Best Winter Golf Balls 2024
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What are the best golf balls you can play with in winter?
Jump to: Best winter golf balls | Buying Guide | FAQs
For many of us, the dark nights are drawing in, the mitts, snoods, and beanies have been dug out of the wardrobe, and we’re thinking about what golf balls to play with.
The burning question this time of year is whether or not you should stick with your usual golf ball or switch to something different. There isn’t a right or wrong answer really. If you feel more confident playing with a premium golf ball or distance golf ball you’ve been playing with all season, stick with it. Alternatively, if you feel like changing from your regular ladies’ golf ball or amateur-level golf ball to a cheap golf ball for winter, that’s perfectly acceptable.
In the warmer weather when the greens are firmer, you want to be playing with a golf ball that’ll stop quickly. However, in winter when the greens are softer than a freshly baked focaccia there isn’t the need to be playing a urethane Tour standard golf ball. You’re better off playing with a ball that provides better value over the colder months.
The best winter golf balls 2024 at a glance:
Best value winter golf balls: TaylorMade Distance+ | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best low-compression winter golf balls: Wilson Duo Soft | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best distance winter golf balls: Titleist Velocity | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best durable winter golf balls: Srixon Soft Feel Brite | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Some of the best golf balls to be playing with through the winter are those aimed towards beginners and high-handicap golfers because of the value they offer.
If you do tend to play golf all year round, whatever the weather you might benefit more from switching to a vibrant golf ball (the most popular color being yellow) because it’s easier to see if the weather takes a turn for the worst. In the cold weather, your ball won’t travel as far as it does in summer, therefore, you might want to consider firmer distance golf balls. This is something you’ll also want to consider following the approval of the golf ball rollback because you’ll lose even more distance in winter than you already do!
Winter is the time of year when golfers like to swap equipment in preparation for the upcoming season, but how many of you think about doing it with your golf balls? It can prove to be a very good season to test different golf balls in order to find your favorite to play with when the warm weather and long nights eventually return.
Best winter golf balls 2024
A more premium golf ball that's perfect for winter golf
Best winter golf balls for visibilty and alignment
The ERC Soft is an extremely soft golf ball packed with technology which makes it rival the Tour standard Chrome Soft golf balls - but they're cheaper. They perform well from tee to green, and having a 70 compression rating, they're easy to compress even when the temperature touches zero.
Read our full Callaway ERC Soft golf balls review
Pros
- Very good greenside spin and control
- Incredibly soft golf balls
- Excellent visual and alignment aid
- Impressive distance off the tee
Cons
- No option for balls without visual and alignment aids
| Construction | 3-piece |
| Cover | Hybrid |
| Compression | 70 |
| Dimples | 332 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low-mid |
| Short game spin | High |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
| Alternative models | ERC Soft 360° Fade |
- New GRIP urethane coating
- New HyperElastic SoftFast core
- Hybrid cover
- High speed mantle
- Triple Track dagger technology
TaylorMade's distance golf balls are brilliant to play with through winter
Best value winter golf balls
In colder weather, your golf ball is bound to travel less distance than it does in warm weather, so playing with a distance golf ball in winter can help you retain your distance so you don't have to club up. At the price, they are amazing value, and they shouldn't be overlooked as a golf ball to play with year-round.
Read our full TaylorMade Distance+ golf balls review
Pros
- Enhanced alignment aid
- Extremely versatile golf ball to suit a wide range of golfers
- Soft distance golf ball
- Impressive short game performance
Cons
- Not available without the alignment aid
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | 77 |
| Dimples | 342 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid-high |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
- Plus alignment aid
- Soft REACT core
- Aerodynamic dimple pattern
One of the lowest-compression golf balls that's ideal for cold weather
Best low-compression winter golf balls
Wilson offers the Duo Soft in a wide range of colors to suit every golfer depending on what color your eyes see best. You can pick these balls up for less than £20/$20 which is a fantastic price for such a quality golf ball that performed as well as some of the best premium golf balls in our robot test. You might find that if you swap to these golf balls during winter, that they stay in your bag when summer comes round.
Read our full Wilson Duo Soft golf balls review
Pros
- Incredibly soft feel
- Long game distance is very impressive
- High spin and control around the greens
- Easily compressible core
Cons
- Really soft and low-compression won't suit every golfer
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | 40 |
| Dimples | 302 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid |
| Color options | White; Yellow; Green; Orange; Red |
- Velocity boosting core
- Low compression core
A three-piece golf ball at this price?
Best three-piece winter golf balls
These golf balls are super soft and have a compression rating of 50 - ideal for winter golf. Soft Resposne are a three-piece golf ball that are priced the same as (sometimes cheaper than) two-piece golf balls which makes them an even better deal and well worth trying.
Read our full TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls review
Pros
- Uber soft feel
- Amazing feel from every club
- Good short game spin and control
- Really good value for money from one of golf's biggest brands
Cons
- Not the best for golfers with quicker swing speeds
| Construction | 3-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | 50 |
| Dimples | 322 |
| Feel | Softest |
| Flight | Mid-high |
| Long game spin | Low-mid |
| Short game spin | Mid-high |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
- 50 compression design
- Extended flight dimple pattern
If you don't want to lose distance over winter give these golf balls a shot
If you aren't already chomping at the bit about the possibility of playing with these golf balls - you should be! Being so reasonably priced they are well worth picking up just to see if they help you play better golf through winter... and beyond?
Read our full Pinnacle Rush golf balls review
Pros
- Great distance for a low-compression golf ball
- Nice feedback from a distance golf ball
- Very reasonably priced
Cons
- Not suitable for those with quicker swing speeds
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | Low |
| Dimples | 332 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
- High-energy core
- Icosahedral dimple design
Titleist's distance golf balls are brilliant to play with in winter
Best distance winter golf balls
Rrp: £25.95
Rrp: £25.95
Some of you who wouldn't normally play with distance golf balls might be a bit dubious about switching to a distance golf ball for winter. But, Titleist's Velocity golf balls are one of the softest distance golf balls on the market. If you play around any course you're almost bound to find at least a handful of players who use these golf balls.
Read our full Titleist Velocity golf balls review
Pros
- Serious distance off the tee
- Soft golf ball offering solid feedback from every club
- Consistent ball flight
Cons
- Low greenside spin is not massively desirable
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | 84 |
| Dimples | 350 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Color options | White; Matte orange; Matte blue; Matte green |
- High speed LSX core
- Fast NAZ+ cover
- Octahedral dimple pattern
Callaway's softest golf ball is definitely one to consider for winter
Best soft feeling winter golf balls
There aren't many disadvantages to this ball being played in winter. Even though it has a low-compression core (38) it's not much of a hindrance for golfers with quicker swing speeds in winter. It just makes it easier to compress than a high-compression golf ball, meaning you shouldn't see a drop off in distance you might with other golf balls.
Read our full Callaway Supersoft golf balls review
Pros
- Really soft golf ball offering great feel
- Easy to get in the air for golfers with slower swing speeds because of low compression
- Long and straight off the tee for slower swing speeds
Cons
- Unsuitable for golfers with quick swing speeds
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Hybrid |
| Compression | 38 |
| Dimples | 332 |
| Feel | Super soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | High |
| Color options | White; Yellow; Matte green; Matte red; Matte orange; Matte pink |
| Alternative models | Supersoft Shamrock; Supersoft Taco |
- Hyperelastic softfast core
- Hybrid cover
- Hex aerodynamics
A brilliant option for winter if you like a more premium golf ball
Best urethane winter golf balls
Some golfers don't want to lose all of the technology of their premium golf balls when winter comes around, but they don't want to lose their favorite golf balls. Titleist's Tour Speed golf balls are fantastic golf balls for those golfers who still want to play with a golf ball packed with technology without spending top dollar. Winter is the perfect time to try these golf balls, and you might find they replace your Pro V1 or Pro V1x when the weather improves.
Read our full Titleist Tour Speed golf balls review
Pros
- Strong performer off the tee delivering long distance
- Penetrating ball flight
- Soft feel from every club in the bag
- Great value for quality golf balls
Cons
- Spin's not particularly high on approach shots
| Construction | 3-piece |
| Cover | Titleist performance urethane cover |
| Compression | 82 |
| Dimples | 346 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
- Reformulated high speed core
- Reformulated proprietary casing layer
- Proprietary Titleist performance urethane cover
- Quadrilateral dipyramid dimple pattern
Bridgestone's straight flying golf balls could save you this winter
Best winter golf balls to help you find the fairway
Rrp: £29.66
Rrp: £29.66
Not only do they fly straight, but they're long off the tee and soft too. Bridgestone produces quality golf balls that feature in the majority of our best golf ball pages, but for the winter, there aren't any better golf balls by Bridgestone than the e12 Contact - based on price, performance, and visibility (having a range of matte color options).
Read our full Bridgestone 12 Contact golf balls review
Pros
- Impressively straight ball flight
- High contact with every club face for more control
- Good long game distance and spin
Cons
- Lacks spin in the short game
| Construction | 3-piece |
| Cover | Surlyn |
| Compression | 46 |
| Dimples | 326 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | High |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Low |
| Color options | White; Matte yellow; Matte green; Matte red |
- Flexativ cover technology
- Contact force dimple
- Active acceleration mantle
- Gradational compression core
Srixon's durable golf balls are ideal for winter golf
Best durable winter golf balls
Srixon are extremely well-known for their quality golf balls and while these balls have made the list, you wouldn't go too far wrong picking up some Srixon AD333s or Srixon Distance golf balls. The main selling point over winter for these golf balls is just how 'brite' they are in the air and on the ground.
Read our full Srixon Soft Feel golf balls review
Pros
- Very durable golf ball
- Incredibly soft and responsive golf ball
- Travels well in the wind
Cons
- Would be nice to have a bit more greenside spin
| Construction | 2-piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Compression | 60 |
| Dimples | 338 |
| Feel | Softer |
| Flight | Mid-high |
| Long game spin | Low |
| Short game spin | Mid |
| Color options | White; Yellow |
| Alternative models | Brite; Soft Feel Lady |
- Fastlayer core
- Speed dimple pattern
- Lower drag, higher lift
Best winter golf balls: Buying Guide
How to choose the best golf balls to get you through the winter
Deciding what golf balls to play with in winter can be more difficult than you think. The main factor to consider is whether you want to continue playing with the same ball you have been throughout the summer or whether it’s worth switching to something different. Sticking with your usual ball obviously doesn’t take any thought, however, if you do wish to swap for something different you need to work out which ball will work best for you over the winter.
Performance
Playing winter golf in some parts of the world is very different from playing golf in the summer. With this in mind, it can be the case that you need to change golf balls in order to adapt to winter golf and ensure you play to the same (or similar) standard you do in summer.
If you do play somewhere where the demands of winter golf are different from those of summer it’s probably worth saving the balls you regularly play with until summer comes back round. You’ll most likely benefit from switching to something not as responsive and easier to compress, which could also save you some money.
Vibrancy
Around this time of year is when you start seeing more bright-colored golf courses on the course. There are copious amounts of golfers who retire the white golf balls for the season and elect to play with something more vibrant over winter. The most popular color is yellow, because of how clearly you can see it both in the air and on the grass. Brands now have multiple vibrant color options to choose from in order to find the color your eye best identifies.
Budget
Winter can be the best time to find cheaper golf balls, not only because of Black Friday coming in November. But also, because there isn’t a need to play with golf balls used by Tour stars. You can find better value by playing with something that might not be as technologically advanced but performs incredibly well when the temperature drops and the swing slows down.
Distance
It’s almost inevitable that you’ll lose speed over winter (unless you decide to play with minimal clothing on). For most golfers layering up will limit mobility and flexibility, which in turn will reduce your swing speed – meaning the ball won’t travel as far. Therefore, to combat this, it can pay dividends to switch to a distance golf ball or a golf ball that prioritizes distance over all else.
Best winter golf balls: FAQs
What is the best golf ball in cold weather?
There isn’t an out-and-out best golf ball to play with in cold weather, but there are certain balls that are better than others. It’s very hard to distinguish exactly which model is the best because not every golfer will agree. However, in the cold weather, there isn’t the need to play with a very receptive golf ball or one that’s particularly technological because it’s easier to get the ball to stop on the softer greens, and it’s harder to unlock the performance of more advanced Tour standard golf balls.
How much yardage do you lose in cold weather?
There isn’t a definite answer as to how much distance you lose when the cold weather hits, but as a guide, for every loss of 10°C, it’s likely you’ll lose five yards of distance. For those of you who use Fahrenheit, when the temperature drops by 10°F you should account for two or three yards to be lost on your shot.
The other thing to consider is that in cold weather you’re likely to be wearing more layers which might slow your swing down and cause you to lose even more distance.
Should I play with a different golf ball in winter?
It’s completely up to you whether you want to switch golf balls for winter. It can be a smart move, but it’s not necessary. Depending on what balls you use throughout the rest of the year will influence your decision too. If you play with Tour standard or better amateur-level golf balls it’s probably not a bad idea to switch to a golf ball intended for beginners and high-handicappers, unless you want the consistency of playing with the same equipment year-round.
How we test the best winter golf balls
We test the best winter golf balls in the same way we test any other golf balls. Every piece of golf equipment is thoroughly put through its paces so that we can find all the answers to any questions you might have. Some of the balls that feature in our best winter golf balls list were one of the 28 tested in our extensive golf ball robot test. Every golf ball is tested on and off the course where we’re looking for durability, sound, spin, feel, distance, and visibility – specifically with winter golf balls.
Most brands are happy to send us their products to be tested, but if for whatever reason we don’t receive their products we source them ourselves in order to provide all of the necessary information to help you buy better. You can learn more about how we test golf equipment if you wish to do so.
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About the author
James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer
James Hogg is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com.
He has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.
James previously worked for American Golf alongside his studies as part of the sales and fitting team. Having worked in golf retail for seven years he has all the skills and knowledge necessary to review and recommend the perfect equipment for golfers of all abilities and has a strong knowledge of putters, golf balls, and golf apparel, including trousers.
Despite nobody else in James’ family playing golf he took a keen interest as a teenager which saw him become a junior member at Saltburn Golf Club, North Yorkshire. Since returning to Teesside in 2022 James has joined his home course, Cleveland Golf Club. His handicap index is 4.7 thanks to consistent distance off the tee.
Away from golf, James enjoys a multitude of sports, specifically watching Formula 1, American Football and Horse Racing. He’s also a proud supporter of Middlesbrough FC, likes cooking and reading travel literature.
James uses a Callaway Mavrik SZ Driver, Callaway Mavrik SZ 3-Wood, TaylorMade Stealth UDI (3-iron), Ping i210 Irons (4-PW), Cobra King Snakebite Wedge (50º), Mizuno S23 Wedges (56°, 60°), TaylorMade Spider X Putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe golf ball.
You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.
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