Best Golf Balls High Handicaps 2024
- Updated: August 6, 2024
Founder and Lead Reviewer at Independent Golf Reviews
Over 1200 Golf Products tested on the course
Our Top 3
Best Overall Titleist Tour Speed  Who Should Buy: Players wanting the best overall golf ball for high handicaps. | Best Budget VICE Drive  Who Should Buy: Golfers wanting a performing budget golf ball. | Longest Bridgestone E9  Who Should buy: Players needing a serious distance boost. |
Our List:
Insights Into Our Best Golf Balls 2024 List:
My name is Ryan Heiman. I have been testing golf clubs and equipment here at Independent Golf Reviews since 2011.
Each year, the biggest golf brands send me their newest golf ball models to test and review on the course.
I test each ball for multiple rounds and practice sessions before writing a full, in-depth review of them for our readers.
This is my current list of recommendations for the Best Golf Balls High Handicaps 2024 based on specific player categories.
Each golfer is different and will have different needs based on their game, but I try my best to accommodate every player.
You should be able to conclude this article with a clear choice about which golf balls to buy.
Who Should Buy
- Less side-spin enjoyers
- Consistent ball flight needers
- High HDCPs with premium taste
Who Should Not Buy
- Natural low ball flight golfers
Thoughts
I consider the Titleist Tour Speed the best overall golf ball for high handicaps because in my independent testing, I noticed it:
- Provides a consistent, penetrating trajectory for more distance
- Feels exceptionally soft on all strikes
- Has low spin for more rollout in the long game
- Refuses to be affected by the wind
I’m no stranger to strong wind and firm course conditions living in Arizona. The TourSpeed has a comparable feeling at impact to a ProV1 while flying straighter toward my target due to less spin in the long game.
Even though it won’t stick and spin quite as quickly as a ProV1 or V1x, it still feels and reacts well on firm greens for shots inside 120 yards.
If you want to elevate your game with a golf ball designed for higher handicaps, the Titleist TourSpeed is a perfect pick.
Who Should Buy
- Beginner golfers, moderate swing speed players
- Firm golf ball enjoyers
- Players who’d benefit from a ball flight height increase
Who Should Not Buy
- Fast swinging players
Thoughts
The VICE Drive is a fantastic golf ball for players who could benefit from a ball flight height increase, lower spin, enhanced durability, and a ridiculously low price.
While testing the newly revamped Drive, I noticed a firmer feel and significantly higher ball flight than previous versions, leading to a few more yards per club than I expected.
VICE Drives now have a new dimple pattern, core stiffness, and cover material that combine to make them great for beginners with moderate swing speeds.
The Drive feels great around and on the greens, and the new alignment line is much sharper than older VICE models, giving me a more effortless and premium experience lining up putts.
Who Should Buy
- Players wanting a distance boost
- Those who benefit from spin reduction
- Golfers wanting durable balls
Who Should Not Buy
- Soft feel enjoyers
Thoughts
The Bridgestone e9 Long Drive is my #1 recommendation for golfers wanting to pick up more yardage without changing a single aspect of their swing.
In my testing, I found the e9 to be a reasonably firm, low-spin ball that can still perform inside 100 yards.
Unlike every competitor except the VICE, the e9’s cover is made of Surlyn, a more durable and scratch-resistant material that’s also easy on the wallet.
The lack of spin was apparent in driver and iron testing, where shots I mishit wouldn’t spin as harshly off-line as I was expecting.
If you want a distance and straightness boost backed by World Long Drive competitor support, the Bridgestone e9 is your new go-to.
Who Should Buy
- Players wanting a performing ball on a budget
- More spin enjoyers
- Firm golf ball enjoyers
Who Should Not Buy
- Golfers with swing speeds > 110+ MPH
Thoughts
The Kirkland Performance + V3 is the best “bang for your buck” golf ball on the market, and I’m here to say regardless of your handicap, you have to give it a try this season.
While the V2 model was met with mixed reviews about durability and excess spin, I can confirm that the V3 model showed no visible signs of wear after 18 holes and did not cause out-of-control spin (as long as I struck it well).
The V3 has a clicky, “stiffer” feeling off the clubface and a nice, controllable mid-ball flight.
If I told you I found a golf ball that provides a lot of the playing experience of $5+ premium competitors for a $1.25 per-ball price, you’d think I was lying.
For these reasons, the Kirkland Performance + V3 is well worth every golfer’s consideration this season.
Who Should Buy
- Golfers wanting an easy-to-see moderate swing speed ball
- Soft feel enjoyers
- Players who enjoy bright-colored balls
Who Should Not Buy
- Fast swing speed golfers
Thoughts
The Srixon Q-Star Divide is one of my favorite picks for moderate swing speed higher handicaps because it optimizes durability, visibility, and length in a few unique ways.
For starters, it’s the only matte-finish golf ball on our list (which increases durability) that shows exactly how the ball spins through the air thanks to its 50/50 color split.
I’m usually a plain white ball fan, but these colors worked great to line up putts, find the ball quicker in the air and on the ground, and didn’t distract me while standing over the ball.
I recommend the Q-Star Divide for players with under 100 MPH of swing speed because its low compression rating maximizes distance and spin for these styles of golfers.
If your game could benefit from longer-lasting, easier-to-see, great-feeling balls that pack a punch in length, the Srixon Q-Star Divides is your choice.
What To Consider When Buying Golf Balls
If you are still trying to decide what to look for when finding the best golf balls for your golf game, this is the section for you.
How Can a New Golf Ball Benefit Your Game?
Take a serious look at your game and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
For example, I am a consistent mid-ball flight player who generates little spin with my swing.
If my goal were more distance, a higher ball flight ball with a little more natural spin (to keep the ball in the air for longer) would be a great choice.
For our readers’ convenience, we provided Low Ball Flight, High Ball Flight, Low Spin, and High Spin options so you can find your perfect match.
How We Test Golf Balls
I’ve tested dozens if not over 100 golf balls throughout my playing life, and here’s every step I follow to make sure a ball is going to perform well with my game:
- Start with putts and chips to make sure they react, sound, feel, and look good to my eye.
- Hit wedge shots (135 yards and in with all wedges) to make sure it flies predictable, repeatable distances with enough spin.
3. Hit longer iron shots (150-200 yards) to ensure it has appropriate height and stopping power for my liking.
4. Hit fairway wood shots and driver shots to ensure it’s controllable, doesn’t spin too much in the long game, and provides appropriate length.
Think of this strategy as “working your way backward from the green.” This method has worked well for me for years.
Budget
Allow me to be the first to say it – Golf balls are getting extremely expensive.
We recognize golfers have different budgets. If you’re hoping to save a buck without playing a crappy golf ball, picks like the Kirkland Signature + V3 and direct-to-consumer options like VICE are fantastic for saving money without sacrificing quality.
No golf ball on this list carries the upper “premium price,” but each performs fantastically for high handicaps.
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About The Author
Ryan Heiman – Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews
Ryan has over 10 years of experience testing and writing golf reviews of nearly every product and brand out there. Ryan has hands-on experience reviewing over 1000 unique golf products directly on the golf course.
HCP: 4
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