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Best golf balls of 2026

The golf balls the testers rated highest this year, from tour balls to soft-feel and distance balls. Ranked from 11 independent outlets. Last checked October 22, 2026.

How we score

MyGolfSpy · Golf Digest · Today's Golfer · Golf Monthly · GOLF.com · National Club Golfer · GolfWRX · Golfalot · Plugged In Golf · Breaking Eighty · GolfMagic

  1. 1
    Titleist Pro V1

    TitleistTour ball$58 a dozen

    Titleist Pro V1

    GolfWRX members' favorite ball with 24 percent of the vote, Golf Monthly's top pick, National Club Golfer's best tour ball and Breaking Eighty's best ball on the market. Today's Golfer gave it only a bronze off the tee.

    What the 10 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Longest at slow driver speed; kept almost all wedge spin in the wet. Source
    • Today's Golfer Lab test Only a bronze off the tee, but consistent everywhere; on-course verdict very positive. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • GolfWRX Member vote Member vote rank 1 with 24 percent of votes. Source
    • Golf Monthly Editors' picks Complete tee to green performance, with gains in mid-iron distance. Source
    • National Club Golfer Editors' picks 2025 model is longer off the tee with lower spin and soft feel. Source
    • Golfalot Reviewer test Strong score for the 2025 Pro V1. Source
    • Breaking Eighty Editors' picks Named the very best ball on the market; the editor's own gamer. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    85/100
  2. 2
    Titleist Pro V1x

    TitleistTour ball$58 a dozen

    Titleist Pro V1x

    Second in the GolfWRX member vote and National Club Golfer's best low-spin ball. Today's Golfer found it disappointing off the tee, behind the Pro V1 at every speed.

    What the 9 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Fourth longest at fast driver speed with near-top 35-yard wedge spin. Source
    • Today's Golfer Lab test Bronze tee to green at 114 mph; disappointed off the tee, behind Pro V1 at every speed. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • GolfWRX Member vote Member vote rank 2 with 15 percent of votes. Source
    • Golf Monthly Editors' picks Faster and lower spinning than the 2023 version; firm feel. Source
    • National Club Golfer Editors' picks Fast ball speeds and firm feel with strong approach spin. Source
    • Golfalot Reviewer test Strong score for the 2025 Pro V1x. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    84/100
  3. 3
    Srixon Z-Star Diamond

    SrixonTour ball$55 a dozen

    Srixon Z-Star Diamond

    Today's Golfer's best three-piece tour ball, a Golf Digest Gold and 4.8 out of 5 at Golf Monthly, which called it underrated. A few dollars less than the big names.

    What the 6 sources found
    • Today's Golfer Lab test Gold for tee to green at all three speeds, approach and short game. Source
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Quality score 89, B+, conditionally recommended; no bad balls. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • Golf Monthly Reviewer test Called underrated; among the top-scoring balls Golf Monthly reviewed. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    83/100
  4. 4
    TaylorMade TP5

    TaylorMadeTour ball$58 a dozen

    TaylorMade TP5

    MyGolfSpy's pick for a higher-flying tour ball, a Golf Digest Gold and Golf Monthly's best ball in the wind, with strong short game spin.

    What the 7 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Higher flying tour ball with plenty of full wedge spin. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • GolfWRX Member vote Member vote rank 4 with 8 percent of votes. Source
    • Golf Monthly Editors' picks 2026 model; stable in wind, long, strong short game spin. Source
    • Breaking Eighty Editors' picks Best tour ball for distance; 4 to 5 yards longer than Pro V1 in their test. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    83/100
  5. 5
    Kirkland Signature golf ball

    KirklandTour value

    Kirkland Signature golf ball

    Costco's urethane ball. MyGolfSpy's budget pick, National Club Golfer's best ball for beginners and, at Today's Golfer, the highest spinning club golfer ball around the greens. Costco doesn't always name the version, so reviews may cover more than one run.

    What the 4 sources found
    • Today's Golfer Lab test Highest spinning club golfer ball, around greens and with the 7-iron. Source
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Budget urethane pick; white and yellow versions behaved differently. Source
    • National Club Golfer Editors' picks Great value with solid spin; distance and speed down a little. Source
    • Golf Monthly Reviewer test Solid score for the 2025 Costco Kirkland ball. Source
    83/100
  6. 6
    Callaway Chrome Tour X

    CallawayTour ball$58 a dozen

    Callaway Chrome Tour X

    Led MyGolfSpy's 35-yard wedge spin test and is fast off the driver. A Golf Digest Gold, and Golf Monthly praised how workable it is.

    What the 7 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Fast off the driver and led the 35-yard wedge spin test. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • GolfWRX Member vote Member vote rank 5 with 7 percent of votes. Source
    • Golf Monthly Reviewer test High score; workability praised on the 2026 Chrome Tour X. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • Plugged In Golf Reviewer test Firmer, more responsive and higher spinning; most workable of the pair. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    83/100
  7. 7
    Srixon Z-Star XV

    SrixonTour ball$55 a dozen

    Srixon Z-Star XV

    National Club Golfer's best ball in the wind, with low driver spin and strong wedge control. Today's Golfer gave it a silver at 114 mph. The feel is firm.

    What the 6 sources found
    • Today's Golfer Lab test Strong approach play; bronze for tee to green at 78 mph. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • Golf Monthly Reviewer test Positive review of the 2025 Z-Star XV. Source
    • National Club Golfer Editors' picks Low driver spin and strong wedge control; firm feel. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    83/100
  8. 8
    Callaway Chrome Tour

    CallawayTour ball$58 a dozen

    Callaway Chrome Tour

    Golf Monthly's best soft-feel ball, Breaking Eighty's runner-up to the Pro V1 and a Golf Digest Gold. MyGolfSpy found it kept its wedge spin in the wet.

    What the 8 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Neutral tour ball that kept its wedge spin when wet. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • Golf Monthly Editors' picks 2026 model; soft feel without losing distance, low long-game spin. Source
    • Breaking Eighty Editors' picks Runner-up to the Pro V1; guide credits the 2026 edition's low driver and high greenside spin. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • Plugged In Golf Reviewer test Strong, consistent launch numbers and very soft feel; a compelling gamer. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    • Golfalot Reviewer test 2026 model; solid score, though the tester preferred the Chrome Tour X. Source
    83/100
  9. 9
    TaylorMade TP5x

    TaylorMadeTour ball$58 a dozen

    TaylorMade TP5x

    Golf Monthly's pick for ball speed: fast, low spinning and piercing, though a little firm around the greens. MyGolfSpy's mid-spin pick for swings near 102 mph.

    What the 6 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Mid spin pick for about 102 mph drivers. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • Golf Monthly Editors' picks 2026 model; fast, low spinning and piercing, a little firm around greens. Source
    • GOLF.com Editors' picks Named in GOLF.com's 2026 list of balls the editors like. Source
    • Breaking Eighty Reviewer test 2026 TP5x: about 6 yards longer than Pro V1 off the driver; the reviewer's pick. Source
    • GolfMagic Editors' picks Named in GolfMagic's 2026 picks as part of a family entry. Source
    82/100
  10. 10
    Callaway Chrome Soft

    CallawaySoft feel$55 a dozen

    Callaway Chrome Soft

    MyGolfSpy's low-spin pick for mid swing speeds, longest of all with a 7-iron, a Golf Digest Gold and Breaking Eighty's best tour ball for amateurs.

    What the 4 sources found
    • MyGolfSpy Lab test Longest mid-speed 7-iron, by more than four yards. Source
    • Golf Digest Panel test Hot List Gold from the blind player-tester panel; only urethane balls got Gold. Source
    • Golf Monthly Reviewer test Positive review of the 2026 Chrome Soft. Source
    • Breaking Eighty Editors' picks Best tour ball for amateurs; versatile for mid and low handicaps. Source
    82/100

How we score

We don't test gear ourselves. We read the major independent tests and reviews, turn each verdict into a score out of 100, and combine them. Lab and robot tests count twice as much as one reviewer's opinion, and panel tests one and a half times, so no single outlet can carry a product. Each outlet counts once per product.

A product needs reviews from at least 3 different outlets to be ranked, at least two of them established publications, labs or creators rather than small one-person sites, and its score starts near the middle until enough of them agree, so a few rave reviews can't put it at the top. We leave out any review where the reviewer has a deal with that product's brand, or where the video is a paid partnership for it. Affiliate links and ads are common across golf media, so on their own they don't rule a source out.

Product photos are the manufacturers' own. Prices are what the testers listed, shown only when they agree. We don't use affiliate links, and nobody pays to be on this list.

Reviews from before 2024, and reviews of an older version of a product sold under the same name, are left out. Products affected: Bridgestone Tour B RX, Bridgestone Tour B RXS, Bridgestone Tour B X, Bridgestone Tour B XS, Callaway Chrome Tour, Callaway Chrome Tour X, Srixon Q-Star Tour, TaylorMade TP5, TaylorMade TP5x, TaylorMade Tour Response, Titleist Pro V1, Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash, Titleist Tour Soft, Titleist Velocity, Wilson Staff Model, Wilson Staff Model X.

Sources

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