Best Cheap Golf Balls 2024: Cost-effective and high-performing
Published: Last updated:
Which cheap golf balls are worth purchasing to improve your game and save you money?
Jump to:
Every golfer wants to play with the best golf balls, but not every golfer wants to spend top dollar on a dozen golf balls. Playing golf can be expensive, so where it’s possible to save some money it’s welcomed, and one of the best ways is by finding a brilliant deal on golf balls.
Whether you’re precious about playing with the best premium golf balls or happy to play with anything round and dimpled, one thing everyone wants is for it to be as cost-effective as possible. Many of the best cheap golf balls are some of the best golf balls for beginners and high-handicappers.
The best cheap golf balls 2024 at a glance:
Best cheap golf balls for golfers of varying standards: Srixon AD333 | View Offer
Best colourful cheap golf balls: TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink | View Offer
Best cheap golf balls for golfers with slower swing speeds: Callaway Supersoft | View Offer
Best distance cheap golf balls: Titleist Velocity | View Offer
Playing with cheap golf balls doesn’t mean you have to play with a rock! Manufacturers have realised that there’s substantial interest from budget-conscious golfers who want nice feel, good distance and spin, and durability from their golf balls. It’s difficult for many golfers to differentiate between the best cheap golf balls and the best amateur-level golf balls purely based on feel and performance.
Within the best cheap golf balls, there are options to suit those looking to maximise distance and others for golfers who prioritise a soft feel. There is a wide range of golf balls to challenge the best ladies’ golf balls within the category of cheap golf balls – none of them doing too much damage to your bank account.
If you’re a fan of cheap golf balls you can find brilliant value by stocking up before the golf ball rollback eventually happens because you’ll still be playing with cheap golf balls but they’ll be travelling farther than any released post-rollback.
Best Cheap Golf Balls
One of the best cheap golf balls for a wide range of golfers
Best cheap golf balls for golfers of varying standards
There are copious amounts of golf balls under £25 and the AD333 is the one we deem to be the best. From tee to green you can expect reliable performance and consistency that can sometimes be hard to find from two-piece ionomer golf balls. The AD333 delivers impressive distance and decent spin. There isn't much more you could ask for from the AD333.
Read our full Srixon AD333 golf balls review
Pros
- Kept up with three-piece golf balls in our 2023 robot test
- Impressive long-game distance
- Highly durable - only adding to the good value
Cons
- Slightly clicky off the clubface
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 338 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid-high |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid-high |
| Colour options | White; Yellow |
- Fastlayer core
- Spin skin with SeRM
- Speed dimple pattern
Vibrant, long, fast, and soft
I actually prefer the Ink model to the standard model because of the vibrancy. I must admit, when I first saw images of these golf balls I was slightly pessimistic and I didn't see how the wild splashes of color would assist anyone on the course - I'm happy to say I was wrong. The splashes of ink make it very easy to see the ball on the ground and in the air - much easier than other colorful golf balls.
I wasn't only impressed with the design pattern! The SpeedSoft golf balls travel very well off the tee keeping up with some of the best premium golf balls myself and my playing partners tend to play with. Speaking to a 24-handicapper at my home golf course, he had nothing but praise for these golf balls and he also preferred the Ink models.
Sadly, it isn't all positive, compared to the premium golf balls I usually game, the SpeedSoft golf balls do generate less spin when attacking pins, but you can quickly adapt to this and make them work for you - I just don't have that ability.
Pros
- Very easy to see on the ground and in the air
- Impressive distance off the tee
- Soft-feeling which will please the vast majority of golfers
Cons
- Short-game spin and control is lacking compared to more premium models
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 322 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid |
| Long game spin | Mid-high |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Colour options | Blue; Green; Red; Pink |
| Alternative models | SpeedSoft |
- New PWRCORE technology
- Soft Sub 50 Compression
- 322 Extended Flight Dimple Pattern
An uber-soft golf ball that'll satisfy most golfers
Best cheap golf balls for golfers with slower swing speeds
The Supersoft doesn't only offer distance, spin is fairly easy to generate because of its low-compression core. The Supersoft is a brilliant option for beginner and high-handicap golfers because it's easy to launch which materializes into good distance. Also at the price they are brilliant value and they possess that soft feel so many yearn for.
Read our full Callaway Supersoft golf balls review
Pros
- Incredibly soft golf ball that offers great feel
- Really good distance for golfers with a slower swing speed
- Fantastic value
Cons
- Distance drops off for golfers with quicker swing speeds
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Hybrid |
| Dimples | 332 |
| Feel | Super soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | High |
| Colour options | White; Yellow; Matte green; Matte red; Matte orange; Matte pink |
| Alternative models | Limited edition |
- Hyperelastic softfast core
- Hybrid cover
- Hex aerodynamics
TaylorMade's quality budget-friendly cheap golf balls
If like me, you struggle with lining up putts, and need an extra bit of assistance, the Distance+ golf balls come as standard with a plus alignment aid which certainly helps to visualize the line and roll. Around the greens, these balls are much more responsive than imagined with decent stopping power and control. Moving away from the greens, to the tee box, you won't be disappointed by the distance this ball can generate - being primarily a distance golf ball.
Read our full TaylorMade Distance+ golf balls review
Pros
- Enhanced alignment aid
- Extremely versatile golf ball to suit a wide range of golfers
- Soft distance golf ball
- Impressive short game performance
Cons
- Not available without the alignment aid
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 342 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid-high |
| Colour options | White; Yellow |
- Plus alignment aid
- Soft REACT core
- Aerodynamic dimple pattern
Wilson's softest low-compression cheap golf balls
Best cheap golf balls to easily compress
Wilson are very well-known for their affordable golf equipment that can compete with the major golf brands. Their Duo Soft golf balls may not be the cheapest balls Wilson offers, but they are by far the best at a very reasonable price. Some golfers may be put off by the soft feeling and low compression, but it doesn't hinder this golf balls performance both off the tee and around the greens.
Read our full Wilson Duo Soft golf balls review
Pros
- Incredibly soft feel
- Long game distance is very impressive
- High spin and control around the greens
- Easily compressible core
Cons
- Really soft and low-compression won't suit every golfer
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 302 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid |
| Colour options | White; Yellow; Green; Orange; Red |
- Velocity boosting core
- Low compression core
Titleist's model that revolves around increasing distance
The issue with Velocity - as is the issue with all distance golf balls - is that they don't generate as much spin, but if this isn't a concern of yours then distance golf balls are well worth buying because they deliver great distance and they're much cheaper.
Titleist Velocity golf balls feel great considering they have an ionomer cover. These balls are very well-priced and despite producing low-spin I'm a massive fan of Velocity golf balls.
Read our full Titleist Velocity golf balls review.
Pros
- Great feel for a distance golf ball
- Very impressive length
- Excellent value
Cons
- Does struggle to generate spin, but it's expected
Outstanding all-round performance from these cheap Bridgestone golf balls
Best tee to green cheap golf balls
Rrp: $24.99
Rrp: $24.99
Being a two-piece golf ball, they won't entice every golfer, however, if you play with them you won't be disappointed. When you play a round of golf with the e6s you'll struggle to find a negative, especially when you consider how cheap a dozen is.
Read our full Bridgestone e6 golf balls review
Pros
- Very affordable all-round performance golf balls
- Soft feeling golf balls
- Impressive long game distance
- High greenside spin and control
Cons
- For quicker swing speeds dispersion increases
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Surlyn |
| Dimples | 326 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | High |
| Colour options | White; Yellow |
- Seamless cover technology
- Gradational compression core
Very good option for people who are new to golf
Making the deal even sweeter with Pinnacle's Rush golf balls is that rather than only being a dozen, these balls come as standard as a 15-ball pack. If distance golf balls aren't your preference, and you favor a softer golf ball, Pinnacle's Soft golf balls are definitely worth trying for the same price as the Rush.
Read our full Pinnacle Rush golf balls review
Pros
- Great distance golf ball
- Performed much better than expected in our 2023 robot test
- Very reasonably priced
Cons
- Not the best feeling golf ball on the market - but that's likely to be expected
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 332 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Colour options | White; Yellow |
- High-energy core
- Icosahedral dimple design
Titleist's softest golf balls are a brilliant cost-effective option
The TruFeel golf balls work exceptionally well in the wind because they naturally fly lower than other soft golf balls. Off the tee, this ball can challenge any of the other balls in this category for distance, but if you prioritize short game spin and control, you may want to opt for a different golf ball. As a cheap option by one of golf's largest companies, this is a great inexpensive ball to consider.
Read our full Titleist TruFeel golf balls review
Pros
- Low penetrating ball flight
- Brilliant ball in windy conditions
- Incredibly soft feel
Cons
- Not the best short game performers
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | TruFlex |
| Dimples | 376 |
| Feel | Very soft |
| Flight | Low |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Colour options | White; Yellow; Red |
- TruTouch Core
- 2.0 TruFlex Cover
- Spherically-tiled 376 tetrahedral dimple design
Cheap distance golf balls that can endure being hit all over the shop
Best durable cheap golf balls
Rrp: $24.70
Rrp: $24.70
Read our full Srixon Distance golf balls review
Pros
- Impressive distance off the tee
- Surprisingly soft feel
- Brilliant value for money
Cons
- Hard to maximize performance for golfers with slower swing speeds
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Dimples | 324 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid |
| Colour options | White |
- Fastlayer core
- Speed dimple pattern
- Durable ionomer cover
Best cheap golf balls: Buying Guide
How to choose the best cheap golf balls
Purchasing cheap golf balls doesn’t mean you’ll be playing with inferior golf balls, all of the best cheap golf balls outlined above are incredible options for the right golfers. As long as you have the game suited to playing with cheap golf balls then there’s no need to splash the cash on more premium models. When investing in cheap golf balls you still want to make certain considerations to ensure you find the right golf balls for your game – even if they are cheap you want them to be right.
Ability
Depending on how well you score and you’re ball striking ability this will influence whether or not you should be looking at the best cheap golf balls or something slightly more premium. Obviously, if you do just want to play with a cheap golf ball there’s nothing stopping you. It tends to be that cheap golf balls are targeted towards beginners and high handicap golfers, but that doesn’t mean better players can’t in order to save some money.
Performance
Playing with a cheap golf ball doesn’t mean you lose performance, as long as your game suits the ball you’re playing. For instance, you could have an 85mph driver swing speed and struggle to generate distance off the tee, in this case, a premium golf ball won’t benefit you, but perhaps the TaylorMade Distance+ or Pinnacle Rush might. Therefore, the performance of a cheap golf ball will be better than a premium golf ball for certain golfers.
Feel
With cheap golf balls, there is perhaps the preconception that they are all hard and very unresponsive. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The majority of the best cheap golf balls are soft and very responsive. Even those that aren’t soft, certainly aren’t hard but they remain responsive. Most golfers know whether they want a soft or firm golf ball – with the best cheap golf balls, you have plenty to choose from.
Durability
This is a massive factor when considering purchasing cheap golf balls. Depending on how durable a golf ball is directly correlates to how cost-effective it is. If a cheap golf ball isn’t very durable and lasts less than 9 holes then it isn’t very cheap because you’ll need to buy a lot more than a more expensive golf ball that you might get 2-3 rounds out of.
Best cheap golf balls: FAQs
How do I know what golf ball is best?
The only way to find out which balls are best for you is by trying as many options as possible. There are recommendations for every kind of golfer but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the best for your game. Whatever golf ball you settle on being the best for you is the one that helps your game by making you shoot lower scores – regardless of price, feel, or even if your playing partners don’t concur.
What is the difference between cheap golf balls and expensive golf balls?
Depending on your playing ability you will either notice many differences between cheap golf balls and expensive golf balls, or you won’t see many. The main differences tend to be the material of the cover – cheaper balls tend to be made using either an ionomer or surlyn cover. Whereas expensive golf balls will sport a urethane cover. Another major difference is the number of layers, typically, the more layers a golf ball has, the more expensive it will be.
When should you replace your golf ball?
Some golf ball manufacturers will recommend a time frame for each golf ball before it needs to be switched out for a fresh one. However, most of the time you’ll be able to tell yourself. When your ball starts to scuff or the paint starts to wear these are the key signs for you to retire that golf ball to the practice bag. If you see a difference in flight or performance this is also time to trade that ball for a new one.
How we test the best cheap golf balls
Thoroughly testing the best cheap golf balls is as important as testing the best premium golf balls – if not more. This is because when testing cheap golf balls they are perhaps scrutinized more due to their lower price. We are always looking at feel, performance, sound, spin, distance, and durability – the latter being very important for cheap golf balls.
Some of the best cheap golf balls were included in our extensive golf balls robot test which rigorously tests golf balls we either had sent by the brands or we purchased for the purpose of the test if the brands wouldn’t send in their products. As with all pieces of golf equipment, we test them on the course and off the course. If you want to read more about how we test golf equipment you can do so here.
SUBSCRIBE TO TODAY’S GOLFER: Print and Digital access, discounts and rewards!
About the author
James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer
James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.
He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.
James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.
You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.
-
Best Cheap Golf Balls
