Golf balls have come a long way in terms of distance and materials. There are many types of golf balls for beginner golfers and high handicappers, and more keep entering the market.

As a golf professional and teacher, I work with many beginners and high handicappers. I've seen them try many different golf balls. For the most part, you don't need to spend much money. I encourage buying the most reasonably priced, as the goal is to try and just hit the ball in the sweet spot. What you do want are the right golf balls for your game.

What to Look for in a Golf Ball

Compression

Compression rating measures the hardness of a golf ball. Ratings go from 30 to 120; a compression rating of 60 and lower is considered soft. A newer golfer will want a soft ball because it is more forgiving and easier to hit. In general, most new to high-handicap golfers should use a golf ball with a compression rating of 60 or less. However, some of the recommendations below are higher than 60 for a harder ball for players purely looking for distance.

Durability

The best beginner golf balls will have good durability to protect from the wear and tear of the golf course. There will typically be a layer of extra thermoplastic to help protect the ball. Unfortunately, beginners and high handicappers will not always hit their shots straight. There will be slices and a dozen or so trees, bunkers, and water hazards hit during the round.

Color

The traditional color is white, but recently there has been a surge in colored golf balls. For a beginner, I recommend a color ball because you'll be able to see it easier. Wherever you might land, it'll be more visible. My favorite colors are yellow, green, and pink for most beginners.

Price

A new or high handicapped player doesn't need to spend a lot on golf balls. You don't want the cheapest because they might wear out quickly, but you don't need expensive ones either. A price between $15-$25 per dozen is good. You'll want to get a lot of them. There are some excellent golf balls as you begin your golf journey, and they won't break the bank. So let's look at the seven best golf balls, whether you're a beginner or high handicap golfer.

Top 7 Recommended Golf Balls

1. Bridgestone E6

My top choice has been this ball for the last few years. It's a nice combination of cheap, distance, and soft feel. This has been Bridgestone's top-selling golf ball for more than a decade. This two-piece golf ball offers good value and ball speed and has greenside control when needed.

Golfers with slower and fast swing speeds can benefit from this ball. You get a good distance off the tee, which is always a plus. It is not to be compared to premium golf balls that cost twice as much, but it provides a strong feel and confidence. The appearance of this ball makes it look more expensive than it is. A compression rating of 50 makes this soft, and a surlyn cover keeps it durable.

The Bridgestone E6 is available in white or yellow.

2. Srixon Soft Feel

The Srixon Soft Feel golf ball is a two-piece golf ball that is fun to play. A compression rating of 60 keeps it soft, and the ionomer cover material lets it last for multiple rounds. The ball flight is helped by Srixon's 338 speed dimple pattern, reducing drag for more launch and distance.

Various colors are available, including white, yellow, bright green, orange, and red. The low price and the performance should have this ball as one of the options to get into the golf bag.

3. TaylorMade Distance+

The Distance+ is designed for speed. A low price point and quality make this a ball to consider for your game. It has a compression rating of 77, and even though higher than 60, it’s still soft. The alignment aid is nice and easy to see, the ball speed is fast, and the two-piece construction helps soften the ball.

A 342 aerodynamic dimple pattern helps create ball speed, and the ionomer cover minimizes scuffs and keeps the ball durable. Available in yellow or white, these are fun to play.

4. Callaway Supersoft

The Callaway Supersoft golf ball is a two-piece ball with speed, control, good spin, and long distance. This soft ball is designed for slower swing speeds with a 38 compression rating. The Callaway Hex dimple technology helps with the launch, drag, and distance.

Available color choices include white, yellow, matte red, matte orange, matte green, and matte pink. It's a fun ball to play and priced so as not to feel bad when there’s a mishit but enjoyable for when you make a great shot.

5. Wilson Tour Velocity Distance Golf Ball

A ball with good value and a durable ionomer cover that gives it long-lasting protection. 400 dimple pattern helps it go the distance. This ball is not as soft as the others on this list but is made for those looking for a ball that will go long. The two-piece layer and the compression rating of 85 (this compression rating is a little harder for those newer players solely looking for distance) keep the ball durable and made for speed, all for less than $20 per dozen.

Available colors are white, and it comes in a pack of 15 golf balls that really shows the bang for the buck of this golf ball.

6. Titleist Pinnacle Soft Golf Ball

The Pinnacle Soft golf ball is a nice option for the budget-minded. It has a very low compression rating and a soft-feeling ball that goes a long way. This 15-pack value box gives you the extra balls a player needs who is just starting the game. It has a nice two-piece ionomer cover that helps keep it durable and long-lasting.

The advanced 332 dimple design helps with low spin and distance. Pinnacle is under the Titleist umbrella of Acushnet, that are popular for high-quality golf balls. The available colors are white and pink.

7. TaylorMade Kalea Golf Ball

The Kalea is a wonderful women’s golf ball. Very affordable and great for newer golfers. The TaylorMade high-energy REACT core helps with launch and distance. The 342 dimple pattern works with the two-piece ionomer layer to provide a soft-feeling ball.

The 60 compression rating enhances the feel and makes it easy to hit. It is available in the colors of white, purple, and peach. The purple and peach have a UV-resistant matte finish that gives the ball a unique feel and easier-to-see colors.

Finding the Best Golf Balls for You

There are a lot of choices for your dollar when it comes to golf balls. As a beginner or high handicapped player, you don’t need the most expensive one, just one that you like and feels good when playing.

Chat with me or one of my fellow Golfing Experts on Curated to help choose the right golf ball for your game. Then get out on the course and have fun!