Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a golf professional and +1 handicap I find it incredibly interesting the way that a golf ball can impact my game. I’ve played almost my whole golf career with a Titleist Pro V1. However, at one point, I decided to test out some other balls on the golf course to see what they did for my game. The differences are truly amazing. Enough that I can tell you that the golf ball you play with actually matters. A low compression ball is typically a little too soft for my swing, but sometimes, I find a winner.
I’ve been testing a lot of golf balls in the last few years and thought it might be helpful for you to see which are the best low compression golf balls I’ve come across. I’ve tried all of these golf balls on the course.
What are the best low compression golf balls?
Of all the low compression golf balls I’ve tested, my favorites are the Vice Pro Soft, TaylorMade Soft Response, Titleist TruFeel, and the Srixon Soft Feel.
You will find that each of these golf balls has a softer feel but still allows for higher ball speed and plenty of distance.
The table below lists 15 lower-compression golf balls, their estimated compression rating, and the number of pieces each has.
You’ll notice that most lower compression balls have 2 or 3 pieces. With fewer layers, it’s easier to compress the golf ball.
One quick note: the “estimated” compression rating is because some golf manufacturers stopped publishing the exact rating of their golf balls. They will tell you that a ball is low or high compression.
However, if their ball had a 65 compression and another manufacturer had a 60 compression, they didn’t want that to hurt them, so they didn’t publish. These golf balls have low enough compression to do the trick for anyone seeking low-compression golf balls.
| Golf Ball Model | Estimated Compression Rating | Number of Pieces |
| Callaway Supersoft | 40 | 2 |
| Titleist Tour Soft | 65 | 2 |
| Wilson Duo Professional | 60 | 3 |
| Bridgestone e12 Soft | 50 | 3 |
| TaylorMade Noodle Long / Soft | 35 | 2 |
| Mizuno RB 566 | 70 | 2 |
| Srixon Soft Feel | 60 | 2 |
| Wilson Duo Optix | 30 | 2 |
| Callaway ERC Soft | 60 | 3 |
| Cut Red | 60 | 2 |
| Bridgestone Tour B RX | 65 | 3 |
| Vice Pro Soft | 35 | 3 |
| TaylorMade Project (s) | 60 | 3 |
| TaylorMade Soft Response | 70 | 3 |
| Titleist TruFeel | 60 | 2 |
Who Should Play With A Low Compression Golf Ball?
The general rule of thumb is that slower swing speed players should play with a low compression golf ball. With lots of testing and data, we now know this model is imperfect. Low compression or soft golf balls tend to have good distance off the tee (not the best), strong distance on iron shots, and minimal spin around the greens.
In addition, low compression golf balls are less costly.
Therefore, these are the players that will benefit most from lower compression golf balls . .
- Slower swing speed players seeking more distance on their iron shots
- Senior golfers that prefer a softer feel coming off the face of the club
- Women golfers who want long distances on their approach shots to the green
- Any golfer looking for an affordable golf ball
- Golfers in cold weather conditions who need a little extra help with distance in the cold
Best Low Compression Golf Balls- After On Course Testing
Lower compression golf balls are not necessarily known for being premium golf balls. I’ve mentioned that I prefer 3- and 4-piece premium urethane cover balls when I’m playing tournaments or competitive golf.
However, if I’m playing casually and want low-compression golf balls in play , these are the four I go for. The Vice Pro Soft is the one to which I give the top rank, but even this golf ball has some downsides.
Vice Pro Soft– Best Overall
Vice does a great job of combining its low compression core with a soft exterior. Vice golf balls are a great choice on a budget, but this Vice Pro Soft will cut if you have a high swing speed. Go with something like the Tru Feel or Soft Response if you are a golfer with a high speed and sharp angle of attack.
Around the greens, the Vice Pro Soft is a great low compression golf ball. The soft cover also almost feels a little tacky, like it grabs the clubface.
- 3 Piece cast urethane cover ball construction with extra-thin cover for high short game spin
TaylorMade Soft Response– Best Spin
The TaylorMade Soft Response is a 70 compression, three piece golf ball. I like the feel of these, although I do prefer the Tour Response a little better. On approach shots, the soft response can offer too much spin. When compared to premium balls with higher compression, the greenside spin is still not great, but fast swing speeds should be able to control it a little.
- INCREASED VOLUME RATIO plus INCREASED DIMPLE COVERAGE = ADDITIONAL FLIGHT
Titleist Tru Feel– Best Distance
Distance and energy transfer are actually easier to create off the tee when playing with high compression balls. That’s why the Pro V1 is so good, even for the slower swing speed players when it comes to tee shots.
However, the Tru Feel is long. When I tested this ball on the course, it traveled far, further than any other ball on the low compression list. For full swing approach shots to the green, the spin rates are high; short game shots, the spin is just alright.
It’s got a cheaper look than the other Titleist premium golf balls. However, it’s also a lot less money.
Srixon Soft Feel– Best Feel
The Srixon Soft Feel is one of the golf balls most heavily marketed to the senior golfer. The softer feel of the Srixon is quite good for high handicappers trying to develop some feel around the green.
It’s not super long off the tee, but you get some great distance on iron shots. Don’t confuse the soft feel with high spin rates around the greens.
The Srixon Soft Feel does not have a high spin rate around the green.
- Must buy 2 or 4 dozen for special Father’s Day promotion
What Is Considered a Low Compression Golf Ball?
A golf ball with less than 75 compression is considered a low compression golf ball. Some golfers will set the bar at 80 and below, but you can see from the table above there are many golf balls in the 60 and under range, which are clearly in the low compression range.
How Does A Low Compression Golf Ball Impact Your Golf Game?
What’s more important than which low compression golf ball is the best . . .
How a low compression golf ball will impact your golf game. Many players are looking for great feel, others extra distance on approach shots. Before investing in a golf ball with a soft core known for its lower compression, make sure you pick something that matches your ball’s flight, skill level, and budget.
| Effect of Low Compression Golf Ball | Consideration for Golfers |
| Distance | Can sometimes increase distance for slow swing speeds, mostly seen in iron shots |
| Feel and Control | Softer feel off the face, especially on the shorter shots and putts |
| Trajectory | Higher launch trajectory |
| Spin | Lower spin off the tee, average on approach shots, lower on short shots |
| Forgiveness | Reduced sidespin, minimizes hooks and slices |
Low Compression vs. High Compression Golf Ball Comparison
To determine if a low compression vs. a high compression golf ball is a better pick for you, it helps to compare the technology and performance of two popular models. Here, I looked at the Titleist Pro V vs. the Srixon Soft Feel. The Titleist Pro V1 is known for being a tour-level premium ball. The Srixon Soft Feel is sold as a solution for slower swing speed amateur players.
| Feature / Aspect | Srixon Soft Feel (Low Compression) | Titleist Pro V1x (High Compression) |
| Compression Rating | Lower (around 60) | Higher (about 90) |
| Ideal Swing Speed | Slower to Mid Swing Speeds | Mid to Faster Swing Speeds |
| Feel | Softer feel | Firmer feel |
| Distance Off the Tee | Good, optimized for slower speeds | Excellent, maximized for faster speeds |
| Control on Green | Soft feel but very little control | Superior control and spin |
| Spin | Lower spin off the tee | High spin overall |
| Flight Trajectory | Higher launch trajectory | Consistent and penetrating flight |
| Suitability | Beginners, seniors, moderate swingers | Advanced, low-handicap golfers, players seeking distance from the tee and high greenside spin |
| Price Range | Around $25 | Around $55 |
When Is It Time To Switch To A Low Compression Golf Ball?
Beginner golfers and high handicappers often find themselves with lower compression golf balls because they were told it’s better for their game. The biggest reason I would switch to a low compression golf ball would be losing distance on your approach shots. If you are playing a high compression golf ball and just can’t get it to the green anymore, a low compression ball may be better.
You’ll find getting the ball up in the air easier, so it should also stop on the green a little quicker because of the high ball flight.
Yes, there’s a chance you’ll lose a few yards from the tee, but not enough to really have it be a huge difference for you.
Finally, for slower swings, sometimes a high compression golf ball around the greens just feels like a rock. If that’s the case for you, look for the lowest compression golf balls and see if it’s a better fit. Pay close attention to your yardages; if you lose too much, move to a slightly harder ball.
Conclusion
The most important takeaway here is that low compression golf balls sometimes go further for slow swing speed players. However, when we took all of these golf balls on the course, the patterns were there. The lower compression golf balls fly a little straighter off the tee, yet a few yards shorter. They also have a slightly higher ball flight and some added distance on approach shots. Around the green, you’ll get a soft feel, but NOT more spin. Let us know which golf balls you ended up playing with.
