Did you know that over 3.1 million kids play golf in the United States? That stat alone proves that golf is no longer a game for just adults and seniors.

With that being said, you may be wondering what type of golf balls kids need to use on the course. If your kid is interested in learning to play golf, here is a list of golf balls that will be great for them.

For parents that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:

What Makes Certain Golf Balls Better for Kids?

Since kids have much slower swing speeds than adults, a low compression golf ball makes the most sense for them. The lower compression will give kids a little more distance on all of their shots. This will increase their confidence on the course, which is always a positive thing.

As a general rule, when shopping for a golf ball for your kid, try to find one with a compression rating of 65 or less. There are some exceptions to this rule, especially if you have a preteen that can generate a high swing speed. If you aren’t sure what your kid’s swing speed is, consider taking them to a local golf shop to have it tested.

Another thing to consider is price. If your child is just starting to learn the game, there is no point in spending over $4 per ball for some Titleist Pro V1s. Beginners lose a lot of golf balls, so losing a $1 ball is much less painful than losing a $4 ball.

Durability is also a critical factor when buying golf balls for juniors. Most kids are hard on golf balls because they mishit them more frequently. Try to find a golf ball that doesn’t get scuff marks or nicks too easily.

11 Best Golf Balls for Kids

1. TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls

Our top choice for junior golfers is the TaylorMade Noodle. The price is incredibly low and so is the compression rating of 50. The iothane cover has the rare combination of being soft and durable.

Pros

• Low compression rating is perfect for slower swing speeds because it maximizes distance
• Core of the ball is specifically designed for more distance
• Has a very soft feel so it won’t hurt a kid’s hands on a cold-weather day
• Dimples are designed to reduce slices and hooks while also promoting a higher ball flight

Cons

• Since these are two-piece golf balls, they may not have enough spin for some young golfers
• Won’t spin nearly as much around the greens as the TaylorMade TP5 or TP5X

2. Callaway Warbird Golf Balls

Callaway makes its second appearance on our list with the Warbird, which is incredibly long off the tee and only $1.50 each. The high-energy core of this ball golf ball is larger than other brands, which makes it easier for kids to compress.

Pros

• Plenty of distance for any swing speed
• Made with HEX Aerodynamics to create a higher ball flight, which is a huge help to young kids who struggle with getting the ball in the air
• Ionomer cover feels amazing on the greens
• 2-year manufacturer warranty, which is almost unheard of in the industry

Cons

• 90 compression rating may be too high for some kids
• Not nearly as soft as the Callaway Supersoft Max

3. Callaway Supersoft Max Golf Balls

These golf balls are a little bit pricier than the TaylorMade Noodles and ACCUFLI Max Soft, but they’re still very affordable. The compression rating of 40 will work well for most kids and the high level of forgiveness will come in handy for mishits. Callaway is one of the most respected names in the golf industry, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a quality product.

Pros

• Rare combination of distance and forgiveness, which is great for juniors
• Tri-Blend ionomer cover helps generate more ball speed at impact
• Promotes a high ball flight with a low amount of sidespin, which improves accuracy
• Slightly oversized, which makes it easier for kids to make solid contact consistently

Cons

• May not be ideal for faster greens
• Compression rating will be too low for kids with medium swing speeds

Price: $24.99 per dozen

Link to Buy on Amazon

4. Titleist Velocity Golf Balls

If your kid struggles with slices off the tee, the Titleist Velocity may be your best bet. The low spin rate of this golf ball helps limit inaccurate tee shots like slices and hooks. It also doesn’t hurt that this ball is about half the price of the Titleist Pro V1.

Pros

• Promotes straighter shots, especially with the driver and fairway woods
• 350 octahedral dimple design makes it much easier for kids to get the ball in the air
• LSX core helps create extra ball speed and more distance off the tee
• NAZ+ outer layer makes for a soft feel around the greens
• One of Titleist’s most affordable golf balls at around $2.50 each

Cons

• Compression rating of 65 is low, but it may not be low enough for young children or junior golfers with slower swings

Price: $29.99 per dozen

Link to Buy on Amazon

5. Wilson Ultra 500 Golf Balls

Holy value Batman! Wilson is one of the OGs of golf ball manufacturing and they are known for making high-quality products. This golf ball is made up of two layers and only costs $1.40 each.

Pros

• Low cost
• Reputable brand
• Highly durable because of cutproof cover
• High energy core helps promote a nice penetrating ball flight with plenty of roll-out
• Titanium core helps give golfers a little extra distance

Cons

• Higher compression rating of 100 may only work for advanced junior golfers with faster swing speeds
• Some folks have said these aren’t soft enough on the green

6. Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls

Srixon has come a long way as a golf ball manufacturer in a relatively short period of time. The Srixon Soft Feel checks all the boxes for being a great junior golf ball. Kids will love the extra distance they get off the tee with these golf balls, as well as the added softness for putts, chips, and pitches.

Pros

• Soft, thin cover gives off plenty of spin when putting
• 338 dimple pattern helps create more ball speed at impact with a higher ball flight
• Fastlayer core is soft in the middle but firm towards the outer shell
• Comes with an alignment aid on the side to help kids line up their putts

Cons

• Some golfers have complained that the soft cover scuffs rather easily

7. ACCUFLI Max Soft Golf Balls

Accufli may not be a well-known brand, but their max soft golf balls perform remarkably well for junior golfers. These come in 4 fluorescent colors which makes them easy to find during a round. The cost is pretty reasonable as well, at only $1.50 per ball.

Pros

• Rare combination of good distance and soft feel
• Hybrid ionomer cover helps you land iron shots softer onto the greens
• Low compression rating of 55 increases both ball speed and shot accuracy
• Great price
• All kids will love the bright colors

Cons

• May not spin enough for some players around the green

8. Nitro NMD12OBXC Maximum Distance Golf Ball

The Nitro is a great choice for junior golfers that happen to have moderate swing speeds. The 2-piece titanium core helps give this ball some extra distance and the price comes out to only .83 each.

Pros

• Most affordable golf ball on the market
• Symmetrical dimple design increases both distance and ball flight
• Soft feel around the greens
• Dupont Lithium Surlyn cover holds up remarkably well
• Orange color is easy to find on the golf course

Cons

• Compression rating of 85 is not low enough for kids with slow swing speeds
• There are some reports of these golf balls busting on the course

9. Volvik T2 Ionomer Polymer Low Side Spin Matte Distance Balls

These two-piece golf balls from Volvik are a great option for kids. The vivid matte colors are fun to look at and easy to focus on. The ionomer cover helps prevent too much sidespin, which limits how much a ball can hook or slice.

Pros

• Less sidespin means more accurate shots, especially off the tee
• Soft feel that most kids prefer when putting
• Vivid colors are easy to find on the golf course and kids are sure to love them
• Dual core helps ensure maximum ball speed

Cons

• Matte finish can be hard to clean
• 80 compression rating may not be low enough for some younger golfers

10. Vice Pro Soft Golf Balls

If your kid is an advancer golfer or a teenager with a little more swing speed, the Vice Pro Soft may be a good match for them. Unlike the other golf balls on our list, this one is made up of three pieces instead of two. This leads to more spin for greenside shots like chips and pitches.

Pros

• Highly durable 3 piece cast urethane cover that helps prevent any cuts or nicks
• 336 dimple design to promote more yardage and a consistently high ball flight
• Available in lime, red, or white
• Compression rating of 65

Cons

• Cost is nearly $3 per ball, which may be more than you want to spend on golf balls
• Some say they have an odd sound off the tee

11. Pinnacle Soft Feel Golf Balls

Pinnacle isn’t as well known as Titleist, Bridgestone, or TaylorMade but the brand has been around for quite some time. With a low compression rate and an acceptable price of slightly above $2 per ball, the Pinnacle Soft is a solid choice for kids.

Pros

• Compression rating in the lower 40s, which makes it a great choice for kids who have slow swing speeds
• High energy core helps maximize distance off the tee
• Soft feel helps with all short game shots
• 332 dimples and an ionomer cover to promote a nice ball flight on each shot, even during tough weather conditions

Cons

• May not have enough spin for kids who are advanced at chipping and pitching
• Some have commented that these golf balls scuff easily

3 Tips for Kids Who Want to Play Golf

Golf can be an intimidating sport to learn because there are so many facets to it. Besides finding the right golf ball, here are some other tips for kids who want to play golf. Following each of these tips is a great start to learning the game.

1. Always Keep the Game Fun

Despite their good intentions, too many parents end up making the game of golf too serious for their kids. Golf, like any other sport, should always be fun.

While it’s perfectly fine to encourage fundamentally sound practice habits, never push a kid so hard that he grows tired of the game. Remember, there is a fine line between encouragement and scolding.

2. If Your Budget Permits it, Buy Your Kid a Lesson or Two

The best way to learn how to play golf is from a PGA teaching professional. If your child is old enough and is genuinely interested in learning the basics of the golf swing, buy them a lesson or two with a club pro.

Depending on how much they enjoyed the lesson and how much they learned, you may wish to purchase a series of lessons with an instructor. Receiving good instruction at an early age can keep young golfers from developing bad habits on their own.

3. Have Them Devote Ample Time to the Short Game

Most young golfers want to spend all of their practice time working on their driver off the tee. While there is nothing wrong with that, be sure that your kid devotes plenty of time toward improving their short game.

While hitting a long drive off the tee is a phenomenal feeling, most young players can improve their scores more rapidly by spending more time on chipping and putting. A good rule of thumb is to have your kid spend at least half of their total practice time on their short game shots.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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