We’ve started planning for the 2025 robot ball test and part of the plan this year is to include more of the cheap stuff.
Let me define cheap. I’m talking about the two- and occasionally 3-piece stuff with ionmer covers. While these balls get zero tour play, they’re loved by a segment of golfers for their lower price points, often soft (dare I say, super soft feel), and the variety of colors and patterns in which some models are offered.
It should go without saying that we can’t test everything, but we want to make sure we include some of the most popular models. To that end, we did some research to figure out what those balls are.
Our requisite fine print is that not every place that sells golf balls sold reports sales data. With that, sales data for direct-to-consumer brands can be spotty, but the list does give us a good idea of what the best-selling models (by unit share) were for 2024.
Let’s look at top 5.
#1. Callaway Supersoft
No surprise here. Supersoft rivals Chrome Soft for popularity in Callaway lineup. It’s cheap and while you’ll never confuse its speed and spin performance with Chrome Tour X, no small number of golfers love its soft feel. On our gauge, Supersoft remains the softest ball on the market.
#2 Srixon Soft Feel
The Soft Feel doesn’t exactly offer the tour-level performance profile of Srixon’s Z-Star series, but for those looking for another option in the soft feel/low price category, this Srixon offering is entirely on the nose.
#3 Titleist TrueFeel
Does anybody else see a pattern?
TrueFeel has the distinction of being both the softest and least expensive ball with a Titleist logo. That first bit seems to define the $24.99 price point.
#4 Titleist Velocity
As we move down the list, the market shifts a bit. The Titleist Velocity golf ball is designed to do one thing and do it well. Titleist’s 2-piece distance ball designed to go far and yeah… that’s pretty much it.
#5 Pinnacle Rush
Made at same factory as Velocity and TruFeel, Rush is kinda like the former with a friendlier price point than the latter although I can’t imagine anyone would suggest it offers soft feel.
Other notables:
While the top 5 certainly tells us a lot about the market, what’s even more revealing might be #6 on our list – a ball that defies all conventional wisdom about what should sell well in today’s market.”
Dear God, why?
#6 TaylorMade Noodle ($27.99 for 2 dozen) – Yes, Noodle is a TaylorMade ball – the company’s best-selling cheap option. Perhaps Gary McCord is to blame for the continued popularity, and frankly, that’s all I have to say about that.
Premium Ionomer
My 2-cents, buying either of the next two balls on the list are the equivalent of firing at a front pin on the edge of water hazard.
They’re a sucker’s play.
I’m not disputing that they’re likely the best-performing balls with an ionomer cover, but the only reason they exist is to siphon money from golfers not willing to spend $50+ on premium offering, but also not entirely trusting of DTC urethane offerings.
Get off the fence and make a better choice.
#9 Titleist Tour Soft ($39.99) – Titleist’s premium ionomer offering. The company believes the best performing ionomer ball on the market, but that’s a bit like laying claim to making the best gourmet ramen. Sure, some people love it, but nutritionally, there are better options.
#11 ERC Soft ($39.99) – the market’s other premium ionomer offering, ERC matches Tour Soft for price and is likewise positioned as a top-performing, premium ionomer golf ball. My own personal consolation in this is that, by volume, Callaway’s sub-$20 Warbird outsells ERC Soft.
Something from everyone
Since we’re making the list anyway, I also wanted to include the top-selling model with quantifiable market share from some of the brands we haven’t mentioned
#7 TaylorMade Speed Soft – Technically Noodle is a TaylorMade ball, but we wanted to include the top-seller with a TaylorMade logo.
#13 Bridgestone e6 ($23.99) – Sells just a bit more than the e12 Contact.
#16 Wilson DUO Soft ($22.99) – Not quite Supersoft, but not far off for golfers seeking the soft feel a golf ball has to offer.
#18 Volvik VIVID ($29.99, on sale for $19.99) – The ball that, for better or worse, put matte on the map.
Surprises?
Is there anything here that surprised you? Let us know in the comments.
pineneedlespro
1 year ago
I have used the T.M. Noodle golf balls in the winter time. Those are a good price, good distance, the cover holds up, lower compression for cold weather, good feel, and the balls go through my ring gauge easily without being too big or out of round.