2020 Golf Ball Guide: 31 hot new ball models reviewed to save you time and money
Life is made up of an infinite amount of choices. That includes picking a golf ball for your game. Thankfully, GOLF’s comprehensive ball guide is here to ensure this isn’t a nerve-racking experience.
In all, we reviewed 31 golf ball models from all the major golf ball manufacturers in the game, and created short write-ups detailing the most important aspects of each model.
The ultimate 3-step plan to choosing the right golf ball for your game
Peruse the four ball categories (Premium, Premium Value, Soft Spin Value and Distance Value) to get a sense of what’s new and might fit your game.
Once you have a few worthy options, you can buy them with the click of a button below, and then take them to the practice range and course for a thorough testing session. Here’s to lower scores in your future.
PREMIUM GOLF BALLS
All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
All of Bridgestone’s 2020 Tour B balls use a new REACTIV urethane cover built to boost ball speed on longer shots and increase spin on shorter ones. The Tour B X, made for swing speeds over 105 mph, is the firmest ball in the lineup and used by numerous Tour players, including Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Kuchar and Lexi Thompson. (Available in two colors.)
The Bridgestone Tour B XS is better known as “the ball that Tiger plays.” Compared to the Tour B X, the XS model is slightly softer and provides greater greenside spin, but it’s still made for speeds over 105 mph. Due to the REACTIV cover, the XS provides both distance on long shots and more spin on short shots compared to its predecessor. (Available in two colors.)
The Bridgestone Tour B RX (and RXS, below) features all the same technologies as the Tour B X and XS models, including three-piece construction and the new REACTIV cover. The difference is that the RX and RXS are built for speeds under 105 mph. The Tour B RX ball is designed to be firmer than the RXS for greater distance on long shots. (Available in two colors.)
The Tour B RXS is the softest ball in the revamped Bridgestone lineup, and it’s designed for golfers with swing speeds under 105 mph who also want maximum spin and control around the greens. With the new REACTIV urethane cover, the RXS is designed to be longer off the tee yet produce even more spin than its predecessor. Just ask Fred Couples. (Available in two colors.)
The Chrome Soft story starts with the Dual SoftFast core: a large inner core for high launch and lower spin on long shots, and a thinner, firmer outer core for durability and greater spin on short shots. The urethane cover provides greater distance. Compared to the X model, this Chrome Soft offers a softer feel and more forgiveness.
For the golfer who has a bit more speed, Chrome Soft X provides more distance, a slightly firmer feel and greater workability. It’s no wonder this is a popular option for Callaway staffers. Along with the standard version, the Chrome Soft X is available with or without Callaway’s innovative cover designs, including Triple Track and Truvis.
A Tour favorite, the sixth-generation Z-Star is a three-piece ball with a SpinSkin cover with SeRM (Slide Ring Material) to increase greenside spin and control. It also has what the company calls a FastLayer core that’s soft in the center and gradually becomes firmer in the outer regions; the core is made to increase both distance and feel.
The TP5 family is used by some of the strongest drivers around (Rory, Rahm, D.J.). You can bet it’s a tech marvel, with a core made of three elements that work in unison to reduce drag and increase carry. The urethane cover features a rigid inner layer, allowing wedge grooves to grip the ball for spin and control, but make no mistake: The TP5 is engineered to boost ball speed. (Available in two colors.)
The TP5x offers a slightly higher compression leading to a firmer feel and additional carry distance. If you have enough swing speed, the TP5x delivers a towering launch angle for approach shots that drop and stop on a dime. Both the TP5 and TP5x are available with or without the Rickie Fowler–designed Pix pattern, updated in 2020 to create a ClearPath Alignment. (Available in two colors.)
A larger, reformulated low-compression core is the engine that makes things go for the Titleist AVX. Working in conjunction with a redesigned high-flex casing layer positioned between the cover and core, golfers will notice an uptick in ball speed and low long-game spin. The urethane cover was also thinned out to deliver improved spin and control around the green. (Available in two colors.)
The most played ball on Tour is packed with tech, including a thinner urethane cover for short-game control. Under the cover, a thicker casing layer and reformulated core ramp up the speed and feel while lowering long-game spin. The Pro V1 offers a medium trajectory and spin, while the Pro V1x produces a higher launch and spin rate. (Available in two colors.)
Once reserved for Titleist Tour staffers, the Left Dash version of Pro V1x features a subtle recipe tweak that some elite golfers should be able to appreciate. Instead of offering the same high launch and moderately high spin characteristics found in the retail version, the Left Dash generates a similar launch angle with slightly less spin. (Available in white only.)
Built for the elite player, this premium four-piece ball is highlighted by a thin urethane cover that assists in producing more distance off the tee while still maintaining soft feel, control and spin with the scoring clubs. A larger, firmer CIS polybutadiene rubber core and two mantle layers deliver an impressive combination of overall feel and speed. (Available in white only.)
PREMIUM VALUE GOLF BALLS
This model provides golfers with both distance off the tee and spin around the greens. A graphene-infused Dual SoftFast core maxes out energy transfer on long shots, and it has a multi-material hybrid cover for faster ball speeds on full swings and high spin on short shots. ERC Soft comes standard with Callaway’s innovative Triple Track alignment system (Available in two colors.)
As you can see in the photo, Mizuno’s new RB 566V balls have dimples inside of dimples. This D-dimple pattern features specially designed microdimples that help optimize spin and reduce drag while in flight. The 566V has a three-piece construction with a double ionomer cover, and provides a firmer feel and more distance than the 566 model (Available in white only.)
Srixon’s Q-Star ball is now in its fifth generation. The newest design has a two-piece construction with an ionomer cover that features SeRM (Slide Ring Material) to make it feel softer and provide more spin. The Q-Star also has a FastLayer core designed for both distance and a softer feel. This ball is made for all-around performance, feel and value. (Available in two colors.)
Like Srixon’s Q-Star, the new Q-Star Tour has SeRM in its cover and a FastLayer core, but compared to the Q-Star, the Tour is a more premium option. The third-generation ball has a three-piece construction and urethane cover to provide Tour-level performance off all clubs but with a softer feel. The bold side stamp is a nice touch for alignment. (Available in two colors.)
TaylorMade Tour Response
With three-piece construction and a urethane cover, TaylorMade’s Tour Response is designed for Tour-level distance and spin, but with a softer feel. It also features a Speed mantle designed for greater energy transfer and a Hi-Spring core for better feel. The Tour Response is the more premium option compared to the Soft Response (Available in two colors.)
Tour Soft already boasted the largest core in Titleist’s lineup before the new version came along. The updated ball features an even larger core to deliver more ball speed. A thin, high-performance cover was also added to enhance short-game spin. And for those golfers who line up their ball, the “T” side stamp doubles as an alignment aid. (Available in two colors.)
More than 1 million online fittings led to the changes found in Vice’s three-piece Pro ball. Built for the performance-oriented, distance-focused golfer, the core and mantle increased in weight to help generate more speed. The cover was also thinned out to facilitate the internal changes. Overall compression was decreased from 95 to 90 to give the ball a softer feel. (Available in three colors.)
Vice’s four-piece ball features a larger, firmer core for a more efficient energy transfer at the point of impact. A thinner inner mantle and thicker outer mantle combine to produce enhanced distance off the tee with optimal feel and greenside spin. With a more durable urethane cover rounding out the offering, you don’t have to worry about scuffs or scrapes. (Available in three colors.)
For golfers with medium to slow swing speeds (less than 95 mph) who don’t want to sacrifice distance, feel and spin, the three-piece Pro Soft is a worthy option. A 318 dimple pattern offers better flight stability and more speed, and works in conjunction with a larger core and mantle. A glossy finish can now be found on the cover instead of the matte look. (Available in three colors.)
Wilson Staff Duo Professional
A Tour-caliber, cast urethane cover and low-compression core (60) combine to provide the best of both worlds in the distance and spin department for this three-piece model. The large core and mid-hardness ionomer mantle generate an efficient energy transfer for more distance; the cover adds an additional 6 percent more spin on approach shots. (Available in four colors.)
SOFT SPIN VALUE GOLF BALLS
The Supersoft is a two-piece ball made with a low-compression core and HEX aerodynamics to promote low spin on long shots. As the name implies, it’s also made to have a soft feel, regardless of the club you’re swinging. The Supersoft family of balls includes a number of different cover designs, including white, yellow, and a range of matte colorways. (Available in five colors.)
For moderate swing speed golfers who want distance but don’t want to skimp on feel, Soft Feel checks every box. A low-compression core is softer in the middle for control around the green but gets progressively firmer on the outside to assist with ball speed. The thin but durable cover is equipped with a 338 dimple pattern for reduced drag. (Available in five colors.)
TaylorMade Soft Response
TaylorMade’s Soft Response has a softer feel than the Tour Response offering. An ionomer cover with an Extended Flight dimple pattern delivers greater distance, while a Speedmantle and Zn0 Flex core deliver a combo of speed and feel. This ball is designed for golfers with slower speeds who want a soft feel at a value price. (Available in three colors.)
Boasting arguably the lowest compression (35) in the marketplace, the two-piece ball is designed around the company’s new Velociticor technology that uses advanced materials to squeeze every ounce of distance out of tee shots. Thanks to the softer compression core, the ball still maintains a buttery feel on the all-important touch shots. (Available only in white.)
DISTANCE VALUE GOLF BALLS
Built with a soft compression, the RB 566 is a two-piece ball designed for golfers with slower swing speeds. Like the RB 566V, the 566 uses microdimples to reduce drag in the air and has an ionomer cover designed to increase spin around the green. Of the two offerings, the RB 566 is considered the value ball while the 566V is the premium option. (Available only in white.)
Available in four high-optic, matte-color options, Velocity stands out from the crowd on the course. A large LSX core combines impressive distance off the tee with improved iron stopability, while a new spherically tiled 350 octahedral dimple pattern allows the ball to cut through the air. The Fast NaZ+ cover delivers playable greenside feel. (Available in four colors.)
The two-piece ball underwent major changes for 2020, beginning with the addition of a larger 312 dimple pattern that helps reduce air resistance for a more stable flight. Core compression was lowered (55 to 25) to enhance feel, but thanks to the large core, distance wasn’t sacrificed. A new side stamp with squared-off edges assists with alignment. (Available only in white.)
Not everyone can pick out a white golf ball in the air. For the golfer who needs something easy to follow and spot, Wilson created Duo Optix—a high visibility ball that comes in four semitranslucent matte colors. The resilient polybutadiene core was decreased in size in an effort to improve distance off the tee and feel on all full-swing shots. (Available in four colors.)
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