Best Golf Balls of 2013

Callaway HEX Chrome

Produced with exceptional durability in mind, the HEX Chrome is what Callaway is calling their best 3-piece urethane ball the company has ever put out to market. Utilizing Callaway’s patented HEX Aerodynamics the HEX Chrome has a dimple pattern that provides 100% surface area coverage (apposed to 88% with most traditional balls.) The HEX Chrome also come equipped with a Duraspin outer layer for improved spin and durability. While its S-Tech Core was engineered to create soft feel and generate maximum distance for golfers with mid-level swing speeds.

Feel…………………..9.3
Spin…………………..9.3
Roll……………………9.7
Distance……………..7.9
Consistency……….. 8.7

Overall: (44.9 out of 50) We recommend the HEX Chrome from Callaway to both recreational and advanced golfers who are looking for impressive spin, dead accurate rolls on the green and some truly impressive durability that will keep these golf balls in-play all season long.

Buy: $35.99 or go to: CallwayGolf.com

Titleist Pro V1

The golf ball that needs no introduction… and for 2013 the Pro V1 has been re-engineered to deliver more of what you’d expect, including – exceptional distance, consistent flight, truly soft feel, “Drop-and-Stop” greenside spin control and lasting durability. This 3-layer ball utilizes an improved Urethane Elastomer cover, as well as responsive ionomeric casing layer and a new softer compression core with ZG process core technology.

Feel…………………..9.6
Spin…………………..9.5
Roll……………………9.7
Distance……………..8.7
Consistency……….. 8.9

Overall: (46.4 out of 50) We recommend the Pro V1 from Titleist to golfers of all levels. The numbers don’t lie! Throughout our testing the Pro V1 proved it can truly improve your game with amazing spin control capabilities, impressive distance and feel. There’s a reason the Pro V1 is the #1 ball on tour currently and our testing has the proof to back it up. This is an terrific all around golf ball suited for golf of all skill levels.

Buy: $47.99 or go to: Titleist.com

Srixon Z-Star

Available in both Pure White and Tour Yellow, the new Z-STAR from Srixon utilizes a proprietary urethane cover for additional spin control without dramatic distance loss. This multilayered ball was engineered for extremely soft feel/touch and wicked spin for short game gurus. Its 324 aerodynamic dimple design, combined with the large Energetic Gradient Growth core is said to produce penetrating ball flight that cuts straight through the wind.

Feel…………………..9.5
Spin…………………..9.2
Roll……………………8.4
Distance……………..8.6
Consistency……….. 7.4

Overall: (43.1 out of 50) The Srixon Z Star is a performer, no questions asked. Our testing staff was presently surprised with this ball’s incredible feel and impressive RPMs around the greens. We’ve certainly tested balls with better overall distance and consistency, but what it lacks in those departments it makes up for quickly from short range, out of the sand especially and on/around the greens.

Buy: $44.98 or go to: Srixon.com

Nike 20XI

Using a proprietary resin (RZN) core chemistry the Nike 20XI golf ball is crafted to deliver faster ball speeds bar-none. RZN is a highly neutralized polymer (created by a team of material and science experts at DuPont) that’s a faster and lighter material engineered to produce longer distance and more controlled shots. The 20XI’s overall design and MOI can assist in reducing driver spin at impact on average of 100 – 200 RPM over prior Nike ball technology. Its softer cover materials also allow for improved short iron spin and control.

Feel…………………..8.3
Spin…………………..8.5
Roll……………………8.9
Distance……………..9.1
Consistency……….. 8.4

Overall: (43.2 out of 50) Nike 20XI golf balls are ideal for serious golfers who are looking to push the limits of their personal distance barrier and gain a few extra yards. They’re also above average in spin, feel and consistency. A solid choice for distance conscious players who also require pure roll on and around the greens.

Buy: $29.00 or go to: NikeGolf.com

TaylorMade Lethal

Three years after introducing their very first 5-layer tour ball, TaylorMade is at it again, and they’re making no mistake about its aggressive design by naming it “Lethal”. The TaylorMade Lethal was crafted for superior wind performance and spin control. Its impressive 322-dimple design promotes longer and straighter shots with better control overall. Lethal also employs “Progressive Velocity,” which in layman’s terms means… the fastest layers of the ball are on the outside, which make the ball go LONG regardless of swing speed.

Feel…………………..9.6
Spin…………………..7.9
Roll……………………8.2
Distance……………..9.7
Consistency……….. 9.4

Overall: (44.8 out of 50) Boom Boom Boom – let me hear you say Wayooo! The Lethal from TaylorMade was one of the longest balls on average throughout our testing sessions. What it lacks in spin and roll it more than makes up for in feel, distance and consistency. Ideal for golfers of all skill levels.

Buy: $45.99 or go to: TaylorMadeGolf.com

Bridgestone B330 Tour

Utilized by Brandt Snedeker on his charge to victory at the 2013 AT&T Pebble Beach, the TOUR B330 features a soft cover, larger core and Bridgestone’s proprietary “Dual Dimple” Technology. The TOUR B330 is optimized for serious swing speeds ladies and gents! Speed that the boys on Tour reach… hence the name TOUR B330. In fact, this ball was engineered for golfers capable of swing speeds of 105 mph and higher.

Feel…………………..7.5
Spin…………………..8.4
Roll……………………9.7
Distance……………..8.3
Consistency……….. 8.8

Overall: (42.7 out of 50) We highly recommend the TOUR B330 to advanced golfers who are in search of impressive distance and consistency. Throughout our testing we found that this ball was favored overwhelmingly by our lower handicap golfers for the pure roll it delivers on the greens and the ability to slice through windy conditions with its dual dimple design.

Buy: $44.99 or go to: BridgestoneGolf.com

Nike ONE RZN X

Produced to be more affordable and to fill the niche under Nike Golf’s tour level golf balls, the Nike ONE RZN X is a three-piece golf ball with a large, soft resin core, engineered to deliver high speed off the club face which equates to long bombs on the course. Made specifically for long distance blasts, the Nike One RZN X Golf Balls are said to be ideal for the big-hitting amateur player – golf’s core market.

Feel…………………..8.9
Spin…………………..8.2
Roll……………………9.1
Distance……………..9.3
Consistency……….. 7.6

Overall: (43.1 out of 50) The Nike ONE RZN X golf balls are suited nicely for recreational to mid-level golfers who’re looking to beef up on distance without loosing the feel and spin they require to advance their game. We were less impressed with consistency overall, but found these golf ball to be far above average across all other criteria.

Buy: $29.99 or go to: NikeGolf.com

Callaway HEX HOT

Designed for maximum ball speed and incredible aerodynamics, the Callaway HEX HOT golf balls are Callaway’s latest “big breakthrough.” Utilizing their new “Fast Tech Mantle” (a proprietary ionomer blend) and “Trionomer” cover Callaway promises lower driver spin off the tee for longer, straighter drives. While their exclusive HEX aerodynamics create reduced drag overall to promotes more a stable ball flight.

Feel…………………..7.2
Spin…………………..8.8
Roll……………………9.4
Distance……………..9.5
Consistency……….. 8.6

Overall: (43.5 out of 50) Across the board we found the HEX HOT from Callaway Golf to be a fantastic ball for mid-level golfers. What they lack in feel they make up for in distance, roll and consistency from tee to green. The HEX HOT balls were wildly popular among our recreational and mid-level golfers who praised the balls for their abilities in windy conditions and prowess on the dance floor.

Buy: $26.99 or go to: CallawayGolf.com

Wilson Staff DUO

Praised by it’s creators for its “longer and softer” construction (as if the packaging didn’t give it away), the Wilson Staff DUO golf balls are the longest ball the company has ever produced and claims them to be the “softest balls on the market.” To achieve these high praises Wilson engineered the DUO with reduced spin off the driver and improved playability around the greens. The DUO also has half the compression of average (leading competitor’s) golf balls.

Feel…………………..7.7
Spin…………………..9.1
Roll……………………7.3
Distance……………..7.8
Consistency……….. 8.5

Overall: (40.4 out of 50) With irons, specifically short irons and wedges is where the DUO golf balls truly shine. They are capable of producing some wicked spin from a 150 yards and in. The Wilson Staff DUO’s also produce an excellent ball fight and trajectory, but lack the distance we’d hoped for overall. Off the tee, with the big stick, spin rates were tame which was exciting to see and proved to help with accuracy across the board with our higher handicap testers.

Buy: $19.99 or go to: WilsonStaff.com

Titleist PRO V1X

Designed and engineered for some of golf’s most demanding Tour Players and weekend warriors alike, the Titleist PRO V1 X golf balls were specifically crafted for players seeking high launch trajectory and low spin off the tee box, for long straight distance. At the core of this 4-piece golf ball is Titleist’s new high velocity ZG process dual core. Technology that’s designed to create high velocity at impact. The PRO V1 X also features a responsive ionomeric casing layer, and an improved Urethane Elastomer cover with a 328 tetrahedral dimple design. FACT: that’s a lot of dimples!

Feel…………………..9.2
Spin…………………..8.3
Roll……………………8.9
Distance……………..9.3
Consistency……….. 8.7

Overall: (44.4 out of 50) PRO V1 X golf balls from Titleist are great for players of all levels and handicaps. They may be priced as though they’re only for advanced or tour players, but they truly do benefit golfers of all levels and our testing session were the proof. While spin might not be this ball’s forte the PRO V1 X did excel in the feel, roll and distance departments unanimously.

Buy: $39.99 or go to: Titleist.com

Bridgestone TOUR B330-RX

Known for their unique Dual Dimple pattern, Bridgestone is at it again and this time with the new Tour B330-RX golf balls. Which offer a reformulated mantle layer for reduced spin off the tee and on longer approach shots while also promoting a higher launch trajectory. All for what you might be asking? Well, greater accuracy and distance of course… and who couldn’t use a little extra of both, right?

Feel…………………..8.8
Spin…………………..8.6
Roll……………………9.8
Distance……………..9.4
Consistency……….. 8.4

Overall: (45 out of 50) Named the Editor’s Choice for good reason, the B330-RX from Bridgestone is an exceptional ball for golfers with middle-of-the-road swing speeds. This is an every-man’s ball! For starters, it’s exceptionally durable – meaning you’ll get a lot of use out of them. They also provide a fair amount of consistency, fantastic penetrating distance as well as incredible roll and excellent feel and spin to boot. Not much to complain about here!

Buy: $44.99 or go to: BridgestoneGolf.com

Wilson Staff FG Tour

The new FG Tour from Wilson Staff is a 3-layer urethane golf ball that is said to deliver superior distance and control as well as impressive durability and scuff resistance. These my not be the name brand balls your golfing buddies would pick up off the shelf, but Wilson’s no slouch in the golf ball industry and pack some impressive technology into their golf balls. Take for example – the FG Tour, which is touted by Wilson for having the softest feel of any urethane ball on the market.

Feel…………………..9.0
Spin…………………..8.6
Roll……………………7.8
Distance……………..6.4
Consistency……….. 8.2

Overall: (40.3 out of 50) Our testing staff registered high marks for the FG Tour for both feel and spin. This ball is remarkably soft, which gives it impressive spin and impeccable touch. As for the other categories – well, there’s not too much to write home to mom about here, but we can say these golf balls are above average for roll on the putting surface as well as consistency.

Buy: $29.99 or go to: WilsonGolf.com

Srixon Q Star Yellow

The new 2013 Q-STAR Yellow from Srixon is categorized as a game improvement golf ball. You see, the Q-STAR was specially designed for players who are looking for an all-ability golf ball with Srixon “STAR” (spin, acceleration, trajectory and responsiveness) performance. The Q-STAR Yellow is said to deliver more distance and accuracy off the tee and more control from fairway to green. As well as a hi-vis yellow coating, which is said to help with concentration around the course.

Feel…………………..8.0
Spin…………………..8.2
Roll……………………9.1
Distance……………..8.9
Consistency……….. 9.1

Overall: (43.3 out of 50) The vast majority of our testing crew came away quite impressed with the Q-Star’s showing during our testing sessions. The results proved that it’s 324 dimple design is excellent for both distance and consistency, but didn’t factor in largely when it came to feel or spin. On the green we can’t be sure that the yellow paint job helped us to concentrate, but it certainly did roll true!

Buy: $24.99 or go to: Srixon.com