you're new to the game or faced with a long-distance shot, this would be your choice. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Medium
  • Forgiveness: Medium
  • Flight: Straight

No products found.

This is a 2-piece ball with a titanium core, and as we know, the more layers a ball has, the softer it would be. It has a titanium reactive core, giving it speed, and covered with a surlyn outer cover that will allow you greater control over this golf ball. At this price range, the performance that this golf ball offers is far better than other golf balls at similar price ranges. The Nitro Ultimate Distance features less spin and more velocity and distance, enabled by the aerodynamically designed dimples on the ball cover, which also ensure high flight stability that could cheat the winds. This is a mid compression ball, with a compression of 90, it will cross a greater distance if you're a fast swinger. These golf balls come in orange or yellow color, so you won't have a problem spotting them on the golf courses. All in all, we think that this is the best golf ball in its price range and will prove useful for your skills improvement on the golf courses.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Medium
  • Color: Yellow, Orange
  • Spin: Slow
  • Price: Highly affordable

what we didn't like

  • Not recommended for pros
  • Lower distance cover at slower swings
What Other Golfers had to say:
"The durability of the cover is not good but it performed as well as any brand named ball so totally worth it."

8. TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls

Also Good

These golf balls are designed to cover long distances at a soft touch. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

No products found.

Another example of golf ball for beginners or high handicappers is the TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft. You can also find this golf ball in our best golf balls for high handicappers article as well. As you can see in the name, these golf balls are designed to cover long distances at a soft touch. The company's dimple design enables them to make long flights with ease. Another great feature of this product is the price range, which allows you to easily get new ones, after you've lost some of them in the weeds or in the water, at a fairly reasonable price. These are 2-piece balls, with a highly reactive core, covered with a surlyn outside layer. Featuring the 34 soft compression core, these balls are made for players that are fairly new to the game, with high forgiveness characteristics. The bottom line is, this golf ball will prove itself most useful in improving your beginner skills, and be sure to surprise those around you, making them wonder how did you get this good so soon.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Medium
  • Price: Highly affordable

what we didn't like

  • Not recommended for pros
  • Only 1 color option
What Other Golfers had to say:
"These balls are terrific regardless of the price. At 70+ my HDCP has increased over recent years and I can no longer justify my ProV1’s. Wonderfully effective for older or less talented golfers."

9. Wilson Ultra 500 Distance Golf Balls

Also Good

A golf ball best suited for beginners, known for its distance abilities. 
Quick Summary
  • Feel: Soft
  • Forgiveness: High
  • Flight: Straight

No products found.

The Wilson Ultra 500 golf balls are yet another solution from Wilson, that is meant for beginners in the game. This ball is a 2-piece with a low-spin rate, that is designed to cover great distances over low swings. It is mostly designed for beginners that want to cover more distance off the tee. Another great feature is that the ball is highly affordable at less than $1 per ball, so you're not going to hurt your wallet too much when you lose them on the course. The ionomer cover, together with the high-powered titanium core, are going to be helpful with your inconsistent swings on the golf course. Wilson offers these golf balls in 2 color options which contain white or yellow. The bottom line is if you're looking for a golf ball for beginners, this is a fine choice that's going to improve your game at a cheap cost. (1)

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Performance: Distance
  • Compression: Medium
  • Price: Highly affordable

what we didn't like

  • Low spin on the greens
  • Control is sacrificed for the distance
What Other Golfers had to say:
"Super cheap price for golf balls. If you lose a lot of balls because you haven’t been playing for a while and then just starting up again (like me) these are definitely the ones to go for."


What to look for when buying golf balls for beginners


If you're a beginner, there would be a few things to look out for when searching for the best golf balls for beginners.

It may be difficult to understand at first but as a beginner, you'll need to look out for a golf ball that's going to act accordingly with your skillset level. That's why golf ball manufacturers produce different kinds of golf balls, to suit the needs of different level players. (2)

As a beginner, you cannot expect to possess a swing like the pros. That's why most of the beginners or high handicappers look for balls that cover more distance. This will allow you to cover more distance while improving and creating a repetitive swing. Beginners also look out for golf balls that feature a low spin rate, since their ability to control a ball with a fast spin rate still needs improvement.

You'll also need to pay attention to the dimples. At first, golf balls were smooth, but after a while, players started to notice that damaged balls traveled further. After testing, researchers found out that the damaged balls produced low-pressure areas around the ball, that helped it to travel further. Since then, manufacturers constantly test new dimple patterns and designs, to find out how they impact the airflow around the ball, in order to create better golf balls. Dimple design also affects spin and the ball's trajectory, so it would be smart to look out for the ball with the right dimples for your game level. Beginners usually go for a ball that features shallow dimples, since the deeper the dimples are on a ball, the more drag and spin it will introduce in the game. 

Another feature you need to pay attention to is the balls spin rate. When you hit a golf ball, it flies of spinning. The spin, combined with the dimples, determine the spin rate of the golf ball. Deeper dimples produce a higher spin rate, therefore the golf ball will fly further and higher. For beginners, it is advised that they buy low-spin golf balls. This kind of golf ball provides distance at lower spin rates. Most professionals use high-spin rate balls, but that requires more control and skill, therefore as a beginner, the best golf balls for you would be the low-spin ones. 

Another interesting subject on golf balls is compression. Golf ball compression is a tricky characteristic, that most beginners don't pay attention to. The golf ball compression can range from low, mid, or high compression balls. The compression depends on the golf ball's construction. Most of the time, beginners possess lower swing speeds, therefore they are generally advised to go for a golf ball with a low-compression core since these kind balls provide more distance at low swing speeds. If you'd like to find out more about golf ball construction, we've covered that part in our best golf balls for high handicappers article.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a beginner and a high handicapper?

  • There could be no difference, or it could be completely different. There are players that have played this game for years and yet, their handicap is still considered high. Being a beginner at most times means that you're also a high handicapper, but you can be a high handicapper even if you've played for decades. 

Are golf balls for beginners different from golf balls for high handicappers? 

  • This is kind of difficult to answer since each player possesses different characteristics and techniques. Most of the beginners go for low compression balls that provide straight distances, in order to better their skillset. High handicappers can be high handicappers because of some elements that are missing from their game. Therefore, it's best to find out which parts of your skillset can be improved, and apply that when choosing your golf balls. 

Why is it so important to choose the right golf ball? Will it help me improve? 

  • Choosing the right golf ball for you may affect your game more than you think. Manufacturers have gone through great lengths in order to create different types of golf balls, for different kinds of players. After all, it all depends on you. But, choosing the right golf balls for your skillset, is definitely going to make the game easier for you. Remember, you cannot find the absolute best balls in golf, you can only find the golf balls that suit your needs best. 

Final Thoughts


No one likes to be a beginner at something. But, if you're determined in getting better at this game, you'll need to invest some time in practicing. But keep in mind, it's not all up to you. In order to get better, all the factors that affect your game need to be included. Therefore, choosing the right equipment is a crucial part of the golfing experience. 

In this article, we searched for the best golf balls for beginners, in order to better inform and help you in choosing the right equipment for this game. We are constantly searching for the best balls golf has to offer and we've concluded that as a beginner, you'd be best off with a golf ball that provides great distances at a high forgiveness rate. You'll need a low-compression golf ball that will provide you with straight flights and help you improve your swing speed and accuracy. (3)
Our Top Pick:


Cheap, high-forgiving and low-compression golf balls for beginners.

No products found.


References:
(1) ionomer - https://www.nature.com/articles/218085a0
(2) skillset - https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-skill-set-2062103
(3) forgiveness - https://www.liveabout.com/forgiveness-term-1564149

About the author 

Bobby Hurst

Bobby Hurst Is the founder of golferpros.com. He has been an avid golfer and instructor for over 20 years. He has always been passionate about the sport for as long as he can remember and considers the GolferPros.com site as a passion project where he gets to share his love of golf with other avid golfers. He considers golf to be a sport that exercises both the mind and body; which is why you will constantly find him out on the course at least once a week. On his games, he enjoys trying out new techniques, and equipment. You can find his golfing tips, and reviews on some of the best golfing equipment on the site.