Best Golf Ball for Mid Handicap

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In the market for golf balls that are suitable for a mid handicap player? Good, because the best golf ball for mid handicap can take your game to the next level.

Maybe...

1. You have finally graduated from the beginner level. It is time for your golf balls to graduate as well.

2. The golf balls that you are currently using are starting to wear out. You just want to make sure that you get the best possible ones this time around.

Or

3. These are not for you. You are buying them as a gift for someone else who is a mid handicapper.

In many ways, navigating the golf ball market can be like navigating a minefield (best golf ball for seniors, best for beginners, high handicap, ...). Where we are presented with too many options, it is easy to end up with a product that is well marketed instead of the one that is best suited to our needs.

There is a reason why the advertising industry continues to grow year on year. It works. It can also be difficult to understand what you should be looking for when buying a golf ball that is related to a level of performance.

Here Are Our Best Golf Balls For Mid Handicap Players And Reviews (2020)

  1. Titleist Pro V1 (Best Overall)
  2. TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls (Best Distance)
  3. Volvik Vivid Golf Balls (Best Budget)
  4. TaylorMade TP5X (Best All Rounder)
  5. Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls

In A Hurry?

Perhaps a line up of 5 golf balls is not what you need. You may want something more straightforward.

With this in mind, we have been able to compare and contrast our top picks to see which one of them we would choose if we could only buy one. Based on their features, the good and the bad, we were able to select the ultimate golf ball.

For this accolade, we have selected the Titleist Pro V1

It is the quintessential ball for beginners and mid-handicap players alike. You will get a good distance off the tee. The performance on the green was also impressive.

There is a more detailed review below.

Our Test Winner After 40 + Hours Of Research:

Titleist Pro V1

Our Honest Star Rating

Why is it the BEST?

  • They provide good distance off the tee.
  • We loved how quickly they come to a stop when they drop on the green.
  • They have great consistency in flight.
  • They performed very well when putting.
97%
Our Score
Check Price Worldwide Golf Shop

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

25

RESEARCHED SOURCES

185

REVIEWS CONSIDERED

40 +

HOURS RESEARCHING

16

PRODUCTS COMPARED

Our Top 5 Best Golf Ball For Mid Handicap

We always aim to please. This is the motivation that caused us to spend countless hours researching various products to find which ones were the real deal.

Research alone does not quite cut it.

We also invested some time in product testing. This helps us to confirm what we have found in researching. You would be surprised at how often the data does not tally with the results that you get on the course.

The results on the golf course are what matters. No amount of data will make up for an under-par golf ball.

1. Titleist Pro V1 - TOP PICK

Titleist Pro V1

Our Honest Star Rating

Check Price Worldwide Golf Shop

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

Titleist is one of the leading golf brands in all sorts of product categories.

We are always excited to test their products. The Pro V1 is a two-piece golf ball.

It delivers both distance and flight. These usually go hand in hand. Where there is consistent flight, the ball speed counts for more.

Off the tee, you will note that there is very little spin generated on your long shots. The ball takes off at a rising, penetrating trajectory at an extremely fast speed.

When this is coupled with the flight, your ball goes that little bit further. They have a compression level of 90.

Once you land on the green, you will appreciate the drop-and-stop short game control. This allows you to not have your ball roll too far when it gets onto the green.

There is more predictability as well as more consistency in your drop shots. The balls have a soft exterior. They give good feedback on your shots.

The core of the ball is what Titleist have termed the Next Generation 2.0 ZG Process Core. It is designed to deliver longer distance off the tee. To do this, there is less spin and more ball speed.

The casing laser is made out of an ionomeric casing. This also contributes to speed. It also gives you back some of that control that is lost due to a reduction in. spin.

The 352 tetrahedral dimple design means less air pressure resistance due to a better overall aerodynamic design. The ball flight is more consistent.

Each box comes with 12 balls. They are divided into 4 packs that hold 3 balls each. You can choose between the standard numbers (1-4) or the higher numbers (5-8). These balls were released in 2017.

Pros

  • They provide good distance off the tee.
  • We loved how quickly they come to a stop when they drop on the green.
  • They have great consistency in flight.
  • They performed very well when putting.

Cons

  • There seem to be a lot of counterfeits doing their rounds - buying of Amazon helps!

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

2. TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls

TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls

Our Honest Star Rating

Check Reviews Worldwide Golf Shop

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

The Taylor Made Ultimate Distance+ Ball is created to deliver what the name suggests, taylor made golf balls for distance. 

You guessed it right. To achieve this they have used the React Core.

It is a core that has a low spin and high speed. It is reactive to the impact of your golf club. As such, it flies off the tee at top speed and a good trajectory.

The low spin off the tee also means that none of the energy that is generated from your swing is lost. Everything is transferred onto the ball to give you the desired results.

Once the ball is in flight, it benefits from a great aerodynamic design that gives it a low draw. The balls are made to cut through the air with as little air pressure resistance as possible.

There are 342 dimples on the surface of the ball that see to this cause. 

The cover of the ball is thin to ensure that your strikes penetrate straight to the core. This is another key feature where distance is concerned. Your short game will not be completely sacrificed for the sake of distance.

The ball is designed to have a soft feel on the green. This is why a two-piece construction makes sense. Each piece delivers on a key area of the game.

Each box will come with 12 balls. You can get them in either white or yellow. The yellow ones are a better pick when playing in conditions where visibility may be compromised.

Pros:

  • There are two colours to choose from.
  • The balls are reasonably priced.
  • The balls deliver on distance.
  • They flight straight.
  • There is a decent amount of control.

Cons:

  • They provide very little feel or both the long and short game.
Check Reviews Worldwide Golf Shop

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

3. Volvik Vivid Golf Balls

 Volvik Vivid Golf Balls

Our Honest Star Rating

*Don't forget to check the price on all 3 as some maybe running exclusive discounts.

There are not many balls that come close to the Volvik Vivid golf balls when it comes to visibility.

It is easy to trace the ball in flight as well as on the green. It comes in neon colours.

The balls fly straighter and are more consistent. On the outer layer is a vivid matte finish that has a soft feel.

When hitting the ball off the tee you will find that the balls achieve good distance for both the slow and the medium swing players.

It goes without saying that golfers with a faster swing speed will also get good distance. This is courtesy of the power core. It is made up of 3 pieces.

A compression rate of 80 gives the ball its long distance off the tee. There is very little spin on your long shots. You will not lose velocity on the strikes.

On the green, the balls have a great rate of stop and spin control. There is a good spin rate as well as flight. They have also put some effort into delivering accuracy off the putting shots.

If you are after a ball that delivers on both performance and overall with game management, this may be the one.

There are 12 balls in each box. You can choose between matte blue, matte sherbet orange, matte white, matte yellow, vivid green, vivid orange, vivid pink and vivid red.

Pros:

  • The ball delivers great distance off the tee.
  • It is a ball that offers incredible visibility in flight as well as on the green.
  • There are various vivid colours to choose from.
  • It is an easy ball to putt.
  • It has a soft feel on light shots.
  • The balls fly straight.

Cons:

  • The colour starts to wear off after a while.

4. TaylorMade TP5X

TaylorMade TP5X

Our Honest Star Rating

The TP5X is made up of 5 layers. This is a ball that is designed to deliver performance across the golf course.

There is a tri-fast core which is a system that TaylorMade designed to enhance ball compression.

It gives you more distance off the tee. The amount of speed that you get on impact will go a long way. The lack of spin on your long shots means that there is minimum energy loss. All of it is transferred from your club onto the ball to give you maximum speed.

On the outer part of the ball is the dual-spin cover. They have used a soft urethane layer together with a semi-rigid inner cover.

This makes goof connection between the ball and the groves on each of the clubs that you use. The result is better ball control on your shots. This is uniform between you wedge shots as well as your putts.

Once you get onto the green there is much less spin. This means that your ball will rise on impact. Enhanced trajectory always goes a long way. The previous version of this ball had slightly less trajectory and a softer feel than this one.

Other than that they are almost identical. There is less drag due to better aerodynamic technology. On the green, there is better drop and stop on all shots. The balls take higher flight and have a quicker descent which helps control the ball on the green.

There is a compression level of 90 on theses balls. The covers are much thinner which give you good feedback as you strike the ball. The thinner cover does not compromise on the durability of the ball.

Each box has 12 balls. Did we mention that you are in great company when using this ball? This is the same brand that Rory McIllroy uses. This version was released in 2016.

Pros:

  • The outer layer of the ball is very durable.
  • You will see the enhanced distance on your shots.
  • The balls fly straighter.
  • There is a higher trajectory when you strike the ball.
  • The drop and stop distance is good.

Cons:

  • They are on the higher end of the pricing scale.

5. Bridgestone E6 Soft Golf Balls

Bridgestone 2017 E6 Soft Golf Balls

Our Honest Star Rating

The e6 from Bridgestone is our final pick. It is sold as a soft ball that gives you good feedback and feel on your shots.

There is more feel when you are looking to hit a birdie.

Your level of accuracy also goes up over time as you get used to the feel and adjust your shots accordingly. We found it to deliver enhanced distance and accuracy off the tee.

The shots generally went further and flew straighter. There is an undeniable link between this performance and the characteristics of the ball. They have a very low spin on long drives. Which would explain why they fly straighter.

For your game on the green, the advanced mantle cover is great both on the fairway as well as when looking for that elusive putting shot. It is also an essential feature when looking to rescue yourself from the rough.

The outer layer of the ball is covered in Delta Dimple designs that deliver a much smoother penetration through the air. It reduces air pressure resistance against the ball when it is in flight.

This is a key feature in ensuring that your swing gets you more distance. The dimples also work to resist the popping up of wind on the surface. This helps the ball remain on a straight path.

This is a ball from a company that has been around since 1935. They tap into all sorts of rubber markets and manufacture some incredible products. These golf balls are one of those products.

You can get these balls in optical white or optical yellow. The yellow one is the preferred choice if visibility is one of the factors that you are considering.

Pros:

  • They provide very good distance on long shots.
  • They are ideal for mid-handicap and slow swing golfers.
  • They are reasonably priced.
  • They fly high and straight.
  • The performance on the green maintains some spin.
  • They have a yellow ball for enhanced visibility.

Cons:

  • The white balls are difficult to locate in the rough.

Best Golf Ball For Mid Handicap Buyer’s Guide

We have covered all 5 of our top picks. You should have at least one golf ball that you are leaning towards. The features have been covered in the reviews.

We aim to also ensure that you know enough about these products to be comfortable and confident in whatever decision you end up making. This is what our buyer’s guide will deliver. We are going to look at some of the most important aspects of these balls as well as the most asked questions related to them.

Standard or high numbered golf balls?

The numbers that are found on golf balls can be wildly confusing for beginners. This is mainly because they are. Standard golf balls usually come with numbers between 1-3.

Over the years we have seen more numbers coming onto the market. It is not uncommon to have a golfer put their birthday or age on their golf. The meanings, in this case, would then be personal to each golfer.

Other golfers have also used the numbers as a way of knowing which golf ball to use in what conditions. For instance, one can have their new balls as number 1. Once they have used these, they would know to move onto the number 2s. You could also have them number according to weather condition in which you know them to perform well. Your higher numbers might be for the cold or rainy days.

When is a golf ball unplayable?

If you find a golf ball that really delivers everything that you want it to deliver, it can be very difficult to know when it is time to move on to something else. The clearest sign that a ball is unplayable is when it cracks or splits. This is something that does not always happen. What do you look for if this does not come?

In this case, focus on performance. You can keep using a golf ball as long as it is delivering the results that you want it to. If you are still getting the distance, flight as well as the green-game, it is still playable.

What golf ball compression should I use?

There is no definitive answer to what compression you should use. The best place to start is by understanding what compression does for you. A golf ball that is highly compressed delivers more distance off the tee. This would mean that a player with a slower swing speed will be aided by the compression that the ball already has.

A player with high swing speed can generate their own compression on impact. As a result, they will not require as much compression on the golf ball as someone that has a slow swing speed.

In summary, if you want to get more distance off the tee, you will want as much compression as possible. Based on your swing speed, you can then decide whether you will be able to generate this compression on your own or benefit from a ball’s compression. If you have high swing speed, you will likely need little compression. If you have low swing speed, you will likely need more compression.

Why golf ball is not smooth?

Believe it or not, golf actually used to be smooth. The design that we have today was an accidental result. Golfers and manufacturers observed that their performances would progressively improve as the ball became more used. The scratching and roughing up of the outer layer was attributed to this improved performance.

As a result, the balls lost their smooth surface and became what we know them to be today. Nowadays they have dimples across the outer layer.

What are golf ball dimples?

Golf ball dimples are the tiny holes that make up the outer layer of each ball. This ties up with our previous point about losing that smoothness. The dimples are a part of aerodynamic technology that enables them to perform the way that they do.

From a scientific point of view, you would find that when an object is travelling through the air it is met with air pressure resistance. As the ball overcomes this resistance it leaves a pull behind it. This is known as drag. It is a phenomenon that pulls against the direction of motion.

Where there is more drag, the ball speed significantly decreases. Between the air resistance and the drag, your shots will count for much less than they would if these were mitigated. Enter the dimples!

Two approaches could have been taken to tackle this issue. Tackling laminar flow would have reduced drag.

Tackling turbulence flow would have reduced drag. Golf ball manufacturers went with the latter. The dimples on the golf ball close up the space between the ball and the turbulence. When the boundary layer is tubulated, there is much less drag.

The ball moves smoothly through the air. This aerodynamic design also helps with ball lift and flight. Your shots go further and have a steadier flight pattern.

How to hit golf ball higher?

Two factors determine the height that a golf ball will achieve. The first one is the golfer’s technique. The club that they use as well as the ball will play a part as well. We will first consider the technique.

To hit a high ball you will need to get your ball placement just right. It needs to be right between your legs when you are standing in your striking stance. This allows you to get a full-strength swing and follow through without any hindrance.

Depending on the golf club that you are using, the position at which you strike the golf ball also matters. When you hit the ball just in line, it will likely maintain and flatter trajectory. To get a higher ball, you want to get your golf club underneath the ball.

This is what will give it the lift.

As you complete your follow-through, the golf ball rises as well. The only thing that you may want to be cautious of is getting clean strikes. If you strike the ground as you swing, you will lose some momentum, but also not get the sort of contact that you would have envisioned. 

The golf club that you use will determine the amount of lift that you can get. You can usually tell by the loft angle that they have. Although hybrids are easier to strike with, they will be highly unlikely to give you the same lift that you can get from an iron. The length of the shafts means that you can generate more strength. This is a similar mechanism to that of a pulley.

How to backspin golf ball?

Backspin is a key skill to have and to utilise when you are on the green. It ensures that your ball does not go on a free fall and roll further than you would like it to. When you put backspin, the ball spins in the opposite direction from the one that it is travelling. This causes it to have a much shorter stopping distance.

The preparation for this shot is just as important as the execution. One could not go well without the other. Make sure that all of your ducks are in a row. The first thing is to make sure that your ball is dry.

This will ensure that the contact that it has with the club will be clean. Check the clubhead for any glass or other residual particles on the surface. A clean head will ensure a cleaner shot. This also means not using clubs that are worn out.

Your shot trajectory will also matter. Choose a golf club that gives the ball enough of a lift. The golf ball should be placed closer to your rear leg than the foreleg. This will give you more control without delivering as much distance as you would get when the ball is placed a little further forward.

When it comes to the execution, you want to hit the ball from underneath. This is one of the only shots where you can use the grass as a compass of sorts. You want to make contact with it as you strike the ball.

Your swing should start from right above your head and stop right in front of you. 

There is no need to seek the follow through. The impact should be made on the lower part of the golf ball. The ball will roll on the face of the club as it is launched. This is where the backspin begins.

Final Words

We have considered 5 incredible golf balls that are suitable for mid handicap players. They have each been covered in full. This includes all of their pros and cons. Be sure to take the time to go through them.

Our buyer’s guide will have also provided you with some information that will add value to your game as a whole, as well as to your knowledge in regards to these golf balls. Tie this knowledge together with what you will have found in the reviews.

No matter which one of the golf balls you end up with, we are confident that they will deliver your desired results. If in doubt, go with our top pick. Happy Golfing.