What is the best golf ball for the average player? 6 options revealed

Matt Cooper 17 Jun 2025

It’s easy to talk balls.

I do it hour after hour, day after day, week after week.

It’s also easy to talk about golf balls.

When I played a couple of Fridays ago my playing partner didn’t really stop.

His son had bought him Titleist Pro V1s for Christmas and he was a bit embarrassed his son had forked out so much for someone so likely to duff it into a pond. Which he promptly did.

“What ball is like a Pro V1 but is cheaper?” he asked. “And is it the best ball for a golfer like me anyway?”

Good questions.

Let’s have a look at some options.

Wilson Triad

Good ball. I played it recently and loved it. A friend took one for practice in a garden net and thought it cut up a bit, but I loved the performance – softer in touch than often believed to be but no lack of distance.

It’s designed to get golfers under 80 which means it is basically appealing to the average golfer so you know they have you in mind.

Seed SD-01 The Pro One

You can kind of guess what’s going on here – this is like an Aldi Pro V1.

But Seed balls are tremendous value and very good at what they do.

Again, course testing this ball I never thought to myself there was a massive let down in feel or performance.

Titleist Tour Soft

Okay then – want Titleist but not the big bucks option?

This ball provides a ton of feel from tee and from the fairway.

It lets itself down a bit around the greens.

Srixon Q-Star Tour

This was the ball my playing partner buys. It’s cheaper than many of the alternatives and yet it has plenty of the technology that features in Srixon’s highest performing balls.

It is a very soft ball, though, which might appeal more to the average golfer who makes up shots around the green rather than from the tee. Known for being good in wind.

TaylorMade Tour Response

Great for getting every yard of distance you can from your driver but maybe a little unresponsive for feel.

It’s great value, however, and has the option of a yellow ball.

Callaway ERC Soft

A ball that consistently features in “best of” lists because it allows for big hits and soft touch. It somehow manages to offer limited spin from the tee while permitting it around the greens.

Good combo.