***If you’re looking for the most recent reviews for 2023 gear, we will be updating this page in the summer after we’ve had a chance to review them!
If you’re in a hurry and just want to find the Best Golf Balls for Seniors in 2022, then we recommend the Titleist Velocity.
There is one piece of equipment that you use for every shot on the golf course…a golf ball. As ball technology continues to increase it has become clear that certain features fit certain swings and games better than others. As we grow older, our swings get a little slower so it is important that our equipment helps to bridge that gap. Finding the best golf balls for seniors is an important step in this endeavor.
In this article, we’re going to be reviewing the following golf balls:
How to Purchase Golf Balls for Seniors
While your swing speed may be slower, usually your consistency and intelligence on the course only grows with age. You do not try to do too much with each shot, you play within yourself, and most importantly you have probably learned to allow the club and the ball to do the work for you.
Some of my best memories include playing golf with my Grandfather while I was in college. The truth is that I never beat him. I was stronger, could swing harder, hit farther, and make more birdies than him. But I also lost more balls, missed more putts, and was wildly inconsistent off of the tee compared to his steady drives and overall consistent game. On paper I should have beaten him, but in reality he was able to use his experience and consistency to outscore me every round.
Part of the intelligence he had on the course was in his choice of equipment. He had a great set of clubs and was not afraid to buy the “next best thing” when it came to golf balls. With that in mind, here are some of the features that you should look for when making the important golfing decision of “which golf ball should I use?”
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Golf Balls For Seniors
Distance
This is a no-brainer when it comes to the criteria for purchasing golf balls. Especially when you swing speed slows down a little, it is vital that you pick up that distance in other areas and the easiest way to do that is with a good golf ball. The construction of the golf ball is usually indicative of the type of distance you will get.
For you science nerds out there, here’s a video explaining why golf balls have dimples:
The distance a golf ball will travel also has a lot to do with the compression of the core of the ball. As you will learn, there are different layers that make up a golf ball and these layers react to your swing. The inside layer, known as the core, is where a liquid or rubber layer reacts to the club in a similar way that a rubber band reacts to being pulled back. It recoils and compresses all of the energy to the middle only to be released and thrown forward by the momentum. Obviously, the better the core of the golf ball is made, the farther it will travel.
One Piece to Five Piece Construction
The quality and price of a golf ball really rise when you get to the three, four, and five piece designs. One and two piece balls should really be left for the range or for very difficult courses where you know you are going to lose balls. The five-piece balls really come into play with tour players and very low handicap golfers.
Most senior players will remain in the three and four piece area. These balls have a rubber or liquid core that provide great distance, an outer layer that is soft and dimpled, and the additional layers react to spin, swing speed, and shot angles. Golf balls with more layers offer great distance without losing feel, softness, and the ability to react to spin produced by the shot.
Spin
There are three basic golf balls when it comes to spin, and your shot is really the determining factor for which ball you need.
Low Spin Balls
You should find a low spin ball if you are prone to slices or a lot of side spin on your shots. Low spin balls to do not carry as far, but they fly straighter and will get a longer roll.
Mid Spin Balls
These balls incorporate distance, accuracy, and feel together without focusing on one over the other. Almost all manufacturers produce a mid spin ball because it appeals to the highest number of golfers.
High Spin Balls
High spin balls carry farther through the air and land softer on the green, but they are much less forgiving if you are prone to slice or hook your shots. This is the “risk/reward” ball for golfers because it gives you the best features but you must hit the ball well.
Feel
The feel of the golf ball is how well it comes off of the club, lands and sits on the green, and reacts to draws and fades (or hooks and slices depending on your skill level). Feel is important because it affects a golfer’s psyche as well as his score and how a ball reacts to your swing can greatly influence the distance of your putts.
Durability
Golf balls lose their quality after being hit a certain number of times. Some of us lose all of our golf balls before we get the chance to see how durable they really are. But for those of you reading this that can play multiple rounds with one ball, it is important to know how durable your ball is.
The Best Golf Balls For Seniors Reviewed
Just like with other aspects of the game of golf, golf ball technology has greatly increased over the past few years. There are balls designed specifically for the junior, women, and senior market and some of those balls will be reviewed here.
TaylorMade Distance+
The TaylorMade Distance Plus is a ball designed to be long.
Golf ball technology has improved to the point that makers can add compression, change dimple patterns, and do a lot of other things to make a ball softer, spin more/less, and still maintain distance. TaylorMade realized that most golfers just want a ball that will go straight and far, and the other features do not really change a mid to high handicapper’s score. The result is Distance Plus that does just what the name suggests, adds distance to your game.
Pros
- A low cost, high distance alternative in a golf ball market that is flooded with higher end choices.
- Made for distance.
- Great if you are an experienced player that strikes the ball well and are just looking for some added distance.
- Can be found almost anywhere and on short notice if you get in a jam.
Cons
- 2-piece construction creates limitations.
- Focuses on ball speed and distance at the expense of everything else.
Titleist Velocity
The Titleist Velocity golf ball focuses on ball speed and launch height while producing as little spin as possible.
This increases distance, oftentimes at the top of a senior player’s wish list, but does effect spin around the green. While the higher launch and subsequent steeper descent help the ball land softly, the closer you get to the green the more the lack of spin effects your game.
Pros
- Extremely low spin to maximize distance on every shot.
- The new cover provides additional durability and comes in multiple colors.
- It is a solid, soft core that produces great initial ball speed.
Cons
- The focus on low spin takes away performance and feel around the green.
- The 2 part construction negates some of the recent golf ball technology that is evident in other golf balls.
Callaway Supersoft Magna
The Callaway Supersoft Magna features 2 piece construction and a slightly larger diameter than other Callaway offerings.
The focus of this ball is in creating a softer core that bounces off of the club head to add as much distance as possible. Callaway continues its push into the golf ball market, and the SuperSoft Magna is one of their longest offerings for a great price.
Pros
- Long off of the tee and with your irons.
- Maintains softness and playability around the greens.
- The soft core and well-designed cover give it a high launch and steep descent.
- Gets off of the ground well and with a high launch angle and steep descent.
Cons
- Designed with beginners in mind.
- Does not hold spin as well around the green.
- The larger size of the golf ball can rob you of some of the increased distance.
Srixon Soft Feel
Srixon continues to put out high quality golf balls at a price that is attainable for the majority of golfers.
The Srixon Soft Feel is their “long ball” as its 2 piece construction with a thin cover and soft core leads to increased distance and decreased spin. The thinner face on this golf ball, however, gives it a softer feel and allows the ball to spin well enough for most golfers.
Pros
- One of the least expensive options on the list.
- The Srixon name is synonymous with high quality at bargain prices.
- The thinner outer cover allows the ball to travel further but still have the feel of a more expensive ball.
- You can find it at most retailers.
- Weighted for a higher launch and it does not disappoint.
Cons
- The ball does not give adequate spin to grab the grass on shots around the green.
- Designed for high handicappers and their specific needs.
Mizuno RB 566
A 2-piece golf ball that gives you increased ball speed and distance.
A new dimple pattern allows the ball to hang in the air longer than ever before while the high compression core gives you the starting speed needed for a great and long drive.
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.
Cons
- There is a noticeable difference in appearance between this and the traditional golf ball.
- Does not perform as well as others around the green.
Our Choice
The Titleist Velocity is our choice for best golf ball for seniors. The primary thing we lose as we get older is the speed we can generate with the club.
For that reason, seniors often look for a ball that can help increase their driving distance at the expense of other things. The Titleist Velocity does just that. It increases ball speed and distance while decreasing spin and therefore the potential for a mishit. Titleist is the premier name in golf ball manufacturing and the Velocity can help you regain some of your distance.
