Best Ball for Mid-Handicap?

DoubleDrops · February 20, 2023

What ball does everyone recommend for a mid-handicap player?

EDIT: I should have added this to begin with. I’m not too terribly concerned with extra distance. I want something that will minimize the damage of my miss-hits. I prefer a softer ball when putting but I would like at least some spin on the green.
Ideally, I’d like to keep it at $30 or less

Edited February 21, 2023 by DoubleDrops

Jeff58 · February 20, 2023

Consider placing this in the golf ball sub forum, along with your swing speed, clubs you play, etc.

grochol17 · February 21, 2023

Without more information, if you wait long enough you'll pretty much have every golf ball that you can buy named in response.

To go along with what @Jeff58 said, to get more useful answers, you'll want to provide more information... for example, is cost important to you and, if so, how much are you willing to spend on a dozen? What ball(s) do you currently play and is there something more you're looking for in terms of performance? More spin into the greens? Longer off the tee? Softer feeling?

For what it is worth, just going by my interpretation of what "mid-handicap" means, I'd say you're probably too inconsistent to notice some of the performance differences between balls. So, if I were you I'd pick a few balls to try out, find the one that you feel the most confident playing, and stick with it for the rest of the season.

95124hacker · February 21, 2023

At $30 per dozen, Kirklands are probably your best bet. Keep an eye out for sales & stock up. Even the 4-for-3 specials will run you $37.50 per.

ReidE5 · February 21, 2023

Srixon Soft feel was what came to mind first. Really soft feel, low spin long game, good quality. So many options though depending on what you want a ball to do well.

Jeff58 · February 23, 2023

IMO it’s generally a good idea to -

Not buy $50+ per dozen balls. At one point in the not too distance past, certain high-end models had a quantifiable advantage in consistency. The difference is now vanishingly small.

Not buy inexpensive balls because they’re inexpensive. There are absolutely differences between tour-level balls and inexpensive 2-piece models. If you are willing to put the time/effort/money into achieving a better game, it’s not ok to limit yourself here.

Do decide for yourself. Generally, ball models are *different* from each other, not *better*. Only you can determine which category and model is most appropriate for your game and equipment choices.

So-

There are basically 4 categories of urethane balls: soft (eg. Chrome Soft), standard tour (V1), high compression tour (V1x), and very high compression (V1x left dash). When you look at combined PGA/LPGA use, almost all are using the two middle categories. So, go to Dick’s Sporting Goods. Purchase one dozen Maxfli Tours (non-X) and one dozen Srixon Z-Star VX’s. Take half of each when you play and alternate each hole. Buy more of the one you prefer, particularly when they go on their very common sales.

Striker Ace · February 23, 2023

Most mid handicap balls are in the 70 to 90 compression 3 piece urethane range and cost more than 30. But hey, since you're in-between may I suggest Wilson Staff DuoSoft, Wilson staff Zip, Maxfli Trifli (2 for 45) and srixon soft feel.

dbenn · February 24, 2023

On 2/20/2023 at 10:47 PM, grochol17 said:

Without more information, if you wait long enough you'll pretty much have every golf ball that you can buy named in response.

To go along with what @Jeff58 said, to get more useful answers, you'll want to provide more information... for example, is cost important to you and, if so, how much are you willing to spend on a dozen? What ball(s) do you currently play and is there something more you're looking for in terms of performance? More spin into the greens? Longer off the tee? Softer feeling?

For what it is worth, just going by my interpretation of what "mid-handicap" means, I'd say you're probably too inconsistent to notice some of the performance differences between balls. So, if I were you I'd pick a few balls to try out, find the one that you feel the most confident playing, and stick with it for the rest of the season.

I second this, everyone will have their opinion of the best $30 ish ball. In my experience playing with some mid-cappers the ball does not really impact much when you are hitting it all over the club face, which is fine. Buy some sleeves of your few favorite brands' $30 price range ball, IE Titleist Velocity, Callaway Supersoft, Srixon Qstar ($35 ish), Taylormade Soft Response etc. see which feels best to you around and on the greens and play that ball all year. I am a Titleist fanboy but do admit for the money the Qstar's are pretty good value.