How much of a difference do expensive golf balls make?

Updated on January 24th, 2023 at 05:45 pm

One of the most annoying ongoing expenses that golfers are faced with is golf balls. The more golf you play, the more golf balls that you will go through.

Finding the right golf ball for your game can sometimes be a challenge because of the many impressive options on the market. However, some of these golf ball choices are very expensive.

Golfers will pay more than $50 for a dozen golf balls. Many golfers wonder if the premium golf balls make any difference in their game. We are here to help you decide if expensive golf balls are worth the money.

If you are a serious golfer, competitor, or someone working to lower your handicap into the single-digit range, expensive golf balls will make a difference. For beginners and most average golfers, it is not necessary to play with premium golf balls.

Purchasing an expensive golf ball only to hit it in the woods due to an errant shot is simply a waste of money. However, trying to spin the ball on the green, hit a cut, or develop a more short game feel with a cheap golf ball can be really difficult.

Understanding the difference between a premium golf ball and an inexpensive golf ball is the first part of this process. Once you know the differences, you can better decide which is best for your game.

Cheap vs. expensive golf balls – What to know)

There are some key differences between cheap and expensive golf balls. Sometimes, you are struggling with something like ball speed or spin in your golf game because you are playing with the wrong golf ball. Here are the most important factors to understand about the more expensive golf balls on the market.

Ball flight

The golf ball that you play can impact the ball flight of your shots. Some golf balls are too high in compression, and therefore they do not lift high enough off the ground. In addition, there are other golf balls with dimple patterns created to lower the ball flight.

Some of the more expensive golf balls are designed to help players control their ball flight. Many golfers who play with expensive golf balls have faster swing speeds and often hit the ball too high.

Spin

The spin of the tee should be as low as possible. Cheaper balls like a two-piece golf ball are actually quite good at helping golfers get a low spin off the tee. The problem is that these cheaper golf balls don’t help when it comes to spin around the greens.

The mid-priced ball and premium ball help players to spin and stop their approach shots. The expensive ball’s cover material, dimple matter, and overall makeup will give a better spin performance from the tee and the green.

For those simply looking to hit a ball onto a green, the extra money will not be worth it to gain the greenside spin.

Number of pieces

All golf balls have multiple layers. The cheaper golf balls will be two pieces, where the premium balls tend to have three or more. When you increase the number of pieces in a golf ball, the biggest difference is that the performance is from both the tee and the green.

The more pieces a golf ball has, the more it can offer you as you make your way around the course. Better players that are precise about the distance control, ball flight, and spin they get will want this type of performance.

An average golfer may not even be able to tell if they are getting any difference in performance between a cheap ball with two pieces or a better ball with five pieces.

Compression

The lower compression golf ball is easier for a slower swing speed player to get more distance. Golfers on the PGA Tour need higher compression golf balls for their fast swing speeds. The compression of a golf ball will vary, but many of the premium golf balls have a higher compression.

When it comes to golf ball compression, the most important thing is to find the right compression for your swing speed. If you try to play with a golf ball that is the wrong compression, the price points don’t matter as much as the performance does.

We have reviewed hundreds of golf balls over the years at AEC Info.  While we all have certain preferences as golfers, there are many of us willing to try a new ball based upon where we are with our game.  If you are considering changing golf balls, be sure to check out our recent reviews below including Best for distance, Low compression golf balls for seniors, Vice vs Snell balls, best for amateurs, Chrome soft vs Callaway Supersoft, and our more controversial post, Best illegal golf balls. 

frequently asked questions

Here are a few questions typically asked about the type of golf balls you are using in your game. If you have updated all of your equipment and even took some Golf lessons to improve your game, it makes sense to ensure you have the right golf ball in play.

Do Softer Golf Balls Go Further?

There is a slight misconception in the golf world that softer golf balls go further. A softer golf ball can go further if you are a player with slower swing speeds. However, the low compression golf ball with a soft feel may not give you more ball speed when your swing speed is higher. Tour balls are built to help get faster swinging players the distance that they need. To get a golf ball to go further, play with something fit to your clubhead speed.

Who Are The Best Golf Ball Manufacturers?

The best golf ball manufacturers are typically thought of as Callaway, TaylorMade, and Titleist balls. However, companies like Vice and Volvik are making quite an impression. For cheaper golf balls, Wilson and Pinnacle tend to do a good job with their products.

Can Lower Priced Golf Balls Be Used For More Than One Round?

Some lower-priced golf balls have a softer cover that ends up cutting after a round with a golf ball in play. However, many of these golf balls will easily last for five or six rounds. If you can keep a golf ball in play and it has no visible signs of damage, even inexpensive golf balls can last for more than one round.

Do Driving Range Balls Go As Far?

Most golfers spend quite a bit of time practicing their game on a driving range. Although it is good to see how far the golf ball is traveling on the driving range, try not to worry about losing distance. Driving range golf balls do not go as far as a premium golf ball. They tend to be at the end of their useful life, and the compression and spin rating are probably not the best fit for your individual game.

Do expensive golf balls make a difference?

Now that you understand the differences between a high-priced golf ball and a low one, you should be able to decide which is best for your game. The good news is that the expensive golf balls won’t make much of a difference for a high handicapper, beginner, or average golfer. However, if you are starting to become a lower handicap player, you will likely want to use a ball that provides excellent performance regardless of the cost.

We have reviewed hundreds of golf balls over the years at AEC Info.  While we all have certain preferences as golfers, there are many of us willing to try a new ball based upon where we are with our game.  If you are considering changing golf balls, be sure to check out our recent reviews below.