A golf ball is arguably the most important aspect of your game; it's the only point of contact with the club face. You may think that it is a white, round ball with dimples, but the golf ball is so much more than that, with there being a multitude of different options for your game.
It can be difficult to narrow down which one will suit you but, if you want a golf ball that is used by the very best, then a premium golf ball is the way to go. Obviously, these won't suit all individuals, with those starting out perhaps being better suited to the best golf balls for beginners.
From there, you will probably look to progress on to the best mid price golf balls, before finally stepping up to the golf ball world’s top table. The thing is, there are a number of models available, and golfers will usually want to play with the best golf balls regardless of where their game is at.
The best premium models though tend to offer the very highest levels of all-round performance in the key areas of distance, spin, feel and control. There is one drawback though, which often puts people off - they’re pretty expensive! However, if you want the best from your golf game, they are the best option if you want to see your scores tumble down.
If premium isn't for you though, and you are looking for a particular type of golf ball, then why not check out our guides on the best value golf balls, best golf balls for high swing speeds and slow swing speeds, or even our best distance golf balls.
The Quick List
Titleist has raised the bar again with its new Pro V1 design. In our testing it was the added consistency in the long game that shone through.
The TP5 is a fantastic golf ball and, if you are a player who favors copious amounts of greenside spin and a very soft feel, it is a must try.
A beautifully soft feeling golf ball that will appeal to high speed and high spin players. This ball is extremely consistent in its delivery of spin and stability of flight.
The Srixon Z-Star golf ball 2023 is ideal for mid to high swing speed players who prefer a softer feeling ball with more control around the greens. The performance in all conditions is very good, although the cover could be more durable.
Extremely high levels of spin make this a really effective and fun ball around the greens, with the spin on longer approach shots providing increased confidence to attack pin positions.
The PXG Xtreme ball is a really solid premium ball offering that performed well in all aspects of the game. The firm sound and feel may take a while to get used to, especially with the putter, but it’s certainly a worthy ball.
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The latest iteration of the Titleist Pro V1x delivers in all areas of the game. We noticed a jump in ball speed off the tee which, combined with a strong flight, offered superb distance. That this didn’t come at the cost of short game control was a big win.
An excellent premium ball. Spinnier, more workable and firmer feeling than the Chrome Tour, this ball will suit players looking for maximum spin and those who love to shape the ball.
There are genuine, tangible improvements in this ball from the previous iteration, with the speed and a softer feel somehow being produced alongside excellent spin numbers.
Best Premium Golf Balls
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Titleist Pro V1
Now in its 23rd year, the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is arguably the most recognized and best golf ball on the market, with this year's offering seeing a technological upgrade with the high-gradient core. Firmer at the periphery, the new core gets progressively softer towards the center which, Titleist designers say, promotes fast ball speeds and low long game spin.
In testing, it still delivers that powerful, consistent feeling, with it being particularly impressive within the mid-iron performance. Hitting a series of 7-iron shots, there was a reduction in spin and a little more distance, which will appeal to a broad range of golfers. What's more, the 2023 model also offers a slightly higher ball flight than its predecessor, which helps stopping power coming into greens.
Off the tee, it offered excellent ball speed and distance from a familiar strong ball flight and, one thing we noticed in the data, was how similar the spin performance was of each shot. It certainly backed up the claim of more consistency.
- Read our full Titleist Pro V1 2023 Golf Ball Review
TaylorMade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball
Used by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and Collin Morikawa, the TP5 has been with us for some time now. For 2024, TaylorMade has given it some upgrades in the form of the material around the core, with the brand altering the material so that it produces a lower density acoustic, as well as a softer feel.
The softer feel allows TaylorMade to make it harder and faster to boost speed without losing out on feel or acoustics and, consequently, the TP5 performed consistently and solidly across. We must note that it was a few miles per hour slower than the TP5x, but the added spin helps get the ball airborne.
In testing, we found that the real standout was around the greens, with the TP5 producing a marshmallow soft feel that meant the ball stayed on the wedge for a long time. Because of this, it produced impressive levels of grab on the green and that makes it one of the best TaylorMade golf balls on the market.
- Read our full TaylorMade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball Review
Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball
Another model used on the professional circuit, the Callaway Chrome Tour range is a new model for 2024, with both the standard Chrome Tour and Tour X taking the top spot as Callaway's premium ball offering. Callaway themselves claim it's the 'gold standard Tour ball for better players who want the best in distance and feel'.
The Chrome Tour is designed to be the softer feeling but slightly lower spinning ball and, in our testing, that was certainly the case as it produced lower spin numbers than the X, but with slightly less ball speed. Importantly, in very blustery conditions, the stability and consistency of flight was genuinely impressive!
How did it stay so stable, you may ask? Well, Callaway have implemented a new Hyperfast Soft core that has been designed to give as much speed as possible, as well as an innovative new dimple design of hexagonal and spherical dimples. This is where the stability comes in the performance.
- Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball Review
Srixon Z-Star
There are plenty of models to choose from in the Srixon Z-Star golf ball range, with the standard Z-Star a fantastic option for those looking for a mid-soft feel. First things first, it features a urethane cover that straightaway gives excellent control around the green.
For 2023, the Z-Star has been given a new Spin Skin+ coating that apparently digs deeper into the grooves of your irons and wedges for better control and, in our testing, that was definitely the case. However, it is worth noting that the cover did not seem as durable as other premium balls.
As well as the coating, the 338 dimple pattern helped keep the flight straighter in the wind, with the soft feel making this a great performer around the greens. Certainly there was a lot of feedback on chip and pitch shots. This is because the Z-Star has a compression of 92 making it 10 points softer than the XV and Diamond.
- Read our full Srixon Z-Star Golf Ball 2023 Review
Bridgestone 2024 Tour B XS Golf Ball
To begin with, this is one of the best Bridgestone golf balls money can buy, with the main standout feature of it being the greenside spin. In testing, we couldn't remember a more spinnier golf ball, with the Tour B XS digging into the green like it was pitching into Velcro!
This performance translated into the iron department, with the confidence allowing us to attack tucked pin positions. One slight downside is that it was a little bit slower than the Tour B X version, but with the ball designed for those with swing speeds of over 105mph, there wasn't a huge amount of drop off.
Ranked as one of the best golf balls for high swing speeds, we thought that the Tour B XS is a sensibly priced option that is certainly worth testing for the higher swing speed player looking for maximum control around the greens.
- Read our full Bridgestone 2024 Tour B XS Golf Ball Review
PXG Xtreme
For 2023, we see PXG introducing themselves to the golf ball market, with the Xtreme a new candidate for the premium model category. The company are perhaps better known for producing some of the best golf drivers, but how does their golf ball stand up? Well, on initial inspection, we thought it felt and looked different to other premium models, with the Xtreme providing more of a ‘pearly’ white aesthetic.
In testing, it certainly performed like a premium model, as we were immediately impressed with the grab and spin from chip and pitch shots. Looking at our data, we could see why, as the Xtreme produced 100rpm more than the Titleist Pro V1x.
Giving off a slightly firmer feel, it does underperform slightly on the greens with the putter but, off the tee and with an iron in hand, it provided us with ample distance and ball speed, with the golf ball keeping up well with other models on this list. For a first attempt, it is certainly an option when it comes to adding to your golf bag.
- Read our full PXG Xtreme Golf Ball Review
Titleist Pro V1x
Aimed at those in search of a higher flight and more spin with a slightly firmer feel than the Pro V1, the latest Pro V1x has already been seen out on the professional circuit, with PGA Tour winner, Will Zalatoris, describing his decision to switch into it as “a no brainer”.
For 2023, there is a new high gradient ‘Dual-Core’ construction and, from outside to inside, the center of the ball gets progressively softer. Featuring an inner core which has been made 44% bigger, the main stand-out came in the long game department, with the Pro V1x providing a slightly higher flight, modest reduction in spin and a noticeable bump in ball speed. This translated into more distance.
This was also the case in the iron portion of the game, with the last notable point being the strength of the ball flight. In windy and cold testing conditions, we found that it was extremely easy to control, with the added distance not affecting dispersion or spin.
- Read our full Titleist Pro V1x 2023 Golf Ball Review
Callaway Chrome Tour X Golf Ball
The Chrome Tour X shares much of the same technology as the Chrome Tour, with the same hexagonal and spherical dimple pattern on show. You may wonder then, what are the main differences? Well, the X is slightly firmer than the standard Chrome Tour, with the speed also fractionally up.
In testing, the spin levels were consistent throughout and where we would expect the best premium golf balls to be and, along with the spin, the new rubber system of the Hyperfast Soft core really helps create optimal compressions to produce maximum speeds.
Overall, Callaway have done an excellent job of creating two models that will appeal to the wide range of fast swing speeds. If we were to put this ball into a certain category, we think it will suit those that like to shape the ball.
- Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour X Golf Ball Review
TaylorMade 2024 TP5x Golf Ball
It's tough to know where to start with the TP5x, which we think is one of the best golf balls available right now! Performance-wise, there was a slight increase in speed over the standard TP5, but the spin levels were almost identical through the bag.
Aesthetically, TaylorMade have worked hard on the looks of the TP5x, which is very clean and features a handy alignment aid on the side. There are various versions of the model available, with TaylorMade adding never before seen customisation options to its Pix models.
TaylorMade have thought long and hard about the new TP5x and, with a new ‘Speed Wrapped Core’ producing a soft feel and lower acoustics, it really gave us the confidence to swing hard and fast at the ball. To put it simply, we struggled to find any weakness in what is one of the best premium golf balls that money can buy.
- Read our full TaylorMade 2024 TP5x Golf Ball Review
How we test golf balls
The quality of Golf Monthly's reviews and buyers guides is built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team that has a sterling reputation in the industry, known for delivering the key points you want to know in a concise, easy-to-digest manner.
With golf balls, our procedure revolves around indoor and outdoor testing conducted by our team of reviewers. Starting with indoor testing to get some controlled statistics, we always get golf ball data using launch monitors like SkyTrak or Foresight Sports GCQuad. Often we hit new models alongside previous generations, or competing models to see how the performance differs as well.
We then take the balls outside which revolves around hitting with a launch monitor again, and then putting the balls to the test out on the course to get some real data and feedback as well. This way we can see how the ball performs playing a variety of different shots and in different conditions.
The final point worth mentioning is that no manufacturer can buy a good review because our testing team tells it how it is.
How to choose golf balls
Soft or firm? - The best premium golf balls come in alternative versions that spin slightly less for players who prefer a firmer feel or more control off the tee. We would recommend trying both from various distances to find your preference.
Cover material - Urethane-covered balls offer the best spin control and feel but do cost more. Experiment to see if you notice enough of a difference to justify the extra cost.
Long game or short game? - Which aspect of the game is most important to you? Do you want to get as much distance as possible out of your golf ball or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to improved feel?
Well we have created guides for both. If you value the former then check out our guide on the best distance golf balls. Or, if you put a real premium on feel, perhaps our best soft feel golf balls guide might be a good next step.
We should say that most of the premium models above are built more on feel and control, rather than distance so bear that in mind when reading.
Price - No buying guide would be complete without at least mentioning the price factor. Even in the premium sector there are models which are cheaper than others. So we would recommend trying out some models first, and then seeing how much you are willing to spend on a dozen golf balls.
FAQs
What are the most premium golf balls?
This is a difficult question to answer because every big brand in golf makes a Tour-level golf ball that can best be described as 'premium'. Titleist has the Pro V1 range, Srixon the Z-Star, Callaway the Chrome Soft or Tour balls and TaylorMade the TP5 range, all of which are at the premium end of the golf ball spectrum.
Do premium golf balls make a difference?
Premium golf balls are called as such because they tend to offer class-leading performance not just in terms of spin, but also control and feel. This explains why the best players in the world use premium golf balls. Whether it will make a difference to your game will depend on what level you are.
If you are just beginning your golfing journey, then no premium golf balls will not be worth it whereas if you are a single figure player who has previously used value or mid price golf balls, then chances are you will see an uptick in performance after switching to a premium model.
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