The Best Cheap Golf Balls – shot better without worrying about the lost balls
Hello, 2020! It’s the perfect year to start a new hobby or perfect one you’ve already started.
If golf is your game, you might find yourself burning through the balls, particularly if you’re new to the sport. In this case, you’ll need some info on the best cheap golf balls so you can practice your shots without worrying about the cost of lost balls.
Here, you’ll find my picks for the best value golf balls in 2020:
- TaylorMade Distance Plus White Golf Balls
- Callaway Warbird Golf Balls
- Wilson Sporting Goods Smart Core Golf Balls
- TaylorMade Noodle Long and Soft Golf Balls
- Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Balls
Where to Find the Best Budget Golf Balls
Let’s face it, we’ve all watched the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, and Brooks Koepka win many competitions and thought we could give pro golf a swing (pardon the pun). And if you’re anything like me, you’ve had visions of yourself looking like this:
To get to that level, you’re going to need to make a lot of swings and it might cost you a lot of balls With endless product endorsements and sponsorships, it can be difficult to know which are the best value golf balls or who to trust. To help you out, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
The good news is that you don’t have to hunt high and low for high-quality, budget golf balls. In fact, you can order from the comfort of your home. Sure beats hunting the bunkers and traps for all those missing balls, right?
Cheap Golf Balls FAQs
Before you begin shopping for the best golf balls for the money, take some time to review our short but helpful budget golf ball FAQs.
What Factors Make a Golf Ball Travel Further?
- The swing speed of the golfer
- Golfer’s skill level
- Quality of the equipment, including the ball
- The weather and conditions during the game
Overall, the best shots always come from skilled players who have taken the time to hone their swing. Being assisted with quality equipment doesn’t hurt either.
Because of the physical makeup of golf balls, some are simply built better than others and can help golfers get their shot further. Brands including Callaway and Wilson boast that their balls will travel greater distances.
Why Are Some Golf Balls More Expensive Than Others?
Prices for golf balls generally range between $10 to $45 per dozen balls. The variance in price is because more expensive golf balls tend to be made from better quality materials.
However, in general, the more experienced you are, the cheaper your golf balls become as your swing gets stronger and your golf balls travel a greater distance. My advice is for beginners to stick to the budget and mid-range balls at first.
Later on, you can always transition to different brands and price ranges to see what works best for you.
What’s Inside a Golf Ball?
Golf involves a surprising amount of physics. The distance a ball travels is a direct result of the force it is hit with and a kinetic energy transfer from the club to the ball. Although they don’t look particularly bouncy, golf balls are packed with springy stuff to help make this energy transfer effective.
Back in the 1800s, golf balls were stuffed with all sorts of interesting cores including goose and duck feathers. We’ve come a long way since and today’s balls are usually filled with rubber and polymer blends.
Can I Use Old Balls?
For the very best performance, for beginners, intermediate players, and pros alike, always use new balls.
That said, it’s not always feasible to buy brand new balls each time you play. Golf balls can last a long time so you can think of purchasing golf balls as an investment!
Much like tennis and cricket balls, golf balls have a lifespan that directly affects the shot. As time passes, the wound components inside a golf ball can become loose, robbing the ball of spring off the clubface. Golf balls that have been heavily used will offer inconsistent performance from hole to hole.
The Best Value Golf Balls in 2020
In my opinion, the shortlist for best golf ball for the price (and some of my personal favorite balls) includes:
1. TaylorMade Distance Plus White Golf Balls
These golf balls are notoriously affordable, with a special note suggesting they’re especially good for beginners. Fellow golfers know these are great balls if you want a straight, low shot without a lot of spin.
The balls should give you an extra 10 yards thanks to the low-drag aerodynamic design.
Pros:
- Good value golf balls
- Great for beginners
- Low-drag aerodynamic design, meaning these balls will not spin too much when hit
Cons:
- Not the best performance in inclement weather conditions
- Quite shallow dimples
2. Callaway Warbird Golf Balls
These golf balls are renowned for their aerodynamics that reduce drag for increased speed, hang time, and distance. Callaway tells us these balls work well with any club and there are plenty of golfers who agree.
I recommend Callaway Warbirds to all beginners, regardless of the distance and par of the shot they’re taking. These balls also come in yellow making them easy to spot on the green and in the sand traps. This colorful option has saved me a lot of time searching for balls!
Pros:
- Works well with any club
- Suitable for high and low par holes
- Multiple color options are available including a bright yellow
Cons:
- More suited to beginners than experienced players
- May not be as accurate as other balls
3. Wilson Sporting Goods Smart Core Golf Balls
One key highlight of these golf balls is that they’re highly durable and will remain in good condition for a long time offering you more bang for your buck. I also like their performance over time through a range of weather conditions.
Wilson Smart Cores have a soft response, meaning they are suitable for delicate shots, such as putting on the green, as well as medium-length drives.
A fellow golfer recently told me that Wilson Smart Cores are his ball of choice and that they’re a steal for the price. I agree wholeheartedly, give them a try and see how you get on!
Pros:
- Durable
- Good investment as these will stay in a good condition for many years
- Perfect for delicate and short shots
Cons:
- Do not travel as far as hard balls do
- A more expensive option than some of the others we’ve reviewed
4. TaylorMade Noodle Long and Soft Golf Balls
These golf balls are a bit different from the others we’ve looked at so far as they’re sold in packets of 15 or 24. Highlights are that the balls are affordable, durable, and soft—especially good for delicate shots on the green.
I like the patented dimples which help generate a straighter flight. Players report that Noodle golf balls are accurate and reliable.
Pros:
- Great for beginners and intermediate golfers
- More golf balls in the pack
- Decent balls for driving
Cons:
- Do not last as long as some others we’ve reviewed
- The shell is softer than other balls and may suffer damage sooner
5. Nitro Ultimate Distance Golf Balls
These golf balls are the most affordable ones reviewed here making them ideal for people taking their very first shots on the course.
They come in a pack of 15 and in a range of colors including high-vis yellow, orange, and pink—perfect when you’re looking for balls in grassy areas
Nitro balls are virtually indestructible and offer long-standing resilience. This quality is ideal for golfers who like to smack their balls hard or leave them outside in the elements.
Pros:
- Excellent for golfers with a high handicap
- More golf balls than others
- Good range of colors
Cons:
- Targeted to younger golfers who are more money-conscious
- Despite the “ultimate distance” in the name, Nitro balls might not travel as far as others on our list
If you’re reading this list because you’re shopping for a friend or loved one, why not take the opportunity to play a practical joke? Take a look at these awesome joke golf balls and gift them along with the real balls, they’re sure to entertain on the course!
Conclusion
There are countless golf balls on the market to sift through. Often, finding the best golf ball for the money is a matter of trying a few out and seeing which suits your game best.
That said, for me, there is a clear winner among the best cheap golf balls reviewed here: the Callaway Warbird.
All in all, Callaway’s offering suits all beginners and intermediate players. The balls travel well even if the golfer chooses the wrong club for the shot and that vibrant yellow color means the golf balls can be spotted from many meters away. Helpful when you don’t want to lose all your new balls immediately!
For beginners, try not to get too caught up in buying all of the most expensive, top-of-the-range equipment straight away. Budget and mid-range golf balls are all you need to start making better shots and reducing your par.
