Best Golf Balls For Mid-Handicappers

If you don’t have the right golf ball for you, you’re are adding unnecessary strokes to your game.

Often overlooked, having the correct ball to complement your game is crucial to scoring well and improving your status. We’re all guilty of buying golf balls based solely on price. But, now that you’re a mid-handicapper, you need a golf ball that can contribute to your game a bit more.

Don’t believe me? Get a dozen Titleist Velocity golf balls and use them for the next couple of rounds you play. If you’re used to playing rock-hard, second-hand pond balls, these will feel like you hit the jackpot.

Take extra note around the greens and your approach shots. This is where a mid-handicap golfer can really take advantage of these balls. Shaving strokes from within 100 yards will get you down to a low-handicap in no time.

There is a wide range to choose from. If you want something more akin to your game than the Titleist Velocity, then check out the detailed reviews below.

Here’s Our Overview

In-Depth Product Reviews

Titleist Velocity — Best Overall

It may come as no surprise that my favorite golf ball for a mid-handicapper is a Titleist. While Titleist is known for their ProV1’s, they also have excellent options for those who are not a single-digit handicapper.

This is a great option for mid-handicappers because it’s a mid-compression ball. This means it’s versatile no matter what your swing speed is. However, it will excel with slower swing speed players. The compression will help add distance.

Get More Distance With A 2-Piece Design

Its two-piece design will also help with distance. Unlike the ProV1, which is a three-piece, two-piece designs are firmer and are better at transferring energy from your driver to the ball. Even if you mis-hit it, this golf ball will provide acceptable distance.

Distance isn’t everything, though, and we want to make sure you can hold a green with your golf ball as well. To do that, Titlist has created a new cover.

Related: Best Golf Balls For Distance

A Brand New Cover Material

It’s not your traditional urethane cover.

This one is made from a combination of NAZ + Surlyn. It still has a nice level of softness to it, so your wedges can approach the green with confidence. You won’t have shots that bounce off the back of the green with this premium golf ball.

The cover is also a little more durable than those with just a urethane cover. During your transition from mid-handicap to low-handicap, you still may blade a wedge here and there. Doing so usually leaves a nasty mark on your golf ball but not with a Velocity.

This ball can carry you deep into the low-handicap territory and is reasonably priced compared to upper-end golf balls.

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Srixon Soft Feel — Best For Seniors

Srixon has many different golf balls to choose from. It can be pretty challenging to determine which is the best for you. I selected this one as the best golf ball for seniors. It will also work very well for those with slower swing speeds who want control.

While this golf ball won’t provide the most distance, you can lower your score by getting deadly accuracy from within 100 yards.

Same Feel As A Soft Golf Ball

Srixon has reduced the thickness of the cover and increased the softness. The added softness is the most significant contributing factor to greenside spin. This golf ball delivers with one of the better two-piece balls for holding greens.

The Srixon Soft Feel ball can satisfy us with all of its benefits and features in the mid-price range. The thin ionomer cover, the fast layer core, and standard tour quality color create one of the best golf balls for mid-handicappers.

Low compression = More Distance

It’s a two-piece construction that has a reduced compression of 60. That’s more moderate than the ultra-low trend at the moment and great for anyone looking to add distance.

The low compression rate and the two-piece construction make this golf ball softer and more responsive. These Srixon balls can forgive your wayward shots, straighten your ball flight and help you get to the target easier.

Good Golf Ball For Off The Tee And Around The Greens

Each ball has 338 speed dimples that lower the drag and help the ball get a high launch on every club. Even if you have a slow swing speed, you still get the long-distance and greenside spin you need with these.

As a bonus, the side stamp design on the Srixon Soft Feel balls is bold and long. It is easy to see and helps a lot in putting alignment.

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Bridgestone e6 — Best For Distance

Bridgestone is known for its elaborate fitting guides and extensive offerings. They have a strong belief that everyone should be matched to a compression that suits them perfectly.

While compression does play a large part, other companies don’t pay as much attention to it as Brindgstone does. Knowing this about the company makes it easy to identify golf balls for mid handicappers.

Why Does This Golf Ball Go Far?

I’ve selected this ball for those looking for long distances while maintaining a soft feeling. The E6 promises straight distance with this 3-piece offering.

The golf ball has an ionomer cover, so it won’t perform like a urethane-covered ball around the greens. But it has a softer feeling than two-piece golf balls. It’s designed as one of the best golf balls for mid handicappers looking for distance off the tee and with the longer golf clubs.

E6 balls are typical distance balls with two-layer construction. The ionomer cover is re-engineered to be thinner, softer, and can react faster. The middle is larger than older versions while keeping a low compression core.

Maintain Your Control As Well

This golf ball will also reduce spin on drives and long irons where many golfers don’t get maximum efficiency with their current golf balls. You’ll notice a more penetrating ball flight on your longer shots with little movement left or right. Hitting the E6 feels relatively soft when compared to a pure distance ball, so no more feeling like your hitting a rock at impact.

The colors of the new e6 are high-visibility and brighter than others at the same price range, especially the yellow one.

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Callaway Supersoft — Best For Women

Those with low swing speeds will benefit from a golf ball with low compression. The lower the compression then the less energy is needed to crank it out there.

This is an excellent ball for beginners and women because of the long distance provided.

Check Out This Brand New Cover

The new cover called Paraloid is more helpful and durable than the more common ionomer material used in older models. It works well with the high-speed softcore to create a more responsive and springy feeling off the club face.

This new Supersoft golf ball maintains the proprietary hexagon dimple shape with 332 standard imprints. This design lowers the air drag and makes the ball fly faster, launch higher, and keeps the trajectory in both long and short games.

Get Help With Your Putting As Well

Another nice thing about these Callaway golf balls is the side stamp design. It can help with putting and chipping alignment. You don’t need to bring sharpies anymore.

The feeling is surprisingly soft off the face of your wedge and putter. It feels like hitting a cloud off the face. If you have an insert putter, then this feeling will be magnified. You can get your wedge shots to check a lot easier with this cover.

The Most Color Choices Out There

The color options are also worth noting with this mid-handicapper golf ball.

They are some of the brightest being sold right now. They offer both gloss and matte finishes with high visibility green, orange, red, pink. You can improve your ball flight and limit your ball loss with these.

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Volvik Vivid — Most Colorful

Unfortunately, in golf, it’s common to lose a few golf balls throughout your round. If you play a lot, then this could add up to a serious chunk of change. Since playing less golf is not an option, I found one of the best golf balls to make it easier for you to keep an eye on it.

Keep A Close Eye On These Balls At All Times

This version of the Vivid golf balls offers eight various colors, including the white one. They also were one of the first to introduce a matte finish that eliminates glare on those really sunny days.

Not just a colorful ball though, these have some great performance features as well. They are a three-piece construction to help keep your shots on line. This is the same design that high-end golf balls use.

Add Distance No Matter What Your Swing Speed Is

A thin ionomer cover combined with an oversized high-resilient core and stiff mantle will make the ball go further. They are mid-compression golf balls that will please a wide range of golfers. As long as your swing speed is above 75 mph, you will be able to compress this ball for long distance.

Due to the distance gained from this ball, you will also get more durability than other golf balls. This also helps increase the lifespan of your investment and lets you go longer without buying more.

This ball is perfect for mid-handicappers who want to show off a bit of style and want more distance. You’ll need a bright color to keep track of all your booming drives.

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Srixon Q-Star — Best For Control

Srixon has made great strides to improve its golf ball performance. There are lots of options for mid-handicap golfers. This one is specifically for those who already have sufficient distance.

Not all mid-handicappers are created equal. For some, the challenge is not distance but instead controlling your approach shots into greens. For those players, this ball is perfect.

Get More Spin And Control

The compression rating is very low compared to the other golf balls and takes away some distance.

The SERM urethane cover creates more spin and good stopping power with iron shots to the green. Many mid handicappers are looking for that little extra that will set their game apart. The way these balls perform on and around the green may do just that.

Its SERM spin skin feels flexible. So during impact with the club, the skin digs deep into the grooves, creating more friction. This will maximize spin and ball control to give you the ability to check the ball on short shots.

This Ball Will Help You In Bad Weather

The dimpled pattern contributes to a decreased drag but a significant boost in ball lift. Hence, even in unfavorable weather conditions, the Srixon Q-Star 5 allows your shots to cover some serious distance still.

They are also available in traditional white color or a bright yellow.

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Wilson Duo Optix — Best For Seniors

Wilson is targeting a specific market here with the primary purpose of saving you money on golf balls.

They are offered in several bold colors, including pink, orange, green, yellow, and red. There’s likely a color offered in the OPTIX that could suit your individual needs.

Not just a good-looking golf ball, though, it can perform very well and help you lower your scores as well as your expenses.

Improved DUO Soft Ball

It’s inspired by their successful DUO soft line, which maintains the notion that a soft cover is excellent for distance and feel. Even though it has a softer surface than other distance golf balls, this is still very much a distance ball.

The low compression is a massive factor in making this ball travel great distances. This makes it a perfect match for those with slow swing speeds.

Low-compression golf balls have advantages to different levels of golfers, and the subject is hotly debated. Weather can affect your ball as well. If it’s really hot out, then, in theory, your ball could become even softer, thus making it even easier to compress.

Take Care Of Your Golf Balls

While this is possible scientifically, it may not be noticeable to average golfers like us. To be safe, keep your balls in a temperature-controlled environment, primarily if you use a softcover like this one. Extreme cold can also have an adverse effect, so you might as well take every precaution necessary.

You also need not worry about scuffs and scratches. This cover is quite durable. Just because a product is meant for mid-handicappers doesn’t mean it lacks quality. Wilson is known for this and has been doing it for decades. They know a shot will get away from you now and then, and you shouldn’t have to switch balls every time that happens.

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Callaway Warbird — Most Durable

Playing golf can be an expensive endeavor. With the cost of equipment and greens fees steadily on the rise, it’s no wonder golfers are looking for ways to save money to play more golf.

If you’re the type of golfer who wears out a golf ball before you lose it, then the Callaway Warbird was made just for you. The name says it all as this ball is ready for war.

The Cover Is Something Special On This Golf Ball

The cover deserves all the attention here. Despite it being made with ionomer, the designers have made it more resistant to scratches and scuffs. While nothing fully protects against direct impact with the cart path, this ball is the best golf ball to handle it.

Add Distance To All Your Shots Because Of This Core

The core is made with intense rigidity. This will help it keep its shape no matter how many times you smack it.

A firm core also contributes to distance, which this ball has plenty of. Just like their drivers, Callaway knows how to add yards to your driver. Most will feel a difference right away as the firmness of this ball is unmistakable.

Some may not like how hard it feels. This ball is meant for those who need the extra yards on all their shots. Its durability may take some getting used to, but this 2-piece ball will fly and stay with you for longer than your average ball.

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Taylor Made Soft Response — Highest Launching

It’s hard to believe that a Taylor Made product could be listed this far down the list. I had to be honest, though, and Taylor Made doesn’t have the best options for mid-handicappers. They mainly focus on low-handicappers but recently have started seeing success with high-handicappers.

Although this ball will help a high-handicapper, it also has qualities that will help mid-handicappers.

Unique Dimples Provide Extra Carry

The first thing to note here is the dimple pattern. This is different from most other balls and will provide a great launch to all of your shots. If you have trouble getting the height you want from your shots, this is the golf ball for you.

This extended dimple pattern works to keep your ball in the air for longer as well. This feature will cost you some feel around the greens, though.

Elite Level Ball Construction

To make up for it, TM has made this a 3-piece ball. 3-piece balls are made for more control and will be resistant to sidespin. This is how all the most popular high-end balls are made.

The compression rating of this golf ball is relatively low, with a rating of 35, thanks to the trademarked ZnO Flex Core. In doing so, the Soft Response gives golfers a softer feel while maximizing energy transfer and rebounding at impact. This results in dominant distance for the average swing speed player.

Much Harder To Lose These Golf Balls

These balls also come with a high-visibility coating on the outside. This does not affect performance at all and will simply make it easier to track while in flight. Be careful with the orange balls, though, if you live in an area with many autumn leaves. It can be tough to spot in this scenario.

Combining a particular dimple pattern with a 3-piece ball, they have found balance makes this one of the best golf balls for mid-handicappers.

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Buyer’s Guide

If you thought technology was advanced in the golf clubs you buy, then hold onto your hats.

Golf ball tech is just as complex, and it may seem like you need a degree in physics just to make a decision.

While I won’t dive too deep into what makes golf balls fly, I will point out some essential factors to weigh before pulling the trigger on your next dozen.

These are the elements at play when shopping for the best golf balls for mid-handicappers.

The Cover

This will be the most crucial aspect to question when trying to find the best fit for you.

As a mid-handicapper, you don’t need or want a very soft golf ball. Soft golf balls not only hinder your distance, but their durability will be lacking as well. With little durability, you’ll be changing your ball too often, and that can rack up the bills quickly.

Material

You will see most of these golf balls are made with an ionomer cover. This is an excellent blend of durability and softness.

High-end balls use a urethane cover which you may have heard of more. That’s because high-end balls are more expensive, and as such, they get all the marketing dollars.

This doesn’t mean one is better than the other, just different. They provide two different results.

Some golf balls are now using a combination of ionomer and urethane. This is an attempt to try and blur the line between low-handicap balls and mid-handicap balls.

Ensure the cover material you choose fits your current game and not what you want your game to be. You have a better chance of lowering your scores with the correct golf ball.

Dimples

Dimple patterns and the number of dimples are widely reported on all balls. In general, the more dimples, the further the ball will fly. However, most companies make golf balls with over 300 dimples, which is optimal.

The closer the dimples are together also indicates that it’s a distance ball, and this is a great advantage for mid-handicappers.

Changing the shape of the dimples is a theory that varies from company to company. The hexagon shape seen on Callaway golf balls is one of a kind. It seems to work well as they make a great ball. They are the only ones to adopt this shape, though, and for that reason, you will have to experiment with it yourself to determine if it helps your game.

Color

Recently, companies have started releasing golf balls painted in all sorts of colors. While this is a refreshing change to the dull white color that has dominated the game for hundreds of years, it does not affect the ball’s performance at all.

Years ago, yellow balls were reserved for the driving range and mini-putt areas. Now we see pros such as Bubba Watson using a yellow golf ball, which has helped bring it to the masses.

While color may not help performance that much, it can lend a helping hand when keeping track of it throughout the day. Whether in the air or amongst leaves, a bright color will stand out against most backdrops.

Watch out for the orange balls if you live in an area that gets a lot of leaves in the fall. This color can clash with the foliage and basically makes it camouflage.

The Core

A perfect mid-handicap ball will have a pretty firm core. This is to promote distance as much as possible. If you’re looking for maximum length, then choose a golf ball that has a 2-piece construction. This design is known to create distance amongst players with a slower swing speed.

If you’re a mid-handicapper where distance is not an issue, then you can opt for a 3-piece ball. This will give you more control over the trajectory. High-end golf balls use this method to keep the ball more on line even when mis-hit.

While other balls come in a 4-piece and even 5-piece, you will start to sacrifice a lot of distance with these styles. For now, while you’re a mid-handicapper, stick to either a 2-piece or 3-piece golf ball.

Compression

This is a touchy subject for many golf enthusiasts. Compression measures how much energy is used to compress the ball, which makes it go further. A high compression golf ball needs high energy to squeeze it and therefore is recommended to low-handicap golfers.

A mid-handicapper can use a low-mid compression ball to take advantage of some extra distance.

Don’t let this be a massive factor in your decision, though. While many companies will point out their compression numbers, some put much less effort into acknowledging this.

Titleist who make the most popular ball in all golf (ProV1) are big advocates of not using compression stats to sell their golf balls. They focus on the cover and multi-piece construction to produce results.

As you improve, a higher compression may benefit you. But as a mid-handicapper, I would suggest focusing more on finding a balance between firm and soft. You’ll be able to get reasonable distance and a good feel.

Conclusion

This can be a tough time in your golfing career. As a mid-handicapper, you have a lot of positive things happening in your game. Hopefully, this propels you to low-handicap status very soon.

Having said that, you probably still make a few bone-head mistakes that make you question why you play this game at all; you’re not alone.

Choosing one of these golf balls will help you gain confidence in your game as it’s one less thing you will have to worry about. The Titleist Velocity is one of the best golf balls for mid-handicappers. If you’re stuck on which ball to get, start with this one.