By the dealdey.com team
Our top pick is the Callaway Supersoft (2025), at around $25–$28 per dozen. It is a soft two-piece ball with high-visibility colors that help you find it. Our price ceiling is an effective cost of about $35 per dozen or less, and every pick is converted to cost per dozen and per ball so a 36- or 48-ball carton compares fairly with a single box. If you're building a full budget set, start with our budget golf clubs guide.
We may earn a commission on some links. That never changes which balls make the list.
On this page:
- How we chose
- Best overall: Callaway Supersoft (2025)
- Best under $22 per dozen: TaylorMade Distance+
- Best urethane for the money: Kirkland Signature Performance+
- Best bulk pack for ball-losers: Wilson Profile Distance (36-pack)
- Best budget: Nitro Maximum Distance
- Best premium step-up: Maxfli Tour (48-pack)
- Who should skip these
- Buyer's guide
- FAQ
- Bottom line
Our picks at a glance
-
Best overallCallaway Supersoft (2025)
Beginners, higher handicappers and golfers who want one soft, easy-to-spot ball
-
Best under $22 per dozenDistance+
Golfers who lose balls regularly, prioritize full-shot distance and want to stay near $20 a dozen
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Best urethane for the moneyKirkland Signature Performance+
Mid-handicappers who want urethane spin on a budget and have Costco access
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Best bulk pack for ball-losersWilson Profile Distance (36-pack)
Golfers who lose three or four balls a round, plus scrambles, practice and junior play
-
Best budgetNitro Maximum Distance
Casual rounds, practice and very high loss rates where replacement cost matters most
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Best premium step-upMaxfli Tour (48-pack)
Improving golfers who keep one ball for most of a round and want urethane control without premium pricing
Typical prices; prices change, and the button shows today's price at the retailer.
Top pick vs budget pick
Beginners, higher handicappers and golfers who want one soft, easy-to-spot ball
Check price at Callaway (opens in a new tab)Casual rounds, practice and very high loss rates where replacement cost matters most
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)Choosing the budget pick saves about $16 at typical prices.
- Construction and feel are thinly documented
- One Reddit user called Nitro balls nonconforming, which we could not verify for this listing
How we chose
- We compared manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback. We did not run our own launch-monitor sessions, so this guide contains no testing claims.
- Five factors decided the order: effective cost per ball and per dozen, cover and construction, swing and flight fit, short-game needs, and how often you lose balls.
- Every price is normalized. Pack sizes range from 12 to 48 balls, and the cheapest checkout total is often not the cheapest ball.
- We set a ceiling of about $35 per dozen. Above that line, a ball needs a clear feature advantage. One urethane step-up is labelled as the premium pick.
- We excluded several popular balls. Vice Tour, Vice Drive, Bridgestone e6 Soft, Titleist TruFeel and Srixon Soft Feel were dropped because we could not verify a current model-specific price or rating. Callaway Warbird was dropped because the listing we found does not confirm its pack count.
| Product | Effective cost per dozen | Effective cost per ball | Pack size | Cover | Construction | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callaway Supersoft (2025) Top pick | around $25–$28 | about $2 | 12 | n/v | Two-piece | Check price at Callaway (opens in a new tab) |
| Distance+ | around $20–$22 | about $2 | 12 | n/v | n/v | Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Kirkland Signature Performance+ | around $15–$23 | about $1–$2 | 24 | Urethane | Three-piece | Check price at Kirkland Signature (opens in a new tab) |
| Wilson Profile Distance (36-pack) | about $12–$13 | about $1 | 36 | n/v | n/v | Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Nitro Maximum Distance Budget pick | around $10–$11 | about $1 | 12 | n/v | n/v | Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Maxfli Tour (48-pack) | around $25–$28 | about $2 | 48 | Urethane | n/v | Check price at Maxfli (opens in a new tab) |
Typical prices, checked Nov 6, 2026. Prices change; the button shows today's price.
Best overall: Callaway Supersoft (2025)
Callaway Supersoft (2025)
- Two-piece, soft-distance construction with an updated core and cover for 2025
- Available in white, yellow, orange, matte and Splatter versions
- About $2 per ball for a pack of 12
- Best for
- Beginners, higher handicappers and golfers who want one soft, easy-to-spot ball
- Skip if
- You have plenty of swing speed, dislike a soft impact, or need partial wedges to stop quickly
The Supersoft costs around $25–$28 per dozen, or about $2 per ball. It is a two-piece, soft-distance ball [Source: Callaway].
It wins for beginners and moderate swing speeds because it pairs soft feel with visibility. It comes in white, yellow, matte and Splatter, which helps you find it. Players across a wide handicap range name it in owner threads [Source: Reddit r/golf].
The trade-off is short-game bite. A two-piece ball gives you less wedge spin than urethane, and some owners call the feel "mushy" next to Titleist TruFeel [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear]. There are also isolated reports of balls splitting with repetitive net use. If you practice at home, see our budget golf simulator guide [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear].
At the top of its price range, it crosses the $2-per-ball line where we expect a clear advantage. The case for it is fit, feel and visibility, not spin.
Check the generation before you buy. Amazon still lists the 2023 model (B0BMGYT38K), but this pick is the 2025 version only.
Skip it if: you swing fast, dislike very soft feel, or need partial wedges that check [Source: Reddit r/golf].
What we like
- Soft impact feel suited to moderate swing speeds and higher handicaps
- Yellow, orange and matte options make balls easier to find
- Broad retail availability
What we don't
- Some owners call the feel 'mushy' compared with TruFeel
- Less short-game spin than urethane balls such as the Maxfli Tour
- A few net users report balls splitting after repetitive hitting
Best under $22 per dozen: TaylorMade Distance+
Distance+
- Distance-focused design with aerodynamic, high-velocity positioning
- Integrated alignment marking
- About $2 per ball for a pack of 12
- Best for
- Golfers who lose balls regularly, prioritize full-shot distance and want to stay near $20 a dozen
- Skip if
- You rely on high, checking pitches or want a very soft feel off the putter
Distance+ runs around $20–$22 per dozen, or about $2 per ball. It is an Amazon Best Seller [Source: Amazon].
It suits golfers who want a recognizable ball close to $20 a dozen and care most about full-swing distance. TaylorMade positions it as a distance-focused, high-velocity design with an integrated alignment marking.
Mid- and high-handicap owners call it their preferred budget ball and report low driver spin [Source: Reddit r/golf]. If you fight curvature off the tee, that pairs well with the setup advice in our budget driver guide.
The alignment stamp helps only if you use it. Golfers who line up putts with the ball's marking can skip the Sharpie, and our budget putter guide covers the other half of that setup.
The trade-off is around the green. We found no evidence of urethane-level greenside spin, and most of the praise is anecdotal. We also could not confirm construction or compression for this listing.
There are two Amazon variants (B08QSL9XQW and B08QSLW8LL), so check that the listing matches what you expect.
Skip it if: you rely on pitches that stop quickly, or you already control driver spin and could use a performance-value ball instead [Source: Reddit r/golf].
What we like
- Strong combination of sub-$22 price and brand familiarity
- Amazon Best Seller tag
- Mid- and high-handicap users report relatively low driver spin
What we don't
- Not a spin ball; expect chips to release
- Construction and compression could not be confirmed
Best urethane for the money: Kirkland Signature Performance+
Kirkland Signature Performance+
- Three-piece urethane cover
- Sold as a 24-ball pack in two 12-count boxes
- About $15 a dozen or $1 a ball at the reported $30 warehouse price
- Best for
- Mid-handicappers who want urethane spin on a budget and have Costco access
- Skip if
- You dislike firm-feeling balls, lack Costco access, need nationwide stock, or produce excessive driver spin with it
Kirkland's Performance+ runs around $30–$46 per 24-ball pack, which is about $15–$23 per dozen, or $1–$2 per ball. The low end is a reported Costco warehouse price [Source: Reddit r/golf].
The community calls the current version v3.5. Each pack holds two 12-count boxes of a three-piece, urethane-cover ball.
This is the cheapest route to a urethane cover in our set. That makes it the pick for budget buyers who want wedge spin without premium-ball prices. Owners report results comparable to much pricier balls, especially for players who can't fully use the differences a tour ball offers [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear]. If you are working on spin, our budget wedges guide covers the clubs side of the equation.
It scored 8.8/10 in an independent 2026 value ranking [Source: independent 2026 launch-monitor value test]. We found no consumer star rating to report.
The trade-off is consistency of opinion and access. Sentiment is polarized: some owners find it hard-feeling, while others raise quality concerns we could not verify. You also need Costco access, and price and version vary by warehouse.
Skip it if: you dislike firm feel, have no Costco nearby, need predictable nationwide stock, or produce a lot of driver spin with it [Source: Reddit r/golf].
What we like
- Cheapest urethane ball in our set
- Owners report results comparable to far pricier balls for players who can't exploit premium differences
- Strong value at reported warehouse pricing
What we don't
- Feel and quality sentiment is polarized; some find it firm
- Costco-only with uneven warehouse stock
- Version naming can change without a standard annual launch
Check price at Kirkland Signature (opens in a new tab) 24 balls, around $15–$23 per dozen. We earn no commission on this link.
Best bulk pack for ball-losers: Wilson Profile Distance (36-pack)
Wilson Profile Distance (36-pack)
- 36-ball bulk carton with distance-oriented branding
- About $13 a dozen, or $1 a ball
- Construction, cover, compression and model year not verified
- Best for
- Golfers who lose three or four balls a round, plus scrambles, practice and junior play
- Skip if
- You want a urethane cover or a ball built for short-game spin
The 36-pack costs around $37–$38. That works out to about $12–$13 per dozen, or $1 per ball, which undercuts nearly every branded single dozen.
This is the pick for beginners, juniors, scrambles, practice rounds and anyone who loses several balls a round. Its per-ball cost sits under the $1 line we use for loss-tolerant value, so a ball in the pond stings less.
You also get one model for three dozen balls. Owners point out that a consistent model beats a bag of mismatched found balls [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear].
Be clear on what you don't know. We found no cover, construction or compression data for this listing, and the current model year is not confirmed. You are buying bulk affordability, not documented engineering.
The checkout total is also higher than a single dozen. If you are unsure you'll like the ball, that is roughly three boxes' worth of commitment.
Skip it if: you want a urethane cover, fitting data, or high short-game spin.
What we like
- Lowest cost per ball in our lineup
- Consistent new balls at a low unit cost
- Suited to scrambles, junior golfers, practice rounds and frequent losses
What we don't
- Construction, cover and model year could not be confirmed
- No urethane cover and no verified spin or feel claims
- Bulk purchase means a larger checkout total
Best budget: Nitro Maximum Distance
Nitro Maximum Distance
- 12 balls per pack with maximum-distance and titanium-core marketing
- About $1 per ball, the lowest unit cost in the verified set
- Printed model must be checked against the current conforming list
- Best for
- Casual rounds, practice and very high loss rates where replacement cost matters most
- Skip if
- You play club events or handicap competitions under formal rules, or you expect real greenside spin
Nitro is the cheapest verified new ball in our set, at around $10–$11 per dozen, or about $1 per ball.
It fits casual rounds, practice, and golfers with very high loss rates, where replacement cost matters more than small performance differences. At this price, losing a ball costs less than a dollar.
The trade-off is information. The listing leans on "maximum distance" and "titanium core" marketing, and we found little reliable detail on construction, feel, durability or spin.
Wilson's 36-pack costs slightly more per ball and comes in a larger carton. Nitro makes more sense when you want the smallest commitment at the lowest unit cost.
On rules: one Reddit user called Nitro balls nonconforming, but we could not verify that for this listing [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear]. Treat it as a ball for casual play, and check the exact printed model against the current conforming list before any competition.
Skip it if: you play club events or handicap competitions under formal rules, or you expect real greenside spin.
What we like
- Cheapest verified new ball in our set
- Low commitment at 12 balls
What we don't
- Construction and feel are thinly documented
- One Reddit user called Nitro balls nonconforming, which we could not verify for this listing
- No verified greenside spin data
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab) · 12 balls
Best premium step-up: Maxfli Tour (48-pack)
Maxfli Tour (48-pack)
- Urethane-cover, tour-positioned ball family (Tour, Tour X, Tour S)
- Pack of 48 in promotions, about $25–$28 a dozen
- About $2 per ball
- Best for
- Improving golfers who keep one ball for most of a round and want urethane control without premium pricing
- Skip if
- You lose several balls a round, can't commit to 48, or haven't identified the flight profile that suits you
The 48-pack runs around $100–$110, or about $25–$28 per dozen and $2 per ball. That price is a single observation, so recheck promotions and tax at DICK'S or Golf Galaxy. Confirm which variant (Tour, Tour X or Tour S) the 48-pack listing actually is before you buy; the observed price was not tied to a named variant. Maxfli is a DICK'S Sporting Goods brand [Source: DICK'S Sporting Goods annual report].
This is our pick for improving mid- and low-handicappers who keep one ball for most of a round. It has a urethane cover and scored 8.8/10 in an independent 2026 value ranking [Source: independent 2026 launch-monitor value test]. Owners compare it favorably with premium balls [Source: Reddit r/golf].
Versus the Supersoft: owners report more wedge spin from the Maxfli and a much softer feel from the Supersoft [Source: Reddit r/golf]. The Supersoft asks for a 12-ball commitment, while the Maxfli asks for 48.
Versus Kirkland: both have urethane covers. Kirkland is cheaper per ball at its warehouse low end and comes in smaller packs, but it needs Costco access. Maxfli is sold through DICK'S and Golf Galaxy and offers profile choices.
The trade-off is commitment. Tour, Tour X and Tour S are not interchangeable, and picking the wrong one wastes the bulk saving. We found no layer-count or compression data by variant.
Skip it if: you lose several balls a round, can't commit to 48 balls, or don't yet know which profile fits your flight.
What we like
- Low- and mid-handicap users compare it favorably with Pro V1-family balls
- More wedge spin than the Supersoft
- Steady value through DICK'S and Golf Galaxy promotions
What we don't
- Around $110 upfront at checkout
- Tour, Tour X and Tour S are not interchangeable
- Pricing depends on retailer promotions because Maxfli is DICK'S-owned
Check price at Maxfli (opens in a new tab) · around $25–$28 per dozen
Who should skip these
- Tournament players eyeing Nitro. Confirm the exact model is on the current conforming list first, or choose another pick.
- Golfers who rarely lose a ball and want tour-level spin from every club. Our two urethane picks (#3 and #6) are the closest fit here. If neither works, you are shopping above our $35-per-dozen ceiling.
- Buyers of the 2023 Supersoft listing (B0BMGYT38K). It has been replaced by the 2025 model. If you buy clearance stock, know which generation you are getting.
- Anyone buying a listing without a pack count. The Callaway Warbird listing we found doesn't confirm its quantity, so there's no way to know what a dozen costs.
- Shoppers comparing dozen prices alone. Divide by ball count every time. The Wilson 36-pack has a higher checkout total than a single dozen and a lower cost per ball.
- Used-ball buyers. We didn't evaluate recycled balls, so we make no claims about them.
Vice Tour, Vice Drive, Bridgestone e6 Soft, Titleist TruFeel and Srixon Soft Feel are popular staples. We left them out only because we couldn't verify current model-specific pricing or ratings.
Buyer's guide
1. Effective cost per ball and per dozen. Under $15 per dozen (about $1 per ball) is true loss-tolerant territory. $15–$25 is mainstream budget, and $25–$35 is performance value. Above about $2 per ball, a ball should earn its price through a better cover, more spin, better durability or a better fit.
2. Cover and construction. Two-piece ionomer balls favor durability, speed and low cost. Three-piece urethane balls favor short-game spin [Source: Reddit r/golf].
In our set, only Kirkland and Maxfli Tour have documented urethane covers. Two-piece construction suits loss-prone, distance-first golfers, while three-piece matters more once flight and spin separation matter to you.
3. Swing and flight fit. Soft, low-compression balls are often recommended for moderate and slower speeds, but "soft" doesn't mean longer for everyone [Source: Reddit r/Golfballs]. For driver spin, low-to-moderate is the target if you fight curvature.
If you want numbers instead of guesses, our budget launch monitor guide explains how to find your ball by data.
4. Short-game needs. Bump-and-run players can live with a low-spin ball. Players who hit checking pitches can't.
Feel is subjective, so judge it with every club, including the putter. We use an editorial durability threshold: a ball should survive a normal round without cuts or severe scuffing.
5. Loss rate and consistency. If you lose several balls a round, premium spin you rarely use is wasted money. Even so, one repeatable model beats rotating through found balls.
Buy 12 balls to test a model, 24–36 once you like it, and 48 only after you're sure it fits. Yellow, orange, matte or patterned options add value if they cut losses.
Deal and value block
Price ceiling: an effective cost of about $35 per dozen or less. Our picks run from around $10–$11 (Nitro) to around $25–$28 (Supersoft) per dozen.
What you give up versus premium: mostly the urethane cover and its short-game spin. You also give up fitting data, and in some cases soft feel or guaranteed nationwide stock. Kirkland and Maxfli give up the least, but they cost you Costco access or a 48-ball commitment.
Lost-ball math (illustrative, at 3 balls lost per round):
| Ball | Cost of 3 lost balls |
|---|---|
| Nitro | about $2–$3 |
| Wilson | about $3 |
| Kirkland | about $4–$6 |
| TaylorMade | about $5–$6 |
| Supersoft or Maxfli | about $6–$7 |
When prices drop: Costco warehouse promotions on Kirkland, bulk cartons like the Wilson 36-pack and the Maxfli 48-pack, and older-generation clearance listings, which must be labelled by model year. We found no reliable data on seasonal sale timing.
FAQ
What is the best budget golf ball overall?
Callaway Supersoft (2025) is the safest broadly available soft-ball choice, at around $25–$28 per dozen. An independent 2026 value ranking scored Vice Tour highest [Source: independent 2026 launch-monitor value test], but we couldn't verify its current price, so it isn't on our shortlist.
What is the cheapest new golf ball worth buying?
Nitro Maximum Distance has the lowest verified price, at around $10–$11 per dozen. Wilson's Profile Distance 36-pack offers stronger bulk-brand value, at around $12–$13 per dozen.
Are Kirkland golf balls still a good value?
Yes, at the low warehouse end of their around $30–$46 per-24 range. That works out to about $15 per dozen for a three-piece urethane ball, though feel and quality sentiment is mixed [Source: Reddit r/golf].
What budget ball is best for a high handicapper?
Owners keep recommending Callaway Supersoft, Titleist TruFeel, Srixon Soft Feel, Bridgestone e6 and TaylorMade Distance+ [Source: Reddit r/GolfGear]. Your final pick comes down to feel and driver spin. Supersoft is our pick of the ones we could verify.
Is a soft ball better for slow swing speeds?
Soft, low-compression balls are often recommended for slower swings because they compress more easily. Individual distance still varies, so a soft ball won't automatically fly farther for you [Source: Reddit r/Golfballs].
Is TaylorMade Distance+ good around the green?
Owners praise it as a low-cost distance ball. The evidence does not show urethane-level greenside spin [Source: Reddit r/golf].
Is Maxfli Tour as good as a premium ball?
Low- and mid-handicap owners report little practical difference from several premium models, at around $25–$28 per dozen in 48-ball promotions [Source: Reddit r/golf].
Should I buy a two-piece or three-piece budget ball?
Choose a two-piece ball when loss rate and distance matter most. Consider three-piece urethane, such as Kirkland or Maxfli Tour, when wedge control justifies the cost [Source: Reddit r/golf].
Bottom line
The Callaway Supersoft (2025) is our top pick. It is soft, comes in bright colors, and costs around $25–$28 per dozen.
Check price at Callaway (opens in a new tab) · 12 balls, around $25–$28 per dozen
If you lose balls by the handful, Nitro Maximum Distance is the best cheap golf ball we could verify, at around $10–$11 per dozen. Keep it to casual play unless you've checked the conforming list.
Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab) · 12 balls
By golfer type:
- Beginners and slow swingers: Supersoft.
- High handicappers and ball-losers: the Wilson 36-pack or Nitro.
- Improving players who want urethane: Kirkland or Maxfli Tour.
Still building a full budget set? Our budget irons guide is the next stop, and a budget rangefinder is a sensible next buy after that.