The best golf balls for distance.
“More distance.” That’s the answer we get from 90 per cent of golfers when we ask them what they want from their game. How do they go about getting it? For many, it’s a new driver. For some, it’s a lesson. But what about your golf ball?
Every major manufacturer has a model that is designed specifically to give your maximum distance. They’re not aimed at tour players, whose balls are created for spin, control, and feel. They’re all about more yards.
Gone are the days when distance golf balls were just rock-hard pebbles that made your club and hands vibrate. Yes, using them will still mean making some sacrifices in terms of spin and feel around the greens, but manufacturers have worked hard to bring an element of their premium balls into these models for club golfers.
Distance golf balls are traditionally a two-piece model, comprising cover and core, rather than the multi-layer premium designs we see in the higher-end balls such as a TaylorMade TP5, Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft, or Srixon Z-Star.
The simple design allows manufacturers to maximise distance and keep the price low – distance golf balls tend to be among the cheapest models, meaning you could be longer and better off!
So, if you’re new to the game, lose a lot of balls, or just don’t want to always hit long irons into every par-4 green, one of these could be the perfect model for you.
Alternatively, if saving cash is your top priority, check out our guide to the best value golf balls. And don’t forget to read our other guides to the best golf balls for beginners and high handicappers, best golf balls for mid handicappers and the best premium golf balls.
RRP £18 | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with ionemer cover | Colours White only
The Srixon Distance is the lowest-priced ball on Amazon’s top seller’s list (just £10.44 per dozen at the time of writing), and their biggest-selling golf ball too… plus, vitally, it’s really long.
The reason for it shifting in such huge numbers comes down to the price and the fact it trades off very little in performance in the hands of regular club golfers compared to more expensive options.
Our test pro Neil Wain pitted it against the No.1 ball in golf – Titleist’s Pro V1 (£50 per dozen) – with his driver, 7-iron, and pitching wedge and we were seriously impressed by its performance. It span 200rpm less than the premium model with driver (2,255rpm) and was 1.5mph down on ball speed, but it carried the exact same distance (272 yards).
The Distance ball also matched the Pro V1 with a 7-iron (166 yards) although it span a little less, had a lower ball flight and had a more shallow landing angle, so won’t stop as quickly.
The same could be said with the wedge, but the Distance felt good and gave up just 4.5% in spin to the Titleist. Not bad for a ball that is almost £40 per dozen cheaper.
RELATED: Tested – 87p ball vs £4 ball
RRP £28 per dozen | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with NaZ+ cover | Colours White, Matte Orange, Matte Green, Matte Blue
The Velocity is all about explosive distance through high speed, high launch and low long game spin.
A great club golfer option at just over £2 per ball, the 2022 model has a higher compression LSX core and reformulated cover to generate more speed, while the spherically-tiled 350 octahedral dimple design provides a consistent and high trajectory.
The NaZ+ cover isn’t ever going to fool you into thinking you’re playing a urethane ball, and this isn’t a ball you can expect to stop particularly quickly, but it feels playable around the greens and is impressively durable.
Alongside the traditional white, Titleist produce matte orange, green and blue versions following feedback from real golfers.
RELATED: Best Titleist Golf Balls
RRP £19.99 | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with tri-blend ionemer cover | Colours White, Yellow
Many golfers can’t tell the difference between tour-level and two-piece balls, which is why lower-priced models are many brands’ biggest sellers.
Warbird was designed for golfers that wanted a more penetrating ball flight and the ball to go further. It definitely delivers those things, but it’s a really firm ball and you have to have some serious clubhead speed to take advantage of it.
Featuring a large, soft, high-energy core designed to enhance ball speed, Callaway’s HEX Aerodynamics help reduce drag and produce even better low-speed lift to help create a more penetrating ball flight.
Callaway will even personalise the Warbird (£18 a dozen, via their website) with initials, a sightline or crosshairs.
RELATED: Best Callaway Golf Balls
RRP £18.99 | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with ionomer cover | Colours White, Yellow
This is a superb value and uber-long golf ball from TaylorMade, who have continued their rapid rise through this market in recent years.
Of course, this isn’t a premium ball like their TP5 or TP5x, but it is an excellent option for high and mid handicappers.
The Distance has a mid-height launch, while the React Speed Core and 342 Aerodynamic Dimple Pattern help increase the ball’s carry distance. With 77 compression, you can expect a soft feel and mid-high wedge spin.
As a bonus, it features a brilliant cross hairs alignment side stamp to help you on the tee and greens. At £18.99 a dozen (£1.58 a ball) it’s one of the best value golf balls available, as well as being one of the best golf balls for distance and for high handicappers.
RELATED: Best TaylorMade Golf Balls
Bridgestone E12 Contact golf ball
RRP £29.99 | VIEW OFFER Construction Three layers with surlyn cover | Colours White, Yellow, Green, Red
Bridgestone make some big claims regarding just how helpful this ball is for those who need a lot of help generating ball speed.
The super-shallow dimple design (aka CONTACT Force Dimple design) apparently helps create 38% more club-head impact, which sounds so impressive it makes you wonder why every ball manufacturer doesn’t follow the Bridgestone.
Well, they do to varying degrees which makes that figure sound a bit too high although the e12 is unquestionably an excellent option for those who struggle to hit it straight and long.
RELATED: Best Bridgestone Golf Balls
Wilson Tour Velocity Distance golf ball
RRP £14.99 (15 balls) | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with ionomer cover | Colours White only
A low-compression ball from Wilson, the Velocity Distance delivers on its name. It was consistently longer than our premium ball off the
The hard ionomer cover is designed to optimise ball flight for maximum yardage and rollout,
Unlike many of the distance balls, the Wilson does have an element of greenside control, too, thanks to its mid-compression core. It’s exceptionally durable, too, which is ideal for most amateurs who can’t guarantee they’ll find every fairway. It does feel a touch firm off the putter face, though.
It’s a great value ball, too. 15 balls for less than £15… you don’t need us to tell you that’s less than £1 per ball.
RELATED: Best Wilson Golf Balls
RRP £19.99 (15 balls) | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with ionomer cover | Colours White, Yellow
Pinnacle has been a great value-for-money golf ball ever since it was first introduced in 1972.
The distance-focused Rush is a seriously long golf ball… we found it added yards off the tee and was at least once club longer with our irons than the premium ball we use. This does mean you give up a lot of control with far less spin, but it does create a really consistent flight, which Pinnacle put down to the 332 dimples.
You won’t get much greenside spin, but that isn’t what this ball is designed for. It’s all about speed and distance.
It’s a great ball for the budget conscious and high-handicapper with a really durable cover and 15 balls in every pack, three more than standard.
RELATED: Best Value Golf Balls
RRP £22.99 | VIEW OFFER Construction Two layers with surlyn cover | Colours White, yellow
Ok, it’s not the ball that Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau or Lexi Thompson use, but it’s the same model.
The e6 has been around since 2005 but the latest version shows up well in distance tests thanks to the faster compression created by its larger offset core.
The surlyn cover has been made thinner which really helps with the control. Newer players tend to struggle to generate spin but this will help you grab the putting surface.
At little more than £20, the balls represent excellent value for money and the overall soft feel will certainly help you. This is by far the best Bridgestone golf ball for higher-handicap golfers.
RRP £17.88 | VIEW OFFER Construction Two-piece with Surlyn cover | Colours White only
Aimed at players with a low to medium clubhead speed, Vice have designed the Drive golf ball for the beginner and occasional golfer.
The Soft Energy Speed Core combines with a low compression and the 312 large dimple pattern to give maximum distance and a stable flight.
The cover is extremely durable so, assuming you don’t hit it into a lake, it should last you well, and we like the KIL (Keep In Line) line on the side of the ball which makes aligning it on the tee or green an absolute doddle without the need for a sharpie.
The Drive proved impressive in independent testing. With a 95mph driver swing, it had a ball speed of 137.3mph, carried 216.5 yards and spun at a remarkably low 1,916.6rpm.
Good value at £17.88 per dozen, but even better if you buy five dozen (60 balls), which takes the price down to £14.28 (just £1.19 per ball).
RELATED: Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers
We have a variety of methods for testing golf balls, including using a robot, just as the big brands do.
Alternatively our professional golfer Neil Wain puts the balls through their paces on a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor in a controlled environment at Keele Golf Centre.
Equipment editor Simon Daddow, a consistent 10-handicapper with an 89mph driver swing speed, tests golf balls in an indoor setting at ElitePro Golf at the James Braid-designed Peterborough Milton GC.
And finally, our team takes balls out onto the course and uses them in real-life situations to see how they perform in differing conditions and with differing form. Like all of you, we have our good days and bad days on the course, but it’s important to have a ball you can trust to perform as well as possible even when you’re not.
As with all golf equipment we’d recommend trying different models to find out which best suits your game before settling on the best option. Test the balls on the course with your driver, irons and wedges, then take them to a short game area and see how they perform for you when chipping, playing out of bunkers and putting.
It really depends if you value distance above all else. Distance-specific balls aren’t going to give you huge levels of spin, feel, or greenside control, but they will, most likely, gain you yards.
In our testing we find that balls designed for distance can be anything up to two clubs longer than a more premium model, but their stopping power is significantly lower.
They are ideal for players who are new to the game, higher handicappers, or those players with slower swing speeds. Distance balls usually have firm and durable covers, which is ideal for players who are less accurate and can stick their balls in to plenty of bunkers, trees and off the cart paths.
These balls are also in the lower price range, which is ideal if you’re a player who is likely to lose plenty of them or who is just starting out and wants to try the game without spending a fortune. You can improve the quality of your golf ball as your game improves. In the meantime, put the money you’ve saved on balls towards lessons.
RELATED: Robot golf balls test
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