The Top Ten Golf Balls for Distance
Low scores in golf can be achieved by getting the most out of each club in your arsenal. If you can get the most distance out of each shot you will be able to make fewer shots at the beginning, allowing you to have more chances at scoring on the green. One important factor for getting more distance is the golf ball that is used.
Most new players I have seen fall victim to choosing the wrong ball. Most of them believe they “need more spin”, thinking this will help them hold the green on their approach shots. The truth is the majority of these players should focus less on spin and more on distance.
Why is that you ask. Well, for one most amateurs rarely hit the green with their approach shots and are often running the ball up to the green which requires no spin at all. Excessive spin will actually hurt the player during these follow-ups.
Secondly, if the player has too much spin coming off the tee it will make an inadequate shot that much worse. For example, if you tend to slice the ball or fade it, a high spin ball will turn a fade into a slice and a draw into a hook. To compare, if you were using a ball with low spin and much greater distance potential, you will find that your shots are much straighter and longer.
Consider our list of the top ten golf balls for distance below, and find the ball that helps you achieve maximum distance and performance on the green.
1. Taylor Made Penta TP: The Penta does everything well. This ball has everything: great distance, perfect spin, a beautiful launch.
Off the tee, it will provide massive distance while it is perfectly suited for short shots with enough spin to score lights out. My preferred ball before coming across this was the Pro V1x, and after playing with both I have to say you can’t go wrong with either.
2. Titleist Pro V1x: This is my go-to ball, and I love it. This ball is a great all-around ball, and is second only to the Penta. The Pro V1X is a ball designed for the lower handicapper to professionals. Although all levels of players love to say “I use Pro V1X”.
The Pro V1x has both a soft feel to it and great spin and distance potential, making it the perfect ball no matter where on the course you happen to be. I prefer a ball with a lot of spin for some special shots I try around the green, so this ball has a great bite to it. The average to high handicappers usually get tripped up on this aspect because their approach shots do not “run out” like they expect and they come up well short.
Popular or not, I would not recommend this ball to the new or average player. This is the only reason I didn’t rank my ball #1. But, once you know just how this ball will react to your swing, you really can’t go wrong with it.
3. Titleist Pro V1: Titleist made another good ball when it came up with the V1. The only reason this ball landed in the #3 position is its distance is about 1.4 yards shorter than the V1x.
The V1 is better for a player with a high handicap than the V1x as it is more durable and has greater launch potential.
4. Callaway Tour i (z): Drag is reduced on the ball by its hex-shaped dimple design, which helps increase distance. The ball is soft yet durable while providing great distance off the tee and high spin with scoring clubs. If you are a fan of Callaway products you can’t go wrong with this ball, no matter your skill level.
5. Taylor Made Burner: I was very happy with this ball when I tried it out over the summer. This ball achieves amazing distance with its low drag characteristics and low-compression core.
It was comparable to the Pro V1x in nearly all areas that count.
6. Callaway HX Hot Bite: This ball sports the same hex dimple design as the Tour i (z), giving it great distance potential due to its low drag characteristics. It is a favorite amongst players of all levels but especially with those who swing their clubs at average speed.
7. Bridgestone e6: I have friends who swear by the e6 and they say they prefer it over the Titleist ProV’s. The ball is designed with an anti-spin layer, giving the ball great distance and perfectly level flight.
8. Srixon Z-STAR: I was not initially impressed with the hype surrounding this ball. After trying it out I’m willing to admit that it lives up to it. I played awful that day, so I am sure it skewed my review, but overall not bad.
The average player will benefit from the low compression core on the Z-STAR, which gives the ball greater speed and distance.
9. Callaway Big Bertha Diablo: This ball just keeps going! The ball has very little spin, giving it amazing distance off the tee. This ball cannot be matched if distance is all you are looking for.
10. Titleist DT SoLo: This golf balls compression statistics are extremely friendly to players with low swing speeds providing great distance for the low-to-average swing speed golfer.
Many factors determine what golf ball is good fit for an individual player. For example, golf balls compression statistics is an important factor. This is how much club head is required to activate the ball’s specific layer, typically the core for distance, in order to get the desired characteristics. The only way to determine which of these balls is best for you is to get out there and try them!
Take the time to play a round or two on a course you know in order to compare the shots. You won’t get an accurate idea of how good the ball is for you unless you do this.
Now, get these balls and get to it! You now have a great excuse to play a lot more golf.
Long John Higbie is an avid golfer who coaches and writes articles about everything golf-related from equipment to technique-improving classes to improving golf balls compression and all things between . Visit his web page for tips and secrets that the top professionals know that lets them to send the golf ball further and consistently maintain massive golf distance with every strike.