Part of the beauty of golf is that it can be played “forever.” You can take your first swing as a toddler and play junior tournaments, and you’ll still be able to physically enjoy playing the game from the senior tees decades later. You can change tees as you age and gain experience. It’s truly one of the few sports you can play for your entire life.

However, swing speed doesn’t last forever despite the game's longevity. It can be confusing and even infuriating for senior golfers to adjust to a more moderate swing speed and lose the distance they once had. But more moderate swing speeds might not be the culprit if you’re still playing the same balls you’ve had forever. A low-compression golf ball could be the best for you right now, and it might solve some problems in unexpectedly wonderful ways.

As a younger golfer, I had the opposite problem. I could afford to play any ball on the market when I was a junior golfer, but once I reached high school, I noticed I was bigger than some kids I played with and swung harder but wasn’t benefiting from any extra distance. Finally, I switched to a higher-compression ball, and the next tournament I returned to, the effects were immediate. I was 20 yards past my playing partners.

I don’t share that story because the higher compression was responsible for my gained distance. It was because the higher compression golf ball was a better match for the extra swing speed I had gained over the previous few years. Golf balls aren’t about playing the one labeled as the fastest on the market; they’re about finding the right one for you. And if you need any help, reach out to a Curated Golf Expert.

“But I’ve Always Played This Ball. Why Do I Need to Find a New One?”

Compression is a critical part of the ball, often forgotten when it comes to fitting. “Compression” means how much or little the golf ball squishes or bounces off the clubface.

High-compression golf balls need to be hit harder to really “activate” (when the golf ball squishes hard enough to reach the core). In the hands of someone with top-tier swing speed, a high-compression ball generates more ball speed and flies farther than any other option, providing maximum distance.

But just because a golf ball can go 350 yards doesn’t mean everyone can hit it 350 yards. High-compression balls must be hit incredibly hard to reach that activation point. A low-compression golf ball, on the other hand, is made of fewer pieces and is a little springier off the clubface. The effects of activating the ball’s core aren’t as plentiful, but getting to that stage is much easier.

A golfer with a more moderate swing speed might start to lose distance or height with their long game if they play a golf ball with too high a compression point. A general rule of thumb for lower-compression balls is they should be used if your swing speed dips below 85mph or if your drives may consider a switch to a low-compression ball.

For more tips for senior golfers, check out this article.

The Best Low-Compression Golf Balls for Seniors

If you want to regain some of that explosive feel from a ripped drive, here are some of the best golf balls with low compression.

1. TaylorMade Distance Plus

Curated rated the Distance Plus as the “top-most recommended golf ball of 2023.” It's incredibly affordable at about $20 per dozen. The Distance Plus is about as springy as a modern ball can get, with a compression rating (measurement of how much a ball rebounds off the face) of just 77. The two-piece construction means the ball is incredibly easy to activate, generating easy ball speed for lower swing speeds. The large crossing lines on the ball double as both a plus logo and a putting aid, helping you visually aim your putts and providing immediate feedback on the stroke (if the line is wobbling, you didn’t hit the sweet spot).

While most elite balls sport a urethane cover, this one has an ionomer cover, which increases scuff resistance and durability while offering greenside feel.

2. Callaway Warbird

One spot behind the Distance Plus as a “most recommended golf ball of 2023,” the Callaway Warbird is another great option for any golfer. The ionomer cover is a little firmer than urethane, so it might not generate the same level of spin as a urethane golf ball. Still, the added hardness means the Warbird can stay in the bag round after round without scuffing or needing to be changed out. The two-piece golf ball offers easy activation, with minimal layers generating easy distance and accuracy without demanding an excessive swing speed.

The dimples and their design create added aerodynamics to reduce drag and increase ball speed, giving you more distance off the tee. Even for lower handicappers, the Warbird generates length while maintaining enough touch to be a viable option in efforts to break all-time bests. Read more about Callaway Warbirds here.

3. Srixon Soft Feel

Yet another of the “most recommended balls of 2023” to appear on this list, the Srixon Soft Feel is among the softest balls on the market. The ball’s cover is softer and thinner than most competitors, meaning the ball has a softer feel for all short games and can generate more spin from close to the green. You might notice it looks slightly different from others, with tiny spaces between the dimples. The manufacturer also created the 338 Speed Dimple Pattern to reduce drag and increase lift, giving you a high launch angle and low spin off the tee for more distance. It’s hard to find a better combination of greenside control and power than the Srixon Soft Feel, especially for a golfer with a more moderate swing speed.

4. Srixon Q-Star Tour 4

This is not a ranked list, so don’t think that just because the Q-Star Tour is down here means it’s a middle-of-the-pack option. One of Curated’s most recommended golf balls under $50, this ball features a three-piece construction for easier activation. Still, it keeps a lot of Tour-level technology otherwise. It features a urethane cover like most premium high-compression balls, and the 338 Speed Dimple technology reduces drag like some of the most expensive options on the market. It also sports a long, thick black stripe down the side of the ball, offering an easy alignment aid for putts and tee shots.

You’ll no longer have to squint at the ball or double-check if the arrow points the right way. It might be a little more geared toward medium swing speeds than more moderate swing speeds, but the Q-Star Tour is one of the best made today.

5. Bridgestone B RXS

The most premium golf ball on this list, the Bridgestone B RXS is built for all swing speeds below 105mph (roughly a 270-plus yard average drive). That might sound too broad a category to encourage golfers with a more moderate swing speed, but that statement isn’t on the box for no reason. The major selling point with all Bridgestone’s new balls is the REACTIV iQ technology, which reacts to each shot to maximize distance or spin from the point of contact. To put it in more digestible terms, this ball reacts differently to your lob wedge than your driver.

A softer impact with a more lofted club will generate more spin, while a solid thump from a driver will create a lower spin rate and a more piercing ball flight. Bridgestone also has a dimple technology for reduced drag, with each dimple having a smaller dimple within it. This should be the top choice for players with more moderate swing speeds and low handicaps looking for a Tour-esque golf ball.

6. Titleist Tour Soft

Titleist’s low-compression models might not offer the same clout and fame as their ProV1s, but that doesn’t mean the company behind the “#1 ball in golf” skipped out on quality. As one of our top recommended Titleist Golf Balls, the Tour Soft won’t perform for faster swing speeds like its more famous relative, but it wasn’t made for faster swings. This golf ball has a large core, creating easier activation for players without Tour-quality speed on their drivers. It can generate easy length off the tee, but as the name denotes, it was made for heightened greenside control.

The cover is thin and grafted, making generating backspin off softer contact on short shots easy. If you’ve been looking for a ball that grabs faster and gets a little higher in the air around the greens, this should be in your hand on the first tee.

7. Wilson Duo Soft

The softest ball from Wilson Staff has been one of the best low-compression options on the market for years, and it only gets better with time. The newest version of the Duo Soft got a boost to its core technology, as this version is easier to access and generate speed with than ever before. The ball keeps the spin rate down off the tee for better distance while also offering touch and feel around the greens.

This was one of the first balls I consistently put in my bag, and while they aren’t my go-to anymore, I have nothing but positive memories. I never felt I lost distance from my friends playing Pro V1s and TP5s. However, I still executed high-spin shots around the green and even the occasional flop.

Find the Right Low-Compression Ball for You

Looking for the right golf ball for you can be overwhelming. If you can’t decide which of these low-compression options is for you, or even if you want a little clarification about what level of golf ball compression you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to chat with one of Curated’s Golf Experts for personalized, free advice on which best choice your game.