For all the technology the major golf ball brands plough into the very best golf balls on the market and other models in their ranges, golf ball purchases, for some players, will almost always be about cost. That might be because you're relatively new to the game; perhaps you lack a little in consistency so tend to lose a few around the course; or perhaps you simply choose to spend your money on other pieces of equipment and are happy with the performance of some, less expensive models.
Some people may think if it’s cheap it can’t be any good. But this is most definitely not the case when it comes to golf balls. From our testing it is clear there are many inexpensive models that offer plenty of performance as well as plenty of bang for your buck. In this guide, we'll be showcasing some of our top value picks on the market. Our selection includes some of the best value balls on the market, some of the best distance balls and some of the best soft-feel balls.
Most models at this end of the market feature a simple two-piece design – a core and a cover of varying attributes to promote different blends of performance. But models like the Piper Blue or Bridgestone e12 Contact are three designs, that offer a little more in the way of all-round performance. Some people might prefer the word ‘inexpensive’, but at the end of the day, cheap is what these balls are. And we shouldn’t steer away from the seeming bluntness of the word because it is, after all, the key factor in many golf ball-buying decisions …
The Quick List
The Titleist Trufeel is the perfect ball for golfers just starting the game as well as higher handicapped golfers who want a strong performing ball that doesn’t break the bank.
The e12 Contact is solid but it comes with a lot of game-enhancement promises that make it sound cheap and all-encompassing - which may turn off more serious golfers.
Great for distance and whilst it's not going to offer you the same level of control around the greens as a more premium model, if you're needing extra yards it's definitely one to try.
The Callaway Warbird is a decent distance ball that can certainly offer yardage gains. For some, it won't offer quite enough spin and control around the greens, but it's right up there for distance.
The Piper Blue is another impressive golf ball option from Piper Golfr. Despite its firmer feel, the Blue excels in terms of control from 100 yards and in and offers impressive durability.
This is an extremely good value two-piece ball, which is a small fraction of the price that you will be paying for a premium ball, and offers many of the benefits that you would expect from a multi-layered ball
If you are looking for an all-out budget urethane golf ball, this one offers excellent performance in the short game. For us, it struggled for distance off the tee but that may well be a price you're willing to pay.
Best Cheap Golf Balls
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Top pick
The TruFeel golf balls from Titleist are definitely some of the best value golf balls on the market because of the combination of price and performance. A two-piece golf ball, Titleist has incorporated a softer 3.0 Truflex cover to provide more greenside spin and control and, with a springy feel on and around the greens, it was noticeable in our testing that this has been designed with the beginner in mind. Additionally we noticed the surprising amount of spin too.
Along with the cover, a new TruTouch core has also been introduced to promote longer distance and, although it produced adequate distances with driver in testing, it was always going to be shorter than the likes of the Pro V1. However, the TruFeel is around half the price and, with the performance on offer, it easily falls into the category of being one of the best cheap golf balls on the market.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Ball Review
Straightest flight
When it comes to finding a ball that ticks all the boxes for a reasonable price, it can be tough, but not for the Bridgestone e12 contact. At a great price point for those on a budget and targeted to the less experienced players, this ball is an excellent option should you be looking for a great all round ball. It has a FLEXATIV Surlyn cover that is there to help create a 46% larger surface area that makes contact with the club face. This helps to increase the speed that you can get the ball to travel, and also helps to create more spin on the ball. This three piece ball performed well when we put it to the test, and we were very impressed.
With this cover it also promotes a better feel, especially with driver as we found out, when we tested the ball with driver it come off the face similar to some of the firmer balls on the market. In contrast to this when we gave the wedges a go it became much like some of the best soft feel golf balls you can get, making it a very versatile all rounder. Giving you control and distance is a huge boost for those looking for an affordable all round golf ball. Another aspect of this ball we enjoyed was the dimple design, which aimed to slow any side spin you may have out on the ball, in order to keep it flying straighter and more consistent.
- Read our full Bridgestone e12 Contact 2023 Golf Ball Review
Best for distance
This year's model of the ever popular Srixon Distance has been produced with a softer compression than its predecessor. Srixon has claimed that the new Distance ball goes further, this is achieved with a mix of increased initial velocity and a higher launch angle, leading to a more penetrating ball flight. When it came around to testing the Distance ball we were pleasantly surprised and encouraged to see that the ball held its flight very well in the more windy conditions. Srixon has advised that the dimples on the ball have been reduced by 108, this is meant to reduce drag but increase lift, helping with improved performance no matter what the wind might be doing.
At times we can be a little skeptical when it comes to the feel of the best distance golf balls, however, this ball did not have that firm feel when hit, and did not scuff up easily when played with. On thing to note though is that it seems harder to control than some of the best golf balls for spin, this is only a minor issue though and shouldn't impact the standard golfer to much.
- Read our full Srixon Distance Ball Review
Best budget
The Callaway Warbird is a great budget friendly ball that is known for its distance and speed, making it one of the best Callaway golf balls. If you are a newer golfer or someone with less experience in the game then this is a great option for you, it helps you to get the ball in the air with more ease and can add some distance to your game too. This is thanks to the ball's two piece construction, with a larger high-energy core, giving golfers with a variety of swing speeds a better ball flight.
When we tested this ball we could really see those extra yards and the great ball flights, we could tell it didn't have the same feel as some of the more premium golf balls but it still performed well.
We found that the more firm Ionomer cover had less spin and control than you may want around the greens, however we did find more distance was gained with iron shots. The firmer cover on the Warbird does have a plus though, it is more durable, as we found in testing where it stayed relatively unscuffed when some other balls would have been.
- Read our full Callaway Warbird Ball Review
Best for durability
Coming in a little more expensive than the other options is the Piper Blue ball. This ball may be a little pricier but based on performance we think this is warranted. When we tested this ball it excelled when we were in and around the the side of the greens, it had great levels of spin and grab and the control we had with it was great. To add to this when we were trying out some approach shots from further out it had great stopping power. The Piper Blue has a three piece cover that uses Surlyn for its construction, which you can find in a lot of the best value golf balls. We found that if you were a mid-handicapper delivering a club speed between 90-105mph then this ball is great for you.
We got the driver out to give this ball a test and found that the Piper Blue was not one of the best distance golf balls we have come across. With that said though it was good enough and very accurate to compensate that lower distance level. In testing we found it had a higher launch angle, which may benefit a golfer that can't get the ball in the air easily. The ball flight was pretty good as well, we noticed very little curvature on the ball in the air, which is a part of that great accuracy we touched on. The Piper Blue has a handy vibrant blue and black alignment line on the ball to aid your aiming when putting. This ball is a great all rounder for accuracy and use around the greens, and right up there with some of the more durable balls we have tested.
- Read our full Piper Blue Golf Ball Review
Best for alignment
If you are looking for a ball that is all about speed and distance then the Distance+ is the ball for you. With the REACT Speed Core and the 342 dimple pattern promoting low drag and high velocity performance, it is hard to overlook this ball. This two piece designed ball not only performs well but comes in at a very reasonable price as well.
The cover is a soft Ionomer material which provides lovely feels around the green with great control, it also has a durable casing to help reduce scuffing and promote longevity. We have tested this ball out on the course and we think this ball is perfect for those needing some extra yards out on the course, we also feel this ball is one of the best golf balls for slow swing speeds.
When we tested this ball off the tee we saw that the ball flight was really good, especially if you are looking to flight this ball in lower. We did notice that it was tough to get a high ball flight with this ball. Additionally for a softer ball we did find this ball a little 'clicky' when chipping around the greens, but on the greens you get great feedback. With this newer model you get a cross shaped 'plus' alignment design on the ball, which is great for lining up your putts and making sure you are aiming in the right spots.
- Read our full TaylorMade Distance+ Golf Ball Review
Best for short game
A relatively unknown brand by some, the Kirkland Signature golf ball has got a lot of attention since its release. This is mainly due to its on course performance and cheaper price, and the fact it is sold in Costco. The latest version is the three piece Urethane Cover 2.0, which like the previous model has been a favorite of golfers, but never lost its great value for money.
When we tested this ball we loved the performance around the greens as well as the feel. With driver and wedge it felt nice and soft off the club face, but despite this it seemed to deliver a lot of ball speed and less spin than the previous model. If you are a beginner then this is perfect as we think it really is one of the best golf balls for beginners, especially if you struggle with distance and keeping the ball on the straight and narrow.
The Kirkland Signature did not match the performance of the top three piece Urethane covered balls, but it is a lot less expensive. This is great for the player that may be more prone to losing golf balls but does not want to sacrifice some sort of performance in and around the greens.
How we test golf balls
The test team at Golf Monthly are highly experienced and all of them either play the game or have been involved in some way with the golf industry for a number of years. For some they are best at send the ball long distances off the tee, where some others excel more in and around the greens, and scrambling from places you wouldn't think of playing from is a pass time for a few.
When we are testing we aim to test every model of ball we can get our hands on, as soon as they become available. We put in many hours either out on the course, on the practice ground, the short game area or out on the putting green. This allows us to get a feel for all the strengths and weaknesses whether thats off the tee or getting it up and down around the greens. We will always seek to compare data and see which balls are doing better than others, so we can rank them based on performance accurately with launch monitor data.
Factors to consider when buying cheap golf balls
Golf balls are some of the most technically advanced products in the industry and there is a lot to think about when purchasing your next pack of golf balls. Yet, don't fret - that's where we come in. Here at Golf Monthly, we've compiled a list of key considerations you should look out for when picking up your next pack of cheap golf balls.
1. Durability
When a ball is cheaper they can have a tendency to get cut up more and have lower durability. If durability is a big factor for you when you are buying balls, try to go for a firmer cut resistant cover, but if feel is the key then the softer ball is for you.
2. Long game or short game?
Do you want as much distance as possible from your golf ball or one that allows your short game to shine thanks to improved feel? If the former, then check out firmer models like the Srixon Distance. If short-game feel is your thing, models like the Honma A1 might suit you better. Check out our best soft feel golf balls guide for more models designed for feel.
3. Trade-off
As per the above, at this end of the market there are often compromises to be made between different elements of performance. You will need to decide which are most important to you. If you go down the route of wanting as much distance as possible, then chances are there will be a trade-off in relation to short-game feel, and the same can be said if you want an ultra-durable golf ball. As a result just be aware of what each golf ball has been designed to do and be aware of any trade-offs you may experience.
4. Color
Almost anything goes now when it comes to golf balls, with many models available in three or more colors. Eight is the widest color palette we’ve seen!
5. Budget
Prices here range from a mere $8 a dozen to $36 a dozen so it is important for you to think about budget and how much you want, or are willing, to spend on a dozen golf balls.
6. Number of balls
Sometimes buying in bulk will get you an even better price, and this is particularly the case with smaller brands, or ones that offer big discounts on websites like Amazon. We would also recommend keeping a look out for sales on retailers, for example Black Friday is a great time to buy golf balls in bulk.
For more advice on buying golf balls, why not check out our guides on the best Titleist golf balls, best Srixon golf balls, and best TaylorMade golf balls.
FAQs
What is the cheapest brand of golf balls?
There are lots of brands that offer cheap golf balls and given how many retailers there are, you can actually find many of the models we selected here for a lot less than the usual RRP's because of deals and promotions. As a result we cannot definitively say which is the cheapest brand of golf balls.
Are cheap golf balls worth it?
In a lot of ways, yes. If you are a beginner to the game and don't want to invest in the most premium models, then cheap golf balls are worth it. Whilst if you are a better player, the performance of the higher end golf balls usually helps to justify the cost.
That being said we think a lot of players of different abilities can enjoy the performance on offer from cheap golf balls because the quality of the technology and designs have become excellent, especially when testing models from brands like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade and so on.
Ultimately, golf ball performance is about a player finding a model that best performs for them and the way they play, and if that happens to be a cheaper model, then it is definitely worth it.
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