Best soft-feel golf balls for premium performance off the tee and on the green

By: Adam Zammiello

October 11, 2023

These balls fly higher, straighter and farther — even if your swing isn’t the fastest.

Getty Images

When we’re talking about the “feel” of a golf ball, what we’re really talking about is its compression, and compression represents how soft or firm a golf ball is on a scale that generally resides between 20 (very soft) to 100 (very firm).

But what does this mean for you as a golfer and a consumer? Well, soft golf balls compress at lower swing speeds.

So if you’re someone with a slow swing, a soft-feel golf ball is your best chance to get the most distance out of every shot. Soft-feel golf balls also tend to be more forgiving than firm ones, which means they’ll fly straighter even in the face of a lackluster swing.

If the benefits of a soft-feel golf ball sound great to you, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for the choices in soft-feel golf balls to incorporate into your golf game.

How to pick the right soft-feel golf ball for you

Although price is an important consideration, make sure you pay attention to the features and benefits of any ball before you decide on a purchase. The most expensive ball doesn’t always translate to the right choice for you.

Balls with fewer layers are typically softer than those with more layers. Generally, a ball with fewer layers yields straighter and longer shots but less greenside spin. They’re also more durable. On the other hand, hard-feel golf balls with three or more layers require faster swings to maximize distance but offer better short game control.

A soft-feel golf ball — or a ball with a compression rating of 70 or lower — helps players with slow swing speeds achieve more distance from each shot. However, more advanced players with moderate to fast swing speeds will need a more hard-feel golf ball if they want to maximize their shot distance. This is because a soft-feel golf ball will actually over-compress when hit with too much speed and force. When this happens, energy is lost between the club and the ball.

The outermost layer of a golf ball is typically made from one of two materials: ionomer or urethane. Ionomer reinforces a ball’s durability and helps with distance, but it also makes the ball a little less responsive when you’re trying to spin the ball and stick the green. Urethane on the other hand offers better greenside spin. Many of the balls on this list feature covers that are hybrid or synthetic blends, meaning they combine urethane and ionomer with other materials to achieve certain characteristics.

TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls

TaylorMade

$29.99

View Product

Highlights

Exceptional distance and durability
High-quality construction
Great greenside control

For amateurs or seasoned players with slow swings, the TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls offer up distance without sacrificing greenside control. It combines a soft ionomer cover with a three-layer construction that rates a 50 on the compression scale. Typically, soft-feel golf balls tend to have one or two layers. The trade-off is that a ball with fewer layers offers up less spin and control when you’re trying to stick it on the green. The TaylorMade Soft Response is uniquely designed to offer both distance off the tee and control in the short game.

Golfers said the Soft Response gave them excellent yardage on their drives and offered greenside spin that other soft-feel golf balls didn’t. They also noted the ball was very forgiving when contact with the clubhead wasn’t the cleanest.

Construction: 3-piece | Core: Soft, low compression | Cover material: Ionomer | Colors: 2

Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls

Callaway

$24.99

View Product

Highlights

Excellent distance
Great greenside control
Highly forgiving

Much like our staff favorite, the Callaway Supersoft is the result of a thoughtful design that considers how every single element of a golf ball can contribute to its soft feel. The Supersoft combines a specially made synthetic core with a cover composed of multiple materials and a two-layer construction. The result is excellent distance off the tee and strong control with irons and wedges in the short game.

Players who purchased the Supersoft echoed Callaway’s performance claims. They praised the ball’s yardage from the tee box, spin around the greens, and forgiveness on shots that would otherwise result in a hook or slice. With its compression rating under 40, the Supersoft is less versatile than the TaylorMade Soft Response, which means players with fast swings are more likely to notice a drop in yards.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: HyperElastic SoftFast | Cover material: Hybrid | Colors: 6

Srixon SOFT FEEL Golf Balls

Srixon

$22.99

View Product

Highlights

Very forgiving
Little to no spin
Exceptional distance

The Srixon SOFT FEEL is designed to maximize drives by eliminating most — if not all — spin from long game shots. Its core gradually transitions from soft to hard as it progresses outward, while its 338 SPEED DIMPLE pattern cuts drag and promotes lift through the air, creating a ball that flies straight, fast, and far. Its compression rating of 60 means players with moderate swing speeds can still reap the benefits of its design too.

Golfers called the Srixon SOFT FEEL a real confidence booster on the course. This is due in large part to its soft impact against the club and long distance. Just remember: A ball designed to fly straight often means less greenside spin on your chip and wedge shots.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: FastLayer | Cover material: Ionomer | Colors: 2

Wilson Staff Duo Soft Golf Balls

Wilson

$22.99

View Product

Highlights

Great for advanced players
Excellent distance
Good short game control

The Wilson Staff Duo Soft is something of an anomaly. It sports a compression rating of 40, which should mean that advanced players with fast swings are better off looking elsewhere. But golfers with self-declared swings of up to 100 mph (that’s fast) said the Wilson Staff Duo offers incredible distance.
So what gives? The secret lies in the Duo Soft’s core — which Wilson claims is formulated to provide maximum energy return despite swing speed — along with a midhard cover that balances performance with a soft impact.

Players said the Duo Soft made their shots more predictable, which meant their play was more consistent. They also noted the ball’s great short game spin and ability to stick to the greens. If you’re an advanced player who appreciates a ball with a soft feel, give the Duo Soft a shot.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: Low compression, velocity boosting | Cover material: Ionomer | Colors: 6

Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Balls

Callaway

$24.99

View Product

Highlights

Ideal for new and senior golfers
Excellent distance
An oversized design for easy contact

With a compression rating of 38, the Callaway Supersoft MAX is the softest ball on this list. Couple that rating with an oversized design, and the result is a ball ideal for slow-swing players who lack consistency when it comes to making solid contact with their club. The ball’s soft ionomer cover reduces spin, while its two-piece construction maximizes energy transfer from slow-swing shots to send the ball soaring.

Golfers said the Supersoft MAX’s size and feel helped them avoid errant shots and achieve more yards down the fairway. Senior golfers appreciated the ball’s design features as well. And even though a beginner may someday outgrow the Supersoft MAX, it’s a solid choice for anyone just getting started.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: Rubber | Cover material: Ionomer | Colors: 1

Srixon SOFT FEEL LADY Golf Balls

Srixon

$22.99

View Product

Highlights

Exceptional distance
Straight flight and high trajectory
Very durable

The SOFT FEEL LADY is an ideal choice for advanced women golfers that want a ball designed for their level of play but that can also accommodate a woman’s natural upper body strength. For slow swing speeds, its compression rating of 58 helps achieve greater yards from the tee box and fairway. Meanwhile, its core transitions from soft to firm as it expands toward the outer layer, giving more advanced players solid control around and on the greens.

Women golfers described the ball as having excellent distance and straight, high trajectory paths. But while its design does provide good short game control relative to other balls with a similar compression rating, highly skilled players may wish for a bit more spin. Still, the Srixon SOFT FEEL LADY remains a great all-around performer.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: FastLayer | Cover material: Ionomer | Colors: 2

Titleist TruFeel

Titleist

$24.99

View Product

Highlights

Exceptional spin and control
Good distance
High-quality construction

A soft-feel golf ball that offers greater distance to players with slow swing speeds usually means giving up a certain level of greenside spin. That’s not the case with the Titleist TruFeel. According to golfers, it delivers the distance and trajectory of a soft-feel ball with the short game control more advanced players expect from a Titleist.

The ball’s two-layer construction, 60 compression rating, and thin cover work together to give the TruFeel its soft touch and responsive short game performance around the green. Golfers praised TruFeel’s distance off the tee and precision with chip and wedge shots. While some noted that their ball scuffed easily, everyone universally agreed that this is a high-quality and durable ball at an affordable price point when compared to other Titleist options.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: TruTouch | Cover material: 2.0 TruFlex | Colors: 3

Titleist Tour Soft

Titleist

$36.99

View Product

Highlights

Very forgiving
Exceptional distance
Good short-game control

The Tour Soft is designed to get the most distance out of every shot. Its large core and two-piece construction maximize energy transfer from slow (even inconsistent) swings to carry balls farther from the tee and fairway. Meanwhile, its 346-dimple pattern ensures that shots stay straight and in the air longer. Its synthetic cover is a blend of two ionomers and two proprietary materials that, together with the ball’s compression rating in the 60s, offers up solid greenside control.

Golfers spoke highly of the Tour Soft’s long game performance and greenside control: Many of them observed that their shots were more predictable and went farther than with other balls they’ve tried. Of course, as with many high-quality Titleist balls, the TruFeel comes with a high price tag. But that price could be worth it if it means out-driving your pals on the course.

Construction: 2-piece | Core: Large, fast | Cover material: 4CE grafted | Colors: 2

Choose which soft-feel golf balls to compare

Use the dropdown boxes to choose 3 soft-feel ball options to compare

Best For

Best for slow swings

Price

$29.99

Highlights

Exceptional distance and durability
High-quality construction
Great greenside control