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Struggling with slices, short drives, or inconsistent contact? The simplest way of changing that could be to game a more appropriate golf ball…
If you’re a high handicapper then you’ll know life on the golf course can be both frustrating and thrilling. So that you experience more of the latter its imperative to use golf equipment that will work with your swing rather than against it.
The right golf ball won’t magically fix your swing, but it can make a noticeable difference in distance, forgiveness, feel, and even confidence.
That can mean a golf ball promoting lower spin off the driver to reduce slices and hooks, higher launch for longer carry and a softer compression for slower swing speeds.
Equally you may be looking for something that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg.
To help you find the right one for you, we have highlighted the golf balls that are the highest launching, the best all-rounder, most surprising etc.
PGA Professional and NCG Equipment editor Jack Backhouse spoke glowing of their suitable for many club golfers.
“If you’re a slower swinger or a casual golfer looking for Titleist quality at a lower price point, this ball is definitely worth considering,” he said.
“I was particularly impressed with its performance around the greens with a wedge in hand. The feel was really good from the urethane cover and there was plenty of spin for optimal control on the putting surface,” Backhouse said.
You’ll be forgiven if Wilson isn’t the first golf ball name to come to mind when you think of premium golf balls. But the latest Triad option will go a long way to putting an end to that sentiment.
When it comes to the best value-for-money golf balls on the market there’s only one brand in the running for us. Kirkland’s whole philosophy is to produce quality, low priced bits of golf gear.
“Possibly one of the best value for money pieces of golf equipment on the market – they are a great fit for those not looking to burn their back pocket on golf balls,” Backhouse believes.
“For the mid-to-high handicap golfer looking to stay in play, keep it straight, and build confidence off the tee, this ball delivers consistency and forgiveness in a package that won’t break the bank,” Backhouse claims.
Not every golf ball is going to blow your socks off but for those looking to get a bit more height on their shots that won’t matter.
Nicola Slater spoke highly of these Titleist golf balls; “They’re great for any beginner or mid to high handicap golfer wanting something softer off the face that’s still going to have a strong flight and carry – or a great winter ball for players wanting a little more give.”
Like the name suggests these golf balls are all about enhancing distances. In particular, it is with a fairway wood or a driver in hand where they really come alive.
If you are a golfer that can live without excess greenside spin and are looking for a more penetrating ball flight, you’ll want to put this under consideration.
Most club golfers don’t have lightning quick speeds. So to maximise performance it is imperative to use golf equipment that is tailored to the fact.
“I did find that these often promoted a slower ball speeds from other Vice golf ball models. I certainly think there is a a place for this golf ball and plenty of golfers could benefit from it,” Backhouse believes.
This isn’t a tour-level golf ball, there’s no hiding that, but then it isn’t trying to be one. There’s no cosplaying going on here, instead its a tailored for slower swing speeds and golfers who crave distance without sacrificing feel.
Overall, the Titleist TruFeel is an excellent entry-level golf ball for players who prioritise soft feel, durability, and affordability.
Whilst it may lack the full control of more premium Titleist golf balls, iy still performs really well in the short game department and offers really good value-for-money.
Expert opinion: “The Wilson Triad is an excellent all-around golf ball that delivers strong spin, good distance, and reliable performance.”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
WILSON TRIAD – COURSE PERFORMANCE
One of the standout aspects of the Wilson Triad is its urethane cover, which provides excellent feel around the greens. This golf ball also delivers what we would call a confidence-inspiring control.
Wilson claims that shifting the weight distribution toward the outer layers enhances MOI (Moment of Inertia), leading to more stable flight and better accuracy off the tee.
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This is a big positive for those searching for a little more consistency off the tee.
The Wilson Triad is a fantastic value ball. It offers premium performance at a fraction of the price of tour balls, making it an excellent choice for golfers who want tour-like spin and feel without the premium price tag.
Mid handicappers especially can do a lot worse than putting the Wilson Triad in play.
Expert opinion: “I think the Kirkland Signature golf balls are a great option for slower swinging golfers.”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE – COURSE PERFORMANCE
The first thing to say about the Kirkland Signature golf ball is that it is quite the surprise performer. For a ball of this price I wouldn’t expect it to be equipped with a urethane cover, so that is a big bonus.
The spin rates this golf ball is able to produce was a real shock as not many of this calibre are able to produce this level of spin around the greens. In fact, it tends to be their achilles heel.
The peak height sitting at around 100ft was also ideal and a good sign for being able to control shots into the green.
To sum up, it is no Titleist Pro V1 but it is a perfectly good golf ball. If you can get adjusted to the firmer feel and the distinct sound then this could be a nice option for golfers with a slower swing speed.
Expert opinion: “It’s not flashy, but it’s functional, reliable, and impressively user-friendly.”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
BRIDGESTONE E12 STRAIGHT – COURSE PERFORMANCE
The one standout quality of this golf ball that our testing showed was that it launched high and flew with minimal curvature.
From the face of mid-iron the trajectory was high, the spin was moderate, and the ball flew straight—a promising combination for players looking for consistency on approach shots.
While it’s not the longest driver ball on the market, it’s respectably long given its low-spin design and straight-flight characteristics.
Expert opinion: “For just less than £30 the 2026 Velocity is a great purchase”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
TITLEIST VELOCITY – COURSE PERFORMANCE
I’m a player who tends to use a ProV1x but I do enjoy a ball that has a soft feel off the face, especially in the colder months!
As you would expect this is not a high spinning golf ball. Don’t fret though, as this is designed for mid to higher handicap players so the low spin with wedges is not a big issue.
It also comes off the face really nicely and is an enjoyable golf ball to use.
Expert opinion: “The TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball represents a brilliant budget golf ball for those looking to increase their distances.”
NCG Rating: 5 out of 5
TAYLORMADE DISTANCE PLUS – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Off the tee, is where you’ll really see this golf ball shine the brightest. It is incredibly consistent in terms of both carry and total distances with a driver in hand.
Another standout feature is the alignment aid. It’s simple but you will still found it genuinely helpful on the greens. Whether you’re lining up a birdie putt or just trying to two-putt for bogey, the bold visual guide will certainly bring some extra confidence.
There is no doubt that this is a useful addition to the budget ball category. Players really are treated to an unbeatable mix of distance, consistency, and value.
The only place the TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball showed a resemblement of its more budget roots was around the greens
Bridgestone E16 High Launch Golf Balls | Source: NCG
BRIDGESTONE E12 HIGH LAUNCH – NEED TO KNOW
RRP: $34.99 / £32.00
Currently available: £29.99 / $34.99
Colours: White
Cover: Surlyn
Expert opinion: “One nice touch is the inclusion of Bridgestone’s Mindset logo, designed to assist with pre-shot routine focus and consistency.”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
BRIDGESTONE E12 HIGH LAUNCH – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Despite not having a urethane cover the quality of the short game performance isn’t negatively affected in any way. This slight change does show how much of the performance focus is on distance and forgiveness.
Approach shots are a real highlight as it produces a soft-landing flight that would help players to hold greens with confidence. On the other hand, the softer compression does show its limitations more off the tee. Those with quicker swing speeds may struggle in this regard.
Overall, It wouldn’t be out of place for me to suggest that the Bridgestone e12 High Launch isn’t built for the low-handicapper with high club head speed.
but if you are looking at this golf ball there is a good chance you’re on a mission to unlock more distance and it will help you do just that. You won’t face to sacrifice any control which is always a big plus for a distance focused golf ball.
Expert opinion: “Most of us club golfers are always looking for ways to squeeze some extra distance out of our driver and long irons. This will help those slower swinging golfers do just that.”
NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
VICE PRO AIR – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Although the main positives of this golf ball is the enhanced distance it delivers, the new soft urethane cover is what helps to separate this from other budget distance golf balls. You can really feel the cover working when it comes off the putter face and is rolling on the greens.
There’s no issues with approach shots either as it offers a consistent launch angle for better stopping power.
Vice is developing quite the extensive line-up of golf balls. They’ve carved out a niche for itself in the golf ball market and this is another great addition.
It offers a little bit of everything a golfer with a slower swing speed would need from their golf ball including a strong blend of distance, soft feel, and moderate greenside spin.
If you have a swing speed of less than 90mph then I’d recommend giving this a go.
Expert opinion: “It certainly is the ultimate soft golf ball option and has an almost marshmallow feel off the club face.”
NCG Rating: 5 out of 5
SRIXON ULTISOFT – COURSE PERFORMANCE
I liked the levels of playability that this promoted around the greens it certainly offered more than what I was expecting and other similar priced golf balls I have tested.
Equally, I was able to reach an average 263 yard carry and a run-out of nearly 290 yards. That’s seriously impressive for a soft, value-driven option.
The biggest compliment I can give the Srixon UlitSoft golf ball is that it knows exactly what it is trying to be and who it’s for. There’s no jack of all trades master of none going on.
It’s long, incredibly soft, and offers more control than you’d expect from a two-piece construction. If you prefer the feel of a softer golf ball and have the smooth swing to match I would recommend giving it a go.
In summary, there are a range of quality golf ball options for higher handicap golfers to choose from. No matter whether you’re looking to launch your shots higher, gain more distance or even have the ideal winter golf ball there is something for you.
We can’t guarantee that choosing any of these golf balls will make your swing complete but it should at least improve your performance.
Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.
How do we test golf balls?
At National Club Golfer, we are passionate about producing accurate and thorough reviews and make sure our testing process is rigorous so we get a good understanding of how each club performs.
We headed to Woodhall Spa Golf Club to allow us to collect launch monitor data with our in-house TrackMan and Flightscope. We tested each golf ball on the putting surface and around the greens before collecting data on 50-yard pitch shots, with a 7-iron and with a driver.
What is important when buying a new golf ball?
Feel
Golf ball feel is a personal preference. Different balls on the market will feel softer or firmer depending on their compression and structure. It is crucial to test balls when putting, chipping and hitting long game shots to check you like the performance across all areas.
Distance
How far you want to hit the golf ball is a crucial consideration when picking a brand and model. Getting the right compression relative to your swing speed and strike will help you get the maximum distance out of a golf ball. You also need to consider if getting maximum distance is important to you or if you would rather give up some yardage to gain in other areas.
Spin
Generally, lower handicappers are looking for a ball that spins more so they can get more control around the greens. In this case, getting a ball with a urethane cover is really important as it will give you the most spin and control.
Price
Not everyone wants to spend £50 a dozen on golf balls. When picking the right golf ball for you, you should consider how much you want to spend relative to what performance you want.
A bit of a late bloomer to the game of golf, Max fell in love with the sport when he attended Saturday coaching sessions down at his local golf club after being inspired by friends and family members.
Max has remained a member of Eden Golf Club in Carlisle for a number of years now as he looks to get his handicap down into single figures. Most of his golfing career has been spent battling a permanent slice off the tee, which has led to some ugly rounds.
Having studied at the University of Sunderland, Max is starting out his dream career in sports journalism. During his time at university, he picked up valuable work experience at Reach PLC, BBC Radio Cumbria and GiveMeSport, whilst also getting work published in the Teesside Live. He also spent time working at a local weekly newspaper, Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser, as a general news reporter partially covering some local sport just north of the border in Langholm.
Max has just started his journey with the NCG working as the assistant equipment editor. He looks forwarded to reviewing the latest golf equipment, taking up an interest in reviews when buying his first golf club, a Cleveland RTX wedge.
With his bag not going under too many changes throughout the last few years, Max carries an M3 driver, Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood, M2 hybrid, a set of M2 irons, Callaway Jaws wedges and a TaylorMade Spider putter. And yes, Max is a bit of a self-proclaimed TaylorMade fan boy.
