Most Expensive Golf Balls: Are They Worth The Money?

Most Expensive Golf Balls
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If you’re like a lot of golfers I’m sure you’ve wondered what are the most expensive golf balls? Golf is not a cheap sport and one of the most frustrating things about it is constantly having to buy golf balls. 

According to Golf Educate, “300 million golf balls are lost every year in the US alone. The global number of golf balls lost in a year could easily be double or more at around 600 million when you consider that there are 66 million golfers globally, and most of them play at a 16 handicap or worse.”

That means the average golfer loses about 1–2 balls per round. Needless to say, that’s a lot of golf balls, especially if you’re playing expensive ones. 

Most Expensive Golf Balls

If you’re an avid golfer, you probably need to play with the more high-priced golf balls. Not to say that an expensive golf ball will make you a better golfer but it can help. Playing the right equipment – from clubs to balls – can make golf a lot easier. 

Beginners and higher handicappers don’t need to play as expensive golf balls because:

  • They’re more likely to lose them. 
  • They don’t swing fast enough to reap the benefits. 

You’ll likely need to check out the best golf balls for slower swings here. 

But if you’re a solid player and working toward breaking 90 or breaking 80 regularly, you need the right balls. Here are the most expensive golf balls and the benefits of each.

Titleist Pro V1 – $55 

#1 Ball In Golf
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

  • Longer distance with consistent flight
  • Very low long game spin and penetrating trajectory
  • Increased drop-and-stop short game control
  • Softer feel

Titleist has a bold slogan – “The number one ball in golf.” This is because their main and most expensive golf ball lineup is the Titleist Pro V1 series. 

These balls are preferred by skilled amateurs and professionals alike. They’ve dominated the golf world for nearly two decades and keep refining it nearly every year. 

They now have four options to choose from with different spin and distance dynamics: 

  • Pro V1: A mid-flight ball with soft feel and more long game spin. 
  • Pro V1X: A high ball flight with firm feel and the most long game spin possible. 
  • Pro V1X Left Dash: A high ball flight with firm feel and the least amount of long game spin. 
  • Pro V1 Left Dot: A lower ball flight and lower long game spin with plenty of greenside spin. 

These high-end golf balls are available in white or yellow and you can customize your golf balls as well. The Pro V1 vs. the Pro V1X is very different and recommend testing on the course or use their selector tool to match the right one with your shot preferences.

Callaway Chrome Soft – $50 

Highly Rated
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls

Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls

  • Chrome Soft takes tour performance to another level
  • More speed off the tee, and longer distance off of every club in the bag 
  • Thinner, more resilient cover promotes increased ball speed, and generates lower spin on full shots

Callaway has some of the best drivers in golf but their ball selection is solid too. Their Chrome Soft line is their most expensive option and preferred by tour pros and skilled amateurs alike. 

Here’s how Callaway described their signature golf ball. “Chrome Soft is designed for a wide range of golfers who want outstanding feel, excellent distance, and incredible forgiveness. Key performance characteristics include our signature Chrome Soft feel, more distance off the tee, low spinning iron shots, and a high level of greenside control.“

Each model is slightly different from the other, here’s a quick recap:

  • Chrome Soft: Great for skilled players who want more feel and lower spinning iron shots. 
  • Chrome Soft X: This option is best for golfers who swing at faster swing speeds and want more greenside control. 
  • Chrome Soft X LS: The final option is the LS which stands for low spin and made for golfers who want to bomb it off the tee. 

You can also buy these Callaway golf balls with Triple Track technology. This is a built-in alignment system that pairs with their Odyssey Triple Track putters for easy aim on the greens.

Bridgestone Tour B – $50

Designed For Swing Speeds Over 105MPH
Bridgestone Golf Tour B Golf Ball

Bridgestone Golf Tour B Golf Ball

  • PROPRIETARY REACTIV urethane cover is transformational technology that improves the performance of every shot 
  • REACTIV COVER reacts based on the force of impact, delivering INCREASED DISTANCE off the tee and IMPROVED SPIN & CONTROL around the green 

Bridgestone is another popular golf ball manufacturer that is popular with great golfers even Tiger Woods! They have five different options to choose from including the Tour B, Tour B X, Tour B RX, Tour B RXS, Tour B XS TW edition. With this big of a selection it’s easy to find the right one for your skill level. 

TaylorMade TP5 – $50 

Highly Rated
TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls

  • New larger more reactive core and dual-spin cover
  • 5 layer construction, seamless tour flight dimple patter
  • Fastest ball speed, higher launch
  • High spin, and soft feel

The Pro V1 equivalent from TaylorMade is their TP5 series. They have new aerodynamics and more green side spin for an even better feel.

You can choose from one of two options: 

  • TaylorMade TP5: This is a mid-launch ball with a very soft feel. 
  • TaylorMade TP5X: This is a higher launch golf ball with a slightly firmer feel. 

Srixon Z-Star – $48

Popular
Srixon Z-Star Golf Balls

Srixon Z-Star Golf Balls

  • FastLayer Core Starts soft in the center and gradually becomes firm around its edge, giving high-speed players exceptional feel and plenty of ball speed for maximum distance
  • A new, thicker thermoplastic urethane cover features Spin Skin with SeRM, a durable coating with flexible molecular bonds. It digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximizing spin for more control and more stopping power

Srixon also makes some great golf balls for skilled golfers. This lineup includes Z-Star, Z-Star Diamond, and Z-Star XV. 

As Srixon said on their website, “Z-STAR provides maximum greenside spin for unmatched control and stopping power. Its premium 3-piece construction gives skilled players complete tour performance, tee to green.”

Also Read: Top 5 Most Expensive Putters In Golf

How to Get Golf Balls Cheaper 

As you can tell, golf balls are not cheap and a big expense especially if you play frequently. Here are a few tips to save money on golf balls. 

  • Buy in bulk: Some manufacturers allow you to buy larger orders online to save money. For example, you can buy 4-dozen Callaway Chrome Soft balls for $149. This is a huge savings considering that each dozen is nearly $50 – you’re essentially buying three and getting one dozen balls free. 
  • Avoid customization: Most golf manufacturers allow you to customize your golf balls with pictures, text, and/or logos. While it looks cool, it is an additional fee not to mention shipping time. To save money mark your golf balls instead of getting them custom from the manufacturer.
  • Buy refurbished balls: Another way to save money on your favorite golf balls is to buy them refurbished. These are available on Amazon, eBay or even through the manufacturer’s website as well. 
  • Digital yard sales: While most people don’t visit yard sales on the weekends you can buy golf balls online with apps like OfferUp, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and others. 
  • Buy previous years model: Almost every year each golf brand releases a new version of their latest signature ball. For the overwhelming majority of people you can’t tell the difference from previous years vs. the new one.
  • Don’t buy at pro shops: Pro shops tend to mark up golf balls significantly so buy online or at a golf store instead. 

Hopefully these tips will help you save money on your favorite golf balls. 

Top Questions 

Do you have more questions about golf balls? If so, keep reading the most commonly asked questions now. 

Do expensive golf balls help? 

Yes, if you’re the right type of golfer. As you can tell from the list above there is no shortage of expensive golf balls but they require a high swing speed to get the most benefits from them. 

Related: How to Increase Swing Speed

How do I find the right golf ball for my swing?

The best way to identify the best ball for your swing is to test them out in person if possible. During a casual round where you can hit extra shots off the tee and in the fairway try out different models and brands.

If you can’t do this (or don’t want to buy sleeves of different balls) use a golf ball selector tool. Each brand has the option online and after answering a few questions it will recommend the best ball to fit your game. 

Should you use golf balls that you find in a pond?

While a golf ball retriever is a good idea to help you find your balls after an errant shot, you shouldn’t retrieve other old balls. As golf balls sit in the water they lose their construction and impact distance and/or spin.  

Who makes the cheapest golf balls?

One of the lowest priced golf balls is from Kirkland. These balls and some clubs at Costco are a great deal and easy way to save money on this expensive sport.  

How many balls can a PGA Tour player carry? 

Most pro golfers carry at least 2–3 sleeves of balls with them at all times. It’s always best to err on the side of having too many golf balls vs. not enough.

The best example of accidentally not having enough balls is Tiger Woods in the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach. On the 18th hole he hit his drive in the ocean and had to re-tee. When his caddy Steve Williams gave him another ball he realized it was the last one in his bag.

Luckily, Tiger hit a great drive on his second tee shot (which is one of the hardest tee shots in golf). Otherwise, he might have been penalized or even disqualified. Don’t forget, this is the tournament he won by an incredible 15 shots in one of his most historic major wins of all time. 

Do pro golfers get free balls? 

Most professional golfers are on staff with Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade or other brands. Each sponsorship deal is different but golf balls are always a part of it. Sometimes they also get bonuses for winning or top finishes, parallel, and a salary that is paid monthly, quarterly or yearly. 

Wrapping Up

Playing the right golf balls is key to shooting the lowest scores possible. But not every type of golfer needs to play “expensive golf balls” – instead, it’s about finding one that is right for your swing. 

A lot of golf balls that cost more require higher swing speeds to reap the rewards. Plus, higher handicappers and beginners are more likely to lose golf balls 

What is your favorite type of golf ball? Do you test out different ones each year or stick with what you know?

Let us know in the comments below. 

Picture of Phil Grounds

Phil Grounds

Phil is an avid golfer, and the creator of The Golfers Gear. He’s been playing golf for 30 years, and is obsessed with improving his game and sharing his experience helping fellow golfers score better.

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