In the second installment of our 2021 Ultimate Golf Ball Buyer’s Guide, we’re focusing on a category of balls popular among all types of players: Premium Value. While not as tipped-out with technology as their Premium counterparts (you can read our reviews of 19 Premium golf ball models here), these balls still pack a powerful performance punch, and at a lower price tag than Tour balls.
Golf balls in this category are designed to balance big distance with Tour-level feel, thanks to innovative covers and cores. These balls won’t let you down, and they won’t hurt your wallet, either. Read our reviews of 11 top Premium Value golf ball models from top manufacturers like Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Srixon, Mizuno, Wilson and Vice below, and if you find the one you like, click the link to purchase them today.
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PREMIUM VALUE GOLF BALL REVIEWS
Callaway ERC Soft
Using a new hybrid cover, high-energy core and high-speed mantle, Callaway calls the ERC Soft its longest golf ball with a soft feel. The ball is made to be high-launching and low-spinning, and it comes with Callaway’s Triple Track visual aid for easy alignment. (Available in white and yellow Triple Track.)
Mizuno RB 566V
Unique microdimples in the center of each dimple allow Mizuno to reduce drag on long shots for optimal spin and flight. A thin mantle layer helps provide a soft feel while a firm cover is made to boost ball speed. (Available in white.)
Srixon Q Star
Q Star balls use two special constructions to heighten all-around performance: 1) The cores have a soft center and firm outer to produce soft feel and ball speed, and 2) The covers of the balls use flexible molecular bonds to help wedge grooves dig into the surface, providing greater spin. (Available in white and yellow.)
Srixon Q Star Tour
Srixon’s proprietary SeRM coating found on the urethane cover increases friction for added control and spin. A new eye-catching “Divide” version features a matte urethane cover with one yellow half and one red half for visibility and alignment purposes. (Available in white, yellow and Divide split colors.)
TaylorMade Tour Response
As the name suggests, this ball blends Tour qualities (cast urethane cover) with an ultra-low compression core (40) for an impressive level of feel and greenside spin. The inclusion of a firmer layer sandwiched between the core and cover adds some oomph. (Available in white and yellow.)
Titleist Tour Speed
This three-piece ball features a new thermoplastic urethane cover and 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design that produces a penetrating, consistent ballflight with efficient greenside spin. An ionomer casing layer, situated just underneath the cover and around the core, is built to generate fast ball speeds without generating unwanted spin. (Available in white and yellow.)
Titleist Tour Speed
Wilson Duo Professional
With a compression of 60, the Duo Professional doesn’t have any problem delivering a soft feel with Tour-level spin. The urethane cover increases spin by as much as 6 percent on approach shots, while the ionomer mantle layer encasing the large core delivers an effective energy transfer when the club meets the ball. (Available in white, yellow, orange and green.)
Wilson Staff DUO Professional
Vice Pro
On the moderate to high side of the swing speed spectrum (95 to 110 mph), the three-piece Vice Pro features a heavier core and mantle to generate more speed. An extra-thin cast urethane cover and lower overall compression (90) elicits a buttery feel with every club in the bag. (Available in white, red and lime.)
Vice Pro Plus
With low launch and low spin characteristics, the four-piece Vice Pro Plus is geared for golfers with at least 110 mph of driver swing speed. A resilient cast urethane cover ensures that you won’t have trouble generating green sidespin. Distance isn’t an issue here thanks to a thinner inner mantle and thicker outer mantle that work in tandem to, put simply, make the ball go farther. (Available in white, red and lime.)
Vice Tour
This three-piece model offers an abundance of technology in the form of a durable DuPont surlyn cover and 392 aerodynamic dimple design that helps the ball cut through the wind. An improved KIL-putting line offers sharper edges for optimal alignment on the green. (Available in white.)
Vice Pro Soft
Designed for golfers with moderate to slow driver swing speeds (below 95 mph), the three-piece Pro Soft combines distance, feel and spin in one package. With a multitude of glossy color options, it’s possible to find something that matches your personality on the course. (Available in white, red and lime.)
