When I first started playing golf, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of golf balls to choose from. Unfortunately, I spent most of my first year on the course using golf balls that were too hard for my swing speed. This cost me lots of precious distance off the tee and some unnecessary frustration.
While all golfers are different, most folks with slow or average swing speeds will benefit immensely from using a low compression golf ball.
Not sure which low compression golf balls are the best? In the following list, we take a look at the best low compression golf balls and tell you what they offer.
Who Should Use Low Compression Golf Balls?
A ton of different golfers should use low compression golf balls to get the most out of their respective swings. If you fall into one of the below categories and currently use a hard golf ball, consider making the switch to a low compression ball. Your scorecard will thank you!
New Golfers
Folks who are just starting to learn the game of golf should use a low compression golf ball. Though there are some rare exceptions, most beginners tend to have slower swing speeds. This lack of clubhead speed makes it tough for them to generate distance off the tee.
Luckily, low compression golf balls will give new golfers the best bang for their buck as far as distance is concerned. As their name implies, low compression balls are easier to “compress”. This simply means that less energy is required to activate the center core of the golf ball.
Seniors
Nobody likes the aging process and golfers are no exception. As we age, our bodies break down and we aren’t able to generate the same amount of swing speed that we used to in our primes. This happens because of a loss of muscle strength and loss of flexibility.
However, senior golfers can limit their loss of distance by switching to a golf ball with a lower compression rating. Sometimes modern-day technology is a beautiful thing. Remember, age is just a number!
Ladies
Most women golfers should opt for a low compression golf ball. Since ladies are typically shorter than men and have less muscle mass, they will benefit from a golf ball that is easier to compress.
A lower compression golf ball will give women more distance on all of their shots. This is why most golf balls marketed to lady golfers are of the lower compression variety.
Golfers Who Struggle With Their Short Games
Do you always seem to struggle with your short game? Do you find it nearly impossible to get the right amount of speed on your chips, pitches, and putts? If so, you may benefit from switching to a low compression golf ball.
Low compression golf balls have an incredibly soft feel to them, which makes them easier to control on the greens. Many golfers are shocked to see how much their handicaps improve just by being more efficient both on and around the greens.
The 10 Best Low Compression Golf Balls
1. Srixon Soft Feel
The Srixon Soft Feel is soft in the middle but firmer on the outer shell. This ball is an ideal choice for golfers who have a swing speed of 60 to 75 mph.
Pros
- Low Compression Rate of 60
- FastLayer Core provides plenty of distance off the tee
- 338 Speed Dimple Pattern results in higher ball flight
- Perfect amount of spin for all short game shots
- Soft feel that may help golfers on short game shots like chips, pitches, and putts
Cons
- Some say the outer shell scuffs easily
- Only available in white and yellow
Price: $22.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
2. Bridgestone e12 Contact
The e12 is one of the best low compression golf balls on the market. It provides lots of distance while limiting sidespin. The e12 also performs remarkably well in tough weather conditions like wind and rain.
Pros
- Dimple pattern that helps generate maximum ball speed, which leads to an increase in yardage off the tee
- Less sidespin, which means fewer errant shots like slices and hooks
- Soft feeling that most players covet
- Ideal spin rate for chipping and pitching
- Decently priced at less than $3 per golf ball
Cons
- 70 compression rating is low but there are lower ones on the market
- May work a little bit better for folks with a medium swing speed
- Some folks still prefer the Bridgestone e6 model instead of the e12
Price: $29.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
3. Callaway Supersoft MAX
Pros
- Made with Supersoft MAX for increased distance and forgiveness
- Produces a consistently high launch because of the dimple design
- Ionomer cover increases ball speed while also reducing sidespin
- Extremely low compression rate of 40, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Very good price at only $2.50 per golf ball
- Soft feel could lead to better performance on short-game shots
Cons
- 3% larger diameter than other golf balls
Price: $24.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
4. Wilson Staff Fifty Elite
Pros
- Incredible price of just over $1 per golf ball
- 50 compression rating, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Perfect balance between long-distance and soft feel
- High-performance two-piece ball
- Wilson is one of the most trustworthy brands in the golf world
Cons
- Some say these don’t perform as well as the Wilson Duo Soft
Price: $14.97 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
5. Titleist Tour Soft
Pros
- Consistent ball flight
- Very soft feel, which most golfers love
- Alignment aid on the side for lining up putts
- 65 compression rating
- Easy to control on and around the greens
Cons
- Very high price of $4.67 per ball
- Getting harder to find in some markets
Price: $55.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
6. Callaway Chrome Soft X
This is Callaway’s best-selling premium golf ball and it’s used on the PGA Tour by Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Sam Burns. This ball is geared more toward players with a low handicap, which is why it’s one of the more expensive golf balls on our list. However, it has a ton of great features that all golfers will appreciate.
Pros
- Fastest ball speed of any Callaway ball
- Maximum greenside spin rate
- Lower spin than other brands off the tee
- Tour Aero design gives the perfect ball flight each time
- Available in standard or triple track styles
- One of the best balls on the market for wedge shots
Cons
- Costly
- Only available in white and yellow
Price: $49.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
7. Srixon Q Star Tour
Pros
- 338 Speed Dimple Pattern provides a great ball flight, even in less than ideal weather conditions
- Urethane cover makes it easier to generate spin with your wedge shots
- FastLayer Core strikes the perfect balance between a soft inner core and a firm outer shell
- Good price for a premium golf ball at under $3 each
- Alignment aid for lining up putts means you no longer need to draw your line with a marker
Cons
- Some reviewers say these aren’t as long off the tee as the regular Srixon Q Stars
- 72 compression rating may not be low enough for some golfers
Price: $29.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
8. TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft
Pros
- Soft iothane cover gives it a great feel, which comes in handy on the greens
- Doesn’t scuff easily
- Less than $1 each
- Low compression rating of 50
- Comes in a pack of 24 or 15
- Made by TaylorMade, one of the most iconic brands in golf
- Similar distance as other, more expensive golf balls
Cons
- Probably not enough spin for advanced golfers
Price: $21.99 per 2 dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
9. Precept Laddie Extreme
Pros
- 372 dimples to promote higher ball flight, which is great for golfers who struggle with hitting the ball too low
- Muscle-fiber core for increased ball speed
- Ionomer cover is very reactive and provides good control for short game shots
- Outstanding price at just over $1 per ball
- Made by Bridgestone, which is known for making high-quality golf balls
Cons
- Compression rating of 80 may not be low enough for golfers with slower swing speeds
Price: $24.99 for 2 dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
10. Volvik Vimax Soft
Pros
- Soft core promotes more distance with the driver and fairway woods
- Rare combination of low spin rate and high launch
- Vivid colors are easier to find on the course, especially early in the morning or near dusk
- Special dimple design helps produce a steady ball flight regardless of the weather conditions
- Soft cover equals a soft feel for all short game shots
- Compression rating of 75
Cons
- Not available in standard white
- Can scuff easier than other brands
Price: $19.99 per dozen
Link to Buy on Amazon
Low Compression Golf Ball FAQs
Now that you know some of the best lower compression golf balls on the market, it’s time to arm yourself with more information on these types of golf balls. Here are some frequently asked questions that we get about low compression balls as well as some in-depth answers.
Does Golf Ball Compression Really Make a Difference?
Yes, ball compression can make a big difference in your performance on the golf course. Since no two golf swings are exactly alike, no single golf ball is going to work the same way for everyone. There is no one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter approach.
It’s all about finding the right compression rating for your respective swing. Failing to do so can cost you some precious yards of distance, which makes it more difficult to shoot lower scores. Don’t make the game of golf more difficult by using incorrect equipment.
As a general rule, golfers with slower swing speeds will get more distance out of a low compression golf ball. On that same token, golfers who have faster swing speeds will benefit from using high compression golf balls. These types of golf balls will give them more accuracy on all of their shots.
Do Low Compression Golf Balls Go Further?
As we touched on in the above question, it all depends on the golfer’s swing speed. For golfers who swing slower (anywhere from 70 to 90 miles per hour), low compression balls will indeed carry further off the tee. This is because the core of the ball is easier to activate, which means that not as much clubhead speed is needed to achieve maximum distance.
Conversely, if a golfer with a faster swing speed (over 100 miles per hour) uses a lower compression golf ball it will rob him or her of several yards. This is because too much compression at impact can cause a decrease in ball speed, which is the opposite of what golfers want.
What Compression Golf Ball Should a Senior Use?
Again, it all depends on swing speed. Since most senior golfers tend to have slower swing speeds, they’d be best served to use a golf ball with a compression rating of 65 or less. Since swing speed continues to decline with age, most golfers over 70 years old should opt for a compression rating of 50 or less.
To be on the safe side, we recommend that all golfers visit a club pro or their local golf shop to have their swing speed tested. This is the best way to pinpoint the correct compression rating for your swing. In most cases, there won’t be a charge for getting this information either.
What Compression Rating Do Most PGA Tour Players Use?
Since the average swing speed on the PGA Tour is around 110 miles per hour, most pro golfers opt for a golf ball with a compression rating of around 90 or so. To drive this point home, the most popular golf ball on the PGA Tour is the Titleist Pro V1, which has a 90 compression rating. The interesting thing though is that Titleist has been adamant that compression rating means very little as far as a golf ball’s distance is concerned.
Its sister golf ball, the Titleist Pro V1X, has a compression rating of 100. By comparison, the TaylorMade TP5 has a compression rating of 85.
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.