If you are a senior who is struggling to find the perfect golf ball, this article will be a huge help to you.
There are tons of golf balls out there, but if you are a senior, which ones are best for you? We break down what type of ball is best for older players and which brands to try. After reading this article, you’ll be able to quickly decide which golf ball is right for you and your game.
For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:
Top pick
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Runner up
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Top pick
Pros:
- Soft compression core
- Hybrid cover provides increased durability and an improved feel for short-game shots
- Designed to produce a low spin rate
- Good price
Cons:
- Some golfer may find the cover is too tacky for their liking
Runner up
Pros:
- High-performance polymer mantlet helps improve ball speed
- Delta Wing Dimple Pattern offers higher trajectory on all shots
- Aerodynamically designed for less drag
Cons:
- 70 compression rating may not be low enough for some golfers
What Kind of Ball Should You Be Using as a Senior?
If you are a senior golfer, here are a few factors to consider before deciding on which golf ball to buy. These factors should be used as just general guidelines.
1. Choose Soft Golf Balls Over Their Hard Counterparts
As a general rule, our swing speeds tend to decrease as we age due to the decrease in both flexibility and muscle mass.
While there are some senior golfers who don’t fit into that category, the majority of more mature players don’t swing as fast as they did in their younger days.
Remember, we are talking about the average senior golfer for this discussion.
With that being said, it’s a safe bet for most senior golfers to choose a soft golf ball instead of a hard one. Softer golf balls have a lower compression rating, which will allow folks with slower swing speeds to hit the ball a considerable distance off the tee.
Softer golf balls also offer less side spin, which means more forgiveness on mishits like hooks and slices. A high level of forgiveness is a huge advantage, especially to golfers with high handicaps!
2. Choose a Golf Ball that Launches Higher in the Air
Many golfers have a more difficult time getting the ball high enough in the air as they age. Luckily, golf ball manufacturers design certain balls that will travel a higher trajectory.
This is a huge advantage since more approach shots will stick on the green near the flagstick instead of hitting the green and rolling off of it.
3. Find a Golf Ball That Enhances Your Short Game
Since most senior golfers lose a bit of distance off the tee with each passing decade, performing well in the short game becomes even more important to shooting low scores.
Most seniors will do well with a golf ball that provides lots of spin both on and around the greens. Look for a golf ball that provides a soft feel on chips, pitches, and putts.
4. When It Comes to Price, Remember Goldilocks
Let’s face it. Price is always a factor in our decision-making, even when it comes to buying golf balls. We all have different amounts of discretionary income so there’s no one size fits all approach.
Although cheap golf balls are just fine for beginner-level golfers, seniors often find that the cheapest balls usually don’t provide enough control in the short game.
With that being said, the safest bet for seniors is to choose a golf ball that is more in the mid-range as far as price goes.
Use the Goldilocks and the porridge as an example. You want a golf ball that is not too expensive but not too cheap either. Losing an expensive Titleist Pro V1 in the lake may cause you unnecessary stress and trying to putt with a super cheap fifty-cent ball is no fun.
Choose the middle of the road.
5. Choose a Golf Ball With High Visibility
An unfortunate gift from Father Time to most senior golfers is worse eyesight (This is already becoming an issue for me in my late 30’s).
Senior golfers can sometimes struggle to find a white golf ball, especially if it’s early in the morning or late in the evening during twilight.
Choosing one of the newer golf balls that have a bright-colored matte finish can help with this common problem. These striking new colors also have a nice look to them.
10 Best Golf Balls for Seniors
1. Callaway Supersoft
Top pick
Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls
Supersoft has been one of the most popular golf balls for years. The new Hybrid Cover features a multi-material construction allows for an incredible combination of fast ball speeds from high launch and low spin, soft feel, and excellent greenside control.
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Callaway Supersoft golf balls are an excellent choice for senior golfers because of their high amount of softness and greenside spin. It’s easy to see why these balls are rated a 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon with well over 4,000 reviews.
Senior golfers will also be very pleased with how easily these golf balls get in the air. This high trajectory will enable folks to stick their approach shots closer to the flagstick. No more worrying about bouncing shots off the green and into the bunker!
This ball not only offers a higher launch but it also provides plenty of distance thanks to Callaway’s HEX Aerodynamics technology.
The price is pretty solid as well since they’re only a little more than $2 per ball. That’s a good bargain in our book!
2. Bridgestone e12 Contact
Bridgestone makes one of the best golf balls in the industry.
The fact that legendary PGA Tour golfers like Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Lexi Thompson, Matt Kuchar, and Bryson DeChambeau use Bridgestone balls further enhances the brand’s reputation.
If you struggle with accuracy on your tee shots, this could be the ideal golf ball for you. Bridgestone’s Contact Force Dimple design will decrease the severity of your duck hooks and banana slices.
The e12’s have a slightly softer feel than their e6 counterparts so we think senior golfers will rate them a bit higher.
The softer feel combined with more spin on the greens is the perfect combination.
3. MG Golf Balls Senior
MG isn’t as well known as a brand like Titleist, Bridgestone, or Callaway. However, this company makes a fantastic golf ball that is designed specifically for seniors.
The company claims that this ball is the longest for golfers who drive the ball less than 250 yards.
This golf ball is not approved by the USGA so you won’t be able to use it if you play in any official tournaments. However, the MG Senior motto is “make golf fun, not frustrating.”
Many senior golfers swear that this golf ball travels much further than any other brand they have tried. Some folks say that the MG Senior will go up to 10% longer off the tee.
However, many seniors claim this golf ball doesn’t have a soft enough feel or greenside spin.
4. Titleist Tour Soft
If you want a high-quality golf ball and don’t mind paying a little bit extra for it, the Titleist Tour Soft is an outstanding option for senior golfers.
Our link below is to the 2020 version of this ball as it is about twenty bucks cheaper than the 2021 model. Titleist has a fabulous reputation in the golf industry and understandably so.
Senior golfers will love the great distance and excellent feel that this ball provides. The Tour Softs also provide a consistent ball flight that you can rely on each time you play.
Some senior golfers have even said that this golf ball provides them with an extra five yards of distance off the tee.
The alignment aid also comes in handy when you’re trying to line up a putt and it’s nice to not have to mark your golf balls.
These golf balls also have a high level of durability. Many senior golfers claim they are nearly impossible to scuff.
5. Callaway Chrome Soft
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
Faster, larger Graphene-infused Dual Soft Fast Core is designed for increased distance. Larger inner core creates higher launch and lower spin. The thinner, firmer outer core is reinforced with Graphene for better durability
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For the senior golfer who is highly skilled (single-digit handicaps), we recommend the Chrome Soft from Callaway.
The ball is the most expensive on our list because it’s a premium golf ball and made with four-piece technology.
Advanced golfers will love the low amount of driver spin and high amount of greenside spin this ball offers. The Chrome Soft is also extremely forgiving, thanks to its Dual SoftFast Core.
The triple track white color is a nice touch and features one red line in between two blue lines. This is ideal when you are lining up a tough putt.
The price is on the higher side, but these are definitely worth trying if you’re a high-level senior golfer.
6. Srixon Soft Feel
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
One of the more affordable, quality balls on the market. With a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge, the FastLayer Core offers incredible softness and great distance off the tee. The dimple pattern reduces drag at launch and increases lift during descent.
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Srixon makes our list for the second time with their Soft Feel golf balls. The core of this golf ball is made with Srixon’s one-of-a-kind Fastlayer technology.
Senior golfers will enjoy how nice this ball comes off the clubface and the way it flies high and straight! To increase distance off the tee, Srixon designed these balls with a 338 Speed Dimple Pattern.
The softcover shell makes the ball react very well on the putting surface and the thick alignment line is very helpful for lining up your putts quickly and effectively.
7. Vice Golf Pro Soft
Vice is new to the golf ball manufacturing game but they’ve started out with a bang.
Vice makes these golf balls with three pieces instead of the standard two-piece technology, so they’re slightly more expensive than most of the other choices on our list.
However, senior golfers around the country are raving about the performance of the Vice Pro Softs, so they’re definitely worth a shot!
These golf balls hold up remarkably well, even in tough weather conditions thanks to their 336 dimple design. If you need a ball that provides a higher level of visibility, Vice also offers this ball in matte red and matte lime colors.
If you have a little bit of extra room in your budget and want to see what all the hype is about, give the Vice Pro Softs a try.
8. TaylorMade Distance Plus
If you’re a senior golfer looking for both soft feel and good distance, the TaylorMade Distance Plus may just be the ticket! This ball provides an ultra-soft feel on the greens and plenty of ball speed off the tee.
TaylorMade uses its patented REACT speed core, relies on low-drag aerodynamics, and its 342 dimple pattern to produce plenty of distance. The Distance Plus also launches higher than any other value golf ball that TaylorMade offers.
This ball has a compression rating of 77 which means it’s very forgiving and easy to compress for senior golfers with slow to medium swing speeds.
Also, the Plus Alignment Aid helps golfers line up putts in a quick, efficient manner. And if it’s value you are looking for, this is the cheapest golf ball on our list.
9. Srixon Q-Star Tour 3
Srixon just keeps finding ways to impress with their new advances in technology. The Q-Star features a soft inner core but a hard outer shell. That rare combination offers senior golfers maximum distance with an ultra-soft feel.
This ball also features a new SpinSkin technology that is designed to dig deeper into the grooves on your irons and wedges. This leads to maximum spin thanks to this new type of urethane cover.
The 338 Speed Dimple Pattern leads to better trajectory and the 72 compression rating means senior golfers will love how it performs on the green.
It also comes with an alignment aid.
10. Wilson Staff Duo
Wilson has been making solid golf balls for more than seven decades.
Their perfect golf ball for senior golfers is the Duo, which provides plenty of yardage off the tee and an ample amount of softness for around the greens.
Senior golfers have been pleased by the Duo’s consistently high ball flight and high level of durability.
The core of this two-piece golf ball features VelocitiCOR, which is Wilson’s patented technology that helps the ball travel farther.
Golf Ball FAQs
Should you always use the same golf balls?
YES, all senior golfers should play the same golf ball every time they hit the links. A hidden key to playing great golf is consistency. Using the same golf ball each time you play will provide a higher level of consistency.
You never want to be in the middle of a round and feel unsure about how your golf ball is going to react in certain situations. Find a golf ball that best suits your game and stick with it for the long haul.
Don’t constantly switch out which golf ball you are hitting because it only leads to confusion.
Does it matter what golf ball you use as a senior?
YES, the type of golf ball matters quite a bit if you’re a senior golfer. The golf ball manufacturers design different types of golf balls to help with certain weaknesses. Make today’s technological advancements work for you and not against you.
Since most senior golfers lose a little bit of their swing speed as they age, a soft golf ball is by far the best choice. This will help senior golfers get the most distance out of every well-struck drive.
Don’t make the game harder than it has to be by choosing the wrong golf ball.
How far should a 65+ year-old be able to hit a golf ball?
This is a tough question because it depends on a wide variety of factors like age, skill level, and size.
Obviously, a 65-year old is probably going to hit the ball further than an 85-year old.
On the other hand, a highly skilled 75-year old golfer may out-drive a 65-year old hack who only plays a couple of times a year!
All that being said, here’s a handy chart that shows how far the average senior golfer hits each club. Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline.
Also, remember that distance is meaningless if you can’t sink a putt!
Golf Club | Average Yardage for Seniors |
Driver | 200 |
3 Wood | 175 |
5 Wood | 165 |
Hybrid | 160 |
2 Iron | 155 |
3 Iron | 150 |
4 Iron | 145 |
5 Iron | 140 |
6 Iron | 135 |
7 Iron | 125 |
8 Iron | 115 |
9 Iron | 105 |
Pitching Wedge | 95 |
Sand Wedge | 80 |
Lob Wedge | 70 |