Cheap v Expensive Golf Balls Test!! Golf Monthly 

I use whatever ball i find in the trees after my drive, i’m never going to be tiger woods or on tour so there is zero point in paying 50 quid for 12 balls i’m going to lose in the first 9 holes anyway

19 handicap here. Main problem is my inconsistency, not equipment...or balls. Get the same kind of scores with whatever ball I play with..

The old saying still rings true: It's the 'Indian', not the 'arrow'.

With all due respect, the comparison test can only be valid if the balls are striked without knowledge of the ball brand.

Excellent test. I use ‘bricks’ in the winter. No gains with a premium ball other than feel and it doesn’t hurt so much when losing a plugged ball. Very impressed with the Inesis.

This video saved a lot of money for a lot of people, very awesome video!

Won the long drive prize at a golf tournament a couple years back with a Slazenger. I think it’s more important to play the same type of ball consistently, doesn’t need to be an expensive ball.

The Inesis is remarkable value for that level of performance. The launch monitor data for the Slazenger feels a bit suspect on the wedge though. Inesis would be a cracking ball for winter golf

It just depends on what your used to. If you know how much run out is at any given shot you compensate. Same way you would if its very spiny. Its more about playing the same ball all the time for consistency

I used to play the Wilson Prostaff Max sadly they aren't around anymore. It was cheap durable and long! Had a hole in one with one back in 08! That was a pro staff nuclear max orange ball!

Ive hit Slazenger v300 and ultrasoft recently and they were very good.

Thanks for the efforts. But to be a true test a golf machine should be used. There is too much variance in humans swinging, no matter how much we try in each swing.

I am what would you class as a short hitter. Average 295yrds off the tee. My wedges usually spin 12,000+ rpm and my usual round would consist of 15-17 GIR and usually no more than 27 putts. Being a high handicapper (26) I am more than happy to play the cheap balls until my game improves.

All of my lowest rounds have been with a Slazenger Raw Distance. I used to play ProV1, but because of the low rounds with the Slazenger it's all I ever play now. I actually like the slightly "harder" feel and if practiced with you can really hone the short game feel. I think it can help to play the same ball all the time so you know how it will respond. You can get used to playing with any ball in my opinion, so one option is to choose a more affordable one.

My objective in golfing is to hit the ball straight and at consistent distances for each club. A high spin ball is contrary to my objective. I am not good enough to “work” a fade or draw. A $500 driver, $1200 set of irons, and $50 per dozen balls means I am no longer playing. I can “skull” a Pro V1 just as well as that Slazenger. I use cheap or reused balls, and I play to my ability, I know my chips and pitches will run out more, and play knowing that.

I’ve been playing Vice Pro + for a couple years, and love them. So close to a ProV1, and much cheaper in price. The covers last longer on wedge shots also.

I've been playing for a year and looking for distance for my drives. My short game is naturally good, so you have just saved me loads of money, thanks.

pretty easy imo ... 100+ = play the cheapest ball you can find (used preferably). 90-100 = $15-$20. 80-90= $30-$50. under 80 ... pay the $50

Inesis also do a urethane cover for £20/doz. I got bought some for my birthday last year, and theyre pretty good. Id be interested if they make up that difference in performance even more.

i play always with inesis since I started with the game. in the beginning with the 100 series, but as my game improved , I switched to the 500 series, where the touch is a little softer, and gives me slight more control. At a price of 15 € a box, that's 10€ difference it's still a cheap ball to play with. my advice is: the ball should improve together with your handicap.

My short game is very good, but does not rely on spin, so I can get used to and play well with either a distance ball or a premium ball. A urethane cover does not give me any more confidence, so I usually don't play a premium ball, unless the greens are not receptive on approach shots.

Interesting!! I have Calloway Supersoft, Srixon Soft Feel, and Nitro Pulsar. The first two I bought at my Golf Club Pro Shop. They were what I would consider mid-range priced golf balls. The Nitro Pulsar I bought at a Big Box department store off the rack. It was almost 1/2 the cost of the other two! They are also "soft feel" balls. There really isn't much difference among them. Srixon offers more control on the green and when using a close wedge. The Calloway Has more pronounced dimples for a slightly better flight direction control and straightness. The Nitro flies pretty good, as well. For the price, the Nitro is a good ball. However, the psychological advantage is definitely Srixon for me. The feel, the sound of a pure hit, the response to my putting style, all give me confidence with the ball. Then the Nitro and lastly the Calloway. The most important factor is psychological!! If you feel good striking a certain ball and you get the desired responses, then the price is immaterial! The Pro V 1 is a high-end good quality ball. But I believe it's only as good as your confidence in it allows. Low confidence equals poor reaction and inconsistent scores. Just my opinion!

I use a pack of callaway strata voodoos and srixon anything and love them its mainly the putting feel that differs to me

I have used cheep and expensive balls and never noticed any difference between them so I use cheep balls, I think sometimes there is a psychological aspect that comes in to it as in they are more expensive so must be better, so unless you're a low handicap or pro it's not worth it.

I miss the Slazenger RAW distance. Loved that ball and can't get it in the states anymore. Used to be $20US for 2 dozen and they flew great.

Last year a guy in my group shot a 74 with a freakin Pinnacle distance golf ball at one of the harder courses here in Los Angeles. He says he can play good golf with any ball. I believe him.

The inesis 900 is a very good ball and cheaper than the premium ones with a similar performance, I'm a mid handicapper and would use mainly the inesis 500 ... sometimes the 900 --- the 100 is out of my regular rotation ... I used to use that when started to play 3 years ago

I hit Slazenger exclusively thru the 80s until a club fitter suggested that if I wanted to step my game up I should educate myself about the golf ball. He was right. Ten yrs. ago I learned that Callaway better served my game than Pro-V but for the last 2 plus years it's been SNELL.

I had a box of various golf balls to practice chipping and pitching. There was one ball in particular that always came closest to the hole. Slazenger ! very consistent and nice soft feel.

Started golf again last year. Used the Slazenger V300. Made an ok start. Have now moved on to the Titleist AVX now that I rarely lose a ball.

I'd love to know what's the difference if any is between the V100 and V300. Great video very insightful

I'm a 17 handicap and my 2 best rounds ever and longest drive, by 30 yards, at 299 yards was with a Nitro ball at $6 per dozen. I've played with premium balls and still have several but have decided they're over-hyped and priced and as a bogey golfer I can't tell any difference other than a little more click in the 50 cent ball. Plus loose two and it's a buck. Loose two premium balls and that was lunch.

For me, a weekend golfer, the main reason to use urethane is the durability not playability. It could hold up a bit better than surlyn. But then come to think of it, I don't have the game to keep the ball into fairways and greens only. So I went the cheap distance ball route, just bought the 2 dozen of Inesis 100 after watching your video, would be very interesting how this could react to my scores...

My game isn't good enough to worry about it. I had been playing the Slazenger Soft feel because I play the game for enjoyment and a clean, comfortable impact that reduces the vibrations is a big plus to that end. Last time I was out on the links (some years ago) I was not able to find the Slazenger balls in my area...

I have played golf since 1970 and experienced a large development of the golf equipment. In the 70's i played Uniroyal, MacGregor and Titleist. In the 80's Titleist and the same through the 90's. But then i started to play with Callaway and Srixon. To day i usually play with Callaway , Srixon and Titleist, but i must admit that i just bought 4 dozens of Slazenger V100 and payed 20 pounds for the lot. There's not a lot of feel and they are actually hard to putt with, but i hit them 10 - 15 meters longer from the tee than for example the Titleist Pro V1.

Interesting test. I'm always dubious about the difference especially round the greens but even I think I notice a better feel with a better ball and I'm rubbish

I've never been in a Decathlon store, but I just checked their website: Inesis Tour 900 (3-piece urethane balls) are £19.99, Inesis Soft 500 (2-piece Surlyn balls) are £9.99, and the ones you used are £4.99. Looks like some more testing is needed, Neil!

I liked your video. I played my first round of the yr last week shot 73 +1 for the round. Was a new course. I’m a life long titliest player and tried a new ball Dixon Fire. Had very similar feel to prov1. 1/3 less in cost. When you play at this level it’s all feel. I’m curious on spin speed and height of ball flight. Thanks for planting the seed to try my own test. And don’t forget to stretch.

Great job addressing the difference and subjective value of cheap balls. Us lower cappers need greenside control and most new or just rec golfers should play cheap! Thanks

Well done. Tough to beat a urethane covered ball. I have noticed that using TopFlite Gamer urethane balls at half the price and to me almost as good around the greens. But since I started playing persimmon woods last season I needed a softer ball and I use the Wilson Staff Duo Spin around $20.00 a dozen with good results. Would love for you guys to compare a premium ball vs the Gamers or Wilson staffs. Thanks

I play off 2 and I use a Srixon soft feel surlyn ionomer ball in wet conditions as I don't need the spin rate i get from the Z Star i use when it's dry. They feel much better than pro v1 and X variants feel say too hard for my liking. Bring back the wound balata ball.

Nice to know for high Handicapers! A New Ball vs Lake Ball test would also be interesting

So as a high handicap 27 player familiair with losing a ball or 2 I Will continue to use the inesis. I,d like the play the same new ball rather than switch to lake balls.

Shout out from me for the Slazenger V300 Soft..... cheap as chips and lovely soft feel .. try some they're great.

Are these balls legal for competition play? I can’t find them on the R and A confirming ball list. Inesis 500 and 900 are there but the 100 is not?

Lovely looking golf course - where is this?

When it comes to playing with balls, great players can play well with any of them.

I play Slazenger Ultra Soft balls, they have plenty of spin, and the feeling is superb around the green. Only 5 pounds for dozen, not too bad if you loose more than 1 per round.

I am high handicapt player. So I used to buy cheap golf balls for my first golf seasons. I bough those slizingers form SportsDirect. The thing is, when I played with them in September/October or March when the weather is cool and a bit rainy. They breake. Some breake right after a good, solid driver shot. Some after few holes, but yeah, I never broke other brand golf balls, only Slazinger. So I do not buy them anymore. The other thing that I noticed. When I play with cheap balls and have a lot of them in my bag, I tend to play a bit worse, because in my mind I am not affraid to lose it. To hit it in water, or in long grass and lose it. When I started to play to a bit more expcensive golf balls, I tend to focuse more, don't have the mind set - oh, it's ok if I hit the water, the ball is cheap. So my game actually improved with more expensive golf balls.

played mini tours for years..... best ball I ever played was old ( I am old ☺) Maxfli Black Max...... scored best playing Srixon clubs with the old Titleist 392 .... shot 60 twice during early 2000's .... it's not just the cover that makes the difference...... back when I played wooden headed clubs and a wound ball I think I remember a ball called "Patriot" being my favorite...... that's my input for you

i have used Top Flites for years. A lot of people say they are like hitting a rock. I used them even more for a while because they come they started making them in straight versions that have less spin and are very forgiving on the not perfect shots. I have been told by some people that if I used better balls my scores would be better but I have tried more expensive balls and scores have actually gone up so my response to them now is that if they could buy cheaper balls and keep the same scores while saving money. I have recently started using some WIlson Tour Velocity Accuracy golf balls. They seem to be a little better but still a very good value. I still keep a bunch of used Top Flites in my bag

Chip with slazenger was a miss hit but the inisis seems good il give those a try

Maxfli made the best balata cover balls ever, sadly I wasn't good enough of a player to take advantage of it much I stopped playing golf 20 years ago actually, do they still have balata cover balls?

surely the wedge number on the slazenger is a mis read

Do a review of all three of the Inesis balls. the distance, the soft, and the tour 900.

Definitly especially with a wedge. A flop shot is a great way to tell that's what I would test. I get so much more spin flopping a z star or pro v1 they stop dead on the green

Great video, when you factor in strike the difference could be less

Just my two cents -- find a ball you like, whether it be cheap or a tour model, and stick with it on all shots. There is a difference in balls, and the most important thing is to know how your swing works with the ball you pick. The ability to successfully predict how your ball will react in both distance and spin to your swing cannot be overstated.

I did an experiment of some golf balls using a Technasonic Check-Go Sweet Spot marker. This device basically spins a ball at 10,000 rpms and the heavy side will work its way to the outside allowing you to mark the ball so that the "heavy" side is not on one side or the other. (you can also mark a ball using salt water). If I mark and repeat the test, a balanced ball will not return to the same line. I found that in my cheap balls.. ..Kirkland 3 piece balls, about 60% of the balls had an obvious heavy side or were not balanced. By contrast, almost 95+% of my Taylor Made TP5 and TP5X balls were balanced with no prevalent heavy side. Pro V1 balls I have tested also show a high balanced % but I tested only a few of these. It really points to quality control of a $1 per ball product (which I like), and a $3.75 ball. Not sure how much actual performance difference it makes but I cant imagine being unbalanced is a positive.

There's such a wide choice of golf balls, with a varying budget. I'm off 9 handicap but been low as 4. In the winter months, apart from feel off the putter, I don't think there's much difference in the balls as far as scoring. When greens firm up, a more premium ball helps. Something like the dx2, ad33 or supersoft are all great on a budget (£15-£20) a dozen. Pro vs, tp5 etc are a waste of money unless you are 7 handicapper or below I think, cheers Andy

Very interesting report and golf balls actual effect on the game is worth noting. My home course punishes poor strikes, a topped tee shot will guarantee a lost ball on 8 holes. Pulled green shots 6 holes and poor second shots on par 4s 4 balls so it's possible to loose 18 balls per round ( not counting woods and ditches) so £50 a dozen not a chance!! I also saw a test done by another magazine which showed even on premium balls hit by machine dispersion of up to 23 yards on premium balls. However your results and evaluation is relevant, I love it when golfers say pro v1s are best for me, won't use anything else and can't play to their 16 handicap!!!

Should’ve put a camera on the green, so we can see the spin action

I use the Slazenger V300 Soft ball. £18 for 48 balls. Yes, I would love to play a premium ball and do if I find one on the course. I am used to the ball I play and my game has adjusted to take this into account. I wish you had added the V300 soft into the equation.

Can you compare the inesis tour ball to like a more expensive premium ball. The inesis tour is £20 which is the cheapest urethane tour level ball I have seen. Would be interesting to see how it compares

Inesis looks like a good winter ball option for everyone.

I would recommend the Callaway’s Chrome Soft balls, they are cheap and pretty good!

I play the pro v1 mostly because of putting I like the softer feel.. also when im 60 yards in from the pin the control of the ball feels much better.. just my .02 cents

I super love srixon z xv. I love the feeling when I hit with all my clubs.I don't think my performance is significantly affected by the type of ball I use. i play pretty consistently 82-84 with all balls. this ball just gives me the feeling of quality, and that's the only reason I use it. it lasts 5 rounds. then it makes small cracks.

I discovered the inesis 100 ball a couple of months back in Spain. Needed some cheap balls for a last minute round of golf. Wow, they are super long and give such a true ball flight. I hit a 253yard 3 wood yesterday and I am a high handicapper. Regardless of the price these are great balls and also confirm to PGA rules. So in theory could be used on tour. You wouldn't be able to with the Slazanger ones. I have also used these too and are ok, but Inesis 100 are miles better. Best flight off the tee I have seen, so straight.

Titleist nxt is my favourite ball pro v maybe suited to the better player I also like calloway balls too.... Used to play off 14 but stopped for years now im back playing off 20 tho my mates say Im a BANDITO LOL just love golf ⛳

Depends if you play spin or run it. So i guess it depends on your game and how you read play. Thats the best part of golf no one rule fits its your game.

I'm about a 10 handicapper with a few games finishing about 78 to 80 at times. I did an experiment with.... melted balls. I bought 50 used balls; most of them dirty. I wanted to clean them so I put them in a pot with very low heat. My goal was warm water for a few minutes. I forgot about them, and came back to a raging boil 30 minutes later. Many destroyed, but most were distorted e.g. dimples raised and some balls nearly ping pong-esque. Funny story I know. I took them to the course. Most of them flew nearly as straight with about a 10 yard drop in distance. The point being, is that your average joe will NEVER revolutionize their game with an expensive ball. Find a ball whose feel you like and play it. Don't be afraid of used balls. Invest your money into lessons and course time.

Freecnomic answer: if you are an average golfer or not quite, and not in a tourney or with rule sticklers, tee off with the cheapos (in case you hit it off the edge of the earth) and then switch to the primo$$ when it comes time to chip or putt; I have done it and lightning never struck me.

interesting findings, but maybe not surprising. I always found it amazing how ball manufacturers want us to believe that the latest and newest is so much better than the previous latest and newest. I have hit a lot and haven't really found a discernible difference in any. I suppose I'd be able to tell a difference in feel between a bargain basemen, closeout, distance ball and and ultra, tour premium one. Just find one that meets your budget, go play and have fun. Play one ball consistently, you will probably score slightly better. I had a course/teaching pro say "you don't need balls to stop, you need them to go. . ." I do, on occasion, like to play a cheap-o ball against playing partners that insist on the latest and greatest tour ball, you know, just for fun.

I have played Inesis balls for some time now.They work out at 41p a ball,and frankly I can't tell the difference between them and an expensive Pro V1.They don't scuff,and are still very playable after a few rounds,and of course if you lose one at 41p each it doesn't upset you,as much as losing a £3 Pro V1. Incidentally Inesis make clubs and their putter at £14 is good value.On another site,it was tested against a £399 Scotty Cameron and was not out performed. Inesis are like Primark and Aldi,in that they offer great value for your money.I've been very happy with them and play off 12 .

I'm a total Callaway guy end to end. I like not having to think about clubs, putters, drivers or balls (supersoft). It really helps with consistency I think. I just get new ones about every 5 years or so. Big Bertha and I listen to all the gearheads, then we hold hands and take their money.

Nice review. The better player one becomes the more the ball matters. If you’re a rookie get a good inexpensive ball. If you’re +5 you’ll need something with more control.

Taylormade rocketballz at costco for 29$ per 24. Best of both worlds :)

I play a urethane ball, but not the high priced ones as there are recently much lower priced brands like Snell, Vice etc. that give you the control around the green and putting feel of, say a Titleist ProV.

I use a ProV1 it saves me 2 to 3 shots a round. By allowing me to chip closer to the pin.

My favorite ball I ever played was the Nike mojo but then they took it out of my nearest golf shop, very sad day. There was something about the soft feel and soar I could get out of it, just a unique ball

Great review enjoyed that can see decathlon selling out off inesis soon😁

Prefer a Surlyn ball to a Urethane for putting, so I use a 3 piece ball from Vice with a Surlyn cover and score better than ProV1x.

In my experience the ball makes quite a bit of difference to your game if you are a 15 handicapper or below. But it's hard to find a ball you like. I loved the Callaway HX Chrome circa 2015/2016 and then they stopped making that ball and came up with the Chrome Soft. Hate that ball! It's a little bit mushy off the irons and too soft off my putter. The HX Chrome feels more like a ProV1x so I think I'll switch back to that this year but I have been playing Callaway balls for a long time now. I'm currently playing off a slope of 9.0 but my short game handicap is likely closer to a 6, so I'm very fickle about how my ball behaves around the green. A soft urethane cover is important for grabbing the green on partial wedge shots and chips. When I play a ball I like I'm more apt to chip in or pitch in and my scores are lower, thus my happiness index improves :) And some of this is mental. If you play better equipment it does give you a confidence boost sometimes. So does having a consistent feel and control around the green. The worst think about urethane covers balls is their longevity. I rarely get 18 holes out of a good ball cause the cover does get scuffed up a bit. And if you hit one in the woods, there goes $5 Canadian!

I use the Titlest Velocity ball.I have a swing speed in the. Mid to upper 80’s with a bad back and am 75 years old. For many years I played the Slazenger ball and was very happy with the distance I achieved with that ball. The Velocity is a solid ball in that my misses are not way off line. I generally hit my drives straight and around 190-200 yards. I will try a more expensive ball just to see if I can coax another 5 yards out of all my clubs.

Any ball will do in the winter

Like I said on the yellow ball video, I play the inesis soft ball, £10/dozen so not much more than these. They feel the same as callaway supersoft, play perfectly for me as a mid handicap. No point paying over the odds for expensive balls unless you’re low to scratch.

Nice Ball test Neil, Ball choice is of course down to personal preference and when and where you are playing. Personally, I have never seen the point in playing a Premium high Spin Ball in the UK in Winter, Spring or Autumn the Greens are usually Soft anyway. The only time I would consider using a Premium Ball in the UK is in High Summer when the Greens get fast and hard. I didn't know that Decathlon sold Golf Balls, looks like I may have to pay my local store a visit!

I use a pro 1 l I like the feel off the strike than a normal ball

Inesis as a brand, seems to hold up SO well against the big, overpriced market leaders. Really refreshing to see you DON'T need to pay the exorbitant prices the manufacturers say you do, through their huge marketing campaigns. Golf would grow a lot more if beginners weren't put off by these prices!

this test should be done for a hack golfer with much lower club head speed at impact, someone who drives it 200-220 yards, not 290

I wish I knew someone with a simulator like this to test things being done *to* balls. A ball is intended to work a certain way when it comes out of the box. I started having fun dying balls, and noticed you could get an ever so slightly tacky surface on a ball (or at least less glossy, like I noticed some expensive specialty balls had) by either prepping with a quick rub with, or mixing a light concentration of, solvents like lacquer thinner or acetone into the dye (which indecently dyes synthetic materials better, deeper, often). One might say, "Well you probably just ruined the performance of the ball!", whereas I'd say, "Perhaps, but prove it". The most expensive balls I saw last on the department store shelf (yes, department store) some day glo orange ones that claim better spin have almost exactly the same tactile feel to its cover as these quickly/lightly lacquer-thinner prep-rubbed experimental Titleists that come out of my 1 part vinegar, 1 par water, a part acetone, + dye mixture after sitting a while. I'd instinctively guess they'd spin more but worry they may lose distance... but who knows. I don't care too much if they're legal... I'll worry about that when I got pro ;P (just give me a bit -- I haven't played since high school, back into it for a season at 48 years old)

I play the srixon z star for the price I believe it’s a good ball. I’m a mid handicapper with a club head speed around a hundred to me it doesn’t pay for me to use prov1 golf balls. Thanks

The test does tell some insight, however the displacement of flights and control ability haven’t been covered

I play because I like too, have tried all different types of balls, can lose expensive ones just as easy as cheap ones, don't really care about spin rate or any of that stuff have never been able to get a ball to spin backwards towards the flag i go to have some fun and some exercise

In a friendly game you could hit cheap balls with the driver as we tend to loose more balls when using this club, then nearer the green change ball for a better one ????

what matters more is the condition of said ball. fresh, unblemished balls are always better, regardless of price. maybe do a test (of any brand) that compares worn, old balls (aka found) vs new from the sleeve.

I'm a 13 handicap and for me, what's going to lower my score is hitting fairways and greens. And for me to do that I just need to hit the ball straight consistently. When I miss greens I tend to hit bump and runs rather than trying to hit a high flop shot, if I can help it. On my approaches, I'm just trying to hit greens. From 100 yards I'll typically get it within 30 feet. From 150 I'm happy just to hit the green. So whether a ball sticks or rolls out 10-20 feet isn't going to affect me much. A few yards here or there doesn't matter and a "silky" feel off the putter doesn't matter. That said, I'm not going to play a really cheap ball. I'll typically pay $1 - $2 for a ball (Srixon Q-Star, Noodle, Bridgestone e6, etc.).

You can't get data for striking 1 of each ball over a range of shots....you have to hit 5-6 shots of each ball in each scenario to get an average, this would rule out your variable swing.

I play the Srixon ultisoft. All other balls feel like rocks now and it doesn't matter about the price.