Golf Digest Logo Hot List

The best new golf balls of 2025

*All products featured on Golf Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.*
Updated on April 23, 2025
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The golf ball, without question the most used and least considered piece of equipment in your bag, might just be the missing piece that could complete your game—even if you’re Rory McIlroy. The future hall of famer switched balls at the beginning of this year almost by chance, realizing after some idle chip shots that the softer TaylorMade TP5 might enhance more of his game than the firmer TP5x he had been playing for years. While many elements can be credited for his hot start this season, the only one that impacted every shot was the golf ball.

McIlroy found his way to the right ball somewhat accidentally, but we think our golf ball Hot List lends a measure of intentionality to your search for a game-changing sphere. You’ll see how our players and robot testing broke down each ball’s performance across the short game and full swing, as well as a feel assessment and the launch and spin characteristics on half-wedge shots. We divide the universe of golf balls here into multilayer urethane models and non-urethane models. Multilayer urethane balls offer a full suite of performance functionality, while the best non-urethane balls generally focus on a softer feel with more chance for distance. However, they lack the high spin found in urethane-cover balls for finesse shots around the green.

In the end, McIlroy’s decision to make a ball change provides a lesson for golfers of every level: Don’t assume you’re playing the right model. We’re not saying a change is going to net you nearly $9 million in less than two months, like it did McIlroy, but it could get you the same sense of satisfaction. Which is, of course, priceless, even if it doesn’t spend as well as cold, hard cash. —Mike Stachura & E. Michael Johnson

Urethane

Bridgestone Tour B RX
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Targets players who swing driver less than 105 mph

• Straighter shots but less greenside check versus other Tour B models

• Cover and mantle designs boost speed and spin

Bridgestone Tour B RXS
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• For average speed (under 105 mph with driver)

• Softest in the Tour B line for more spin on all shots

• Composition of cover and mantle increases speed on full shots, greenside spin

Bridgestone Tour B X
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Best for golfers with fast swings (105-plus mph) who prioritize distance

• The firmest Tour B model

• Cover and mantle layer designed for short-game spin and more ball speed

Bridgestone Tour B XS
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• For control players with higher speed; offers the most short-game spin in the Tour B family

• Softer than the Tour B X

• Cover and mantle designs boost speed and spin

Callaway Chrome Soft
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• Designed for tour-level greenside spin and non-tour-level swings

• Lowest-compression Chrome ball

• Faster core and dimple pattern for higher flight

Callaway Chrome Tour
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• Aimed at better players looking for softer feel, lower long-game spin

• Redesigned core yields new ball-speed potential

• Hexagonal and round dimples for a stable flight

Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Diamond
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• For better players who want mid-spin full shots, maximum greenside spin

• Redesigned core for better ball speed

• Mixed shapes in dimple pattern for a stable flight

Callaway Chrome Tour X
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• For highest-speed players looking to lower spin

• Chrome line’s new rubber core for faster ball speeds

• New cover formulation and pattern optimizes flight for high speeds

Maxfli Tour
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• For better golfers looking for soft feel, workability

• Firmer mantle enhances control and distance

• Center of gravity matches the alignment line for more consistency

Maxfli Tour S
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• The softest Tour model; yields less spin off the tee

• Firmer mantle enhances control and distance

• Alignment mark matches ball’s center of gravity to boost consistency

Maxfli Tour X
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Firmer mantle, new dimple pattern for more penetrating flight

• Higher flight, more long-game spin than the Tour

• Consistency boost from center of gravity location

Mizuno Mizuno Pro S
$48 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$48

• Soft feel for maximum greenside control

• Thin cover, thick mantle layer boost ball speed, reduce driver spin

• Dimples promote higher drives, flatter wedges

Mizuno Mizuno Pro X
$48 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$48

• Higher flight with more speed than the S model

• Expect more long-game spin than the S

• Thin cover, thick mantle layer boost ball speed, reduce driver spin

OnCore Vero XP1
$43 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$43

• A mid-trajectory option for players who emphasize control

• Thicker cover than XP2 increases greenside spin

• A metal-infused mantle controls spin on tee shots

OnCore Vero XP2
$43 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$43

• Designed for a higher trajectory, firmer feel

• A metal-infused, high-density mantle controls spin on drives

• New rubber formula increases resiliency

PXG Xtreme Tour
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Compression optimizes feel and rebound for average swing speeds

• Thinner cover, larger core improve energy transfer

• Softer with less spin and a lower flight than Tour X

PXG Xtreme Tour X
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Compression designed for highest swing speeds

• Firmer feel, more spin, higher flight than the Tour

• Thinner cover and larger core create better energy transfer at impact

Seed SD-05
$35 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$35

• Targets players looking for more iron spin

• A new mantle layer enhances the soft feel

• Additives in the larger core help transfer energy more effectively

Srixon Q-Star Tour
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Targets average players looking for a softer ball

• Slightly firmer core means more energy transfer

• A flexible cover coating adds grab on iron and wedge shots

Srixon Z-Star
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Expect low driver spin, a flatter trajectory and maximum greenside spin

• Cover uses a renewable plant-derived material

• Cover coating increases friction for more spin

Srixon Z-Star Diamond
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Higher-speed players will see significant iron spin, less driver spin

• Cover features a plant-based material

• Coating increases friction for additional spin

Srixon Z-Star XV
$50 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Its higher launch comes with added spin when hitting into the greens

• Cover designed with a plant-derived material

• Cover coating increases friction and spin

TaylorMade Tour Response
$43 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$43

• Lower compression is designed for swings under 105 mph

• Expect higher flight with a very soft feel

• Core produces less spin, maintains velocity

TaylorMade TP5
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• For above-average-speed players who emphasize short-game touch

• Core creates extra energy but without a firm feel

• Shallower dimples reduce initial drag

TaylorMade TP5x
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• Focuses on distance for better players; firmer feel, lower spin, lower flight

• More speed from the core without upping firmness

• Shallow dimple pattern reduces initial drag

Titleist AVX
$50 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• Titleist’s softest urethane-cover ball

• Lower spin boosts average players’ iron distances

• Improved short-game spin versus previous model

Titleist Pro V1
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• Targets players looking for soft feel, flatter trajectory

• New core boosts rebound and iron/wedge spin, maintains low driver spin

• Mantle contributes speed, lowers long-game spin

Titleist Pro V1x
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• Best for players who want a higher flight, firmer feel

• Lower flight compared to past model, more iron/wedge spin than Pro V1

• New dual core boosts speed, lowers driver spin

Titleist —Pro V1x
$55 | Golf Galaxy
5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$55

• The firmest in the Pro V1 line; firmer cover appeals to faster swingers

• Expect high flight with ultra-low full-shot spin

• Mantle layer lowers long-game spin, adds speed

Vice Pro
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Targets better players seeking a lower trajectory and softer feel

• Less wedge spin compared to Pro Plus

• A firmer mantle and core boost energy transfer

Vice Pro Air
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Its low compression is designed for moderate swing speeds to produce less spin, more distance

• Higher compression than previous models increases launch on irons

Vice Pro Plus
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• For higher-swing-speed players focused on lowering driver spin

• Emphasis is on ball speed over full-wedge spin

• Two mantles for softer feel, reduced driver spin

Wilson Staff Model
$50 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$50

• The softer core helps to reduce spin on tee shots to boost distance

• Softest cast-urethane Wilson ball ever

• More penetrating trajectory than X

Wilson Staff Model X
$50 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
$50

• Its compression targets faster swings

• Expect more spin on full swings, more workability with the driver

• Soft cover promotes more green-holding spin

Wilson Triad
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4.5
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$40

• Low compression targets those ready to break 80

• The consistent density of its core, mantle and cover yields lower spin

• Balanced density also promises a truer roll

Non-Urethane

Bridgestone e6 Soft
$24 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$24

• The core is softer in the center for forgiveness and firmer on the outside for speed

• A larger core gives slower swingers a speed boost they desperately need

• The Surlyn cover offers durability

Bridgestone e12 Straight
$35 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$35

• A raised area in the center of each dimple results in more contact with the clubface, leading to better energy transfer at faster ball speeds

• The low-compression core reduces sidespin, especially on tee shots

Callaway ERC Soft
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$40

• With help from AI, a firmer mantle layer and softer core and cover were formulated for more distance and increased feel

• A special polymer cover and mantle material increase short-game spin

Callaway Supersoft
$25 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
$25

• A low-compression model that delivers a pillowy feel

• The lower compression also reduces excessive spin with longer clubs

• Nine design options, including colors and patterns

Maxfli Softfli
$20 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$20

• Low compression provides a cushiony feel while reducing sidespin for added accuracy

• A revised aerodynamic package produces a more stable and consistent ball flight

Maxfli Straightfli
$20 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$20

• A unique dimple design contributes to a more stable ball flight

• The soft ionomer cover enhances greenside spin for extra grab

• A reformulated core enhances rebound at impact

Srixon Q-Star
$28 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$28

• Lower compression to help boost flight with low-lofted clubs

• A flexible coating digs into wedge and iron grooves to maximize spin

• The dimple design promotes less drag and more lift to boost distance

Srixon Soft Feel
$25 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$25

• The core is soft in the center but gets firmer toward the perimeter for a soft feel without distance loss

• The cover delivers pleasing feedback on short-game shots

• Available in five colors

Titleist Tour Soft
$40 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$40

• A large, fast core provides soft feel and more distance off the tee

• The thin cover delivers enough spin for short-game control

• Low compression promotes a gentle feel at impact

Wilson Duo Soft
$23 | Golf Galaxy
4
HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$23

• Compression so low, it’s one of the softest balls in golf

• The core was made slightly smaller to accommodate the lower compression

• Designed for less spin off the tee