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

Do you require more distance on 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. Many golfers struggle with poor ball speed, or even worse, both. There are many golf balls specifically designed for these 2 areas.

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

What to look for when looking for a ball that pairs control and distance

Did you know that there are over 1,000 different golf ballsThere are so many to choose from. It can be difficult to find a golf ball that strikes the right balance of distance and control. The following are the key factors to look at when looking for the perfect match.

• Piece ConstructionMost golf ball manufacturers offer options with between 2 and 4 pieces. If you have a slower swing speed, two-piece balls will generally give you more distance.
• Low Long Game SpinA low spin golf ball for long shots is a good choice if you struggle with slices and hooks off the fairway. This is important if you want to score lower on the golf course.
• Low compression: There are exceptions but most golfers and high handicappers require a ball with a low compression rating. To ensure this factor is met, you should have your swing speed tested.
• Durability: No matter which golf ball you choose make sure it is durable. The last thing you need is to spend more money than you have on golf balls just because they aren’t holding up as long as they should.
• Soft FeelThis is a personal preference. However, most golfers prefer a soft-feeling golf ball, especially for short-game shots, such as pitches and chips.

Top 10 Golf Balls for Distance & 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 is a combination of the 5 factors mentioned in the previous section. Happy Hunting!

1. Bridgestone e12 contact golf balls (Best Overall).

Pros

• Engineered for a longer, straighter ball flight than other golf balls
• Gold Digest named me a Hot List Gold Winner last year, which is the highest honor in the industry.
• Plenty of softness to putt, pitch, and chip.
• The same brand that is used by Lexi Thompson and Fred Couples, Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar, as well as Bryson deChambeau.
• Both the mantle and the dimple pattern are designed to reduce the number of hooks and slices.
• It has a spin rate most golfers love on the greens.
• Golf balls at only $2.50

Cons

• Golfers with medium- or fast swing speeds will find it easy
• Some folks say these don’t perform as well on the golf course as the Bridgestone e6s

This is the best option for extra distance and precise accuracy. Bridgestone e12Get our vote. The dimples allow for 38% more contact between your golf ball and the sweet spot on the golf club. This allows for a significant increase in distance and a lot more shot control.

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

Pros

• Amazingly priced at just a little more than $1 per golf ball
• The dimple pattern produces a straighter, more aerodynamic ball flight, making this a great choice for a windy day.
• TaylorMade engineers created this ball with a unique core, which allows for more carry and higher yardage.
• The iothane coating is soft, but it still holds up well over many rounds of golf.
• This golf ball is great for beginners, seniors, and most ladies due to its 34 compression rating.

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 original golf balls that I used when I started learning the game. They are a special part of my history. TaylorMade is a solid company. NoodleIt provides plenty of yardage off the green. Amazingly, this ball can also be used to control delicate shots such chips and pitches around the green.

3. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls (Most Softness)

Pros

• Softest golf ball on the market
• It is a great choice for seniors and young golfers because of its 35-pound compression rating.
• The ball is extremely affordable at less than $2 per ball, yet it still performs well on the course.
• Available in 6 colors
• It offers a rare combination of high ball speed, soft feel, low spin, and fast ball speed.
• Hex Aerodynamics has been designed to increase distance and reduce drag.
• This is a great choice for golfers who want a higher, deeper ball flight.
• It is very easy to control all approaches and makes it easy to get short shots into the green.
• It includes an alignment tool at the side for easy alignment of putts.

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

4. Titleist Velocity (Best to Pinpoint Accuracy).

Pros

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

Cons

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

For a variety of reasons, Titleist is the most favored golf ball on PGA Tour. The Pro V1 is the most popular, but we recommend the Titleist. Titleist VelocityThis golf ball is ideal for those who want to play with a mixture of distance and control. This golf ball is also durable, as you would expect from a solid manufacturer like Titleist.

5. Best for Sheer Distance: Nitro Maximum Distance golf ball

Pros

• This is one of the most affordable two-piece balls anywhere on the planet.
• Built to provide maximum energy and tons of distance
• It is approved by the USGA to be used in tournaments
• Your shots will have more lift with dimples
• It gives golfers consistent ball flight in all weather conditions
• The cover is made of Dupont Lithium Surlyn that won’t cut or nick easily
• It gives you a lot of control, especially when playing with a 2-piece golf ball.

Cons

• High handicappers and beginners may not find the compression rating of 87 to be sufficient.
• Some say these golf balls make strange sounds when they hit the ground.

The tees are as long as the player can reach, and at a great price. Nitro. This 2-piece golf ball features a titanium core that promotes more yardage than you can 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 recognizable brands in the golf ball manufacturing business
• Uses spin-reducing technology to reduce the number of hooks and slices.
• Promotes straighter ball flight, and extra distance off the fairway woods and off the tee.
• It features a titanium core for maximum golfer speed at impact.
• It has a highly durable cover that won’t get nicked up easily
• Great value at just $1 per golf ball

Cons

• Some people have doubted the durability of the gun after only a few rounds.
• The cover is very slick, which isn’t a huge issue. However, it is difficult to mark the ball with Sharpies.

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

7. Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls (Best Feel)

Pros

• Available in red, yellow, and white
• Titleist offers one of the most affordable golf balls
• Feels great on the clubface, and sounds great off of the tee
• Lives up to its slogan of “Feel the Distance, Feel the Control”
• One of the best golf balls on the market
• Performs exceptionally well on the greens, which will help lower your handicap
• It has a thinner covering than other brands. This, according to some golfers, improves the feeling.
• Made with 376 dimples specifically designed to make it 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 so many solid options that we had to add them twice to our list! The TruFeelIt’s perfect for people who need extra yardage but don’t want to lose 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
• The cover is thin and holds up well, but it spins quite a lot on chips and pitches.
• Each ball has 338 dimples that cut through the wind.
• Golfers will feel more lift from their shots and less drag.
• Ideal for people who have a swing speed between 60 and 75 MPH
• It makes a great popping sound off the Tee, which is a bonus
• In certain distance tests, it outperforms other big-name brands

Cons

• Advanced golfers might not find the low compression rating of 60 to be a good choice.
• Some people have said that these golf balls scuff easily

Srixon’s popularity has steadily increased over the last few decades. Their Soft FeelThese golf balls are the longest 2-piece golf balls available. This makes them a great choice if you need more distance. These balls also perform better in windy conditions, than many other brands.

9. Vice Drive Golf Balls (Best-New Brand)

Pros

• A high-performance 2-piece golf club ball from an up-and-coming brand
• Built with a tough, yet soft-feeling cover for the greens
• Made with 368 dimples that give golfers more control over their tee shots
• It works well for those with slow or moderate swing speeds
• A KIL (Keep In Line) putting tool is on the ball’s side
• It has a compression rating of 50, making it ideal for ladies with high handicaps or seniors.

Cons

• Only available in one color
• Pitches and chips are not as soft as people would like.
• Some people find the color fades quickly, which can be a problem for some people.

For a few years, Vice has been creating a buzz in clubs across the country. 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

• Two layers of high-quality materials are used to increase control and distance.
• Engineered with TaylorMade’s React Speed Core to promote more ball speed and distance off the tee
• This is a great choice for players who require a ball with a medium-high spin rate.
• This model is designed with 342 dimples to create a mid-launch type 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 lining up your putts perfectly easier than ever
• 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 people complain that these golf balls scuff easily
• High handicappers and people with slower swing speeds may find the compression rating not low enough.
• Only available in white or yellow

TaylorMade makes its second 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. Its compression rating of 77 should make it suitable for golfers with slow or moderate swing speeds.