If you are a golf enthusiast, you may want to hone in on your swing anytime and anywhere, but not all locations will be suitable for letting loose with a regulation golf ball. Practice golf balls are ideal for testing your chip or driving from less ideal locations like your basement or garage, but you need to choose a solid option to mimic the feeling of being out on the golf course. So, what are the best practice golf balls?
The best practice golf balls are the Almost Golf balls. They have a dimple texture similar to conventional golf balls, are heavy enough to travel 33 percent as far as your swing allows, and can be used both in and outdoors.
The remainder of this article will review Almost Golf balls in greater detail to help you understand what makes them the best overall. It’ll also review other brands worth considering to provide you with as many solid buying options as possible. Let’s dive right in.
Best Overall Practice Golf Balls: Almost Golf Point 3 Practice Ball
The Almost Golf balls are the best all-around practice balls that money can buy. They are heavy enough to travel a reasonable distance while being light and soft enough to use both indoors and out without worrying about breaking your valuables. They advertise themselves as traveling 1/3 as far as your normal swing allows with a regulation ball.
The dimples on the Almost Golf balls look like the real thing. The dimple texture is about 1/8mm (0.005 in.) and is complemented by a cross-linked foam core to provide tour golf ball performance in terms of feedback and flight trajectory.
The ball’s spin is particularly ideal for practicing various swings that range from short chips to long-distance drives. The feel is also the closest to the real thing you can get, making this the best all-around practice ball choice if you can afford it.
Pros
- Suitable For Indoor and Outdoor Use: You can use the Almost Golf balls indoors and outdoors due to their foam construction. They have enough weight to travel ⅓ as far as your typical swing does while being soft enough to use in the garage or home.
- Feels Like a Real Golf Ball: The dimples, weight, and rotation of the ball in the air make this feel as close to an absolute golf ball as you will find.
- Good Value: Because they are made from a higher quality foam, you can get plenty of swings on these balls before replacing them. They are also a bright yellow, making them easy to find at home and outdoors.
Cons
- Cost: These are high-quality products, which means they aren’t the most affordable option you can buy.
- Inconsistency: Some people complain that they receive balls that are not as durable as advertised, claiming that damage to the ball structure and exterior paint occurs quicker than it should.
Most Realistic Feeling Practice Golf Ball: BirdieBall Practice Golf Balls
The most realistic option you can buy, especially for mid-range shots, is the BirdieBall Golf Training balls. These are fantastic options for people who want to feel like they are out playing at the course when they are in the park or backyard. The best part about the BirdieBall is its reputation for sounding and feeling like the real thing when practicing your swing.
You will not find a better practice ball for testing your chips and short-to-midrange shots on the lawn. While they’re soft enough to use indoors and have a maximum distance of 40 yards, these phenomenal practice golf balls feel the closest to hitting an actual golf ball.
Pros
- Authenticity: Between the beautiful noise it makes on impact and how it rotates mid-air, this is the most realistic feeling golf ball you will find for any mid-range shots you might want to perfect.
- Longevity: The BirdieBalls are some of the most durable balls you can buy, thanks to the hard plastic construction. They tend to last much longer than foam or plastic balls.
Cons
- Shape: Because these are not actual balls, they will not roll like a golf ball or most other practice balls do. They are tube-shaped with flat ends and a hollow middle that is not ideal for practicing putting or any shot you need to roll.
- Distance: These golf balls will not travel more than 40 yards, so they will not work for those trying to practice longer drives.
- Outdoor Usage Only: These are only good for use outside due to the hard plastic material they are made of and their heavier weight. Using these balls indoors will likely damage household items.
- Can Cause Wear On Clubs: Because the BirdieBall is made from a hard plastic material, it will cause more stress on your clubs than plastic or foam balls. If you are using your best clubs, you may want to save them for the golf course.
- Cost: The BirdieBall is one of the more expensive practice golf balls. At $30 to $45 for a pack of 12, these are only for the most severe golfers wanting to practice their shots.
Indoor Practice Golf Balls That Work Best: Floppy Indoor Golf Balls
The best practice balls for indoor use are the Floppy Indoor Golf Balls. These are perfect if you want a light enough ball to use in your living room that offers authentic spin and movement.
Golfers who are stuck inside rave about these feel just like the real thing, both in the way they spin and how they follow the direction you are trying to hit them. They fly straight with a perfect spin for chips and slices in your kitchen, living room, or basement. You can really let loose and give a good swing without worrying about breaking things indoors.
Pros
- Authenticity: You will not find a more realistic ball for indoor use than the Floppy Indoor Golf Balls. They get a near-perfect spin on them and work wonderfully on your carpet. Many customers rave about them being perfect for short and mid-range shots.
- Safety: These balls are very light, making them safe for use inside the house and around other people. They emulate the ball’s movement while remaining safe enough to use around your electronics and kitchenware.
Cons
- Durability: These balls can wear out with time, depending on how hard you hit them and how often you use them. Some people complain that they do not last as long as they should for the price.
- Not Suitable for Outdoor Use: These balls are strictly for indoor use. They do not do well on grass or concrete and do not travel as far as you want from an outdoor practice ball.
- Cost: These are a costly option at $18 to $23 for a four-pack, making them some of the most expensive practice balls available.
Outdoor Practice Golf Balls That Work Best: Callaway HX Soft-Flight Practice Golf Balls
Your best option for practice golf balls for outdoor use is the Callaway HX Soft-Flight Practice Balls. They are soft enough to use inside but travel long enough. They’re also heavy enough to be the perfect option for practicing your swing outside.
Callaway HX Soft-Flight Practice Balls are made of a durable, high-quality foam with enough weight to facilitate practice without damaging siding or glass like a real golf ball. Golfers love the flight and spin the Hex dimples facilitate. The dimples combine with the optimal weight to give these balls the ability to travel distances over 50 yards, making them an ideal choice when you want to practice longer shots.
These balls come in various package sizes and colors (multicolor, orange, pink, and lime), giving you plenty of options for each situation. The choice of different colors is particularly helpful for outdoor golfers, as it allows you to choose a color that won’t blend into the surroundings and make the ball hard to find.
They come with bags to carry them in, making them perfect for when you want to bring your practice balls on the go to the park or beach.
Pros
- Bright Color Options: Multiple color options give you choices that are easy to find outdoors, like bright orange or purple.
- Affordable: The Callaway Soft-Flight Practice balls offer some of the best value for money. There are multiple size options to choose from, all competitively priced.
Cons
- Not Ideal For Indoor Use: While you can use these indoors, they are made from a relatively heavier foam that makes them ideal for outdoor practice.
Final Thoughts
Avid golfers constantly want to improve their swing, but they do not always have access to a golf course or driving range. Practice golf balls give hardcore golfers a solution for honing their skills at home or on the road.
There are many practice ball brands and types for various conditions and preferences, but the four options we’ve reviewed can cater to the needs of virtually anyone looking to practice. Hopefully, you’ll find an option that fits your selection criteria from the above round-up.
