10 Best Golf Balls for Distance AND Control [2023 Edition]

Do you need more distance out of your tee shots? What about accuracy? Do you find yourself playing out of the deep rough way more often than you’d like?

If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, rest assured that you’re in good company. Most golfers suffer from a lack of ball speed or a lack of accuracy (or even both). Thankfully, there are golf balls specifically designed to help the average golfer in these 2 key areas.

We’ve compiled the following list of the 10 best golf balls for both distance and control. Any of these will help you in your quest for a lower handicap.

What to Look for to Find a Ball That Pairs Distance and Control

Did you know that there are well over 1,000 different golf balls out there to choose from? Because of that, finding a golf ball that strikes the perfect balance between distance and control can be challenging. In your search for the perfect match, look for the following primary factors.

• Piece Construction: Most golf ball manufacturers design choices that are constructed with anywhere from 2 to 4 pieces. Generally, two-piece golf balls will give you more distance than other choices, especially if you have a slower swing speed.
• Low Long Game Spin: If you struggle with slices or hooks off the tee, choose a golf ball with a low spin on long game shots. This is crucial to shooting lower scores on the golf course.
• Low Compression: While there are some exceptions, most average golfers and high handicappers need a golf ball with a low compression rating. The best way to make sure of this factor, though, is to have your swing speed tested.
• Durability: No matter what golf ball you choose, make sure you find one with a high level of durability. The last thing you need is to spend more money than you have to on golf balls just because they aren’t holding up as long as they should.
• Soft Feel: This factor comes down to personal preference. That being said, most golfers like a golf ball with a soft feel, especially for short-game shots like chips and pitches.

Top 10 Golf Balls for Distance and Control

Now that you know the most critical factors to look for, let’s dive into our list of the best golf balls for both distance and control. Each golf ball on this list has a blend of the 5 factors we mentioned in the last section. Happy Hunting!

1. Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Balls (Best Overall)

Pros

• Engineered for a longer ball flight that stays straighter than other golf balls
• Was named a Hot List Gold Winner by Gold Digest last year, which is one of the highest honors in the industry
• Plenty of softness for putting, pitching, and chipping
• The same brand used by Lexi Thompson, Fred Couples, Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, and Bryson DeChambeau
• Both the dimple pattern and the mantle are made to reduce slices and hooks
• It provides a spin rate that most golfers love around the greens
• Great price at only $2.50 per golf ball

Cons

• Not hard enough for golfers with medium or fast swing speeds
• Some folks say these don’t perform as well on the golf course as the Bridgestone e6s

For the best overall choice for both extra distance and precise accuracy, the Bridgestone e12 gets our vote. The dimples are specifically designed for 38% more contact between the golf ball and the sweet spot of the golf club. This leads to a massive increase in distance and plenty of shot control.

2. TaylorMade Noodle Long and Soft Golf Balls (Best Value)

Pros

• Incredibly priced at just a little over $1 per golf ball
• The dimple pattern produces a straighter ball flight, making it an excellent choice for windy days
• TaylorMade engineers designed this ball with a unique core that leads to more carry and greater yardage on each shot
• The iothane cover is soft but still holds up very well over several rounds of golf
• The compression rating of 34 makes this a great distance golf ball for beginners, seniors, and most ladies

Cons

• Some have noticed discrepancies between the description and the box that’s pictured
• Not hard enough for advanced players, and it won’t give them the workable spin they need for shaped shots

These were the golf balls I used when I first started learning the game, so they have a special place in my memory. TaylorMade is a solid brand, and the Noodle provides lots of yardage off the tee. The impressive thing is that this ball also provides a high level of control for delicate shots like chips and pitches around the green.

3. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls (Most Softness)

Pros

• One of the best soft golf balls on the market
• The extremely low compression rating of 35 makes it an ideal choice for a young or senior golfer
• Very low price at less than $2 a ball, but it still performs like a premium golf ball on the course.
• Available in 6 colors
• It provides the rare combination of fast ball speed, soft feel, and low spin
• Designed for more distance and less drag thanks to Hex Aerodynamics
• Great for golfers who want a higher, more penetrating ball flight
• It provides lots of control for all approaches and short shots into the green
• It comes with an alignment tool on the side to make lining up putts a breeze

Cons

• Won’t work as well for golfers with medium or fast swing speeds because of the very low compression rating
• Some golfers won’t like the extra softness and extremely low spin

Most golf balls make you choose between softness or distance. However, that’s not the case with the Callaway Supersoft. This ball is affordable, very soft, and gives off tons of ball speed at impact. There’s a whole lot to like about this golf ball.

4. Titleist Velocity (Best for Pinpoint Accuracy)

Pros

• The most respected brand in golf
• Available in 4 colors
• Made for maximum distance off the tee
• Designed for a low level of sidespin to increase accuracy, which means you’ll end up in the fairway more often
• It provides just the right amount of softness for shots around the green
• Superior control on all iron approach shots into the green
• It gives golfers a penetrating ball flight that’s easy to track in the air

Cons

• Specific colors are more expensive, which is kind of weird
• Though this is a low-spin golf ball, some people still think there’s too much spin for tee shots

Titleist is the most popular golf ball on the PGA Tour for a variety of reasons. While the Pro V1 gets the majority of the hype, we recommend the Titleist Velocity for golfers looking for a mix of both distance and control off the tee. This golf ball also gives you the high durability that you expect from a solid brand like Titleist.

5. Nitro Maximum Distance Golf Ball (Best for Sheer Distance)

Pros

• One of the most cost-effective two-piece balls on the planet
• Built to provide maximum energy and tons of distance
• Is approved by the USGA for tournament use
• Dimples are specifically made to give your shots more lift
• It provides golfers a consistent ball flight in any type of weather conditions
• The cover is made of Dupont Lithium Surlyn that won’t cut or nick easily
• It provides tons of control on short-game shots, especially for a 2 piece golf ball

Cons

• The compression rating of 87 may not be low enough for high handicappers or beginners
• Some folks say that these golf balls make a weird sound when you hit them

For maximum distance off the tee at a terrific price, go with the Nitro. This 2 piece golf ball is made with a titanium core to promote more yardage than you could ever imagine. At well under $1 a ball, the Nitro won’t break the bank either.

6. Wilson Ultra 500 Straight Golf Balls (Best Around the Greens)

Pros

• One of the most respected brands in the golf ball manufacturing industry
• Made with spin-reducing technology to keep slices and hooks to a minimum
• Promotes a straighter ball flight and extra distance off the tee and with the fairway woods
• Built with a titanium core to give golfers maximum ball speed at impact
• It has a highly durable cover that won’t get nicked up easily
• Great value at just over $1 per golf ball

Cons

• Some people have questioned the durability after just a few rounds
• The cover is very slick, which isn’t a huge issue. However, it makes it hard to mark the ball with a Sharpie

Did you know that Wilson has been around since the 1900s? To say this company has stood the test of time would be a severe understatement. If you’re looking for solid distance and incredible workability around the greens, give the Ultra 500s a shot.

7. Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls (Best Feel)

Pros

• Available in red, white, and yellow
• One of the most affordable golf balls that Titleist offers
• Feels great off the clubface and sounds pleasant off the tee
• Lives up to its slogan of “Feel the Distance, Feel the Control”
• One of the softest golf balls on the market
• Performs remarkably well on the greens, which will help lower your handicap
• It has a thinner cover than other brands, which some golfers think improves the feel
• Made with 376 dimples that are specifically designed to be aerodynamically friendly

Cons

• Won’t reduce slices and hooks as well as the Titleist Velocity
• Some have had shipping issues where they’ve received used golf balls instead of new

Titleist offers such a plethora of solid choices that we had to put them on our list twice! The TruFeel is perfect for folks who need some extra yardage without sacrificing control. It’s also one of the most cost-effective golf balls that Titleist makes.

8. Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls (Best Ball Flight)

Pros

• Made with Srixon’s unique FastLayer core to give you a soft feel without losing any yardage off the tee
• Made with a thin cover that holds up well but spins quite a bit on chips and pitches
• Each ball has 338 dimples that cut through the wind
• Golfers will get more lift on their shots and less drag
• Perfect for people with a swing speed of 60 to 75 MPH
• It has an excellent popping sound off the tee, which is an added bonus
• Outperforms several big-name brands in specific distance tests

Cons

• The low compression rating of 60 may not be a good choice for advanced golfers
• Some folks have commented that these golf balls scuff easily

Srixon has steadily risen in popularity over the last few years. Their Soft Feel golf balls are one of the longest 2-piece golf balls out there, which makes them a great choice for folks who need a bit more distance. These also perform better in windy conditions than lots of other brands on the market.

9. Vice Drive Golf Balls (Best New Brand)

Pros

• High-performance 2-piece golf ball from an up-and-coming brand
• Built with a tough cover that still delivers a soft feel around the greens
• Made with 368 dimples to give golfers even more rollout on their tee shots
• Works well for folks with slow or medium swing speeds
• Has a KIL (Keep in Line) putting tool on the side of the ball
• It has a compression rating of 50, which makes it great for high handicappers, ladies, or seniors

Cons

• Only comes in 1 color
• Not as soft as some people would like on chips and pitches
• Some say the color dulls very quickly, which is a turnoff for some folks

Vice has been generating a consistent buzz in clubhouses around the country for a couple of years now. The company doesn’t spend a ton on marketing, but its popularity has increased mainly due to word of mouth. If you have a slow or medium swing speed, we think you’ll be pleased with how well the Vice Drive performs on the course.

10. TaylorMade Distance+ Golf Balls (Best Alignment Aid)

Pros

• Made with 2 layers of high-quality materials to maximize both distance and control
• Engineered with TaylorMade’s React Speed Core to promote more ball speed and distance off the tee
• An excellent choice for players who need a golf ball with a medium to high spin rate
• Built with 342 dimples that are designed to create a mid-launch type of ball flight
• The Ionomer cover doesn’t crack easily and is still soft enough for all of the tough short-game shots
• The alignment aid on the side makes it easier than ever to line up your putts correctly
• It comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is a rare thing these days

Cons

• Not as soft as the TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft
• Some folks have complained that these golf balls scuff too easily
• The compression rating may not be low enough for high handicappers or other people with slower swing speeds
• Only available in white and yellow

TaylorMade makes its 2nd appearance on our list with the Distance Plus. This golf ball isn’t quite as soft as its cousin, The Noodle Long & Soft, but it still provides lots of distance and control on the course. The compression rating of 77 means that it should perform well for golfers with slow or medium swing speeds.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.