Golf is one of the most popular sports in Australia. In fact, about 10.3 million rounds of golf were played last year across the country.
While it’s possible to enjoy a round of golf with dirty old balls, it is a completely different experience playing with a good quality ball, suited to your playing style.
To help you pick the right golf ball, we’ve created this in-depth buyers guide, including reviews of the top 5 golf balls in Australia.
Our top pick: Srixon Z Star Golf Ball
The Srixon Z-star is our number one pick for a variety of reasons.
They are highly durable thanks to a double urethane cover, and utilise a dual-core to maximise trajectory and spin off the tee. They also present some of the best value on offer for a ball of this calibre.
These balls are constructed using Srixon’s new-gen Spin Skin technology, which is designed to make the balls more comfortable to use.
Moreover, they also incorporate Srixon’s famous SpeedDimple technology, which improves distance.
With a compression rating of 88, these balls are fairly middle-of-the-road, making them suitable for novices and pros alike.
Pros
- Improved friction between club and ball
- Excellent for short-shots
- Affordable
- Very durable
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Less spin control than other options
Also great: TaylorMade TP5x Golf balls
If you prioritise distance over spin, then check out the TP5x.
Fresh from a recent upgrade, the TaylorMade TP5s continue to go from strength to strength and remain one of the best all-around balls on the market.
The latest TP5 utilises 5 separate layers, combining a 3 layer core for speed and distance, alongside a soft cast urethane cover for control.
It utilises the same 5-layer construction as the TP5, however, a firmer outer cover enhances speed and trajectory.
Pros
- Designed to be suitable for every club and shot type
- New 5-layer construction
- Ultra soft for maximum distance
- Urethane cover for spin and control
Cons
- Less spin than other options
Bridgestone Golf Tour B RXS
If you are looking for a golf ball that provides the perfect balance between distance and control then the Bridgestone Tour B RXS should be near the top of your list.
It’s gradational core provides increased initial speed, while a SlipRes urethane cover offers superior spring and control, as well as enhanced durability.
The RXS also provides great shot trajectory and aerodynamics thanks to the dual dimple technology.
Pros
- Balanced dimple pattern
- Responsive on the green
- High spin
- Good compression
- Affordable
Cons
- Some players may prefer a softer ball
Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball
These balls are some of the most popular on the market and for good reason.
They are super soft for enhanced ball feel, but can still cover some serious distance due to the low compression core.
With a compression rating of only 38, these balls have low spin and therefore maintain their line well in the air.
Users of these balls love the consistency off the tee as well as the ball feel and control in short play.
Pros
- Low spin means super long, super straight drives
- HEX Aerodynamics enhance flight consistency
- Low drag
Cons
- More competent players may prefer more spin
Titleist Pro Golf Ball
One of the most popular balls on the market, the Titleist Pro is among the best when it comes to flight consistency due to an improved design.
With a high number of dimples – 352 to be exact – this ball is a great option for experienced players who prioritise distance.
Pros
- Good Distance
- More consistent flight
- Drop-and-Stop greenside control
- Very soft feel
- Long lasting durability
Cons
- Soft texture may damage easily
How To Choose The Best Golf Ball
It’s important to know what to consider when choosing a golf ball so that you can get the most out of your game.
Let’s have a look at a few factors that define the best balls:
Core And Compression
Compression is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a golf ball. It defines how much a ball will compress on impact with the club, and impacts both distance and control.
Players with high swing speeds would generally opt for compression ratings in the 90+ range, as these balls will offer more control.
More novice players with slower swing speeds will benefit from the additional distance provided by lower compression balls, and should look at those in the 70 – 90 range.
Cover
The cover is an important factor impacting the durability of the ball. Golf balls typically come with one of two types of covers: Urethane and Surlyn.
Surlyn is the more durable option but it doesn’t perform as well when it comes to backspin. Hence, surlyn cover balls can be a good option for new players.
On the other hand, urethane offers better control and higher spin but it’s softer coating makes it less durable than surlyn. However, it remains the more popular coating amongst serious players due to its ability to shot-shape.
Layers
There are two popular golf ball constructions: two-piece or multi-layer.
The former option consists only of the cover and the core and is the better option for beginners due to the design helping to reduce slices and hooks. The cover on these balls is also hard, making them very durable.
Multi-layer golf balls are more suitable for experienced players as they have additional layers for improving ball feel, sculpting, and control.
Moreover, they also come with a thin cover for an improved spin.
Dimples
The small indentations on the ball are known as dimples and they serve the purpose of controlling ball trajectory and reducing drag. Most balls have 300-400 dimples.
In addition to the number of dimples, their depth, size, and shape can all influence the flight of the ball.
Generally speaking, you don’t need to make any big decisions regarding the dimples on a ball you purchase.
RELATED: The Best Golf Driver
Verdict
At the end of the day the best ball for you is going to come down to personal preference and your individual playing style.
While all of the balls on this list are great, our personal favourite is the Srixon Z-Star thanks to it hitting the sweet spot in terms of distance, spin, and control.
