Switching to this golf ball can save you $438 per year – but should you?

I’ve worked out how much you could save by switching to direct-to-consumer golf balls and looked at the difference in performance compared to premium big-name balls.

Choosing the best golf ball to use is more complicated now than ever before.

It used to be that only a few manufacturers made genuine top-tier balls, and each brand typically only had one such model in their stable. But these days all the top brands have multiple tour-level models, and there are more companies competing in that sector than ever before. The old firm of Titleist, Callaway, Srixon, and TaylorMade have been joined by countless other ‘direct-to-consumer’ brands like Vice, Snell, Seed, and more. Then you’ve got supermarket balls like the Kirkland Signature V3 promising Pro V1 levels of performance for a third of the cost.

A bucket of golf balls of different makes.

Whilst the breadth of options makes choosing more difficult, there is an upside. The strength of competition means that some brands have been motivated to find ways to offer top-quality golf balls at a far lower price.

While a dozen Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls, for instance, will cost you $55/£50, there are models promising similar performance for significantly less money.

But is it a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ or can a ball that’s 47% cheaper really compete against the number one ball in golf?

That’s one of the questions we sought to answer in the recent Today’s Golfer Robot Golf Ball Test.

The test measured the performance of the leading premium balls alongside several direct-to-consumer golf balls to see whether you could save money without compromising on performance. The results, which we’ll come to shortly, were fascinating…

Direct-to-consumer golf balls are sent straight to your door.

What are direct-to-consumer golf balls?

The direct-to-consumer business model involves – you’ve guessed it – selling directly to the consumer. You order online and the product is sent straight to you. It means brands can make huge savings by not having their own retail premises or having to give a cut to golf stores or pro shops. DTC brands also don’t tend to pay big-money endorsement deals to tour pros.

They can pass those sizable savings on to the consumer, which is how they’re able to offer price points far lower than the traditional big-name brands.

The Loughborough University robot used for this test

How we tested the golf balls

The recent Today’s Golfer Robot Golf Ball Test used a $100,000 robot to test golf balls across every conceivable metric. Every ball was tested with a driver at three different swing speeds – 85mph, 100mph, and 115mph – and with a 7-iron and pitching wedge.

We know from years of experience that a robot is the only way to guarantee the consistency of strike required to isolate the one variable we are trying to test: the performance of the golf ball. Even the world’s best golfers can’t hit a ball exactly the same way, time after time, which brings in other variables. That’s why every golf manufacturer uses a robot when developing golf balls and it’s why we use a robot to test those golf balls head-to-head.

Thanks to the robot’s adjustability it’s possible to control lie angle, swing path, face angle, attack angle, impact location, hip rotation, and wrist action at swing speeds from 5 – 130 MPH. There simply isn’t a better swinger out there – not even among the world’s best golfers.

When picking the best golf balls, we use human testing – both on a launch monitor and on the course – to measure intangibles like sound and feel, but for pure data, a robot is a must-have.

Switching golf ball can make a big difference.

The best direct-to-consumer golf balls

You can peruse all of the Robot Test results here, but a couple of direct-to-consumer golf balls stood out in terms of performance, so it’s those I’ll focus on here.

The Vice Pro and Vice Pro Plus, and the Seed SD 01 and Seed SD 02, were right in the mix across all the key performance areas in the test. Let’s look in detail at how they performed in every area compared to the other balls tested.

Choosing the right golf ball will help get the most from your slow swing speed.

85mph driver

The Vice Pro Plus ranked second of all the balls tested for carry distance at the slowest swing speed. its 192.4-yard carry was only 1.2 yards behind the Wilson Staff Model, which was the longest at this speed, and 7.4 yards longer than the Srixon AD333, which was the shortest.

Ball Speed (MPH)Launch Angle (DEG)Backspin (RPM)Height (YDS)Descent Angle (DEG)Carry Distance (YDS)Shot Area (SQ YDS)
Wilson Staff Model124.6 (1)13.426573929.4193.6 (1)21
Vice Pro Plus124.2 (T3)13.3267038.729.1192.4 (2)15.9
Callaway Chrome Tour X124.2 (T3)132838 (Highest)3929.6192.1 (3)15.4
Wilson Staff Model X124.5 (2)12.8272238.728.6191.817.9
Seed SD 02124.2 (T3)13.3261538.528.7191.810.8 (3)
Seed SD 01123.913.5258338.428.9191.79.2 (1)
Titleist Pro V1123.813.525133828.4191.213.6
TaylorMade TP5123.913.3263738.428.7191.114.3
TaylorMade TP5x124.113.3256538.228.3190.917.8
Callaway Chrome Tour123.913.2263338.328.6190.810 (2)
Vice Tour123.913.6242837.828.1190.319.4
Titleist Pro V1x123.513.3264638.228.519015.5
Vice Pro123.413.3254837.828.2189.422.4
Snell Prime 3.0123.213.2264437.928.5189.236.6 (Largest)
Vice Pro Air12313.7247737.628.3189.230.8
Srixon Q-Star Tour123.413.6244237.62818926.6
Callaway Chrome Soft123.313.2262337.928.318929.3
Seed SD X1123.312.927073828.3188.916.7
Srixon Distance123.113.6235237.127.5187.629.1
Snell Prime 4.0122.913.3247637.227.6187.430.1
Snell Prime 2.0122.313.2267137.428.3186.912
Kirkland Signature V3122.312.9282237.728.8186.912.6
TaylorMade SpeedSoft12313.62236 (Lowest)36.526.7185.714.8
Srixon AD333122.713.2239836.626.818530.9
AVERAGE123.513.3257937.928.3189.719.7

The Seed SD 02 and SD 01 ranked fifth and sixth respectively for carry distance at this swing speed, while the Vice Pro was right in line with the test average.

Switching golf ball can add distance to your drives

100mph driver

All four models were above average for carry distance at this swing speed and very closely bunched, with less than a yard between them. They were a couple of yards behind the Callaway Chrome Tour X, which was the longest golf ball at this speed.

Ball Speed (MPH)Launch Angle (DEG)Backspin (RPM)Height (YDS)Descent Angle (DEG)Carry Distance (YDS)Shot Area (SQ YDS)
Wilson Staff Model X145.7 (1)13.1265251.334.5245.4 (1)33.3
Callaway Chrome Tour X145.4 (2)132832 (Highest)51.735.6245.1 (2)31.3
Callaway Chrome Tour145.1 (T3)13.6256750.934.6244.8 (3)41.3
TaylorMade TP5144.913.3270351.135.1244.317.9 (1)
Wilson Staff Model144.813.6258550.834.6244.320.3
TaylorMade TP5x145.1 (T3)13.5250650.63424427.4
Vice Pro Plus144.313.5260850.534.4242.830.7
Seed SD 02144.313.6253650.334.1242.744.1
Vice Pro144.313.6250150.333.9242.529.7
Seed SD 01143.813.6259750.334.4241.924.4
Snell Prime 4.014413.724735033.8241.818.9 (3)
Seed SD X1144.113.1267550.534.1241.718.1 (2)
Vice Tour144.113.7236549.633241.156.9
Titleist Pro V1x145.1 (T3)12.425395032.1240.623.7
Snell Prime 3.0143.413.8246249.633.7240.459.2
Callaway Chrome Soft143.713.3251449.833.4240.331
Titleist Pro V1144.812.4251949.831.9239.826.7
Vice Pro Air142.813.7253049.534239.329.8
Kirkland Signature V3142.713.228065034.9238.934.6
Srixon Q-Star Tour142.913.6245749.233.3238.760.3
Snell Prime 2.0141.913.5263849.334.2237.530.8
Srixon Distance143.712.7238348.831.3236.828.5
Srixon AD333142.613240048.331.623581.3 (Largest)
TaylorMade SpeedSoft142.113.62267 (Lowest)47.931.6234.831.9
AVERAGE14413.325465033.724134.7
Cameron Champ leads the PGA Tour in driving distance and strokes gained.

115mph driver

All four models again delivered above-average carry distance at this swing speed.

Ball Speed (MPH)Launch Angle (DEG)Backspin (RPM)Height (YDS)Descent Angle (DEG)Carry Distance (YDS)Shot Area (SQ YDS)
Callaway Chrome Tour X166.611.6215559.7 (Highest)32.8283.2 (1)31.2 (3)
Wilson Staff Model167.1 (2)11.4207959.331.9282 (2)50.5
Wilson Staff Model X167.2 (1)11.3208459.331.7281.7 (3)38.6
Callaway Chrome Tour166.511.3214059.231.928154.2
Seed SD 02165.811.421375932.1280.460.3
Vice Pro Plus166.311.5206458.831.7280.335.4
TaylorMade TP5x167 (3)11.120735931.2280.233.1
Vice Pro165.811.4210358.731.8279.540
Seed SD 01165.411.5212558.832.1279.530 (2)
Vice Tour165.511.5207258.431.8278.952.4
TaylorMade TP5164.811.7208058.332.1278.386
Titleist Pro V1165.911.2206658.331.1278.129.5 (1)
Titleist Pro V1x166.711.1204858.330.1277.974.6
Snell Prime 4.0165.311.3211158.331.4277.863.4
Snell Prime 3.0165.411.5202458.131.3277.5111.3
Seed SD X1164.711.3212458.131.527741.1
Kirkland Signature V3164.810.52296 (Highest)58.631.3276.645.1
Callaway Chrome Soft163.911.8207957.731.9276174.8 (Largest)
Snell Prime 2.0163.511.322265832275.7130.5
Vice Pro Air163.611.6208257.531.6275.260.3
Srixon Q-Star Tour163.611.7207757.531.6275.169.4
Srixon Distance164.711.4200057.330.7274.864.5
Srixon AD333162.711.4204756.530.6270.985.1
TaylorMade SpeedSoft161.711.71984 (Lowest)55.830.5269.133.3
AVERAGE165.211.4209558.331.5277.862.3

The Seed SD 02 ranked fifth of all models tested, closely followed by the Vice Pro Plus, Vice Pro, and Seed SD 01.

TG test pro Neil Wain hitting irons

7 iron

All four balls ranked in the top third for 7-iron carry distance and generated descent angles that matched or bettered the test average.

Ball Speed (MPH)Launch Angle (DEG)Backspin (RPM)Height (YDS)Descent Angle (DEG)Carry Distance (YDS)Shot Area (SQ YDS)
Srixon Q-Star Tour108.121.349853244.8156.5 (T1)7.2 (1)
Vice Pro Air107.621.54788 (Lowest)31.844.6156.5 (T1)15.1
Wilson Staff Model108.7 (1)21.1525632.145.2156.4 (3)13.3
Vice Tour107.921.4496731.944.9156.317.2
Seed SD 01108.5 (2)21531431.945.1155.89.5
Seed SD 02108.2 (T3)21.1518831.945155.837.1
Vice Pro107.721.1510331.744.7155.28.4
Vice Pro Plus108.2 (T3)21537931.745.1154.99.9
Snell Prime 4.0107.221.1497331.644.3154.810.5
TaylorMade TP5x10820.7546831.644.8154.213.4
Callaway Chrome Soft107.221.2517331.444.7154.118.5
TaylorMade SpeedSoft107.221.2518531.544.7154.141.4 (Largest)
Callaway Chrome Tour107.720.8538431.544.715410
Snell Prime 3.0106.921514531.344.4153.524.6
Srixon Distance10721530631.344.6153.138.7
Srixon AD333106.921.1527631.344.7153.129
TaylorMade TP5107.720.7567231.445152.916.6
Titleist Pro V1107.520.7559431.244.81528.2 (3)
Wilson Staff Model X108.120.3608431.345.2151.87.8 (2)
Snell Prime 2.0106.520.754613144.4151.48.7
Seed SD X1107.120.4577131.144.7151.315.8
Titleist Pro V1x107.120.458353144.71518.3
Callaway Chrome Tour X107.620.16193 (Highest)3144.9150.516.2
Kirkland Signature V310619.7610930.443.9147.817.2
AVERAGE107.520.9540031.444.7153.616.8

Descent angle is the key metric that determines how fast your ball stops when it lands on the green.  

Titleist Vokey Design SM10 Wedges

Pitching wedge

All four models delivered above-average carry distance and descent angles. Spin rates were a little below average, but that was mitigated by higher-than-average launch angles, which created a steep angle of descent to ensure shots stopped quickly upon landing.   

Ball Speed (MPH)Launch Angle (DEG)Backspin (RPM)Descent Angle (DEG)Carry Distance (YDS)L – R Dispersion (YDS)Shot Area (SQ YDS)
Callaway Chrome Tour X84.828.18080 (1)47.5104.91.32 (1)
Titleist Pro V1x84.327.98046 (2)47.2104.324.7
Kirkland Signature V383.827.78043 (3)46.8103.41.84.1
Wilson Staff Model X85.128.5798247.9105.41.93 (T2)
Vice Tour84.728.4792647.7104.91.63.1
Seed SD X184.628.7769247.8105.21.64.6
Titleist Pro V18428.7769147.61042.610.1
Srixon Distance83.628.7763647.5103.63.911.7
TaylorMade TP584.929761748.3105.71.86
Snell Prime 2.08428.3761747.3104.32.612 (Largest)
TaylorMade TP5x84.928.9760648.1105.738.1
Callaway Chrome Tour84.928.8748147.91061.86.4
TaylorMade Speedsoft84.229.2742048.1104.81.96
Wilson Staff Model84.829.4732948.4105.81.73.7
Srixon AD3338429.3730948104.52.810.5
Seed SD 018529.4727548.5106.32.14.2
Vice Pro Plus84.729.4725848.3105.82.25
Seed SD 0284.829.5717548.4106.13.98.2
Vice Pro84.729.3715948.3106.12.64.7
Callaway Chrome Soft84.629.6704048.4106.11.93.5
Snell Prime 3.083.929.4694748105.1311.7
Srixon Q-Star Tour84.730681048.7106.51.13 (T2)
Snell Prime 4.084.129.8668548.3105.92.47.9
Vice Pro Air8430.2661448.7106.41.63.1
AVERAGE84.529743548105.32.26.1

How much could you save?

A dozen Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x retails for $55/£50, which works out at $4.58/£4.17 per ball.

The price of the Vice and Seed balls varies depending on how many boxes you buy at once, but can be as little as $32.99/£29.99 for the Vice and $29/£25 for the Seed. That makes the Vice $2.75/£2.50 per ball and the Seed just $2.42/£2.08 per ball.

Switching from the Titleist Pro V1 or any similarly-priced premium golf ball to the Seed could therefore save you $2.16/£2.09 per ball, while a switch to Vice would save you $1.83/1.67 per ball. That might not sound like much, but it can really add up over the course of a year.

Our test has revealed the best golf ball for fast swing speeds.

Research shows that club golfers lose 1.3 balls per round, on average. You’ll know if you tend to get through more than that. I’m a 3-handicapper and I’d say the 1.3 average seems about right, plus I’ll occasionally have to retire a golf ball that’s become too scuffed from overuse or, more likely, having been knifed out of a bunker.

If you play once a week and lose 1.3 balls per round, you would save $146.02 across the course of a year by switching to the Seed ball.

If you play three times a week and lose 1.3 balls per round, you’d save $438.05/£423.85 per year by making the switch.

Plenty of golfers lose multiple balls each time they play. If you play three times a week and lose 3 balls per round, you’d save a whopping $1,010.88/£978.12 each year.

Choosing the Vice instead of the Seed would deliver slightly smaller but still significant savings.

Is this the perfect golf ball?

Should you switch to a direct-to-consumer golf ball?

The short answer is… it depends. If you want the absolute best performance possible, the data would suggest you look at the Callaway Chrome Tour X or perhaps the TaylorMade TP5x.

But the Seed and Vice balls aren’t far behind those premium balls in terms of performance and come in at significantly lower price points. If budget is no issue, by all means go for the top-price balls and eke out every possible ounce of performance. But it’s hard to say no to the Seed and Vice when you can make a significant saving and play balls that are such a close match. Especially when you could potentially invest the money saved in other parts of your golf equipment and see bigger gains than you’d get from a more expensive golf ball.

Expert rating:

3.5

Pros

  • The most consistent golf ball in our 2024 robot test
  • Great value for money compared to other premium golf balls
  • Competitive distance at varying swing speeds

Cons

  • Not as good as the Vice Pro Plus
  • Limited feedback from every shot
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Versatility
    4.0
  • Tee to Green Performance
    3.5
  • Feel and Response
    3.0
Construction 3-piece
Cover Urethane
Dimples 318
Feel Medium
Flight Mid
Long game spin Mid-low
Short game spin Mid
Color options White; Lime
Alternative models Pro Drip; Pro Shade
  • Ultra thin cast urethane cover
  • Surlyn grade mantle
  • Size-optimized High Energy Speed Core (HESC)

Expert rating:

4.0

Pros

  • A very consistent golf ball
  • Solid performance from tee to green
  • Brilliant value for a premium product
  • A versatile model that works for ranging swing speeds

Cons

  • A slightly muted feeling and limited feedback
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Versatility
    4.5
  • Tee to Green Performance
    4.0
  • Feel and Response
    3.5
Construction 4-piece
Cover Urethane
Dimples 336
Feel Firm
Flight Mid-high
Long game spin Mid-low
Short game spin Mid-high
Color options White; Lime
Alternative models Pro Plus Drip; Pro Plus Shade
  • Ultra thin cast urethane cover
  • Versatile magnesium ionomer outer mantle
  • Surlyn grade inner mantle
  • Lightweight speed core

Expert rating:

4.5
Price: $29.00 / £25.00

Pros

  • Fantastic tee to green performance
  • Highly durable (easily gets through a full round)
  • Solid response and pleasant feel
  • Outstanding value for money
  • Works well for a wide range of golfers

Cons

  • Not sold in as many places as the game's best-sellers
  • Durability
    4.5
  • Versatility
    4.5
  • Tee to Green Performance
    4.5
  • Feel and Response
    4.5
Construction 3-Piece
Cover Urethane
Dimples 336
Feel Soft
Flight Mid-high
Long game spin Low
Short game spin Mid-high
Color Options White; Yellow; Orange
  • SpeedSpeed core
  • Ultra-thin urethane cover
  • Responsive mantle layer

Expert rating:

4.5
Price: $29.00 / £25.00

Pros

  • Amazing versatile golf ball that works for a wide range of golfers
  • Good distance off the tee
  • Consistent ball flight
  • Incredible value for money
  • Durable and responsive urethane cover

Cons

  • A lower ball flight compared to other X-model golf balls
  • Durability
    4.5
  • Versatility
    5.0
  • Tee to Green Performance
    4.5
  • Feel and Response
    4.5
Construction 4-piece
Cover Urethane
Dimples 336
Feel Medium
Flight Mid
Long game spin Low
Short game spin Mid-high
Color options White
  • High energy rubber core
  • Ultra thin DuPont Surlyn mantle
  • DuPont HPF inner cover
  • Soft cast urethane cover

The downside

To get the lowest prices, you have to buy these direct-to-consumer balls in bulk. If you’re never tried them before, committing to five dozen is a big step. It might be wise to buy one box and check you like them before buying in bulk. Yes, you’ll pay a little bit more for that first box, but still less than a Titleist Pro V1 or similar, and it’s better than getting a great deal on 60 golf balls and then deciding they’re not for you.

About the author

Rob McGarr is a freelance writer who produces regular content for Today's Golfer.

Rob McGarr – Contributing Editor

Rob has been a writer and editor for over 15 years, covering all manner of subjects for leading magazines and websites.

He has previously been Features Editor of Today’s Golfer magazine and Digital Editor of todays-golfer.com, and held roles at FHM, Men’s Running, Golf World, and MAN Magazine.

You can follow him on YouTube where – depending on what day of the week it is – he’ll either be trying his best to get his handicap down to scratch or shoving his clubs in a cupboard, never to be seen again.

Rob is a member at Royal North Devon, England’s oldest golf course, where he plays off a three-handicap.

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