Ultimate Golf Ball Guide: 35 new golf ball models to improve your game in 2019

For ClubTest 2019, we rated and reviewed dozens and dozens of golf clubs to help you decide which ones are right for your game. But arguably the most important golf equipment item was left out: golf balls.

In our golf ball guide for 2019, you’ll find everything you need to know about 35 golf ball models from eight top manufacturers. Each model fits into one of six category types: Tour X, Tour, Tour Value, Straight Distance, Pure Distance and Soft Distance. You can learn more about what those categories mean in the diagram below.

The time has come, find the perfect golf ball below.

TITLEIST GOLF BALLS

Pro V1x

Price: $48/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Players who want Tour-caliber performance with high trajectory and spin throughout the bag and precise short-game control. The Pro V1x is the firmest feeling and highest flying and spinning of Titleist’s Tour models.
Tech highlights: 17 percent thinner cover for improved short-game control; larger casing layer for more speed and distance; new faster core for more speed and soft feel and low long-game spin. Available in white and yellow.

DT TruSoft

Price: $22/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Players who desire an extremely soft feel, low-spin flight and max distance with enhanced short-game control.
Tech highlights: TruTouch core for lower spin, longer distance; TruFlex cover for very soft feel on short shots and increased short-game spin and control; advanced aerodynamics for more distance and a piercing ball flight. Available in white and yellow.

AVX

Price: $48/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Players who want Tour-caliber performance with penetrating trajectory and lower spin with precise short-game control. AVX is the softest-feeling ball with the lowest spin and trajectory of Titleist’s Tour models.
Tech highlights: High-speed, low-compression core for soft feel and enhanced distance; proprietary GRN41 cast thermoset urethane cover for very soft feel and outstanding green-side control; high-flex casing layer for extra speed and distance; unique spherically tiled 352 aerodynamic dimple design for in-flight stability and consistency. Available in white and yellow.

Tour Soft

Price: $35/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Players who prefer a softer feel, high ball speed and distance, and enhanced short-game control.
Tech highlights: Features the largest Titleist core ever—expect faster speeds, more distance and a responsive feel; extremely thin 4CE grafted cover for extra feel and better short-game performance; spherically tiled 342 dimple design delivers a penetrating trajectory and consistent flight. Available in white and yellow.

Velocity

Price: $27/dozen
Type: Straight Distance
Made for: Players who want a high ball flight and maximum distance off all clubs with added short-game playability.
Tech highlights: A softer, high-speed LSX core produces a faster initial velocity and added distance on all full-swing shots, in addition to enhancing feel; a NAZ+ cover also ensures faster ball speeds and more distance, but with low long-game spin; spherically tiled 328 dimple design creates a high-trajectory flight and longer carry distances. Available in white, visi-white, orange and pink.

Pro V1

Price: $48/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Players who want Tour-caliber performance and distance with medium trajectory and spin throughout the bag and precise short-game control. For Titleist aficionados, the Pro V1 falls between the Pro V1x and AVX in terms of feel, spin and trajectory.
Tech highlights: A 17 percent thinner cover than the previous model for improved short-game control; larger casing layer for more speed and distance; new faster core for more speed and soft feel and very low long-game spin. Available in white and yellow.

CALLAWAY GOLF BALLS

Chrome Soft X

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Players who crave a piercing launch and Tour distance with exacting greenside control and soft short-game feel.
Tech highlights: Dual fast core infused with Graphene for more ball speed and distance as well as a boost in control off mid- and short irons; Ultra-soft urethane cover for enhanced feel and spin around the green; Soft compression for feel and forgiveness. Available in white, yellow, Truvis and Triple Track.

Superhot

Price: $30/dozen
Type: Straight Distance
Made for: Players who want maximum distance with more carry and enhanced greenside spin.
Tech highlights: Aerodynamics designed for low drag and optimal lift off all clubs; three-piece construction and soft cover for improved short-game control and spin. Available in standard white and in bold, matte colors for enhanced visibility: green, red, yellow and orange.

Warbird

Price: $18/dozen
Type: Pure Distance
Made for: Golfers who want to hit the longest, highest-flying shots possible.
Tech highlights: Aerodynamic design for high trajectory; extra-large high-energy core for more potential distance for all swing speeds and reduced drag for more carry; thin ionomer cover improves feel. Available in white and yellow.

Chrome Soft

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Players who prefer a multilayer, urethane-covered ball that delivers a low-spin launch with added forgiveness on mis-hits, in addition to premium greenside control.
Tech highlights: Graphene-infused Dual Fast core for more ball speed, distance and control off mid- and short irons; ultra-soft urethane cover for enhanced feel and spin around the greens; soft compression for feel and forgiveness. Available in white, yellow and four Truvis options.

Supersoft

Price: $23/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Players who need low spin and max distance with a soft feel and straighter flight, to say nothing about added forgiveness on mis-hits.
Tech highlights: Advanced core for low spin and longer, straighter shots; new HEX Aerodynamics for lower spin, less drag and a higher, longer flight; softer cover formulation and low compression for enhanced feel and extra short-game spin. Available in white, yellow and four matte options (green, orange, red and pink).

ERC Soft

Price: $40/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Players who want maximum distance with a very soft feel and enhanced greenside control. Bonus: improved alignment with Callaway’s inventive Triple Track cover graphic.
Tech highlights: Multimaterial hybrid cover for more speed; extremely soft feel and higher spin rates around the green; Callaway’s largest Dual SoftFast Core for maximum energy transfer at impact (resulting in higher launch and longer distance); Triple Track alignment aid for improved aim and alignment on all shots. Available in white and yellow.

Strata Eagle

Price: $15/dozen
Type: Pure Distance
Made for: Value-minded golfers looking for high shots that fly the maximum distance.
Tech highlights: Two-piece design with durable ionomer-blend cover for high trajectory, max distance shots.

SRIXON GOLF BALLS

Q-Star Tour

Price: $29/dozen
Type: Tour Value
Made for: Moderate-swing-speed players looking for Tour-like performance with a softer compression at a lower price.
Tech highlights: Energetic gradient growth core for lower spin, faster speed and more distance for moderate swingers; Spin Skin outer coating for improved spin and control on shorter shots; 338 Speed Dimple Pattern for less drag and more stability in windy conditions. Available in white and yellow.

Soft Feel

Price: $20/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Moderate swing-speed players looking for longer, straighter shots and a very soft feel.
Tech highlights: Lower-compression Energetic Gradient Growth core (softer on the inside, firmer on the outside) for a softer feel, straighter shots and more distance; 338 dimple pattern for less drag, more distance, and better in-flight stability; Thin but durable soft cover for enhanced greenside control. Available in white
and yellow.

Z-Star

Price: $40/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Golfers who like a multi-layered, soft-feeling urethane-covered golf ball that delivers a low-spin launch and exceptional performance in windy conditions.
Tech highlights: FastLayer gradational core (soft in the center, firmer toward the outside) for soft feel and increased ball speed and distance; fourth-generation Spin Skin with SeRM outer coating for more spin and control on short shots; 338 speed dimple pattern for more stable flight in various conditions. Available in white and yellow.

Z-Star XV

Price: $40/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Faster swingers who want a multilayer, soft-feeling urethane-covered golf ball that delivers a low-spin
launch and exceptional performance in windy conditions.
Tech highlights: FastLayer grad-ational core (soft in center, firmer toward the outside) for soft feel and increased ball speed and distance; fourth-generation Spin Skin with SeRM outer coating for more spin and control on short shots; 338 speed dimple pattern for more stable flight in various conditions. Available in white and yellow.

Q-Star

Price: $25/dozen
Type: Straight Distance
Made for: Moderate-swing-speed players looking for longer, straighter shots and a soft feel.
Tech highlights: Lower-compression Energetic Gradient Growth core (softer on the inside, firmer on the outside) for a softer feel, straighter shots and more distance; 338 dimple pattern for less drag, more distance, and better in-flight stability; Spin Skin outer coating for consistent spin rates. Available in white and yellow.

TAYLORMADE GOLF BALLS

TP5

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Players who want Tour-caliber performance, a lower launch off the tee and more wedge spin—i.e., the stuff you need to win on the PGA Tour.
Tech highlights: Four-part Speed-Layer construction for faster ball speed; Tri-Fast Core for maximum carry; Dual-Spin Cover made of ultra-soft, highly durable urethane; High-Flex Material for a greater rebound effect. Available in white and with TaylorMade’s new Pix graphics, designed to enhance visibility when light is low or high and to help quantify spin on short-game shots and putts.

TP5x

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Players who want Tour-caliber performance and a higher, more piercing launch off the tee (while still retaining plenty of spin around the greens).
Tech highlights: Four-part Speed-Layer construction for faster speeds; Tri-Fast Core for max carry; Dual-Spin Cover made of ultra-soft and durable urethane; High-Flex Material for greater rebound effect.

Project (a)

Price: $35/dozen
Type: Tour Value
Made for: Players who want to reap the benefits of a high-performance Tour ball (distance, short-game spin, enhanced feel) with a urethane cover without paying a premium for it.
Tech highlights: Dual-Distance core that’s softer at its center for less spin off the tee and enhanced feel; a stiffer outer core for increased rebound and velocity on shorter shots; 322 LDP dimple pattern (same as the Tour-tested and Tour-proven TP5 and TP5x balls). Available in white or yellow.

Project (s)

Price: $35/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Golfers who want maximum distance, low driver spin (whether to optimize launch or rein in wayward shots) and a very soft feel.
Tech highlights: Dual-Distance core that’s softer in the middle for less spin off the tee and enhanced feel; a stiffer outer core for increased rebound and velocity on shorter shots; 342 LDP dimple pattern for less drag and greater distance; ionomer cover for enhanced durability and added greenside control. Available in white, matte red, matte yellow and matte orange.

BRIDGESTONE GOLF BALLS

Tour B X

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Golfers with swing speeds over 105 mph who desire a Tour-validated ball that yields a low-spin launch off the tee yet offers plenty of shotmaking playability.
Tech highlights: SlipRes cover for more friction at impact; Gradational Compression core for enhanced driver ball speed and lessened sidespin; Dual Dimple design for more distance and control; Seamless Cover Technology for added performance and aerodynamics.

Tour B XS

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Fast swingers who want it all—plus a softer feel and more spin (see Tiger Woods).
Tech highlights: SlipRes cover for more friction at impact; Gradational Compression core for enhanced driver ball speed; Dual Dimple design for improved control; Seamless Cover Technology for consistency. Available in white and yellow.

E12 Soft

Price: $30/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Golfers with swing speeds lower than 105 mph who want added distance with a
soft feel and straighter shots.
Tech highlights: Delta Wing Dimple pattern for less drag and smoother airflow; Active Acceleration Mantle with a High Performance Polymer for faster ball speed. Available in white, matte green, matte yellow and matte red.

E12 Speed

Price: $30/dozen
Type: Straight Distance
Made for: Golfers with swing speeds greater than 105 mph who want maximum distance with lessened sidespin.
Tech highlights: Delta Wing Dimple pattern for less drag and smoother airflow; Active Acceleration Mantle with a High Performance Polymer for a faster ball speed; durable Surlyn® cover for consistency.

Tour B RX

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour X
Made for: Players with less than Tour-level swing speeds who want Tour-caliber distance and performance.
Tech highlights: Lower compression (66); Gradational Compression core for faster ball speed and less sidespin; SlipRes cover for more friction at impact; 338 Dual Dimple design and Seamless Cover Technology for better balance and aerodynamics.

Tour B RXS

Price: $45/dozen
Type: Tour
Made for: Players with less than Tour-level swing speeds who want maximum distance with a soft feel and added greenside spin for that elevated short-game touch.
Tech highlights: Lower compression (64); Gradational Compression core for faster ball speed and less sidespin; SlipRes cover for more friction at impact; 338 Dual Dimple design and Seamless Cover Technology for better balance and aerodynamics.

PINNACLE GOLF BALLS

Rush

Price: $25/15-pack
Type: Pure Distance
Made for: Value-minded players seeking maximum distance with a soft cover and feel.
Tech highlights: 332 icosahedral dimple design for more distance; soft compression, high-energy core for
faster ball speed. Available in white or yellow.

Soft

Price: $25/15-pack
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Value-minded players who are looking for maximum distance, a higher launch and reduced spin.
Tech highlights: 332 icosahedral dimple design for more distance; softer compression (softer than the Pinnacle Rush); high-energy core for a faster ball speed and a lower spin on longer shots. Available in white and pink.

WILSON GOLF BALLS

Duo Professional

Price: $35/dozen
Type: Tour Value
Made for: Players who want a very soft ball (that also has a urethane cover) for added distance off the tee and plenty of greenside spin.
Tech highlights: 60 compression; Urethane cover for added spin with irons and wedges. Available in white and matte (yellow, orange and green).

Duo Soft

Price: $33/dozen
Type: Soft Distance
Made for: Golfers who want the softest ball around that also yields a high launch and big distance for moderate to slow swing speeds.
Tech highlights: Extremely low 29 compression rating; 302 dimple pattern; Ionomer cover material for added durability. Also comes in a DUO Soft OPTIX model; identical in specs, but with seven, high-visibility matte color options to choose from.

VICE GOLF BALLS

Tour

Price: $16/dozen
Type: Tour Value

Made for: Players looking for solid, all-around performance on full-swing shots and those taken around the green. Value-priced for that extra incentive.
Tech highlights: High Energy Speed Core for an extra-soft feel and added distance; Dupont™ Surlyn® mantle for reduced spin off the tee; Dupont™ Surlyn® cover for extra control; “Keep In Line” (KIL)alignment mark.

Pro

Price: $25/dozen
Type: Tour Value

Made for: Value-seekers with medium-to-high swing speeds who want wind performance in a soft-feeling, urethane-covered ball.
Tech highlights: Similar construction as Tour, but with a 318 dimples and a urethane cover for added feel around the greens. Available in white, neon lime and neon red, each with KIL line.

Pro Soft

Price: $25/dozen
Type: Tour Value

Made for: Bargain hunters with average swing speeds who want all-around performance in a soft-feeling ball.
Tech highlights: High Energy Speed Core for an extra-soft feel and added distance; Dupont™ Surlyn® mantle for reduced spin off the tee; Matte-finish urethane cover (the first of its kind) for a unique anti-glare effect and added short-game performance. Available in white, neon lime and neon red, each with KIL line.

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