Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers &#8211; Top 5 Picks for 2027

Best for distance

Titleist Velocity

★★★★★

£26.95

Best for: Golfers chasing extra yards off the tee

Focus: Ball speed

Dimples: 350 octahedral

Colours: White, green, orange

Best for feel

Callaway Super Soft

★★★★★

£24.95

Best for: Golfers who want a soft feel and a straighter flight

Core: HyperElastic SoftFast

Cover: Hybrid cover

Colours: Wide range

Best value

Srixon Distance

★★★★☆

£14.95

Best for: Golfers who lose a lot of balls and watch their budget

Construction: Two-piece

Core: FastLayer

Dimples: 324

Best for alignment

TaylorMade Distance Plus

★★★★☆

£21.99

Best for: Golfers who want help lining up putts and a soft, quick ball

Core: REACT Speed

Compression: 77

Aid: Plus alignment

Swipe sideways to see all picks.

Choosing golf balls for high handicappers is not about copying what tour players use. A premium urethane ball is designed for fast swings and precise spin control, and most golfers above an 18 handicap do not use either. The right ball here is softer, lower in spin, and cheaper, so your round is more enjoyable and a lost ball doesn’t hurt.

This guide ranks five options from our golf balls range, chosen by our PGA professional team for forgiveness, feel, durability and price. Every ball uses a two-piece design, a sensible construction for a high handicapper, and prices run from £14.95 to £26.95. If your game sits in a different bracket, our guides to seniors’ golf balls and low spin golf balls cover related ground.

We use the term to mean a golfer at roughly 18 or above, but the advice suits anyone who struggles with consistency. Each pick explains who it suits and where it falls short, so you can match golf balls for high handicappers to your swing rather than buying on name alone.

What to Look for in Golf Balls for High Handicappers

Five things separate a sensible choice from a poor one. None need a launch monitor.

Low compression

A softer core compresses at moderate swing speeds, so you gain ball speed that a firm ball would waste. It also feels gentler on mishits.

Low spin

Less sidespin means a slice or hook curves less. This is the single most useful trait in golf balls for high handicappers.

Two-piece construction

A solid core and tough cover keep cost down, add durability, and deliver a high, easy launch. Three-piece models add cost and spin you may not need.

Durability

Cart paths, trees and bunker lips take a toll. An ionomer cover resists cuts and scuffs far better than a soft urethane one.

Visibility and price

Bright colours help you follow a ball and find it in the rough. A lower price makes lost balls less painful.

Quick Navigation

Best overall	Best for distance
Best for feel	Best value
Best for alignment	Our Verdict
How to Choose	FAQs

Best overall: Srixon Soft Feel

★ #1 Top Pick★★★★★

Two-piece · Low compression · Soft E.G.G. core

A low compression two-piece with a soft ionomer cover and a high, stable flight. It is forgiving to hit, gentle on the hands and priced well below a premium ball, which is why it leads our list of golf balls for high handicappers.

Compression 60338 dimplesHigh launchIonomer cover

£21.95Inc. VAT · Free delivery over £30

✓ 60-Day Returns

The Srixon Soft Feel is built around the Soft E.G.G. core, a low compression design that transfers energy efficiently without needing a fast swing to wake it up. For a golfer who rarely swings the driver above moderate speed, that matters.

It also suits the way a typical high handicapper plays. The low spin rate takes some of the sting out of a slice or a hook, so a mishit stays closer to the fairway. A 338 dimple pattern steadies the flight, and the ionomer cover is tough enough to survive cart paths and the odd tree.

Where it gives ground is around the green. A two-piece ionomer ball will not check up like a tour urethane model, so expect more release on chips and pitches. For most players above an 18 handicap, that is a fair trade, and it is why the Soft Feel is our first choice among golf balls for high handicappers.

Strengths

Soft, responsive feel for a low price
Low spin helps tame a slice or hook
Tough cover that lasts round after round
Suits all swing speeds, especially slower ones

Considerations

Less greenside bite than a urethane ball
Not the longest ball for fast swingers

Also in this guide: more soft golf balls

Titleist TruFeel

Soft, low-compression Titleist

£24.95

Wilson Duo Soft

Ultra-soft two-piece

£22.95

Srixon UltiSoft

Soft feel and distance

£19.95

Best for distance: Titleist Velocity

Best for distance★★★★★

Distance ball · Softer core · Faster cover

Titleist builds the 2026 Velocity for speed and efficiency. A softer core and faster cover lift ball speed while trimming long-game spin, and the 350 octahedral dimple pattern gives a lower, more piercing flight with added rollout.

Ball speedLower spin off the teeExtra rolloutThree colours

£26.95Inc. VAT · Free delivery over £30

✓ 60-Day Returns

If yardage is your biggest frustration, the Titleist Velocity is the obvious step up from other golf balls for high handicappers. The updated core is softer than before, yet the cover is quicker, and the two work together to push ball speed higher while keeping driver spin down. Less spin means less curvature on a miss and a longer run once the ball lands.

The flight is lower and more piercing than older Velocity models, which helps in a stiff breeze on an exposed links or parkland course. It still gives enough stopping power for approach shots into a firm green.

The trade-off is feel. Compared with the Srixon Soft Feel, the Velocity is a little firmer, and golfers who value a cushioned strike may prefer our overall pick. The orange and green options are handy for finding a wayward drive in the rough. If you like the Titleist name, browse the wider range of Titleist golf balls too.

Strengths

Fast, efficient ball speed
Lower, penetrating flight in the wind
Premium brand quality at a fair price
Orange and green help you find it

Considerations

Slightly firmer feel than softer rivals
Lower flight can reduce stopping power on short irons

Best for feel: Callaway Super Soft

Best for feel★★★★★

Two-piece · Ultra-soft feel · Straight flight

One of the most popular soft balls on the market. A HyperElastic SoftFast core adds speed with the driver, the hybrid cover balances durability with some extra greenside control, and a wide colour range makes it easy to spot.

HyperElastic coreHybrid coverStraight flightMany colours

£24.95Inc. VAT · Free delivery over £30

✓ 60-Day Returns

Callaway designed the Super Soft for golfers who want long, straight distance without a harsh feel. The HyperElastic SoftFast core raises ball speed from the driver but stays gentle on irons and wedges, so a high handicapper gets a soft strike across the whole bag, not just on the tee.

The hybrid cover adds a little more greenside spin than the very cheapest distance balls, and the softer cover system helps approach shots hold the putting surface more effectively. It rewards good contact but forgives the poor kind, which is what a high handicapper needs from a golf ball.

Callaway also offers it in a long list of colours, from red and orange to green, pink and splatter finishes. A bright ball is easier to follow in flight and to find in the rough. For more on the manufacturer, see the Callaway range.

Strengths

Exceptionally soft feel on every club
Straight, easy-launching flight
Improved greenside control for the price
Plenty of bright colour options

Considerations

Soft cover marks sooner than a firm ionomer ball
Not aimed at fast swingers wanting maximum spin

Best value: Srixon Distance

Best value★★★★☆

Two-piece · FastLayer core · Durable ionomer cover

The most affordable ball in this guide and still a proper two-piece. The FastLayer core pairs speed with a good feel, the 324 dimple pattern cuts through the wind, and the ionomer cover is built to take punishment.

FastLayer core324 dimplesVery durableLowest price

£14.95Inc. VAT · Free delivery over £30

✓ 60-Day Returns

At just under fifteen pounds, the Srixon Distance lets you play without counting the cost of each lost ball. It remains a sensible choice for high handicappers who go through a few balls every round.

The FastLayer core has a soft centre that firms up toward the edge, bringing speed and a pleasant feel. The 324 dimple pattern is tuned for stable flight in the wind, and the thin ionomer cover is tough enough to resist cuts and scuffs for many holes.

You will notice less cushioning than the Soft Feel and little spin around the greens, so it is a ball for getting round happily rather than one for shot-making. If cost is the main driver, our guide to value golf balls compares more affordable options.

Strengths

Excellent price per round
Durable cover resists cuts and scuffs
Stable flight in the wind
Easy distance for slower swingers

Considerations

Firmer feel than the Soft Feel
Limited greenside spin

Best for alignment: TaylorMade Distance Plus

Best for alignment★★★★☆

Two-piece · REACT Speed core · Plus Alignment Aid

A speed-focused two-piece from TaylorMade with a REACT Speed core, an Extended Flight Dimple Pattern for low drag and a new Plus Alignment Aid printed on the ball to help you aim and roll putts on your line.

REACT Speed core77 compressionAlignment aidLow-drag dimples

£21.99Inc. VAT · Free delivery over £30

✓ 60-Day Returns

TaylorMade has aimed the Distance Plus at golfers who want a free-flying ball with a soft touch. The REACT Speed core and a 77 compression rating keep the feel gentle, while the Extended Flight Dimple Pattern reduces drag so the ball holds its speed through the air.

The headline feature is the Plus Alignment Aid. Two fundamentals decide whether a putt drops: aim and roll, and the printed mark gives you something to line up with the putter face. For a high handicapper who three-putts regularly, that is a useful extra among high handicap golf balls.

It is also available in yellow if you prefer extra visibility. Browse more from TaylorMade if you want to compare it with the brand’s premium models.

Strengths

Alignment aid helps with aim on the green
Low drag for good speed retention
Soft feel from the two-piece build
Yellow version available

Considerations

Newer ball, so fewer customer reviews on our site
Alignment marks are a matter of taste

Ball Technology Explained

Core

The engine of the ball. A large, soft core adds speed at moderate swing speeds and is why golf balls for high handicappers feel so different from tour models.

Cover

Ionomer covers are durable and lower spin. Urethane covers are softer and spin more around the green but cost more and scuff sooner.

Compression

A lower number means a softer, easier-to-compress ball. Ratings around 60 to 80 suit slower swings very well.

Dimples

The pattern controls drag and lift. A well-tuned design keeps the ball stable in the wind and helps it hold its speed.

Alignment aids

Printed lines or marks help you aim a putt. They will not fix a stroke, but they do remove some guesswork.

Performance Ratings

Our PGA professional team scored each ball out of five on the traits that matter most to a high handicapper.

Golf Balls for High Handicappers: Ratings

Srixon Soft Feel

Forgiveness★★★★★

Distance★★★★☆

Feel★★★★★

Durability★★★★☆

Value★★★★★

Softest all-rounder and the easiest to hit.

Titleist Velocity

Forgiveness★★★★☆

Distance★★★★★

Feel★★★★☆

Durability★★★★★

Value★★★★☆

The fastest ball here, with excellent durability.

Callaway Super Soft

Forgiveness★★★★★

Distance★★★★☆

Feel★★★★★

Durability★★★☆☆

Value★★★★☆

Plush feel everywhere, with a cover that scuffs a little sooner.

Srixon Distance

Forgiveness★★★★☆

Distance★★★★☆

Feel★★★☆☆

Durability★★★★★

Value★★★★★

Hard to beat for cost and toughness.

TaylorMade Distance Plus

Forgiveness★★★★☆

Distance★★★★☆

Feel★★★★☆

Durability★★★★☆

Value★★★★☆

Balanced speed and feel with a useful putting aid.

Which Golf Ball for High Handicappers Suits You?

START HERE: What matters most to you?

Priority 1: Do you want the softest, most forgiving strike?

YES → Choose the Srixon Soft Feel or Callaway Super Soft.
NO → Skip to Priority 2

Priority 2: Are extra yards your top concern?

YES → Choose the Titleist Velocity, or the TaylorMade Distance Plus for a softer option.
NO → Skip to Priority 3

Priority 3: Is cost your main worry?

YES → Choose the Srixon Distance and play without stress.
NO → Go back and pick the feel you like most.

Three Player Profiles: Choosing High Handicap Golf Balls

The new club golfer

Profile: Handicap 28 and above, swing speed under 85 mph, loses several balls a round.

Recommendation: Srixon Distance

Why: The low price and tough cover keep costs down while you build consistency.

The weekend regular

Profile: Handicap 20 to 27, plays most weeks, slices the driver now and then.

Recommendation: Srixon Soft Feel

Why: Low spin tames the miss, and the soft feel keeps the game fun.

The improving golfer

Profile: Handicap 18 to 22, hits it a decent distance and wants more yards.

Recommendation: Titleist Velocity

Why: Extra ball speed adds yards, and the flight stays controlled in the wind.

Need expert advice? Unsure which golf ball for high handicappers suits your swing? Describe your typical miss and your average driver distance and we will recommend one. Our PGA professional team is happy to help. Call us free on 0800 3681097 or email sales@thegolfshoponline.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the right golf balls for high handicappers?

Soft, low-compression two-piece balls are the right fit.

They compress at slower swing speeds, spin less and cost less. A ball like the Srixon Soft Feel or Callaway Super Soft produces a forgiving flight, tames a slice and survives cart paths, which is exactly what most golfers above an 18 handicap need from a ball.

What handicap counts as a high handicapper?

Most clubs treat 18 and above as a high handicap.

The exact line varies, but players in this band tend to have slower swing speeds and less consistent strikes. They gain more from forgiveness, low spin and durability than from the greenside spin that premium golf balls offer.

Is a two-piece or three-piece ball better for a high handicapper?

A two-piece ball is usually better.

It has a large core and a durable cover, which helps with speed and costs less. Three-piece balls add a mantle layer for more spin control. That spin helps good strikers but exaggerates a slice, so most high handicappers should avoid paying for it.

Do soft golf balls travel shorter?

Not for slower swing speeds.

A soft, low compression ball compresses fully at moderate speeds, so more of your energy becomes ball speed. Fast swingers may find a firmer ball longer, but for most high handicappers a soft ball matches or beats a firm one for carry.

How often should I replace my golf ball?

Replace it when the cover is cut, scuffed or discoloured.

A damaged cover affects flight and spin. Ionomer balls like the Srixon Distance last many rounds, while softer covers scuff sooner. If you lose several per round, buy in bulk to lower the price per ball.

Do coloured golf balls perform the same as white?

Yes, the performance is the same.

Coloured and yellow versions use the same construction as their white siblings. The advantage is visibility, which helps you track the flight and find a ball in the rough, a real benefit if you play in poor light or deep grass.

Also in this guide: practice and visibility

Longridge Airflow Practice Balls

12 pack for the range

£4.49

TaylorMade Speedsoft Yellow

Soft feel, high visibility

£23.99

Srixon Soft Feel Yellow

Our top pick in yellow

£21.95