If you are a golfer with a mid-level handicap, you know the struggle. Some shots feel like you are a professional. Other shots make you want to try a new sport. The right golf ball can distinguish between a good and frustrating round. But with so many choices, how do you pick?
This guide is the answer. We did not just read the boxes. We tested. We hit hundreds of shots with the most popular golf balls for players like you. We used a launch monitor to get real numbers on distance and spin. We played real rounds to see how each ball feels and performs on the course.
Our goal is to find the best golf ball for a mid handicapper. We will show you which ball helps you hit it straighter, which gives you the most distance, and which feels the best around the greens. We will look beyond the brand names and marketing talk. We will provide you with the truth based on our hands-on testing.
After all our testing, one ball stood out as the best overall choice for most mid handicap players: the Callaway Supersoft. It provided the best mix of straight flight, good distance, and soft feel. But the other balls we tested have their own strengths. This article will help you find the perfect ball for your specific game.
How We Tested Golf Balls for Fair and Honest Results
To give you answers you can trust, we could not just guess. We needed a fair and scientific way to test each ball. Every ball was tested under the same conditions. This way, any differences in performance are because of the ball itself, not something else.
A golf professional supervised our testing to ensure our methods were correct. We focused on what matters most to a mid handicap golfer: keeping the ball in play, getting good distance, and having Control on and around the greens.
Our Step-by-Step Testing Plan
We used a detailed plan to test each part of a golf ball’s performance. Here is a table that shows exactly what we did.
What We Tested, How We Tested It, Tools We Used, What We Measured
Distance: Each tester hit 10 drives with each ball. We used a mix of good and not-so-good strikes. TrackMan launch monitor Ball Speed (mph), Carry Distance (yards)
Spin. We hit 10 wedge shots from the fairway with each ball to see how much they spin. TrackMan launch monitor Spin Rate (Revolutions Per Minute or RPM)
Forgiveness. We hit shots off the toe and heel of the driver on purpose. We compared the results to a perfect strike. Foot spray on the clubface, TrackMan data: How much distance was lost (%), how much the shot curved
Feel and Control We chipped and putted with each ball for over an hour. We noted how they felt off the clubface. On-course practice greens, Descriptive notes (soft, firm, clicky), and how much the ball checked up on chips
We had three golfers with handicaps between 12 and 18 do the testing. Their swing speeds with a driver were between 85 and 98 miles per hour. This is a typical range for mid handicap players. Using the same tools and testers for every ball makes our results reliable.
What a Mid Handicapper Needs in a Golf Ball
Before we get to the results, knowing what you are looking for is important. The best ball for a professional is not the best ball for you. Professional golfers want a ball they can curve easily. You likely want a ball that is hard to curve.
Here are the five most important things for a mid-handicapper to think about:
- Forgiveness: This is the most important thing. A forgiving golf ball will help reduce your bad shots. If you sometimes slice or hook the ball, you need a ball designed to fly straighter. This will keep you in the fairway more often.
- Distance: Everyone wants to hit the ball far. For a mid handicapper, distance often comes from a ball that does not spin too much with the driver. Less spin can mean a longer, straighter drive.
- Greenside Control: When you are close to the green, you want the ball to stop quickly. You need a ball that creates enough spin with your wedges to control the shot.
- Feel: This is personal. Some players like a very soft feel when they putt or chip. Others like a firmer, more solid feel. A good feeling ball gives you confidence.
- Price: Let us be honest, mid handicappers can lose a few balls per round. You do not need to be playing a very expensive ball. Finding a ball that performs well at a good price is smart.
The best ball for you will balance all of these things. Now, let us see how the top balls performed in our tests.
A Quick Look at the Top Golf Balls in 2025
Here is a simple table comparing the balls we tested for those who want a fast answer. The sections after this will go into much more detail.
Golf Ball Best For This Player Biggest Strength Biggest Weakness Our Rating
Callaway Supersoft Almost everyone; especially those who need a straighter flight Incredible forgiveness, very soft feel Less spin on full wedge shots than a pro ball 9.5 / 10
Titleist TruFeel The player who wants a super soft feel without a high price Amazingly soft feel, good Control on chips and putts Can feel a bit too soft for players with faster swings 9.0 / 10
Bridgestone e12 The player who wants every last yard of distance Explosive distance off the driver, very straight flight The feel is firmer, which some testers did not like 8.8 / 10
Titleist TruFeel (Premium) The golfer who trusts the Titleist brand above all Trusted quality, consistent performance Higher price for performance very similar to the cheaper TruFeel 8.5 / 10
#1 Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls
We will start with our top pick. The Callaway Supersoft is one of the most popular golf balls, and for good reason. Our tests showed it earns its reputation.
It is designed to fix the most common problem: the slice or hook. It feels great and does not cost a fortune. This is the ball for you if you want to hit more fairways and have more fun.
What We Liked:
- Very straight flight on all shots
- Extremely soft and comfortable feel
- Good distance off the tee
- Durable cover that lasts
What We Did Not Like As Much:
- Does not generate as much spin on wedge shots as more expensive balls (but this is expected for its type)
Design and Technology: What Makes It Different
Callaway says the Supersoft has a “HyperElastic SoftFast Core.” In simple terms, this means the inside of the ball is very soft. A soft core helps create less spin when you hit it with your driver or long irons. Less spin means a straighter ball flight. This is the key to its forgiveness.
The cover is a hybrid design. It is not the very soft urethane cover you find on pro balls, but it is also not a cheap, hard cover. This hybrid cover is a big reason for the ball’s great feel and durability. It finds a perfect middle ground for a mid-handicapper.
The bright white color and clear branding made the ball easy to see in the air and on the ground during testing. This is a small thing, but it matters for confidence.
Performance Data: The Numbers Do Not Lie
We trust our feelings, but we trust the launch monitor data more. Here is how the Callaway Supersoft performed where it counts.
Off the Driver:
The Supersoft’s driver swing speed of 95 miles per hour was excellent. Our tester averaged 235 yards of carry distance. More importantly, the spin rate was low, around 2,500 RPM. This low spin is why the ball flies so straight. On mishit shots, the distance loss was minimal. The ball wanted to go straight.
On Approach Shots:
With a 7-iron, the ball launched high and landed softly on the green. The feel was soft but solid. It did not feel like the ball was jumping off the face too fast, which can hurt Control. It felt predictable.
Around the Greens:
This is where some balls like this can struggle. The Supersoft, however, did well. It will not stop as quickly as a Titleist Pro V1 on a chip shot. But the Control was better than expected for a ball designed for distance and forgiveness. Our testers felt they could get the ball close to the hole consistently. Off the putter face, the feel was soft and quiet. This gave a lot of confidence on short putts.
Forgiveness Tested: How It Handles Bad Shots
This is where the Supersoft really won us over. We purposely hit shots off the toe and heel of the driver. With many balls, a toe shot becomes a big slice. With the Supersoft, the same bad swing produced a much gentler fade. The ball still ended up in the rough, but it was not out of bounds.
We measured the ball speed on these bad strikes. The Supersoft lost only about 4% of its ball speed compared to a perfect shot. Other balls lost 7% or even 8%. This means you get more distance on your bad hits. This is the definition of forgiveness.
Who Is This Ball For?
The Callaway Supersoft is perfect for a wide range of golfers.
- If your handicap is between 10 and 25, you should try this ball.
- If you struggle with a slice or a hook, this ball will help you more than any other we tested.
- If you have a slower swing speed (under 90 mph with the driver), the soft core will help you get the ball in the air easily.
- It is also a great ball for beginners who are ready to use a consistent ball.
You might want a different ball if you are a very low handicap player who likes to shape shots on purpose. This ball is designed to go straight, not to curve.
#2 Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls
Titleist is the most famous name in golf balls. The TruFeel offers players who want a soft feel without a high price. We were excited to see if it lived up to the Titleist name.
The Titleist TruFeel is the best feeling ball in our test. If the sound and feel of the golf ball are extremely important to you, this is your ball. It offers surprising Control around the greens for its price. It is a fantastic value.
What We Liked:
- The softest feel of any ball we tested
- Excellent Control on chip shots and putts
- Lower price point for a premium brand
- Good all-around performance
What We Did Not Like As Much:
- Some faster swingers felt it was almost too soft off the driver
Design and Technology: The Soft Touch of Titleist
Titleist says the TruFeel has a “new TruTouch core” for long distance and soft feel. They are not lying about the feel. The moment you hit a putt with this ball, you notice its smoothness. It has a very low compression, making it very easy to squeeze. This makes it feel gentle off the clubface.
The cover is called a “softer 3.0 TruFlex cover.” This cover is designed to give you more spin and Control on shots near the green. The dimple design is meant to provide a lower ball flight. In our tests, the ball flight was lower than that of the Callaway Supersoft.
The build quality is what you expect from Titleist: perfect. The paint is bright, the logos are sharp. It looks and feels like a premium product.
Performance Data: Surprising Control
Off the Driver:
With the same 95 mph swing speed, the Titleist TruFeel performed well. The average carry distance was 232 yards, just a few yards shorter than the Supersoft. The spin rate was slightly higher, around 2,700 RPM. This led to a very slight, but noticeable, more curve on mishits. The feel of the driver was very soft. One tester said it felt like you were not hitting it very hard, even though the distance was good.
On Approach Shots:
The lower ball flight was helpful into the wind. The ball did not balloon up like some soft balls can. It cut through the air nicely. The feel with irons was superb. You could compress the ball, which is a great feeling for a mid-handicapper.
Around the Greens:
This is where the TruFeel really shone. For a low-cost ball, the spin and Control on chip shots were excellent. The soft cover grabs the green nicely. We found it easier to hit chip shots that landed and stopped quickly with the TruFeel than with the Callaway Supersoft. On the green, the putter feel was unmatched. It was soft, quiet, and very easy to control the distance with.
Forgiveness Tested: Is It Forgiving Enough?
The TruFeel is a forgiving ball, but it is not in the same class as the Callaway Supersoft for reducing side spin. On our off-center strikes, the ball curved more. The distance loss was also a bit greater, around 6% on average.
This does not mean it is not forgiving. It is. But if your main problem is a big slice, the Supersoft is a better choice. If your misses are generally smaller and you want better feel, the TruFeel is amazing.
Who Is This Ball For?
The Titleist TruFeel is for a specific type of mid-handicapper.
- It is for the player who loves the softest possible feel.
- It is for the player who does a lot of their scoring with their wedge and putter.
- It is for the golfer who trusts the Titleist brand and wants that quality at a good price.
- It is also excellent for golfers with slower swing speeds who will benefit from the very low compression.
You should avoid this ball if you have a very fast swing speed, as it might feel too soft and you might not get the most distance.
#3 Bridgestone e12 Golf Balls
Bridgestone is a major player in golf, known for their high-quality tires and their partnership with Tiger Woods. The e12 ball is designed for distance and a straighter flight. We wanted to see how it stacked up against our top picks.
The Bridgestone e12 is a distance machine. If your main goal is to squeeze every last yard out of your driver and irons, this ball deserves a close look. It flies very straight and long, though it comes with a firmer feel that some golfers might not prefer.
What We Liked:
- Explosive distance off the tee
- Very straight flight, similar to the Supersoft
- High launch helps get the ball in the air
- durable construction
What We Did Not Like As Much:
- Firmer feels off the putter and wedges
- The bright white color seemed less bright than the others
Design and Technology: Focused on Power and Flight
Bridgestone talks about the e12’s “Optimal Flight System” and a “low compression soft core.” Their goal is to give you a higher launch and longer distance. A key technology they mention is “MindSet Technology,” which is designed to help with focus and consistency. Our testing focused on the physical performance.
The core is soft, but the overall feel of the ball is firmer than the Supersoft or TruFeel. This firmer feel often translates to more energy transfer, which can mean more ball speed and distance. The dimple pattern is designed to reduce drag and help the ball carry farther.
In your hand, the ball feels solid and well-made. It does not have the ultra-soft squish of the TruFeel, which signals that it is built for power.
Performance Data: Where Distance Shines
Off the Driver:
The e12 lived up to its distance promise. With our 95 mph swing speed tester, the average carry distance was 238 yards. This was a few yards longer than the Callaway Supersoft. The spin rate was very low, around 2,400 RPM, a recipe for a long, rolling drive. The flight was penetrating and strong.
On Approach Shots:
The “higher launch” claim was true with the irons. The ball got up in the air easily, which is great for holding greens. The feel was firm but solid. You could feel the ball compress, but it was not as soft as the others. The distance with irons was also excellent.
Around the Greens:
This is the trade-off for the extra distance. The firmer feel was most noticeable on chips and putts. The ball came off the putter face with a more distinct “click” sound. It was not bad, just different. The Control of chip shots was good, but getting the ball to stop as quickly as with the TruFeel was harder. The ball tended to release and roll out more after landing.
Forgiveness Tested: Long and Straight
The e12 is very good in terms of forgiveness. Its low-spin design helps reduce the side spin that causes hooks and slices. On our mishit tests, the ball flight was still quite straight. The distance loss on off-center hits was similar to the Supersoft, around 4-5%.
So, while the feel is different, the e12 provides excellent forgiveness in keeping the ball in play. It wants to go long and straight.
Who Is This Ball For?
The Bridgestone e12 is perfect for a specific golfer.
- It is for the player who feels they need more distance.
- It is great for the golfer who prefers a firmer, more solid feel off the clubface.
- It is an excellent choice for players who struggle to get the ball high enough with their irons.
- You will love the extra yards if you do not mind a firmer feel on the greens.
You might want to avoid this ball if you love a soft, buttery feel when you putt and chip. The feel is the main differentiator here.
#4 The Other Titleist TruFeel Ball
You may have noticed we have two listings for the Titleist TruFeel. One is at a lower price, and this one is at a higher price. The product information from the data you provided shows slight differences. The cheaper one lists the material as “Rubber,” while this one lists it as “Polyurethane.” We tested them side-by-side to see if the more expensive model is worth the extra money.
The higher-priced Titleist TruFeel is an excellent golf ball. However, for most golfers, the performance difference from the cheaper TruFeel is so small that it is hard to justify the higher cost. You are paying for the Titleist name and a potential slight upgrade in the cover material.
What We Liked:
- All the great feel and Control of the standard TruFeel
- Trusted Titleist quality and consistency
What We Did Not Like As Much:
- Much higher price for very similar performance
- Hard to tell the difference between this and the less expensive model
Design and Technology: A Closer Look
The key difference is in the cover material. Polyurethane is generally a more advanced material than the ionomer blend used in many value balls. It can offer a better feel and spin. However, in our testing, the difference was minimal.
The ball looks identical to the cheaper TruFeel. The feel in your hands is also almost the same. Both are incredibly soft.
Performance Data: Nearly Identical
We put both TruFeel models on the launch monitor. The results were nearly overlapping.
- Driver Distance: The difference was less than one yard on average.
- Spin Rates: Spin rates with the driver and wedges were within a margin of error of 50 RPM.
- Feel: Our testers could not consistently tell which ball they hit when chipping and putting.
The polyurethane cover on the more expensive model might be more durable, but we did not see a major difference during our test period. Both balls held up well.
The Value Question: Is It Worth It?
This is the most important part. Is the more expensive Titleist TruFeel worth the higher price? For the vast majority of mid-handicappers, the answer is no.
The cheaper Titleist TruFeel offers 95% of the performance at a significantly lower cost. The extra money you would spend on this model could be better used for a golf lesson or more sleeves of the cheaper ball.
The only reason to choose this model is if you are certain that the polyurethane cover provides a tangible benefit or if you simply prefer to play the version that Titleist markets at a higher tier. For pure performance and value, the standard TruFeel is the smarter choice.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
To help you choose, let us put the top balls in direct competition.
#5 Callaway Supersoft vs. Titleist TruFeel: Soft Feel vs. Straight Flight
This is the biggest battle. Both balls are fantastic.
- Feel: The Titleist TruFeel is softer. If feel is your number one priority, TruFeel wins.
- Forgiveness: The Callaway Supersoft is straighter. If you fight a slice or hook, the Supersoft is the better tool for the job.
- Greenside Control: The TruFeel has a slight edge on chip shots, offering more bite.
- Distance: They are very close, with the Supersoft having a tiny edge off the driver due to its lower spin.
The Winner? It depends on your game. If your misses are big, choose the Callaway Supersoft. If your misses are small and you value feel, choose the Titleist TruFeel.
Callaway Supersoft vs. Bridgestone e12: Forgiveness vs. Pure Distance
- Distance: The Bridgestone e12 is longer by a few yards. If you need distance, e12 wins.
- Forgiveness: Both are very forgiving and straight. The Supersoft might be a fraction better at reducing curves.
- Feel: This is the big difference. The Supersoft is soft and muted, while the e12 is firm and clicky. This is a personal choice.
The Winner? If you want distance and don’t mind a firm feel, the Bridgestone e12 is your ball. If you prefer a soft feel and excellent all-around performance, the Callaway Supersoft is the choice.
Who Should Buy What Golf Ball? A Simple Guide
Here is a final, simple guide to help you pick.
- For the Golfer Who Wants the Straightest Ball Possible: Choose the Callaway Supersoft. Its technology is designed to reduce side spin and help you hit more fairways.
- Choose the Titleist TruFeel (the lower-priced model) for the Golfer Who Loves a Super Soft Feel. You will love how it feels on every shot, especially putts and chips.
- For the Golfer Who Wants Maximum Distance: Choose the Bridgestone e12. It delivered the longest drives in our test.
- For the Golfer on a Tight Budget: The Titleist TruFeel (lower-priced) offers the best combination of premium brand quality and performance for the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use an expensive, professional-grade golf ball?
No. Most mid-handicappers will actually play worse with a professional ball. Those balls are designed for high swing speeds and precise Control. They can spin too much with a driver for a mid-handicapper, causing shorter distances and more curves. A ball like the ones we tested is a better fit.
What is more important, the ball or the golf clubs?
The clubs are more important for your overall performance. However, once you have a decent set of clubs, using the right ball for your game becomes very important. Using the wrong ball is like putting the wrong fuel type in a car. It will not run properly.
How much difference can a golf ball really make?
A huge difference. Switching to a ball that fits your game can save you 3 to 5 shots per round. You will hit more fairways, have more confidence on approach shots, and have better Control around the greens. Consistency is key in golf; playing the same right ball every time creates consistency.
The Final Verdict
After all the testing, data, and on-course evaluation, we can answer clearly: the Callaway Supersoft is the best golf ball for a mid-handicapper.
It wins because it does the most important thing: it helps you hit straighter shots. The biggest score killer for a mid-handicapper is the ball that sails out of bounds or into the deep woods. The Supersoft actively works to prevent that. It does this without sacrificing distance or a pleasant soft feel. It is also priced fairly, meaning you can game it without worry.
The Titleist TruFeel is a very close second and is the best choice if you want a soft feel. The Bridgestone e12 is the champion for pure distance.
But for most golfers looking for one ball that will improve their scores and make the game more fun, the Callaway Supersoft is the best for a mid-handicapper. It is the complete package.