If you’re a high handicapper then you’ll know life on the golf course can be both frustrating and thrilling. So that you experience more of the latter its imperative to use golf equipment that will work with your swing rather than against it.
The right golf ball won’t magically fix your swing, but it can make a noticeable difference in distance, forgiveness, feel, and even confidence.
That can mean a golf ball promoting lower spin off the driver to reduce slices and hooks, higher launch for longer carry and a softer compression for slower swing speeds.
Equally you may be looking for something that isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg.
To help you find the right one for you, we have highlighted the golf balls that are the highest launching, the best all-rounder, most surprising etc.
NCG TOP PICKS FOR 2026
BEST ALL-ROUNDER
Titleist TruFeel
More information: Titleist UK / Titleist US
PGA Professional and NCG Equipment editor Jack Backhouse spoke glowing of their suitable for many club golfers.
“If you’re a slower swinger or a casual golfer looking for Titleist quality at a lower price point, this ball is definitely worth considering,” he said.
HIDDEN GEM
Wilson Triad
More information: Wilson website / Amazon website
“I was particularly impressed with its performance around the greens with a wedge in hand. The feel was really good from the urethane cover and there was plenty of spin for optimal control on the putting surface,” Backhouse said.
You’ll be forgiven if Wilson isn’t the first golf ball name to come to mind when you think of premium golf balls. But the latest Triad option will go a long way to putting an end to that sentiment.
BEST VALUE
Kirkland Signature
More information: Amazon website
When it comes to the best value-for-money golf balls on the market there’s only one brand in the running for us. Kirkland’s whole philosophy is to produce quality, low priced bits of golf gear.
“Possibly one of the best value for money pieces of golf equipment on the market – they are a great fit for those not looking to burn their back pocket on golf balls,” Backhouse believes.
BEST OFF THE TEE
BRIDGESTONE E12 STRAIGHT
More information: Amazon UK / Amazon US
“For the mid-to-high handicap golfer looking to stay in play, keep it straight, and build confidence off the tee, this ball delivers consistency and forgiveness in a package that won’t break the bank,” Backhouse claims.
Not every golf ball is going to blow your socks off but for those looking to get a bit more height on their shots that won’t matter.
BEST DISTANCE
Titleist Velocity
More information: Titleist UK / Titleist US
Nicola Slater spoke highly of these Titleist golf balls; “They’re great for any beginner or mid to high handicap golfer wanting something softer off the face that’s still going to have a strong flight and carry – or a great winter ball for players wanting a little more give.”
BEST FOR WINTER
TAYLORMADE DISTANCE PLUS
More information: TaylorMade website
Like the name suggests these golf balls are all about enhancing distances. In particular, it is with a fairway wood or a driver in hand where they really come alive.
If you are a golfer that can live without excess greenside spin and are looking for a more penetrating ball flight, you’ll want to put this under consideration.
BEST LAUNCH
Bridgestone 312 High Launch
More information: Amazon UK / Amazon US
The Bridgestone e12 High Launch delivers exactly what its name promises, a towering ball flight and more carry.
“If you’re fighting to get the ball airborne or need more stopping power on approach shots, this ball deserves a place in your bag,” said Backhouse.
BEST FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS
Vice Pro Air
More information: Amazon website / Vice website
Most club golfers don’t have lightning quick speeds. So to maximise performance it is imperative to use golf equipment that is tailored to the fact.
“I did find that these often promoted a slower ball speeds from other Vice golf ball models. I certainly think there is a a place for this golf ball and plenty of golfers could benefit from it,” Backhouse believes.
MOST SUPRISING
Srixon UltiSoft
More information: Srixon website / Amazon website
This isn’t a tour-level golf ball, there’s no hiding that, but then it isn’t trying to be one. There’s no cosplaying going on here, instead its a tailored for slower swing speeds and golfers who crave distance without sacrificing feel.
BEST ALL-ROUNDER
TITLEIST TRUFEEL – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £26.00 / $24.99
- Currently available: £24.99 / $19.97
- Colours: White and yellow
- Cover: Soft 3.0 TruFlex
- Expert opinion: ‘This two-piece golf ball offers durability and a surprisingly decent spin performance at lower swing speeds.’
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
TITLEIST TRUFEEL – COURSE PERFORMANCE
It is fair to say that the TruFeel lives up to its name. We found it to offer a noticeably soft feel across all clubs throughout the bag.
The spin performance around the greens was surprisingly better than what was expected. On wedge shots it was surprisingly impressive.
Read the full review HERE.
TITLEIST TRUFEEL – GIVE US THE VERDICT
Overall, the Titleist TruFeel is an excellent entry-level golf ball for players who prioritise soft feel, durability, and affordability.
Whilst it may lack the full control of more premium Titleist golf balls, iy still performs really well in the short game department and offers really good value-for-money.
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HIDDEN GEM
WILSON TRIAD – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £39.99 / $39.99
- Currently available: £32.99 / $29.99
- Colours: White
- Cover: High-Friction Cast Urethane
- Expert opinion: “The Wilson Triad is an excellent all-around golf ball that delivers strong spin, good distance, and reliable performance.”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
WILSON TRIAD – COURSE PERFORMANCE
One of the standout aspects of the Wilson Triad is its urethane cover, which provides excellent feel around the greens. This golf ball also delivers what we would call a confidence-inspiring control.
Wilson claims that shifting the weight distribution toward the outer layers enhances MOI (Moment of Inertia), leading to more stable flight and better accuracy off the tee.
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This is a big positive for those searching for a little more consistency off the tee.
Read our full review HERE.
WILSON TRIAD – GIVE US THE VERDICT
The Wilson Triad is a fantastic value ball. It offers premium performance at a fraction of the price of tour balls, making it an excellent choice for golfers who want tour-like spin and feel without the premium price tag.
Mid handicappers especially can do a lot worse than putting the Wilson Triad in play.
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BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £40.00 / $41.99
- Currently available: £34.99 / $34.99
- Colours: White
- Cover: Urethane
- Expert opinion: “I think the Kirkland Signature golf balls are a great option for slower swinging golfers.”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE – COURSE PERFORMANCE
The first thing to say about the Kirkland Signature golf ball is that it is quite the surprise performer. For a ball of this price I wouldn’t expect it to be equipped with a urethane cover, so that is a big bonus.
The spin rates this golf ball is able to produce was a real shock as not many of this calibre are able to produce this level of spin around the greens. In fact, it tends to be their achilles heel.
The peak height sitting at around 100ft was also ideal and a good sign for being able to control shots into the green.
Read our full review HERE.
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE – GIVE US THE VERDICT
To sum up, it is no Titleist Pro V1 but it is a perfectly good golf ball. If you can get adjusted to the firmer feel and the distinct sound then this could be a nice option for golfers with a slower swing speed.
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BEST OF THE TEE
BRIDGESTONE E12 STRAIGHT – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £32.00 / $34.99
- Currently available: £29.99 / $34.99
- Colours: White
- Cover: FlexActiv Ionomer
- Expert opinion: “It’s not flashy, but it’s functional, reliable, and impressively user-friendly.”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
BRIDGESTONE E12 STRAIGHT – COURSE PERFORMANCE
The one standout quality of this golf ball that our testing showed was that it launched high and flew with minimal curvature.
From the face of mid-iron the trajectory was high, the spin was moderate, and the ball flew straight—a promising combination for players looking for consistency on approach shots.
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While it’s not the longest driver ball on the market, it’s respectably long given its low-spin design and straight-flight characteristics.
Read our full review HERE.
BRIDGESTONE E12 STRAIGHT – GIVE US THE VERDICT
If anything the Bridgestone e12 Straight is a compelling option for golfers looking for value, forgiveness, and, most importantly, straighter shots.
Admittedly, it’s not the longest, nor the highest spinning, but for many amateurs it might just be the most helpful.
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BEST DISTANCE
TITLEIST VELOCITY – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £28.00 / $30.00
- Currently available: £26.99 / $24.97
- Colours: White / Orange / Green /Yellow
- Cover: Ionomer
- Expert opinion: “For just less than £30 the 2026 Velocity is a great purchase”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
TITLEIST VELOCITY – COURSE PERFORMANCE
I’m a player who tends to use a ProV1x but I do enjoy a ball that has a soft feel off the face, especially in the colder months!
As you would expect this is not a high spinning golf ball. Don’t fret though, as this is designed for mid to higher handicap players so the low spin with wedges is not a big issue.
It also comes off the face really nicely and is an enjoyable golf ball to use.
Read our full review HERE.
TITLEIST VELOCITY – GIVE US THE VERDICT
We think this is a great golf ball for any beginner or mid to high handicap player who needs something a little softer or even great as a winter ball.
For just less than £30 the 2026 Velocity is a great purchase. After all, who doesn’t want to game a Titleist golf ball.
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BEST FOR WINTER
TAYLORMADE DISTANCE PLUS – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £21.99 / $21.99
- Currently available: £17.52 / $19.99
- Colours: Yellow
- Cover: Aerodynamic 344
- Expert opinion: “The TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball represents a brilliant budget golf ball for those looking to increase their distances.”
- NCG Rating: 5 out of 5
TAYLORMADE DISTANCE PLUS – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Off the tee, is where you’ll really see this golf ball shine the brightest. It is incredibly consistent in terms of both carry and total distances with a driver in hand.
Another standout feature is the alignment aid. It’s simple but you will still found it genuinely helpful on the greens. Whether you’re lining up a birdie putt or just trying to two-putt for bogey, the bold visual guide will certainly bring some extra confidence.
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Read our full review HERE.
TAYLORMADE DISTANCE PLUS – GIVE US THE VERDICT
There is no doubt that this is a useful addition to the budget ball category. Players really are treated to an unbeatable mix of distance, consistency, and value.
The only place the TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball showed a resemblement of its more budget roots was around the greens
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BEST LAUNCH
BRIDGESTONE E12 HIGH LAUNCH – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: $34.99 / £32.00
- Currently available: £29.99 / $34.99
- Colours: White
- Cover: Surlyn
- Expert opinion: “One nice touch is the inclusion of Bridgestone’s Mindset logo, designed to assist with pre-shot routine focus and consistency.”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
BRIDGESTONE E12 HIGH LAUNCH – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Despite not having a urethane cover the quality of the short game performance isn’t negatively affected in any way. This slight change does show how much of the performance focus is on distance and forgiveness.
Approach shots are a real highlight as it produces a soft-landing flight that would help players to hold greens with confidence. On the other hand, the softer compression does show its limitations more off the tee. Those with quicker swing speeds may struggle in this regard.
Read our full review HERE.
BRIDGESTONE E12 HIGH LAUNCH – GIVE US THE VERDICT
Overall, It wouldn’t be out of place for me to suggest that the Bridgestone e12 High Launch isn’t built for the low-handicapper with high club head speed.
but if you are looking at this golf ball there is a good chance you’re on a mission to unlock more distance and it will help you do just that. You won’t face to sacrifice any control which is always a big plus for a distance focused golf ball.
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BEST FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS
VICE PRO AIR – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £39.99 / $39.99
- Currently available: £24.20 / $39.99
- Colours: Yellow, pink and blue
- Cover: Urethane
- Expert opinion: “Most of us club golfers are always looking for ways to squeeze some extra distance out of our driver and long irons. This will help those slower swinging golfers do just that.”
- NCG Rating: 4.5 out of 5
VICE PRO AIR – COURSE PERFORMANCE
Although the main positives of this golf ball is the enhanced distance it delivers, the new soft urethane cover is what helps to separate this from other budget distance golf balls. You can really feel the cover working when it comes off the putter face and is rolling on the greens.
There’s no issues with approach shots either as it offers a consistent launch angle for better stopping power.
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Read our full review HERE.
VICE PRO AIR – GIVE US THE VERDICT
Vice is developing quite the extensive line-up of golf balls. They’ve carved out a niche for itself in the golf ball market and this is another great addition.
It offers a little bit of everything a golfer with a slower swing speed would need from their golf ball including a strong blend of distance, soft feel, and moderate greenside spin.
If you have a swing speed of less than 90mph then I’d recommend giving this a go.
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MOST SUPRISING
SRIXON ULTISOFT – NEED TO KNOW
- RRP: £27.99 / $34.49
- Currently available: £19.99 / $27.99
- Colours: White
- Cover: Ionomer
- Expert opinion: “It certainly is the ultimate soft golf ball option and has an almost marshmallow feel off the club face.”
- NCG Rating: 5 out of 5
SRIXON ULTISOFT – COURSE PERFORMANCE
I liked the levels of playability that this promoted around the greens it certainly offered more than what I was expecting and other similar priced golf balls I have tested.
Equally, I was able to reach an average 263 yard carry and a run-out of nearly 290 yards. That’s seriously impressive for a soft, value-driven option.
Read our full review HERE.
SRIXON ULTISOFT – GIVE US THE VERDICT
The biggest compliment I can give the Srixon UlitSoft golf ball is that it knows exactly what it is trying to be and who it’s for. There’s no jack of all trades master of none going on.
It’s long, incredibly soft, and offers more control than you’d expect from a two-piece construction. If you prefer the feel of a softer golf ball and have the smooth swing to match I would recommend giving it a go.
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Best Golf Ball For High Handicappers 2026
In summary, there are a range of quality golf ball options for higher handicap golfers to choose from. No matter whether you’re looking to launch your shots higher, gain more distance or even have the ideal winter golf ball there is something for you.
We can’t guarantee that choosing any of these golf balls will make your swing complete but it should at least improve your performance.
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Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.
How do we test golf balls?
At National Club Golfer, we are passionate about producing accurate and thorough reviews and make sure our testing process is rigorous so we get a good understanding of how each club performs.
We headed to Woodhall Spa Golf Club to allow us to collect launch monitor data with our in-house TrackMan and Flightscope. We tested each golf ball on the putting surface and around the greens before collecting data on 50-yard pitch shots, with a 7-iron and with a driver.
What is important when buying a new golf ball?
Feel
Golf ball feel is a personal preference. Different balls on the market will feel softer or firmer depending on their compression and structure. It is crucial to test balls when putting, chipping and hitting long game shots to check you like the performance across all areas.
Distance
How far you want to hit the golf ball is a crucial consideration when picking a brand and model. Getting the right compression relative to your swing speed and strike will help you get the maximum distance out of a golf ball. You also need to consider if getting maximum distance is important to you or if you would rather give up some yardage to gain in other areas.
Spin
Generally, lower handicappers are looking for a ball that spins more so they can get more control around the greens. In this case, getting a ball with a urethane cover is really important as it will give you the most spin and control.
Price
Not everyone wants to spend £50 a dozen on golf balls. When picking the right golf ball for you, you should consider how much you want to spend relative to what performance you want.