Welcome to the second annual Ball Lab Quality Awards.
Crafted by MyGolfSpy, Ball Lab was born from our curiosity about how the construction, consistency and quality of your golf ball were affecting your performance.
So many times we hear players exclaim they are “not good enough” to tell the difference between different models. When performance is concerned, we beg to differ. It wasn’t until our first-ever Ball Test in 2019 that we began to urge the consumer to question the industry’s standards on the balls they were playing. The reward? Knowing that bad shot might not have been your fault.
Below are the champions of the categories when it comes to setting the standard for your golf ball. From DTC (direct-to-consumer), Best Under $30 and our highest-ranked models—there is a quality golf ball for any golfer.
NOTE: These awards are based on total Ball Lab scores of current models. Only urethane models were considered and a minimum of two ball models were required to qualify for brand quality awards.
The Winners
Best Brand Quality
Despite some competitors raising their game, four of the top 10 in the Ball Lab Data Base remain Titleist products. The company’s current urethane offerings set the standard with an average quality score of 89.6/100. The 2022 AVX and Tour Speed showed promising improvement from their prior generations. Sure, Titleist offers more models than anyone else but with that comes a greater opportunity for average quality to be derailed by a sub-par offering. With the new Pro V1 lineup making its way to the market in the near future, can Titleist hold the top spot?
Best DTC Brand Quality
With so many good DTC options available for golfers right now, it’s not a total surprise that DICK’S Sporting Goods’ Maxfli Tour line still flies a bit under the radar. It shouldn’t. In addition to stellar performance in both of our robot tests, with an average score of 88, the latest generation of the Maxfli Tour series is among the most consistent in golf.
Best Ball
The No. 1 ball at retail is also the most consistent ball in the Ball Lab database. The 2021 Pro V1 has an impressive current overall score of 97. Our sample was nearly perfect and the only ball we’ve tested to rate as Excellent for compression consistency.
Best DTC Ball
With the 2021 version of the Tour X, Maxfli changed both the core formulation and basic construction of its four-piece ball, moving from dual-core to dual-mantle construction. The result is the most consistent ball in the database without a Titleist logo. With only a single bad ball in the sample and compression, diameter and weight consistency scores all solidly above average, the Tour X should be near the top of the list for bargain hunters. Although we haven’t dived into more of the DTC field quite yet, a score of 91 will be one of the tougher ones to beat.
Best Soft Ball
The TaylorMade Tour Response may not be the first model to come to mind when golfers think of a “softer” option. It’s important to note that a soft ball is categorized by a compression number that remains below 75. Coming in at 73, the Tour Response is not only the best “soft” or non-tour urethane ball tested to date scoring a 93/100 but it remains one of the top five balls we’ve seen in the Lab. Period.
Best Value Ball – Under $20
With the small caveat that it’s only sold in two-dozen packs, the Kirkland Performance+ V2, with a score of 84, is a runaway winner for the best-value golf ball. With a per-dozen under $13, Costco’s current three-piece offering is more consistent than many higher-priced balls. At a minimum, for golfers who want to play the same ball on every shot without fear of lost balls breaking the bank, the Performance+ V2 is a significantly better option than buying refurbished.
Best Ball Above $40
Above the $40 price point is the near-exclusive domain of the mainstream manufacturers and many, including Titleist, have raised prices over the last season. It goes without saying that the Pro V1 isn’t the cheapest but if you believe quality and consistency are important, there’s still value to be found at the premium level.
Best Ball $30 to $40
The $30 to $40 range is where the overwhelming majority of DTC balls live (though volume discounts can push prices below $30). While there are numerous good options in this space, the current generation of Maxfli Tour X stands out as the most consistent of the group and arguably the best balls without a Titleist logo.
Best Ball $20 to $30
Admittedly, unless you’re buying in bulk, the $20 to $30 price range is a bit of a dead zone for urethane-covered balls. Still, it’s a bracket that the Cut DC fills admirably. It’s not the cheapest ball on the market but it strikes what many will see as a sensible blend of cost and quality.
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paulo
2 months agoWAs this what was agreed with Titleist for supplying the balls for testing ? Maxfli DTC ? er nope
Daryl
2 months agoThanks to MGS labs, I know play the TM Tour Response in yellow 🙂 However, I am still very curious why there isn’t testing out there proving how superior urethane is. Yes, it spins better, but we all know the majority of stopping power comes from decent angle, so the question is: how much does performance do you lose by playing an average two piece ball with distance AND roll out factored in? I would love, love, love MSG to test this. Thanks for all your great work.
Mike
2 months agoGo to your course when it’s not crowded & find an empty green. Chip & pitch different balls & see for yourself. You should quickly get a feel of run-out. I can even feel differences when I putt.
Mike G.
2 months agoIono.mer is absolutely horrific putting and chipping if your used to urethane
Robert E Smith
2 months agoToo bad Dicks raised the price on the Maxfli $10/dz after these articles. Sorry NOT worth $39.99
Yaaqob
2 months agoThey’ve always based their price more on sales and buying in bulk. Besides, the price was raised back in October over 2 months before this article. They are still buy 2 for $60 or buy 4 dozen for $105.
Jim Roberts
2 months ago48 ball deal is now $120
Jeff
2 months agoI’d love to see the urethane only snobbery stop and for MGS to start ranking/rating Surlyn balls as well. That way we get a COMPLETE VIEW of the entire ball market as from what I can tell from the balls I find and pick up on the course, 2/3 are Surlyn balls and that tells me that those are the types being played by the average golfer.
Ryan
2 months agoThere is no reason to rate Surlyn balls because based on the information they have shown you over and over again, you should be playing a urethane ball. The performance advantages are proven and there are urethane options at nearly every price point that a serious golfer would be considering.
Nobody is interested in a tallest midget contest which is what doing a comparison of surlyn balls would be. If you’re serious enough about golf to care about the performance of the golf ball then you should check your ego and buy a Maxfli Tour instead of whatever Titleist or Taylormade are selling for $20 in the sporting goods aisle at walmart.
cleve00
2 months agoI’m interested in it and a bet that many others are too. Tallest midget contest sounds like a good time to me..
Mike
2 months agoI only use urethane balls BUT did you ever consider that many golfers don’t give a crap about that debate? Lots of folks just want to have fun out there, why do you think only a small % of golfers actually keep an up-to-date index? And maybe they don’t want to spend even $20 a dozen.
You must be a joy to play a round with.
Harry
2 months agoYeah, I agree, Id ike lower cost options being tested. For instance, look how well the Velocities performed.
Melvin Silver
2 months agoMGS staff, where do you buy your ProV’s? How much do you pay for your ProV’s?
WYBob
2 months agoExcellent wrap-up for the year. I agree with almost all of your selections. My only issue is calling the Maxfi ball a DTC offering. It is an excellent ball, and great value, but it’s really a house brand for Dick’s. It’s offered in their brick & mortar stores which really runs afoul of the DTC model. It deserves the Best Ball $30-$40, but a DTC offering would be more like Snell, Vice, etc. where the only marketing channel is directly from the ball company.
Gordo
2 months agoNot to agree or disagree with running afoul of the DTC definition but that term doesn’t mandate shipping through parcel companies. Maxfli, as well as Tommy Armour brands are NOT sold through general distribution channel models….i.e., no “middlemen”. Dick’s owns those brands therefore the manufacturer sells direct to the customers. Dick’s happens to own retail store real estate and those locations do sell the other “channel” brands like Titleist, Callaway, Taylormade, etc. But Maxfli is sold direct to customers by the manufacturer( Dick’s Sporting Goods) every bit as much as Snell – and also Kirkland through COSTCO – are.
Scott
2 months agoYou’re not wrong, but several DTC manufacturers such as Vice and Cut are sold at Target and Walmart. OnCore and most others are available on Amazon. The only place you can buy Maxfli is from DSG companies: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, etc.
WYBob
2 months ago“Direct-To-Customer, also known as D2C or DTC, is a low-barrier-to-entry eCommerce strategy that allows manufacturers and consumer packaged goods firms to sell directly to consumers. It eliminates the need to negotiate with a merchant or reseller to get your goods on the market..”
What some of you are alluding to (ie. Vice/Cut at Walmart, Target, etc.) is considered a hybrid GTM model. The actual Maxfli golf balls are manufactured by Foremost in Taiwan for DKS (Dick’s, Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxie, etc.). Dick’s business model is built primarily around its brick-and-mortar stores of which there are 854 locations. That makes the Maxfli ball GTM strategy a hybrid model at a minimum. Regarding Snell on Amazon- those looks to be mostly used, or someone practicing arbitrage ($78/box- really???). Maybe MGS should define what they mean by DTC/D2C so there is no debate or confusion
David Bishop
2 months agoPerhaps a naive question. Why do so many segregate balls into swing speeds? I like the feel of a soft ball. The old Titleist Professional was the best feeling and plenty long. Plus it was easy to shape. Then all of a sudden tge Pro V1 came out was more difficult to shape for me and no longer than the Professional ball. I don’t know squat about construction. But a soft feeling long flying ball that has enough spin around the green is all I look for in a ball. I have not found one that works as well for me as the Titleist Profressional. Since y’all have tested evetthing with dimples, which ball comes closest to tge characteristics of the Professional?
Yaaqob
2 months agoWithout getting long-winded…read their Ball Labs that goes over all the different characteristics of golf balls and compares them to a wide list of options. Soft “feel” is both subjective and something that can be quantified, and softer golf balls with a faster swing would launch higher, spin more, and lose distance. Imagine you wanted to absorb the shock of being hit by something, you’d use a soft material to absorb some of that energy from impact. That’s what you want to avoid.
Mike
2 months agoGot to say I disagree with the Cut DC ranking. Ball is absolutely garbage. Cut is the perfect name for this ball because you’ll be lucky if it lasts one hole before the cover is damaged. Couldn’t give these things away because I’d be too embarrassed once my buddies saw how bad it was.
Al
2 months agoCouldn’t agree more- tried these two years ago on my quest to find the best “cheap” ball and I’ve said the exact same quip (Cut being the accurate name) to everyone I play with. They’re not even good for back yard chipping practice.
Steve B
2 months agoHow is Maxfli considered a DTC brand? This should be Snell, Vice, Cut, etc. but not Maxfli. What am I missing that Maxfli is considered a DTC?
Yaaqob
2 months agoDTC means A makes it and sells it to you. Titleist isn’t DTC because A makes it and sells it to B who then sells it to you. There’s no middleman or wholesaler between manufacturer and retail.
J D
2 months agoI can buy TM balls directly from their site. They are also DTC then
Anderson Dave
2 months agoWhat’s your definition of a DTC? I have never considered Maxfli a DTC ball.
JerryB
2 months agoAm I to understand that the winner of the Best Value Ball Under $20 is also the only ball under $20?
Scott D
2 months agoI think the Cut Blue and also the Cut Grey are both under $20.00 by perhaps a penny and are both urethane covered. Some people have complained in the past about their cover durability. Score lines on irons have shaved the covers in some peoples’ reviews. The Cut Blue DC is a ball I have played though ($29.99 I think) and the cover durability on the Blue DC has been among the most durable if not the most durable urethane covered ball I have played.
Dennis Beach
2 months agoFor sure! There are plenty of $20 dollar golf balls out there. I think one of the better offerings is -wait for it-TopFlite Hammer Control. White, or yellow, can’t go wrong. This 2-piece, 70ish compression ball is long, and it can be controlled around the greens. Nice feel off the driver, and irons. Can get it to check on the green, with some roll out. Putts are very smooth. The “dimple in dimple” cover has been around for quite a while, and it holds up well, even off a cart path. Recent price increases have raised the price to $21.99 for 15 orbs, whereas it used to be $17.99 for the same 15 arrows. If you lose a few, this is your ball…
Mike - Holland
2 months agoI have been using the U-pro along with the Maxfli both in yellow but they don’t make enough yellow to last the season. Waiting for a review of the U-pro.
MarkM
2 months agoI’ve been playing the Maxfli Tour X this year after the MGS reviews/labs and can honestly say that it performs as good as my previously used TM TP5X.
Thanks MGS!
Charles DeVerna
2 months agoAgreed Mark..and Dicks knows it too…the 48 for $104 is over….best sale is 2 for $60.
Robin
2 months agoI use Saintnine U pro 2 piece
Urethane ball for under 19 dollars by Nexen
Matthew U
2 months agoFrom a material science point of view, the two piece urethane balls are the worst of both worlds. The cover is very soft and without the small layer to absorb energy before the firm core it ends up performing like a “distance” ball without the benefit of a durable ionomer cover.
Mudaero
2 months agoLove the Tour-X. Been singing its praises for years. Any chance we can get the full Ball Lab Review on it? It’s the only one in the top 10 of scores that doesn’t have a full review yet. As always, appreciate your work.
Mat
2 months agoSecond that.
gerry harbinson
2 months agoIt does not surprise me that the current Maxfli Tour X made the list and topped the list in several categories.
I personally use the Maxfli Tour for less spin but both Tour and Tour X are exceptional. I’ve using the Tour for about a year of so, basically it does everything it says on the box at a great price (currently $120 for 4 doz). At Dick’s and Golf Galaxy.