Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers: Elevate Your Play

In this round-up, I will break down my top picks for best golf balls for mid handicappers. 

The mid handicapper range in golf is generally from 11 to 20.

My game, being mid handicapper status, needs the right combination of distance and control. With typically varying swing speeds, in the 95-100 mph range (if I am REALLY dialing it up) I need a golf ball that complements that swing.

My number 1 ranked ball for mid handicappers is:

TaylorMade TP5x

The TaylorMade TP5x is my top choice for mid-handicap golfers due to its advanced design features that balance the need for distance, control, and feel. 

The TP5x incorporates a 5-layer construction with a high-flex material and a Tri-Fast Core that delivers exceptional speed and distance. It is well-suited for mid-handicap players looking to optimize their long game performance. 

The ball's soft cast urethane cover enhances control and feel, specifically on approach shots and around the greens.

Best Features:

• Exceptional speed and distance

• Soft cast urethane cover for enhanced control and feel

• High-flex material for improved energy transfer and overall performance

• Consistent flight and trajectory 

Here is the rest of the ‘Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers’ list:

2. Bridgestone e6

3. Srixon Soft Feel 

4. Titleist Tru Feel

5. TaylorMade Tour Response

6. Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track

7. Titleist AVX

Bridgestone e6

Not surprisingly, the Bridgestone e6 makes a list of top golf balls. My affinity for Bridgestone is something I won’t deny; I think they make great golf balls, and I enjoy using them often.  

The e6 demonstrates favorable responsiveness in the short game around the greens, providing added comfort and ease for such shots.

The Bridgestone e6 golf ball is known for its forgiving nature, particularly regarding mishits. It is well-suited for individuals with slower swing speeds. 

The ball's lower compression and soft feel, attributed to its core design, contribute to its suitability for slower swings. 

Best Features:

• Low-compression core aiding in distance.

• Straight ball flight.

• Soft feel and excellent short game control

Srixon Soft Feel

The Srixon Soft Feel golf ball is distinguished by its FastLayer Core. It features a soft center that seamlessly transitions to a firmer outer edge. 

Moreover, the energy gradient growth core of the Soft Feel contributes to increased ball speed while preserving its characteristic softness, providing mid-handicap golfers with the ideal balance of distance and feel.

The ball's soft and thin cover promotes increased spin and a softer sensation, particularly during pitches, chips, and putts around the greens. It enables mid-handicap golfers to finesse their short game with precision. 

Best Features:

• Exceptional softness.

• Impressive distance off the tee.

• Great greenside spin control.

Titleist TruFeel

The Titleist TruFeel golf ball is another excellent choice for mid-handicap golfers, offering a perfect blend of feel and distance on the course. Boasting the title of the softest Titleist golf ball, the TruFeel features a low compression TruFlex cover, delivering enhanced short game control that rivals the performance of other top golf balls. 

The TruFit aerodynamics ensure a consistently stable flight, providing mid-handicap golfers with the confidence to navigate various course conditions. 

Moreover, the ball's excellent greenside control facilitates easier putting and chipping, further enhancing the overall performance.

Best Features:

• Ultra-soft feel of the ball provides a great experience while playing.

• Designed with a faster core, aiding in distance

• Excellent greenside control

TaylorMade Tour Response

This ball was my number one pick for golfers with slower swing speeds and made the list for mid handicappers.

The TaylorMade Tour Response has a total compression of 70, primarily attributed to the ultra-low 40 compression core and the soft urethane cover. This unique construction results in a remarkably soft feel, particularly noticeable when playing around the greens, enabling better spin and control for mid-handicap players. 

In addition to its core and cover, the ball's construction incorporates innovative elements such as the HFM Speedmantle, Tour Flight Dimple Pattern, and crosslinking chemical reaction utilized in the urethane formation, enhancing shear resistance and ensuring excellent durability. 

This construction not only maintains the quality of the golf ball but also assists in delivering consistent distance, a crucial factor for mid-handicap golfers seeking reliability in their game.

Best Features:

• Soft feel allows for better contact and control.

• Low compression core helps speed and distance.

• Advantageous putting alignment strip on the Tour Response Stripe version.

Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track

The Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track golf balls are an excellent choice for mid-handicap golfers due to their combination of distance, control, and alignment assistance. 

The ball's features make it well-suited for mid-handicap players looking to optimize performance on the course. 

Best Features:

• Enhanced distance performance

• Consistent control and spin around the greens

• Triple Track alignment technology for improved putting accuracy

• Soft feel and forgiveness on off-center hits

Titleist AVX

The Titleist AVX golf ball is well-suited for mid-handicap golfers due to its advanced technology and design, offering a combination of distance, control, and feel. 

The ball incorporates innovative features such as a high-flex casing layer, GRN41 cast thermoset urethane cover, and a spherically-tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design. 

These elements contribute to lower long game spin for increased distance and a penetrating ball flight, while also providing enhanced control and feel on approach shots and around the greens. 

Best Features:

• High-flex casing layer for lower long game spin

• GRN41 cast thermoset urethane cover for enhanced control and feel

• Spherically-tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design for a penetrating ball flight

• Soft feel and forgiveness on off-center strikes

Key Features of Mid-Handicap Golf Balls

Core Composition and Ball Speed

Core Composition: The core of a golf ball is instrumental in determining the speed and energy transfer from the club. 

For mid-handicappers, a ball with a low-compression core is ideal, as it requires less force to compress and consequently can travel faster after impact, aiding those with moderate swing speeds.

Ball Speed: Maintaining a high ball speed is essential for distance. Golf balls like the TaylorMade Tour Response use advanced materials in their core construction, allowing impressive ball speed yet maintaining a soft feel.

Aerodynamics and Dimple Design

Aerodynamics: The golf ball's cover and overall aerodynamic design are critical in reducing drag and enhancing lift. By achieving a balance, we get a stable and piercing ball flight even in windy conditions, resulting in more consistent distances on full shots.

Dimple Pattern: Dimple design, which contributes to a ball's aerodynamic properties, varies significantly among models.

Greenside Spin and Control

Greenside Spin: For the short game, spin separates good shots from great. A ball with a urethane cover has quality greenside spin for precise stopping power on the greens.

Greenside Control and Side Spin: Maintaining control around the greens is paramount for scoring.

Features like the Callaway ERC Soft Triple Track's alignment aids assist in not only putting but also in reducing side spin on chip and pitch shots, allowing for better control and accuracy.

Golf Ball Construction Types

Understanding 2-Piece vs. 3-Piece Construction

The 2-piece golf ball is characterized by a large, solid inner core and a durable outer cover. This simple construction is designed for:

• Durability: The robust outer cover resists cuts and abrasions.

• Distance: A large core leads to explosive energy transfer and longer drives.

Conversely, 3-piece golf balls balance control, feel, and distance. These have:

• A solid rubber core or liquid core.

• An enhanced rubber or liquid-produced middle layer.

• A soft urethane or Surlyn cover.

With a 3-piece construction, golfers might notice:

• Enhanced spin control: The additional layer provides better spin separation.

• Improved feel: Softer covers yield a more responsive feel on the greens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What characteristics define the best golf balls for players with a 15-20 handicap?

The best golf ball for a 15-20 handicap should offer a balanced performance, enhancing distance and control. It should feature a construction that promotes moderate spin, allowing for better shot shaping while still being forgiving of off-center hits.

Any of the balls on the list would be great for a 15-20 handicap. 

How does swing speed, particularly around mid 90 mph, affect the choice of golf ball for mid handicappers?

A swing speed around mid 90 mph is indicative of a mid handicapper who will benefit from a ball that is designed for their swing speed range. 

These golfers should look for a ball that maximizes energy transfer for distance while providing sufficient spin for greenside control.

What is the ideal compression level in a golf ball for a mid handicap golfer?

Mid handicappers typically fare best with lower or medium compression golf balls, which balances softness for feel and firmness for distance. 

These compression levels suit the varying swing speeds and aid in achieving a consistent ball flight.

Back to more Golf Ball Reviews

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