Are Cheap Golf Balls Bad for Your Game? What Golfers Should Know
Cheap golf balls are not automatically bad.
Bad golf balls are.
There is an important difference, and understanding it can save you money without hurting your game.
What “Cheap” Actually Means in Golf Balls
When golfers say a ball is cheap, they usually mean one of two things:
1. It is low priced
2. It is low quality
Those are not the same thing.
Some golf balls are inexpensive because they are made with lower quality materials and simpler construction. Others are inexpensive because they are used, recycled, or bought in bulk. One hurts your performance. The other does not.
Why Some Cheap Golf Balls Can Hurt Your Game
Low quality new golf balls are often designed for durability first, not performance. That usually means:
- Firmer covers with less feel
- Inconsistent compression
- Limited spin and control around the green
They are built to survive beginners and parking lots, not to help you control distance or touch.
If you care about feel, consistency, or short game control, these balls can start holding you back.
Cheap New vs Used Premium Golf Balls
Here is the part many golfers miss.
A used premium golf ball will almost always outperform a cheap new golf ball.
Premium balls are designed with better cores, softer covers, and more consistent flight. When those balls are properly recycled, inspected, and graded, the performance is still there.
You are paying for engineering, not shiny packaging.
When Cheap Golf Balls Make Sense
Cheap golf balls do have a place.
They make sense if you:
- Are brand new to the game
- Lose a lot of balls per round
- Need balls for practice or the driving range
Once you start caring about how a ball feels or reacts, upgrading your ball choice matters more than upgrading your clubs.
The Smarter Budget Choice
For golfers who want to play better without overspending, used premium golf balls are often the best option.
They give you:
- Better feel and consistency
- Proven ball designs
- Lower cost per round
It's not cutting corners. It's playing smarter.
Cheap golf balls are not always bad, but low quality ones can be. If performance matters, used premium golf balls are usually the better budget choice.
→ Blog: Are Used Golf Balls Worth It?
→ Pro V1 / Pro V1x Used Golf Balls