Best value golf balls for birdies on a budget

Q: What’s the difference between cheap and expensive golf balls?

Cheap golf balls usually provide greater distance with less greenside feel than the premium golf balls. The key to remember is that if you're a novice and your greenside contact isn’t pure, you won’t reap the benefits from a premium ball yet anyway. Start with the cheap ball, gain some distance and some confidence, and progress your game to a level where more premium balls might be right for you.

By: Vincent Manginelli

October 3, 2023

Your golf ball selection doesn't have to break your bank.

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Golf can get expensive, especially if you don’t budget your game accessories. Untrue to popular belief, golf isn’t only for frivolous spenders— there’s plenty of value options for budget golfers.

One important aspect to note is that it’s important to play a ball fresh from the sleeve or at least a relatively unused golf ball as often as possible. The good news? You don’t have to overspend to get quality golf balls. We’ve curated a list of the best value golf balls on the market. They’ll offer distance, feel, and durability, helping to improve your progress as a golfer without breaking the bank.

How to pick the right value golf balls for you

These balls don’t sacrifice quality for a lower price. This is a list of the lowest priced golf balls on the market that you can put trust to use in your game.

Many of the balls highlighted here promote greater distance. If you’re looking for a golf ball at a lower price point, these offerings can deliver some extra yards.

Playability and feel are important because as you improve your game from novice to mid handicapper to competitor, feel will supersede all other attributes. You’ll benefit from increased distance and feel around the greens, which is always a winning combination.

Callaway Warbird Golf Balls

Callaway

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Highlights

2-piece construction and high-energy core
HEX Aerodynamics dimple pattern for a longer ball flight with high launch
Ionomer cover and large offer sufficient greenside feel and control

The Callaway Warbird is constructed of a two-piece design that includes an ionomer cover for exceptional speed off the tee. The Warbird’s patented HEX Aerodynamics dimple pattern gives you a higher launch and greater distance by reducing drag in flight. The large high-energy core also increases ball speed at impact.

The Callaway Warbird is a mainstay in the Callaway Golf line of balls and is a fine option when looking for a value ball that also provides durability.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: High-energy polybutadiene and tungsten | Shell material: Ionomer | Colors: 2

Wilson Tour Velocity Distance Golf Balls

Wilson

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Highlights

Great distance off the tee or out of the fairway
Optimal ball flight increases distance in the air and via roll upon impact
Durable cover

The Wilson Tour Velocity Distance Golf Balls provide super distance on tee shots and workable length on iron shots out of the fairway. The ball flight is such that it increases time in the air and length of roll upon impact. The durable Surlyn cover adds to the greater distance you’ll get from this two-piece golf ball. Its durability will enable you to play more than one or two rounds with it. You just have to keep it in play.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: High-energy, mid-compression | Shell material: Surlyn | Colors: 1

TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls

TaylorMade

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Highlights

Marketed as the “softest ball” in the TaylorMade line
Soft feel means enhanced greenside control
Better than average ball speed and resulting distance

The three-layer TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls have a SpeedMantle layer that drive energy from the swing through impact, giving the golfer greater distance off the tee and better than average feel and control on approach shots and greenside chips and pitches.

The Extended Flight Dimple Pattern reduces drag and results in a higher ball flight and greater distance. It’s marketed as TaylorMade’s softest ball throughout its construction, which enhances feel and still offers the super distance that most golfers desire.

Construction: 3-piece | Core: Soft, low compression | Shell material: Soft ionomer | Colors: 2

Srixon Soft Feel

Srixon

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Highlights

Soft ball provides greenside feel and playability
FastLayer Core enhances feel at impact for increased distance
338 Speed Dimple design pattern

Titleist Velocity

Titelist

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Highlights

Higher trajectory adds carry distance
Low spin on full swing
Decent greenside spin and feel

The two-piece Titleist Velocity golf ball has a fast NAZ+ Surlyn cover and LSX core that create a lively response off the clubface, producing a low spin and higher ball flight for greater carry and distance.

The 350 octahedral dimple design is spherically tiled and offers adequate greenside control and feel on approach shots and short game strokes. Don’t be fooled by the low price tag, as this ball has a lot to offer to an array of different skill levels. Distance and feel is the perfect combination to better anyone’s golf game.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: LSX | Shell material: NAZ+ Surlyn | Colors: 4

Pinnacle Soft

Pinnacle

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Highlights

Great price for a 15-pack equates to good value
Low spin on full swing shots translates to greater distance
Soft feel for an afoordable golf ball

Pinnacle has long been the leader in 15-ball packs and more, promoting the game at a very affordable price for the consumer. The Pinnacle Soft golf ball delivers longer distance off the tee and softer greenside feel.

The high-energy, low-compression core delivers low spin for greater length off the tee and a softer feel around the greens. The ball’s soft cover and 332 icosahedral dimple design also provide softness that most golfers seek and don’t always get from a value golf ball.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: High energy, low compression | Shell material: Ionomer | Colors: 2

TaylorMade Kalea

TaylorMade

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Highlights

Promotes greater lift on full swing shots
Provides longer distance
Maintains a soft feel

The TaylorMade Kalea golf balls are built for distance. Their high-energy REACT core delivers maximum distance off the tee. The Kalea golf ball is designed to retain energy and works with the two-layer construction to provide optimal driver launch at moderate swing speeds. The aerodynamic 342 dimple pattern promotes greater lift to add distance to your full swing shots.

Kalea balls provide soft feel and greenside spin through their ionomer cover and extra-large core that generates a soft 60 compression. You’ll see it in the responsive short game performance, while the UV-resistant matte finish on the peach and purple models helps you see the ball better and provides a unique look to a quality, yet affordably priced golf ball.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: High-energy REACT | Shell material: Soft ionomer | Colors: 3

Accufli Max Soft

Accufli

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Highlights

Aerodynamic dimple design means less in-flight drag for greater distance
Distance is optimized with high ball speeds and low spin on full swing shots
Explosive off the tee due to its ultra-low compression, higher energy core

The Accufli Max Soft golf balls give golfers greater distance on full swing golf shots and adequate greenside spin and feel. There are several color options available, which makes it fun for beginners and juniors.

The combination of the ultra-low compression, higher energy core, durable ionomer cover, and low-drag aerodynamic dimple design makes the Accufli Max Soft golf ball jump off the clubface at impact with maximum velocity for greater distance with an optimal trajectory and greenside playability.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: Ultra-low compression energy | Shell material: DuPont ionomer with velvet soft-feel urethane coating | Colors: 6

Vice Drive

Vice

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Highlights

Low compression core means more control and soft feel
312 large dimple pattern delivers added length off the tee and to full swing iron shots
Durable Surlyn cover allows you to use the ball for multiple rounds

The durability of the Vice Drive golf ball means greater distance and more rounds played. The effective combination of low compression, a 312 large dimple pattern, and Soft Energy Speed Core adds distance off the tee and provides greenside playability when you need to chip it close.

The low compression core provides good feel and control at impact and greater distance overall. The Vice Drive can be played by the greater majority of golfers, leaving the small percentage of very competitive golfers to the premium balls. The soft feel is not always found in an inexpensive golf ball, so it’s worth your time to try a Vice Drive golf ball the next time you have a chance.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: Soft Energy Speed Core (ESC) | Shell material: Dupont Surlyn | Colors: 1

Choose which value golf balls to compare

Use the dropdown boxes to choose 3 value golf ball options at a time to compare.

Best For

Best budget

Price

$19.99

Highlights

2-piece construction and high-energy core
HEX Aerodynamics dimple pattern for a longer ball flight with high launch
Ionomer cover and large offer sufficient greenside feel and control