Every golfer knows how important it is to select the right golf ball for your game. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make a decision. But fear not, because in this blog post, TGW’s team reviewed and compared the best golf balls of 2023 from the biggest name to help you choose the perfect ball for your swing and playing style.
TGW Tour Performance Golf Ball Testing
What We Tested
For our test, we tested the top-of-the-line, Tour-performance golf balls from the top names in golf. The golf balls used for this test are:
How We Tested
All of the data was collected in the controlled indoor environment of the TGW Wichita Pure Performance Center. Testing was conducted with Rick Hatfield, TGW’s Master Fitter; who used a Foresight GC2 launch monitor to record numbers. We collected average spin rates for each of the golf balls with a driver, 7 iron, and a half-wedge shot as well as distance for each club.
Callaway Chrome Soft
The Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball is known for its soft feel and low compression, providing excellent distance and spin control. The 2023 version features a new graphene-infused dual softfast core for even better performance. The Chrome Soft is a great choice for players who prioritize feel and distance.
Driver: 256.4 yards average distance | 2,825 average backspin | 144.6 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 175.5 yards average distance | 4,856 rpm average backspin | 111.4 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 83.9 yards average distance | 10,212 rpm average backspin | 72.3 mph average ball speed
Callaway Chrome Soft X
The Chrome Soft X is the firmer counterpart to the Chrome Soft, providing a more penetrating ball flight and lower spin. This ball is perfect for players who have a fast swing speed and need a ball that can handle their power. The 2023 version of the Chrome Soft X also features a new graphene-infused dual softfast core for improved performance.
Driver: 269.5 yards average distance | 2,516 average backspin | 146.6 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 178.1 yards average distance | 5,542 rpm average backspin | 115.8 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 88.8 yards average distance | 10,658 rpm average backspin | 71.6 mph average ball speed
Callaway Chrome Soft X LS
The Callaway Chrome Soft X LS golf ball is a high-performance ball designed for players who prioritize distance and control off the tee. Its unique LS (Low Spin) technology helps reduce spin on drives, resulting in longer, straighter shots. The ball also features Callaway’s signature Dual SoftFast Core and graphene-infused mantle, which work together to produce faster ball speeds and increased greenside control. Overall, the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS golf ball is a top-performing option for golfers looking for a combination of distance and precision.
Driver: 262.6 yards average distance | 2,585 average backspin | 147.2 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 179.3 yards average distance | 5,063 rpm average backspin | 114.1 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 86.8 yards average distance | 9,981 rpm average backspin | 71.3 mph average ball speed
Srixon Z-Star
The Srixon Z-Star Golf Ball is a premium ball that offers exceptional performance in all aspects of the game. It has a soft feel and provides excellent spin on approach shots and around the green. The Z-Star has been updated for 2023 with a new cover and core design, resulting in longer distance and more control.
Driver: 264 yards average distance | 2,443 average backspin | 145.1 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 171.9 yards average distance | 5,055 rpm average backspin | 112.7 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 84.4 yards average distance | 10,285 rpm average backspin | 72 mph average ball speed
Srixon Z-Star XV
The Z-Star XV is the firmer counterpart to the Z-Star, providing a more penetrating ball flight and lower spin. This ball is perfect for players who have a fast swing speed and need a ball that can handle their power. The 2023 version of the Z-Star XV features a new cover and core design for improved performance.
Driver: 266.5 yards average distance | 2,542 average backspin | 145.8 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 176.8 yards average distance | 5,002 rpm average backspin | 114.1 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 89.8 yards average distance | 9,901 rpm average backspin | 71.4 mph average ball speed
TaylorMade TP5
The TaylorMade TP5 Golf Ball is a high-performance ball that provides exceptional distance, spin control, and feel. It features a new HFM (High-Flex Material) layer for increased ball speed and distance. The TP5 is a great choice for players who want a ball that can perform in all aspects of the game.
Driver: 271.1 yards average distance | 2,179 average backspin | 145.1 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 175.1 yards average distance | 5,733 rpm average backspin | 114.7 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 83 yards average distance | 10,789 rpm average backspin | 70.7 mph average ball speed
TaylorMade TP5X
The TP5X is the firmer counterpart to the TP5, providing a more penetrating ball flight and lower spin. This ball is perfect for players who have a fast swing speed and need a ball that can handle their power. The 2023 version of the TP5X features a new HFM (High-Flex Material) layer for improved performance.
Driver: 270.9 yards average distance | 2,413 average backspin | 147 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 177.4 yards average distance | 5,058 rpm average backspin | 114.4 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 77.8 yards average distance | 10,562 rpm average backspin | 66.5 mph average ball speed
Titleist Pro V1
The Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball is a tried and true favorite among golfers, and for good reason. It boasts exceptional distance, accuracy, and control. The 2023 version features a new casing layer and updated aerodynamics for even better performance. The Pro V1 has a soft feel and provides excellent greenside spin, making it a top choice for players who prioritize short game control.
Driver: 265.7 yards average distance | 2,039 average backspin | 142 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 171.6 yards average distance | 5,399 rpm average backspin | 112.1 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 89.2 yards average distance | 10,501 rpm average backspin | 71.6 mph average ball speed
Titleist Pro V1x
The Pro V1x is another excellent ball from Titleist that provides a slightly firmer feel and lower spin compared to the Pro V1. This ball is perfect for players who have a faster swing speed and need a ball that can handle their power. The Pro V1x has also been updated for 2023 with new casing layer and aerodynamics for improved performance.
Driver: 273.7 yards average distance | 2,135 average backspin | 145.8 mph average ball speed
7 Iron: 167.4 yards average distance | 5,659 rpm average backspin | 110.3 mph average ball speed
56° Wedge: 84.1 yards average distance | 10,865 rpm average backspin | 70.4 mph average ball speed
The Results
Choosing the right premium performance golf ball for you involves identifying the type of performance you’re looking for. We broke down different types of performance to help make that decision easier.
For the golfer who wants maximum short game spin
If you are looking to get the most control and spin around the greens with maximum stopping power, we recommend trying these golf balls that offered the most spin on average with a 56° wedge.
- Titleist Pro V1x – 10,865 rpm
- TaylorMade TP5 – 10,789 rpm
- Callaway Chrome Soft X – 10,658 rpm
For the golfer who wants distance with their irons
If you’re looking to squeeze more distance out of your iron game, we recommend these three golf balls which produced the highest average carry distance with a 7 iron during our testing.
- Callaway Chrome Soft X – 167.7 yards
- Srixon Z-Star XV – 167.3 yards
- TaylorMade TP5X – 167.1 yards
In addition to carry distance, reducing spin can also give you a boost in distance. If you are a high spin player and want to reduce spin with your irons, try these out.
- Callaway Chrome Soft – 4,856 rpm
- Srixon Z-Star XV – 5,002 rpm
- Srixon Z-Star – 5,055 rpm
For the golfer who wants distance off the tee
If you’re looking to add more distance to your drives, we recommend these three golf balls which produced the highest average carry distance with the driver during our testing.
- Callaway Chrome Soft X – 256.2 yards
- TaylorMade TP5X – 256.1 yards
- TaylorMade TP5 – 255.9 yards
In addition to carry distance, reducing spin can also give you a boost in distance. If you are a high spin player and want to reduce spin off the tee, try these out.
- Titleist Pro V1 – 2,039 rpm
- Titleist Pro V1x – 2,135 rpm
- TaylorMade TP5 – 2,179 rpm
In conclusion, selecting the right golf ball is essential for maximizing your performance on the course. The balls mentioned above are the best golf balls of 2023, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits. At TGW, we offer a wide selection of golf balls from all the top brands mentioned above, so you can find the perfect ball to take
