Golf ball comparisons — side-by-side specs & verdicts
Last updated: April 19, 2026 · By the BallCaddie Fitting Desk — independent ball-fitting methodology since 2024.
A fair golf ball comparison covers four axes: compression (matched to swing speed), cover material (urethane vs ionomer, which governs greenside spin), layer count and trajectory (how the ball launches and carries), and price per dozen. This page shows the most-searched head-to-head matchups with side-by-side spec tables and plain-English verdicts. The interactive tool compares any 2 or 3 of 79 ball models.
How to compare two golf balls fairly
The same 4-step method ball-fitters use, simplified for amateurs:
- Match compression to your swing speed. The single most predictive spec. Under 85 mph wants compression under 70; 85–100 mph wants 80–95; 100+ mph wants 95+. Mismatched compression costs 8–12 yards of carry.
- Match cover material to your short-game priority. Urethane spins 1,500–2,500 rpm more than ionomer on a wedge — pick urethane if you play inside 100 yards a lot. Ionomer is more durable and cheaper.
- Match trajectory to your launch profile. High-launch balls help players who struggle to carry the ball; low-launch balls help players fighting wind. Layer count loosely predicts consistency.
- Score by budget. The right ball is the one you’ll keep playing. A $55 ball you ration doesn’t help your game. Factor dozen price against balls you actually lose per round.
The matchups golfers search for
Specs below pull directly from BallCaddie’s catalog — every number updates automatically when we refresh the ball database.
Titleist Pro V1 vs Titleist Pro V1x
Pro V1 launches lower with softer feel; Pro V1x flies higher with firmer feel and more iron spin.
| Spec | Titleist Pro V1 | Titleist Pro V1x |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 87 (mid) | 97 (high) |
| Cover | Urethane | Urethane |
| Layers | 3-piece | 4-piece |
| Trajectory | Mid | High |
| Spin | High | High |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| MSRP / dz | $57.99 | $57.99 |
Titleist Pro V1 vs Callaway Chrome Soft
Pro V1 is firmer with more spin; Chrome Soft feels softer with higher launch — often a better fit for moderate swing speeds.
| Spec | Titleist Pro V1 | Callaway Chrome Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 87 (mid) | 72 (mid) |
| Cover | Urethane | Urethane |
| Layers | 3-piece | 3-piece |
| Trajectory | Mid | High |
| Spin | High | Mid |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| MSRP / dz | $57.99 | $54.99 |
TaylorMade TP5 vs TaylorMade TP5x
TP5 is softer with more wedge spin; TP5x is firmer with lower driver spin and longer carry.
| Spec | TaylorMade TP5 | TaylorMade TP5x |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 87 (mid) | 97 (high) |
| Cover | Urethane | Urethane |
| Layers | 5-piece | 5-piece |
| Trajectory | High | High |
| Spin | High | Mid |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| MSRP / dz | $54.99 | $54.99 |
Titleist Pro V1 vs TaylorMade TP5
Pro V1 is the industry benchmark for balanced spin; TP5's 5-layer construction adds softer feel with comparable greenside bite.
| Spec | Titleist Pro V1 | TaylorMade TP5 |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 87 (mid) | 87 (mid) |
| Cover | Urethane | Urethane |
| Layers | 3-piece | 5-piece |
| Trajectory | Mid | High |
| Spin | High | High |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| MSRP / dz | $57.99 | $54.99 |
Srixon Z-Star vs Titleist Pro V1
Z-Star matches Pro V1 on greenside spin at ~$5 less per dozen. Pro V1 has slightly softer feel and broader tour pedigree.
| Spec | Srixon Z-Star | Titleist Pro V1 |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 88 (mid) | 87 (mid) |
| Cover | Urethane | Urethane |
| Layers | 3-piece | 3-piece |
| Trajectory | Mid | Mid |
| Spin | High | High |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| MSRP / dz | $49.99 | $57.99 |
Callaway Supersoft vs Titleist TruFeel
Both ultra-low-compression balls for slower swings. Supersoft flies higher with more distance; TruFeel is softer off the face and better in cold weather.
| Spec | Callaway Supersoft | Titleist TruFeel |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 38 (low) | 50 (low) |
| Cover | Ionomer | Ionomer |
| Layers | 2-piece | 2-piece |
| Trajectory | High | High |
| Spin | Low | Low |
| Price tier | Value | Value |
| MSRP / dz | $27.99 | $24.99 |
Compare any two balls instantly
The interactive comparison tool covers all 79 golf balls in the BallCaddie catalog — Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Srixon, Vice, Snell, Cut, Wilson, Mizuno, and more. Pick any 2 or 3 models and the tool builds the spec table, highlights category winners, and links through to detailed ball pages. For a personalized verdict (not just a spec comparison), use Settle the Debate.
Frequently asked questions
Pro V1 vs Pro V1x — which is better?
Neither is "better" — they target different players. Pro V1 flies lower with softer feel and slightly more wedge spin, suited to golfers who want a controlled trajectory. Pro V1x launches higher with firmer feel and more iron spin, suited to golfers who want stopping power on approach shots.
TP5 vs TP5x — what's the difference?
TP5 is softer, launches higher, and spins more around the green. TP5x is firmer, flies lower with less driver spin, and carries further — built for faster swing speeds (105+ mph).
Is Chrome Soft better than Pro V1?
For moderate swing speeds (under 100 mph), Chrome Soft often outperforms Pro V1 — it compresses more fully, launches higher, and feels softer. For faster swing speeds, Pro V1's tighter spin window usually wins.
What is the difference between Pro V1 and TP5?
Pro V1 is a 3-piece urethane ball with a mid compression around 87 and a penetrating trajectory. TP5 is a 5-piece urethane ball with similar compression but a softer feel and slightly higher launch. Greenside spin is comparable; Pro V1 has longer tour history, TP5 offers more layered feedback.
Is Srixon Z-Star as good as Titleist Pro V1?
Yes — the Z-Star matches Pro V1 for greenside spin and overall tour-level performance, typically at ~$5 less per dozen. Pro V1 has a slightly softer feel and deeper tour pedigree, but for most amateurs the performance gap is inside the margin of swing variability.
Supersoft vs TruFeel — which should a slow swinger play?
Both are ultra-low-compression (~38–60) balls built for swing speeds under ~90 mph. Supersoft launches higher with more distance. TruFeel is softer off the face with better cold-weather performance. If you play in sub-60°F temperatures often, pick TruFeel; otherwise Supersoft usually wins on distance.
Does a softer golf ball fly shorter?
Not inherently. Softer, lower-compression balls actually fly longer for slower swing speeds because the core fully activates at lower impact loads. Softer urethane covers do reduce driver distance slightly vs firmer ionomer covers, but the short-game spin gain usually outweighs the 2–3 yards of lost carry.
How do I compare two golf balls fairly?
Compare on four axes: compression (matched to your swing speed), cover material (urethane for greenside spin, ionomer for durability), layer count and trajectory (affects launch and carry), and price per dozen. BallCaddie's side-by-side tool shows all four for any two of 79 models.
What specs matter most when comparing golf balls?
Compression (fit to your swing speed — the single most predictive spec), cover material (urethane vs ionomer, governs greenside spin), layer count (3-piece or 5-piece tour construction vs 2-piece value construction), spin category (low/mid/high), and MSRP per dozen. Color, dimple count, and marketing copy do not predict performance for any amateur golfer.
Do I need to compare balls for a launch monitor to make a decision?
No. Launch monitor data adds precision but is not required. A spec-table comparison plus a 3-ball sleeve test on-course will catch the same fit issues a launch monitor session would catch, at about 5% of the cost. BallCaddie’s Smart Buy Plan is built around exactly that sequence — compare specs, sleeve-test, then decide on the dozen.
Related BallCaddie tools
- Settle the Debate — personalized head-to-head verdicts against your quiz answers.
- Caddie Missions — on-course A/B testing (Pro).
- Smart Buy Plan — the 3-step buying framework.
- Fitting Quiz — the 90-second quiz that personalizes every comparison.