Which golf ball should I use? A South African guide
Which golf ball should you use? Distance, soft and tour balls compared by who they help, what a dozen costs in South Africa, and when to stop feeding the dam.
Every club has that hole. The one with the dam on the left, or the bush on the right, or both. You stand on the tee with a brand-new tour ball, the same one the pros use, and you watch it disappear with a soft plop. It cost about the same as a coffee and a toasted sarmie. Next week you do it again.
A box of golf balls can cost R400 or R1,200, and the difference is real. It just isn't a difference most golfers can feel. This guide sorts the three types by who they actually help, so golfers in South Africa can stop paying tour prices to feed the dam.
Which golf ball to use: what to decide first
Count how many balls you lose in a typical round, honestly. Then think about your short game: do your chips and pitches stop on the green, or do they run out no matter what? And decide whether you care about feel off the putter, because for some golfers that alone settles it. Those three answers point straight at one of the tiers below.
Distance balls
Two-piece balls with a firm, hard-wearing cover. They fly straight, spin less off the driver (which helps a slice) and survive cart paths and trees. They don't stop quickly on the green, but if you're not yet controlling spin, that matters less than it sounds. The right ball for beginners, high handicappers and anyone losing a few a round. Every major brand makes one, often at the bottom of their range.
Soft balls
Lower compression, softer feel, and still a firm, durable cover. They suit slower swing speeds, which covers a lot of golfers, and they feel better off the putter and the wedges than a distance ball. For most mid and high handicappers who want some feel without the tour price, this is the sweet spot. Srixon, Callaway, Titleist and Wilson all have a soft ball in their range.
Tour balls
Three, four or five layers and a urethane cover. The urethane is what grips the grooves on a wedge and makes the ball check on the green. They're designed for faster swings and golfers who strike it cleanly, and they scuff more easily. If you're a single-figure golfer, or a mid handicapper with a good short game, you'll notice the difference. If not, you're paying for spin you can't use yet. Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Srixon and Bridgestone all make them.
| Ball type | Best for | Price per dozen |
|---|---|---|
| Distance or value | Beginners, high handicappers | R400 to R550 |
| Soft, low compression | Slower swings, softer feel | R400 to R550 |
| Mid tier, some urethane | Mid handicappers wanting more spin | R600 to R900 |
| Tour, urethane cover | Low handicappers, good short games | R900 to R1,200 |
The maths of losing balls
Here's a round example. Lose three tour balls a round at roughly R90 each and you've spent R270 on the dam. Lose three soft balls at roughly R40 each and it's R120. Over a season of weekly golf that gap pays for a fitting, a lesson or two, or a new wedge. Play the tour ball when you've stopped losing them.
Where the deals are
Golf balls are a constant promotion: buy three sleeves get one free, four dozen for the price of three, a box with a free cap. Work out the price per ball before you get excited, because a free sleeve on an inflated dozen isn't a saving. Last year's version of a tour ball is often sold off when the new one lands, and it's very nearly the same ball. Our guide to when golf gear goes on sale covers that timing.
The Golf Shop ranks live golf deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. It reads six things: how deep the discount is, how much it saves in rand, how the price compares to other shops, whether the brand is one people search for, how recently the price dropped, and whether it's in stock across sizes.
Before you pay
Check whether the price is per sleeve of three or per dozen, because listings mix the two. Avoid cheap "tour" balls from unknown sellers, since counterfeits exist. At the time of review one specialist shop only refunds new products unused and unopened, so buy one sleeve to try a new model before you buy a box. If the clubs need sorting first, our guide to irons and a driver for your handicap starts there.
Before you buy, Check The Deal. Shop great golf deals, verified and ranked by REALRANK™.
Frequently asked questions
Which golf ball is best for a high handicapper?
A two-piece distance or soft ball. It flies straighter, spins less off the driver and costs a lot less to lose.
Is a tour ball worth it for an average golfer?
Usually not. The extra spin helps golfers who control it around the greens. For most, a soft mid-tier ball gives the feel without the price.
What does compression mean on a golf ball?
How much the ball squashes at impact. Lower compression suits slower swings and feels softer; higher compression suits faster swings.
Are last year's tour balls worth buying?
Often yes. Changes between versions are usually small, and the outgoing model is frequently cheaper when the new one arrives.
Where are the best golf ball deals in South Africa?
The Golf Shop on THE REAL DEAL ranks live golf deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. Compare the price per ball, not the free sleeve.
Sources
- One Golf, golf balls listing (price bands per sleeve), read 21 October 2026
- One Golf refund policy, read 21 October 2026
Written by Dean. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Price bands are for a decent option at full price, rounded, and change; the live deals show today's prices. Worked examples use round illustrative prices, not live offers. Some links earn THE REAL DEAL a commission. Placement buys visibility, it never touches REALRANK™.