10 Best Golf Balls 2024 in the US

In 1848, Reverend Robert Paterson invented the gutta-percha golf ball—from a type of rubbery sap that could be molded into a round shape. Ever since then, there has been an entire science to the making of golf balls. A lot of research has been invested in constructing golf balls: the number of layers, the materials, and the dimples on the surface. Whether you play golf for recreational purposes, or you are a serious tournament player, you will see a huge range of golf balls from which to choose. What balls you choose will depend on your level of play and how much you're willing to spend. Here is a guide to some of the best golf balls on the market.

Golf balls can be divided according to their purpose:

• Recreational Balls: These are golf balls designated for amateur golf players, who want a less expensive ball and don't require all the design that goes into professional balls.

  • One-piece ball: Beginners, who are just starting playing golf, will typically use a ball made from one piece. It is typically made from a specialty plastic called Surlyn. It doesn't go very far, because it's softer and compresses upon being hit. But it is inexpensive, so if the ball gets lost (as happens often to beginners), it's not a big deal to replace it.

  • Two-piece golf ball: This is the most commonly used. It has a solid, hard plastic core, with a dimpled cover. It gives the lift and distance that recreational players want. It is durable and not too expensive.

• Advanced balls: These are typically made from three or more layers. They have a solid rubber or liquid core, covered by a layer of rubber, and then the hard dimpled white cover. The more layers will put more spin on the ball. It is possible to get balls made from 3, 4 or even 5 layers.

• Practice Balls: These are cheaper and more durable golf balls, with a harder core and more durable surface. They are intended to practice the long, initial stroke (“the drive”), but not for an entire round of golf. Practice balls can go for as little as 96 balls for $12 (as opposed to professional balls, which can be 12 balls for $38).

• Recycled Balls: These are golf balls that are lost by golf players and found by the grounds crew (in a sandtrap or in a lake) using golf ball retrievers. They can be refurbished and sold again.

• Markouts/X-Outs: These are balls that were made for professional use, but were found to be defective and have been rejected by the manufacturer. Sometimes the defect is only cosmetic. They are still good for use in recreational play (they just don't meet the professional standard).

• Colored Balls: Golf balls are typically white, but you can also get them in fluorescent yellow or orange color, so that they show up better on a green surface.

• Ball control: Even if you are an amateur, but you don't lose balls often, you could consider the expensive, professional balls. Many consumers who bought Titleist professional balls felt that getting a better golf score far outweighed the risk of losing balls on the golf course.

• Dimples on the ball: Shortly after Reverend Paterson developed the rubber-type golf ball, he also noticed that a scratched surface on the ball would make it travel further. From this came the idea of adding the famous dimples to the golf ball. The rubbery core of the golf ball can be compared to the engine of an airplane, and the dimples on the ball can be compared to the wings. The dimples give the ball the lift, and help it travel further.

• Spin of the ball: The dimples are intended to move the air around the ball so that it has more lift. A technique to use this feature is by giving the ball backspin—by “slicing” the shot, hitting the ball on its underside.

• Compression: A harder ball typically means that ball will go further. If a ball is soft, some of the energy of the stroke will go into compression, deforming the ball. The harder the ball, the more energy goes into propelling the ball forward. But if you are putting, and you want the ball to go only a short distance, you can change to a softer ball.

Wilson—is a major American sporting goods company based in Chicago, Illinois. The company is named after Thomas E. Wilson, who became president of the company in 1915. They started by manufacturing athletic uniforms and golf balls, but gradually expanded into sporting equipment for all major sports.

Titleist—is a golf equipment company based in New Bedford and Fairhaven, Massachusetts. They were founded in 1935 by Phil Young and Fred Bommer. They marketed their golf balls to professional players for their tournaments, which induced amateurs to buy Titleist equipment as well.

Bridgestone—is a multinational auto and truck parts company, founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi of Kurume, Japan. Bridgestone also has a golf equipment division, which originated in 1935. They sell golf clubs, balls, and accessories. The golf division is located in Covington, Georgia.

Srixon-- is a golf equipment brand owned by Dunlop Sports Company. They in turn are a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (Srixon is an acronym made from the letters of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, "X" meaning unlimited, and "ON" meaning going onwards). They have the largest number of golf ball patents, and also manufacture other golf equipment.