Which Are The Best Golf Balls For Seniors….
In the past few weeks, we have been bombarded with questions about golf balls for seniors.
Age Defying Golf focuses on golf flexibility, golf exercise, senior golf instruction to add distance and improve golf consistency. But new technology also plays a big roll and we will take a look at how you can utilize golf ball technology to improve your senior golf game.
The best golf ball for the senior golfers depends on whether you are primarily interested in 1. More distance, 2. More distance but retaining the feel and greenside control of a high performance golf ball, or 3. Tour quality performance.
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The selection of a golf ball, even as a senior golfer, is not a one size fits all option. It depends on your skill level and what you would like the golf ball to do for you.
Whereas the higher handicap senior golfer will benefit the most from a pure distance ball with low compression, the lower handicap player that has played with high-end golf balls for the last 20 years, will not be satisfied by the poor feel and control around the greens.
The Mid-High Handicap Senior Golfer Ball Selection
Golf ball selection is very straightforward for the mid-high handicap senior golfer. It comes down to 2 things:Distance and forgiveness.
However, distance is not as simple as it is for high swing speeds. You need a golf ball that maximizes distance with slower swing speeds (Driver swing speed less than 90mph).
The main components a golf ball in this category should have, include covers made of either Ionomer, Surlyn, or Trionomer. The ball should also be a low compression ball(less than 90) because you need to be able to compress the ball to a certain extent to benefit from the springlike energy transfer for distance. These golf balls are typically 2-piece designs.
Golf balls in this Category include…
| Image | Name | More Details |
|---|---|---|
 | TaylorMade SuperDeep Golf Ball (Pack of 12) | |
 | Nike Golf Crush Extreme Golf Balls, White | |
 | Callaway HEX Diablo Golf Balls -Pack of 12, White | |
 | Titleist DT SoLo Golf Balls (One Dozen) |
The Mid-Low Handicap Senior Golfer
As I was researching for this article, I found that all articles focused on distance when considering a golf ball for senior golfers. The articles just assumed that senior golfers just want distance. I felt that they were disregarding a large majority of senior golfers who can play the game with skill and need a golf ball that compliments and enhances that skill.
Personally, I cannot stand to play or even practice with hard cover golf balls. They don’t spin, they are clunky and uncontrollable with various shots around the green, and I hate the feel they give with putting.
In other words, distance is not necessarily the holy grail. I have also found this to be true in our business because distance articles and distance tips are never our most popularly read content. So I didn’t want to assume that distance was the key for ALL senior golfers.
Selecting a good golf ball that compliments the senior golfer with good skills has become much easier in recent years thanks to improving technologies. You can now find golf balls that improve distance with slower swing speeds but still retain some of the benefits of softer feel for green side control and the ability to spin the ball into the greens with irons and wedges.
The components to look for in this type of golf ball include a 3,4,or 5 piece construction with an Iothane or Urethane cover.
Golf balls with these qualities include…
The “Tour” Golf Balls
I know a lot of fellow senior golfers that use tour quality golf balls. Golf balls such as the Pro V1. These golf balls are designed for premium performance such as high spin and very soft covers so that the golfer can hit a variety of shots around the greens: low spinners, flops, flops with spin, the 2 bounce and grab pitch, draws and fade shots.
For low handicap golfers, these balls are the most enjoyable to play. However, with slower swing speeds you will lose all the components of distance including carry and roll. These golf balls are specifically designed for golfers with high swing speeds (105+mph swing speeds).
Tour Golf Balls …..
I am not saying that senior golfers should not play with Tour quality golf balls, just be aware that you will lose some of the performance benefits of balls better designed for your game. I play the Pro V1, so who am I to judge!
Thanks for reading! I hope this short guide helps in your selection.
Dr. Ryan York, DPT CGS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certified Golf Performance Specialist
I am 65 years old my handicap is 8
My swing speed with a 5 iron on computer is between 80 and 85
I use the Callaway supersoft ball …..in your evaluation you dont mention that ball.
Is it the correct ball that i am using?
Larry,
yes, you are fine to use the Callaway SuperSoft Ball, no problems there.
Cheers,
Dr Ryan York
I am 67 and hit my 5 iron 160 yards, drive 215 which I think translates to a SS of about 80. I use the Titleist NXT tour S and Bridgestone e-7 (just started).
Shot 78-82.
Am I using the best balls for me. More interested in distance as I have lost quite a bit the last few years. Play about 20-25 rounds yearly.
Thanks
Hi
I am using srxion AD333 and tour are they suitable I am 65 and swing speed is around 85/90
Thanks
what no Volvik crystal
Thanks for the help. Im 50 and swing my driver 103. Still need pro v’s.
Love em
I was in the turf end. Cc of b’ham. Tattetsall in Westchester. Lots of great golf. Love the game.
I am 76 and took up golf after I retired Handicap is 22 about 80-87 swing speed Could always use info re golf balls and golf clubs
Exercises?
hy. my is dan I am 89yrs.old still playing golf .I can still score in the low 90.up till last yr. I was scoring my age or better .what golf ball would you recommend for me?
Disagree.
Assuming older golfers are carding 90 strokes, only 18 shots are off the tee.
Choosing a golf ball based on maximum swing speed (i.e. off the tee) is illogical as it only covers 18/90 = 20% of the shots in the round.
I prefer the neglected philosophy that what really matters in the golf game is control from 100 yards out.
That makes the choice of ball much simpler…and much more realistic.
So you lose 20 yards on the fairway – so what?
It merely changes your club selection for the approach shot.
Going to the driving range ? Take nothing stronger than a 9 iron with a wedge or two.
Don’t just fire them willy-nilly down the middle – aim for a specific target and note the distance and height achieved with a 75% swing.
You will probably be the only one on the range doing this but the results are guaranteed.
Yep…guaranteed.
Unless of course you are already holing out or achieving bunker saves or getting up and down from 100 out – in which case I will just move to the other side of the rope and watch.
I read about a MG ball that says it is better than Pro V1, have you tested that ball?
What a great page for us old timers! I’ve been crawling the web looking for distance ball and stumbled across articles by goflwrx and https://twogolfguys.com/best-golf-ball-review/ but this review is right on the money! I bought a box of the Titleist Velocity models based on your review. Hopefully i can keep it in the short stuff! Cheers.
I brought “Titleist nxt tours golf ball” a few days ago according to your recommendations :). It’s really great, I also look at https://golfrangefinderly.com for golf rangefinder recommendations, but I found that each of rangefinder is out of my budget, is there any rangefinder under $50 ? can suggest me something like that?
I’m using the Chrome soft 4 piece for the last two years and love this ball. Good distance of the tee, good distance into green. What I love most about this ball is the feel off my putter. With my swing speed of about 70, (arthritis), is this the best ball for my swing speed? My golf partner and coach said he’d like to see me give the Srioxon Q star tour for 75 swing speed golfers. Any advice? Thank you for your time.
Thank you for the great article! Much appreciated.
Hi I’m 63 and could use a ball with a little more height and accuracy.
My swing speed around 92 and average score high 90’s.
Thanks
It depends upon what you want to happen upon your golf shot. Is it spin or distance you are after? I am playing off a 10 handicap at my local golf club. I always opt for the best balls for distance such as some from here https://golfgearhub.com/best-golf-balls-distance/.
However, you are going to want to go for 3 piece softer balls for spin!
I agree, the e6 is the best ball at the moment for hitting it long and STRAIGHT! I noticed you have the same opinion as https://golfsidekick.com/balls/best-golf-ball-for-high-handicappers/
I love how shallow the dimples are and how I can hit the ball as hard as I want it just goes and goes. Another favorite for me though is the NEWER Bridgestone B330 range. The RXS is a serious golf ball.
Thanks, great post about golf ball review in complement I would recommend this page too if you don’t mind http://golfgear.science/category/golf-ball-review can be very helpful with its search engine.
What a great resource. Thank you so much for sharing.
Your review is very comprehensive and helpful. Golf balls are crucial for a golfers. You can buy awesome golf balls from our golf course as well.
This is definitely a good list of golf balls for seniors.
Great list!
I plan on getting my old man some Pro V1’s for fathers day, can’t really go wrong with them whatever age or handicap you are! Found this cool little page to if you’re looking for equipment for seniors – https://www.hittingthegreen.com/best-golf-clubs-for-seniors – pretty useful!