MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of the golf balls on the market to help you find the best ball for your money. Today, we’re taking a look at the Wilson DUO Soft+. An overview of the equipment we use can be found here. To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
It’s reasonable to suggest that Wilson’s DUO line represents the original modern take on the ultra-soft golf ball. Sure, Wilson made soft golf balls before DUO but DUO ultimately defined the standard for the category.
Several years after the original DUO, (super) soft challengers abound but DUO is still the ball many golfers associate with the ultimate in soft feel. It remains immensely popular among preference-driven golfers, which is exactly why we’ve put it to the test inside the MyGolfSpy Ball Lab.
About the Wilson DUO Soft+
The Wilson DUO Soft+ is an inexpensive two-piece golf ball with an ionomer cover. Current retail price is just $19.99 a dozen.
Wilson classifies the ball as mid-high launch and low spin, like most inexpensive ionomer offerings. The low spin is, at least in part, why Wilson asserts that Soft is Long. That’s perhaps dubious given that the target market often includes golfers who struggle to get iron shots in the air or generate anything approaching ideal spin rates on iron and wedge shots.
As with other Wilson Balls, the DUO Soft+ is produced by Foremost in Taiwan.
Wilson DUO Soft+ – Compression
On our gauge, the average compression of the Wilson DUO Soft+ is 46. Currently, the Callaway SuperSoft (41 compression) is the only softer ball in our database. Across the market as a whole, the DUO Soft+ easily qualifies as soft. Realistically, it’s hard to imagine a viable golf ball that’s significantly softer.
The compression numbers suggest a ball that’s not particularly well suited for higher swing-speed golfers (it will cost you speed). Seniors and other slower swing-speed players with a feel preference may be willing to overlook the speed penalty. This is especially reasonable for slower swing-speed players who might benefit from the low-spin characteristics.
Wilson DUO Soft+ – Weight and Diameter
- Three percent (a single ball) failed to meet our standard for roundness.
- None of the balls tested exceeded the USGA weight limit of 1.620 ounces.
It should go without saying that, ideally, every ball in the box will be round. However, at $20 per dozen, it’s reasonable to expect an issue or two.
Wilson DUO Soft+ – Inspection
Centeredness and Concentricity
As we’ve mentioned previously, it’s not uncommon to find layer concentricity issues with Foremost-made balls. In a two-piece model like the Wilson DUO Soft+, those will invariably manifest themselves at the cover layer.
In total, we flagged 11 percent of the balls as bad based on inconsistent cover thickness from one side of the ball to the other. Again, given the price point, it’s not an unreasonable percentage.
Core Consistency
While we didn’t flag any balls as bad for core consistency, it is notable that across our sample we found three variations (shown above) in core color. The light pinkish-orange variation on the far left was the most prevalent while a darker speckled version was found in a single box. We also found a few of the paler versions with small bits of material.
While the second box measured was on average firmer, heavier and a bit larger, we didn’t see an obvious between those measurements and the core coloring.
Cover
We found no notable issues with the covers on the ball.
General Observations
While not as thin as the typical urethane offering, covers on the DUO Soft+ are a bit thinner than we’d expect from the ionomer category. While it’s not going to give you a massive amount of greenside spin, the thinner cover design should help a little.
Wilson DUO Soft+ Consistency
In this section, we detail the consistency of the Wilson DUO Soft+. It’s a measure of how similar the balls in our sample were to one another, relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date.
Weight Consistency
- Consistency (of weight) across the Wilson DUO Soft+ fell within the fair (below average) range.
Diameter Consistency
- Diameter consistency relative to the other balls in our database also fell within the fair range.
Compression Consistency
- The compression consistency of the Wilson DUO Soft+ is in the low end of the average range.
- Compression range across the sample was 11.5 points. That’s a bit higher than what we typically find across a sample.
True Price
True Price is how we quantify the quality of a golf ball. It's a projection of what you'd have to spend to ensure you get 12 good balls.
The True Price will always be equal to or greater than the retail price. The greater the difference between the retail price and the True Price, the more you should be concerned about the quality of the ball.
Wilson DUO Soft+ – Summary Report
To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
The Good
The Wilson DUO Soft+ is an inexpensive ball that offers an incredibly soft feel.
The Bad
In total, we flagged just under 17 percent of the sample as bad. It’s also true that the Wilson DUO Soft+ isn’t a particularly consistent golf ball.
True Price
The True Price of the Wilson DUO Soft+ is $23.99. That represents a 20-percent increase over MSRP. By no means is DUO Soft+ a performance-first offering but for golfers on a budget looking for soft feel, it may hit the sweet spot.
Ball Lab Top Performers
Want to know which balls have performed best in Ball Lab testing so far?
Check out:
mark
2 seconds agoI agree with a couple of the other comments, using 3 different swing speeds to test golf balls. Using an Iron Byron machine at 70,, 90 and 110 mph swings could help many average golfers in choosing a golf ball. Someone with a 70 mph driver swing speed vs 110 mph swing will get different results when hitting a driver, or spin rate when hitting their irons. A golfer swinging slow will not compress a hard golf ball very much.
Gary Geirgo
4 months agoThanks to carpal tunnel in both hands, I switched to a soft ball a few yeas ago and that has been a big help in reducing impact shock. I’ve found the Duo to be relatively consistent from one to the other – certainly not like a ProV, but hey, they’re half the price!
Thanks for the excellent info.
Johnny Penso
5 months agoThis is the ball I played with most of the year. I found it as long as any other ball off the driver, consistent with the irons and good around the greens although I’m rarely in the position of having to spin anything near the green. I’m more of a bump and run guy. I realized late in the year that I’m at the point where I rarely lose a ball anymore so it makes more sense to switch to a premium ball at this point. I have a good supply of these so I’ll just use them on water holes…lol.
Dan B
5 months agoLove the review. When the temperatures start cooling down in the winter this has been my go to ball. The below freezing temperatures make it a medium-firm ball in feel and performance for me. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Mike
5 months agoIt”s a ball for golfers who keep score by how many balls they lose and there are a lot. If a player can save enough by playing cheaper balls that they can afford to play more often it is certainly a win. The biggest reasons people don’t play as much as they want is cost and time. Not much we can do about someone’s time. MGS tends to come off rather condescending at times,
BTW I am a single digit. Retired and have the money and time. It’s just that I have been on the “other side” and understand..
Bruce
5 months agoI also use this ball for hickory play. Haven’t fo7nd any ball I like better. It’s a great bargain!
Eduardo A Salgado
5 months agoSuggest when you test each ball, add a robotic driver hit at 90-95 mph (not pro-level but above my 80-85 mph driver speed at 77 years old). All things being equal, it may eliminate the need to state that “ball that’s not particularly well suited for higher swing-speed golfers”. We can all see all the results of the tests and see if we want to take a chance on the ball. Thanks for your fine tests!
-Eduardo
Tess
5 months agoI like Eduardo’s suggestion! In fact, do 3 driver swing speed zones that would cover the majority of us.
BTW, I disagree with Mikes comment about MGS being condescending. I think that professionalism sometimes comes off as superior but I think MGS just calls it as they see it without holding anybody’s hand(s) .
Desert Hacker
4 months agoWhy would you take a chance on any ball that (as MGS has proven in the March 2019 ball test) doesn’t have the performance characteristics of a consistently good ball? Plus at 77 years old, why would you hit a ball that launches low and doesn’t have the speed you would need to hit the ball far?
I’m going to stick with the proven track record of MGS and their findings.
Thank you, Tony and the guys at MGS for all that you do.
RT
4 months agoSame for me .Testing of balls for seniors is a great Idea why not test all equipment with consideration of seniors ? We play more often than one day a week ..
Kevin
5 months agoI’m assuming that anyone who plays this ball doesn’t read articles on golf balls. I like the Ball Lab data but would have much rather seen the Duo Professional or the new Staff model.
Desert Hacker
4 months ago+++Yes on the Wilson Staff Model+++
Peter
5 months agoGreat review on the Duo…. good to learn about the core consistency.
Yes, the Feeling of hitting a softer ball is wonderful! As an 11 handicap, I found them to be straighter and equally as long as other balls off driver, but especially appreciate the great Feel on putts. My go to ball is the Callaway Supersoft, and play these in many colors. Its especially helpful in identifying yours in a group of 3 other white ones. As a marshall, I’ve found and played many ball brands and types and been a fan of soft compression since the Laddie and truly enjoyed the Wilson Duo pinks (twin dozen pack is usually on sale) and will play Supersoft yellows as my first choice.
Ron Wright
5 months agoHello All…..I’ve used the Wilson Duo Soft ball when I’m hitting my hickory clubs. Does anyone else use a softer ball that they like better? Maxfli, Srixon, Calloway ?? Just curious……thanks for your input