Best Golf Balls For Average Golfers (Mid Handicappers) in 2023

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find the Best Golf Balls for Average Golfers (Mid Handicappers) in 2023, then here’s what we recommend:

• Best Overall: Titleist Tour Soft
• Most Affordable: Cut DC

Aside from your club of choice, your golf ball might just be the next most important golf equipment purchase you will make. Without a ball, you can neither hit your next great shot nor can you shank the next one into the woods.

If you are in the vast majority of golfers, then you are what would be considered “average” in your skills. You are probably inconsistent, struggle with your short game, but hit a few shots each round that make you think you could be great.

In this article, we’re going to be reviewing the following golf balls:

• Titleist Tour Soft
• Srixon Q-Star Tour 3
• Bridgestone e12 Contact
• TaylorMade Tour Response
• Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track
• Titleist Tour Speed
• Mizuno RB 566
• Cut DC

At this skill level, it is important to find the best golf balls for average golfers to help shave a stroke or two from your score. The rest of this article will attempt to help you do just that.

What is an average golfer?

An average golfer is someone who could lose three balls on a par five one day and then come back the next day and putt for eagle. They can hit a 300 yard bomb down the middle of the fairway one hole and then hook one into the woods the next. The average male golfer has a 13.0 handicap. That means, if you are “average” you probably shoot anywhere between 80 and 92 on a par 72 course. Anyone who averages better than that is good and anyone who averages worse than that probably should not even calculate their handicap yet.

An average golfer can be someone who spends 10 hours per week on a golf course and has reached their top potential. But it can also be someone who spends 10 hours per month and just has a knack for swinging the sticks. The truth is, to be better than average you should work on your short game, and to get even better than that, spend an hour every day putting. The bottom line is that an average golfer spans a wide range of skill levels. That also means that the phrase “best golf balls for average golfers” can mean something different to different “average” golfers.

What are some important golf ball characteristics?

When purchasing a box of balls, there are 5 major things to consider:

Distance

What type of distance does the ball provide? Balls are tested with a machine guided club so that the same inputs go into each swing. When different balls are placed on the tee, you can easily see the different distances provided by different balls.

Construction

The materials used in each golf ball can be anywhere from 1-piece to 5-piece construction. The more “pieces” within the ball the better the mixture of spin, feel, and distance come together. With improved quality, however, almost always comes increased price.

Spin

The same machine guided club that tests for distance can also test for spin. You can purchase either low, mid, or high spin balls and your decision should be based on your specific swing. If you can pound the ball but have little to no idea where it will end up, a lower spin ball is probably for you. The less spin produced means you will have greater control. If control is not your problem but you want to increase draw or carry, then get a mid to high spin ball.

Feel

The feel of the golf ball is a hard thing to describe but an easy thing to experience on the course. It is how the ball bounces off of the club, how it sounds on contact, how it lands and sits on the green, and how it reacts to your attempts at a draw or a fade. The feel of a ball is something that you really have to experience, and if you are on the higher end of the handicap scale then you may not even understand this characteristic yet.

Durability

You do not need me to explain what it means for a golf ball to be durable. It lasts a long time, it reacts and travels as far on the 50th strike as it did on the 10th. Durability is not important if you lose a lot of balls or if you have a superstition that leads you to throw a ball out after a certain type of strike. But if you want to save some money while using high quality golf balls, durability is something that you should look into before purchasing.

What are some things for the average golfer to consider when purchasing golf balls?

Prior to spending a lot of money on a really good box of balls, consider the following questions. Remember, it is important to play with high quality equipment, but if you are not a solid player already a ball can only help you so much. These are some of the other considerations.

How many balls do I lose per round?

If you lose a lot of balls every time you play, stick to something cheap while you learn. You do not want to spend all of your time in the woods looking for the expensive golf ball you just sliced out of bounds. It is better to take the pressure off of yourself and use a ball you do not mind leaving behind.

What type of course do I play on regularly?

Are you playing more wide open city courses or tighter country club tracks? The more difficult the course, the cheaper the ball you will want to use. If you can “grip it and rip it” at every tee box, use an expensive ball and see how far you can drive it.

How consistent is my golf game?

If your game is not consistent then a ball is not going to make it any more so. Wait until you can do the same thing over and over again on the course and then splurge for some golf balls that will help to lower your scores.

Do I compete or play for fun?

If you always play just for fun, then there may be some “illegal” balls that will give you the same advantage of a 50 dollar box of balls at a 10 dollar price point.

Best Golf Balls For Average Golfers (Mid Handicappers) In 2022 Reviewed

 

Titleist Tour Soft

When you think of golf balls, you think of Titleist. They have always been on the cutting edge of high end golf balls and the Tour Soft is no exception. The 2021 version of the Titleist Tour Soft is as soft on the green as ever, and this year’s version has some added distance that many will appreciate.

The core of the ball is the same size as the 2020 version, and the 2-piece construction still lends itself to low spin and long distance. One of the main improvements was in the area of dimples. Titleist both increased the number of dimples while changing the dimple design to increase aerodynamics so that the ball cuts through the air better than ever. The Tour Soft has great accuracy, low drag, and high speeds so that you get the best of both worlds: straight and long. While it does not offer the green side spin that the Pro V1 has, the playability of this golf ball at its price point is one of the best.

Pros

• A large soft core makes the ball easy to hit, very forgiving, and very soft.
• The new dimple pattern and design, not to mention the 15% increase in the number of dimples, make the Tour Soft longer and more aerodynamic than ever.
• You get really good ball speed and distance even with it being one of the softer golf balls out there.
• One of the softest landing balls on the market.
• The golf ball is straight and long, and it still performs well around the green.
• Offers the softest feel at its price point.
• An updated dimple design improves the ball flight.

Cons

• A little more expensive than others on the list.
• Not as explosive as the other balls in its price range.
• If you want all of the feel and distance combined with spin around the green, you will still have to move up to the Pro V1 or something similar.

Srixon Q-Star Tour 3

The Srixon Q-star Tour focuses on feel and spin at the expense of distance, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. It is an extremely soft ball around the greens and holds short game spin as well as any other club on the  list.

The compression rating for this ball is very low compared to the other balls on this list and it takes away some needed distance. The SeRM urethane cover creates maximum spin and good stopping power in iron shots on the green. Many mid handicappers are looking for that little extra that will set their game apart, and the way these balls perform on and around the green may do just that.

Pros

• If you are willing to sacrifice some distance for superior feel, this is the ball for you. Nothing is softer around the green.
• Described by Srixon as an ultra soft ball, it is a great description for how well this ball lands and sticks on the green.
• Srixon is a great name in the golf ball world.
• 338 dimples that give you great aerodynamics and allow the ball to cut through the air.
• The SeRM urethane cover creates maximum spin and good stopping power in iron shots on the green. 
• An alignment stamp aides in putting.

Cons

• More for lower handicap players than average golfers.
• You do not get the same distance that you can find with other golf balls.
• Can be too “spinny” for some golfers.

Bridgestone e12 Contact

The e12 Contact is Bridgestone’s way of combining the company’s 2 loves: tires and golf balls. The e12 Contact golf balls use some of the same ideas of a tire as they use the “contact force dimple” to focus on the moment that the club makes contact with the ball.

The idea was to allow the ball to make as much contact as possible with the club so that they can both complete their work in the swing process. It is not just a moment of impact, but a reaction between 2 separate objects: the ball and the club. The new dimple design was meant to make the ball longer and straighter off the tee while maintaining good greenside spin. The 2021 version of the e12 is faster and longer than other iterations of this ball, but it maintains great spin and accuracy as well.

Pros

• The “Contact Force Dimple” creates 38% more surface contact per swing.
• Really long off the tee.
• You get good spin rates around the green, while maintaining long and high drives off the tee.
•  If you want a straight ball with minimal spin off the tee, but one that still spins great on the green.
• The additional surface area creates more friction for better spin on and around the greens.
• A big focus on accuracy even with the potentially higher spin rates.

Cons

• Feels and looks different than a traditional ball.
• Can be too spinny off the tee or with long irons.
• Not as easy to hit as some of the other balls on the list.

TaylorMade Tour Response 

The TaylorMade Tour Response ball was designed as a response after consulting the masses (meaning staff pros and loyal customers).

That means that TaylorMade asked for and received feedback from golfers across skill levels to figure out what they were looking for in a golf ball. The Tour Response is a result of feedback. The TaylorMade Tour Response is an affordable ball that uses the technology that most players want in a golf ball with a combination of distance and softness being the key. 

Pros

• A low compression, high spring core allows for extra softness without losing ball speed and distance.
• One of the least expensive options at this level of golf ball.
• A cast urethane cover for increased spin around the green and greater durability.
• There is an extra casing layer around the core that allows for the low compression with high ball speed.

Cons

• It has good distance and good feel, but it is not an industry leader in either category.
• The lower price point makes it more accessible, but it also takes away from the bottom line performance of the ball. 

Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track

If you are looking to keep the spin rate as low as possible, the ERC Soft Triple Track is a really good golf ball. This is one of the few 3-piece golf balls on the list which allows for faster ball speeds while keeping the launch high and the spin low.

The low spin could hurt your short game, but the soft feel and multilayer construction help with that. If you are an average or mid handicap golfer, then you are probably looking more for distance, accuracy, and feel even over greenside control. One of the things that really sets this ball apart is the “Triple Track” marking on the ball. This really helps you with alignment on the green and especially if you have a “Triple Track” putter. You can line the ball up with the putter and point it to the hole, then watch for immediate feedback on the quality of your putt.

Pros

• One of the lowest spinning balls on this list.
• Really long and really accurate compared to other offerings.
• The “Triple Track” allows you to line the ball up exactly on your read, and if you have a “Triple Track” putter, the alignment is even easier.
• Multilayer construction allows the ball to have a really soft feel while also producing top notch distance and a very low spin rate.
• The ball lands softly on the green and its greatest advantage comes when you pull out your putter.

Cons

• The lack of spin can hurt in terms of workability and also in your short game.
• The launch can be too high.
• For a 3-piece golf ball, the possibility of having enough spin around the green should be higher.

Titleist Tour Speed

This golf ball was clearly aimed at your average, mid handicapper who is looking for more distance and less spin, and that is exactly what you get with the Titleist Tour Speed golf ball.

You get a really soft feel that is great for the majority of swing speeds out there. When it comes to your iron shots, you get some noticeable extra distance. The Tour Speed is a 3-piece ball with a urethane cover that cuts through the air and holds down spin rates pretty low. If you have an average swing speed and are looking for a little extra distance and softness, this is your ball.

Pros

• A Titleist golf ball is almost always a good golf ball.
• A clean, nice looking golf ball with a logo alignment aid that really helps.
• Very low spin.
• Very straight and very accurate.
• No real weaknesses.
• Really good construction with decent spin around the green and a lot of distance off the tee.

Cons

• One of the most expensive golf balls on the list.
• Known as a “distance” golf ball, it gives you about the same distance as most of the other balls in this class.
• Nothing spectacular about the ball, it is just solid.

Mizuno RB 566

The Mizuno RB 566 features 4-piece construction with a urethane cover. On the cover you will find 566 micro dimples covering the surface of the ball.

This allows the ball to pierce the air and work well in almost any environment or weather. When you hold the ball for the first time, the look and feel of the RB 566 is noticeably different than a regular golf ball. The micro dimples are very unique in both functionality and aesthetics. The compression rating is between 93 and 110 and the core is oversized to make it easier to hit and more reactive. 

Pros

• This ball increases your distance with drivers and irons alike.
• Maintains impressive feel even with the more simple design.
• Increased launch angles and hang time allows your shots to land softly on the green.
• Reduced drag with the new dimple design.
• A great choice for higher swing speeds.
• Is one of the best balls on the market to help fix a slice.
• Travels far and straight while maintaining good feel and softness.

Cons

• Not for players with slow to moderate swing speeds.
• Not as good greenside spin as many players desire.

Cut DC

The Cut golf ball has a company motto that states, “A ball for the people.” In previous years and times, it would be unheard of to order golf balls outside of the major brands and especially online. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) companies, like Cut, have realized that they can bypass the middle men, use remote factories, and not maintain a huge R&D budget while still making a good golf ball.

Cut DC is a direct competitor with the Titleist ProV1 but at almost half the price. Its 4-piece construction allows it to have good spin around the green but to stay straight off your longer clubs. DTC products are hard sells for me in general because I am more of a traditionalist, but if you can get past the fact that Cut is not one of the major golf ball manufacturers, you may just find a really good golf ball at a really good price. 

Pros

• A compression rating of 105.
• Similar driving distance and iron distance to much more expensive and well-known golf balls.
• A 4-piece golf ball that gives you really good distance, accuracy off the tee and with long irons, and good spin around the green.
• Compares to the ProV1 but at a much lower price point.
• All of the features of a higher end golf ball at a mid range price.

Cons

• The Cut DC is a direct competitor with Titleist’s ProV1 golf ball, and it leaves a lot to be desired.
• Going against the normal brand names is difficult and can make you second guess yourself.
• You do not get as much spin around the green as you find with some other high balls.
• Same price as other golf balls with a more proven track record and more staying power within the industry.

Final Thoughts On The Best Golf Balls For Average Golfers (Mid Handicappers) In 2023

 

Best Overall: Titleist Tour Soft

Titleist just makes a really good ball, and the Tour Soft is as good as any you will find for pretty much any handicap.

They are great for average golfers and mid handicappers because they give you high end softness and feel while maintaining distance and accuracy. Their only slight weakness is around the green, but this is a good golf ball.

Most Affordable: Cut DC

While it may not necessarily be the least expensive option at every outlet, the price is low and the features are great. This could be a really good deal on a really good golf ball.