The Best Cheap Golf Balls Actually Worth Playing in 2024

Here’s a scenario most golfers have gone through at least once: You come to a par-3 over water, chunk your tee shot, re-tee only to do the exact same thing. Determined to get over the water, you nearly top your third attempt, watching it skim over the water, hoping somehow it gets to the other side. It does not.

At this point, you’re not worried about your score. That was ruined with the first two balls in the water. No, you’re probably thinking you’d like to at least play out the hole. More importantly, you might be calculating the cost of a sleeve of balls. If you just lost three Titleist Pro V1s, you’re looking at about $15. But, if it’s a sleeve of Top-Flite XLs, you’re talking $4 max, which makes this disaster a lot easier to stomach. That also makes it less likely that you’re going to give up golf.  That’s when it’s great to play a cheap golf ball.

The truth of the matter, however, is that the vast majority of golfers are going to shoot the same scores with cheap golf balls as with expensive ones. Heck, they might score better with the bargains, because again, you’re not worried about the monetary hit if you lose them in the woods or the water. Maybe you swing freer with those cheap balls. (How many golfers do you know who have special scuffed-up “water” balls they like to use on shots across the water?)

But which cheap balls should you buy? And are they all created the same?

The answer to the second question is no, they are definitely not all the same. Incredibly, you can get a dozen three-piece, tour-like urethane balls for under $20 if you buy the Kirkland Signature balls from Costco. 

As for which ones are right for you, it depends on what you’re looking for in your game. Some cheap balls are simply designed for durability and distance. Many of the recommended cheap balls have just enough softness to give them some feel around the greens. If you’re looking to spend as little as possible on golf balls, but still want quality worth playing, then there’s a ball on this list that’s right for you.

Here are nine recommendations for the cheapest golf balls you should actually play. The most expensive ball is about $23 a dozen, and many of these are under $20, which helps you come up with enough spare change to either pay off a bet or buy a beverage after your round.

TaylorMade knew what it had when it sold Maxfli to Dick Sporting Goods but elected to retain the Noodle (perhaps Maxfli's biggest hit of all time). Simply put, the Noodle, which came out around the time of the Pro V1 almost 25 years ago, is a classic with a long following.

One comment on TaylorMade’s website read, “Please don’t ever stop making these balls...” The name alone is brilliant, referring to exactly what it is – a soft golf ball that might feel a little like a noodle, but it’s plenty long for most players. It has 342 dimples for great carry and an ultrasoft 34 compression core.  I must confess, I’ve used the ball from time to time over the years and found it more than adequate. And at a buck a ball, how can you go wrong?

If you’re looking for a lot of distance for your buck, the Vice Drive is a great choice at $15 a dozen. It has a low-compression Energy Speed Core that helps players with slower speeds get the most out of their swings.

The low-compression core also gives it a relatively soft feel, which is a bonus. While it won’t spin back like a premium tour ball, of course, it will stop on the greens if you compress your shots. A high ball flight helps with that, too.

Any roundup of inexpensive golf balls worth buying has to include Pinnacle. In fact, two Pinnacle models made our list, and they really are decent balls for mid- to high-handicappers. Still manufactured by Acushnet, the same company that brings you Titleist, these balls aren’t afterthoughts; there is some real R&D that goes into them.

With that said, the Pinnacle Rush is a fast ball. It has a high-energy core and a very durable 332-dimple cover, so you can play these over and over again and they soar through the air as well as any ball on the market.

What’s the difference between the Pinnacle Rush and Pinnacle Soft? Probably not much, but if you’re looking for distance with a little more feel, the Soft is the better choice. 

It has the 332-dimple cover so it will spin less on drives, giving you the most distance. The core, however, is softer than in the Rush, which gives it more feel and perhaps better stopping power. In either case, the price is right at $20 for 15 balls.

Hands down, the Kirkland Signature ball from Costco is the best value in golf. We could debate its quality control a bit, but to get a ball with tour-level characteristics – high spin around the greens, urethane cover, and very good distance off the tee – for less than $35 for two dozen is ridiculous. 

I’ve played the latest version of this ball, and if they were all the same price, I wouldn't choose it over a Callaway Chrome Soft or Titleist Pro V1. The performance it for my game, however, is comparable, and for the money, it hurts a lot less when I spray a Kirkland off the tee into oblivion. 

By the way, you don't have to be a Costco member to purchase these since they are also available on Amazon at only a slightly higher price.

If you haven’t heard of Cut Golf, and you’re looking for some inexpensive options, you might want to check out their golf balls. The more you order, the more you save. For this article, we chose the company’s cheapest golf ball, the Cut Red, which is $16 a dozen, but goes down to $13 a dozen when you order five dozen. At that price, fire all the mulligans you want, right?

Seriously, though, the Cut Red is a two-piece ball with a durable cover and a nice aiming line for putts. The company also offers some three-piece urethane options – the Blue and the Gray, and those are both just $25 or so a dozen.

You’ll find the Srixon Feel on lots of lists because of its value and all-around performance. It’s a great ball for seniors and for mid-handicappers. While it doesn’t spin like the premium Srixon Z-Star, it’s more than adequate around the greens. I’ve played this ball for years and have never had any trouble getting it to check up on the greens, whether it’s from a short pitch or an approach shot.

It has a very large responsive core and soft ionomer cover. The core accounts for the distance characteristics of the ball, which are great for players in 85 mph to 95 mph range, while both the soft core and cover account for its feel.

Like Pinnacle, Top-Flite has to be on a list for value golf balls, and yes, the Top-Flite XL still exists. No longer a part of Spalding or Callaway, Top-Flites are made overseas like many golf ball brands, but they’re still true to their DNA as a golf ball that simply goes far, won’t bruise too easily, and is easy on the wallet.

We like the XL Distance Color Blast pack, two dozen of which go for $25. It’s fun with four different colors – red, yellow, green, and orange – like Easter eggs. And if you’re a high handicapper who has to run the ball to the green anyway, this is a great choice.

Wilson claims the Duo Soft is the world’s softest golf ball, so it should be great for feel and distance. The soft core helps you get the most out of a slower swing speed, and that softness also gives it feel. 

Will you spin shots back on the green with these? Probably not, but it should stop if you bring it in high enough.

This is also a very straight ball, so if you tend to slice, this ball can help straighten you out. The Wilson Duo comes in white, green, yellow, orange, and red.