Best Golf Balls for Cold Weather
As the temperature drops and the conditions get wetter, golfers can sometimes require a different approach to their game. More layers of clothes are needed, trolleys might be banned, mittens are required and you seem to need endless towels to keep everything dry. But, how about changing your golf ball?
As the air gets thicker and the playing surfaces become sodden, golf balls will no longer travel as far. A Tour-level style urethane golf ball is no longer required to stop the ball on the greens. Plus, there seems to be a billion leaves on every hole for you to lose your ball underneath.
So, your priorities for your golf ball choice might shift slightly. Is it time to consider thinking about a longer distance, lower compression, higher visibility and more budget option?
In this article we will be reviewing what we consider to be the best golf balls for cold weather winter golf.
Table of Contents
- 1. Srixon Soft Feel Brite
- 2. Bridgestone E12 Contact
- 3. Wilson Staff Duo Soft+
- 4. Pinnacle Soft
- 5. Titleist TruFeel
- 6. TaylorMade Tour Response
- 7. Callaway Supersoft
- 8. Mizuno RB 566
- Should I Get A Lower Compression Golf Ball?
- Does the construction matter?
- Should I use the same golf ball all the time?
- Use a colored golf ball
- Conclusion
1. Srixon Soft Feel Brite
Distance: 95 | Feel: 95 | Control: 85 | Durability: 90
Best for value for money
Srixon have been producing excellent value golf balls for amateur golfers for a long time now. The AD333 model is a fan favourite and would also be an excellent option on this list. However, it is the Soft Feel Brite golf balls that we think are one of the absolute best cold weather golf balls available on the market.
A FastLayer Core features a low compression soft center that gradually gets firmer towards the outermost layer. This design offers an exceptionally soft feel and long distance from the tee. A 339 Speed Dimple Pattern is used to further enhance distance performance, reducing drag for better wind performance and improved launch characteristics.
An ultra-thin cover ensures the Soft Feel lives up to its name not just on the longer shots, but around the greens as well. It might not spin quite like a urethane Tour ball, but it feels great and offers better control than other soft-feel distance balls on the market. You can also choose between three Brite matte colors (red, orange and green) for enhanced visibility.
Overall, the Srixon Soft Feel Brite offers superb all around playability and has everything you need when selecting a winter golf ball.
Pros
Cons
2. Bridgestone E12 Contact
Distance: 95 | Feel: 90 | Control: 90 | Durability: 95
Best for reducing wayward shots
When it comes to premium quality golf balls, Bridgestone is now considered as one of the market leaders by many avid golfers. Their Tour B golf balls compete alongside the ProV1 and TP5 for performance, but for cold weather the E12 Contact is one of the best on the market.
A new Contact Force Dimple design creates more efficient energy transfer through improved contact between the golf club and ball. The surlyn dimple cover is combined with an Active Acceleration mantle and Gradational low compression core, resulting in reduced sidespin on long shots as well as high ball speeds. The E12 Contact will compete with some of the longer distance golf balls, but also feels softer and is exceptional at reducing the effects of slices and hooks.
The extra contact created by the innovative dimple design also results in more friction for improved spin around the greens. The E12 Contact will not quite match a urethane Tour ball, but is perfect for golfers looking for improved short game control over a distance-focus two-piece ball. These golf balls are available in bright matte green, red and yellow, ideal for cold wintery conditions.
Pros
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3. Wilson Staff Duo Soft+
Distance: 90 | Feel: 95 | Control: 80 | Durability: 90
Best for slower swing speeds
Wilson Staff are known for utilising low compression in their golf balls, which is perfect for a cold weather golf ball. The Duo range has been a favorite among golfers for several years and Wilson claims their latest Duo Soft+ model is the “world’s softest and longest two-piece golf ball”.
New VelocitiCor technology has an ultra-low 35 compression rating to transfer as much ball speed as possible, whilst also generating a higher launch angle and lower spin rates off the tee. These balls really extract the most distance from even the slowest swing speeds, making them ideal for senior or less powerful golfers.
The spin control may not match a Tour ball, but there is a nice soft feel on long shots and when putting. Duo Soft+ is a great price compared with similar golf balls and offers good general playability. This ball is only available in white, but for golfers wanting brighter options the Wilson Duo Optix offers similar performance in several high visibility colors.
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Cons
4. Pinnacle Soft
Distance: 90 | Feel: 90 | Control: 75 | Durability: 95
Best lower budget golf balls
Pinnacle is renowned for producing good quality golf balls at lower prices. In 2021 Pinnacle currently has two different models, Rush and Soft. The Soft is the one that offers the best overall playability for golfers in cold weather. It features a low compression, high energy core that is designed for long distances and a soft feel on long shots.
A softer ionomer cover helps with feel on short shots, whilst a 332 icosahedral dimple pattern is used for better aerodynamics and a consistent ball flight. These balls perform best for slower swing speeds and high handicappers. Beginners, seniors and ladies will struggle to find a better performing ball at this price point. Pinnacle Soft is also available in pink.
Pros
Cons
5. Titleist TruFeel
Distance: 90 | Feel: 95 | Control: 85 | Durability: 95
Best Titleist cold weather golf ball
Titleist is a brand synonymous with being the number one ball in golf. The ProV1 models continue to be the most played on Tour and favored by many amateurs, but when it comes to cold weather and winter golf the TruFeel golf ball has the performance and value you want.
TruFeel is Titliest’s softest feeling golf ball, thanks to the low compression TruTouch Core. This core is designed for low spin and high launch, whilst a spherically-tiled 376 tetrahedral dimple design improves aerodynamics. Combining these qualities produces superior distance performance. Titleist’s TruFlex cover layer ensures that you still get a soft feel and good control around the greens as well.
Competitively priced against similar performing golf balls, the TruFeel is possibly Titleist best value for money golf ball and will be perfect for the average golfer. The new TruFeel sidestamp is an innovative addition and makes putting alignment easier without having to mark up your ball. You can also purchase these golf balls in yellow or matte red.
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6. TaylorMade Tour Response
Distance: 95 | Feel: 95 | Control: 90 | Durability: 95
Best urethane golf ball for cold weather
The TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball combines a Tour-preferred urethane cover with low compression. This results in a ball that has spin around the greens, distance off the tee, has great feel and is more playable for the average golfer. It might still be at the top of many golfers' budget for a winter golf ball, but there is superb value to be had. The Tour Response comes in significantly cheaper than the TP5 or ProV1, but will offer fairly comparable performance.
A Hi-Spring Core is made from flexible materials to create an ultra-low 40 compression core for soft feel and low spin off the tee. There is a firmer second Speedmantle layer designed for maximizing energy transfer for faster ball speeds and improved distance. The cover is cast urethane for improved short game spin control, but it features a crosslinking reaction designed for more durability.
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7. Callaway Supersoft
Distance: 95 | Feel: 95 | Control: 90 | Durability: 95
Best overall winter golf ball
The average golfer wants a ball that has low spin and soft feel on long shots, a high launching ball flight and decent control around the greens. The Callaway Supersoft golf ball has all of these qualities. Plus, it will cost you less than half the price of a top-range Tour golf ball, so it is great value for money. With four bright matte colours and a standard yellow finish, there are also plenty of options to stand out on a cold winter's day.
Callaway Supersoft has been a much-loved golf ball for a long time now. However, the upgraded 2021 version features a new innovative Hybrid Paraloid Impact Modifier cover made by Dow. Callaway has used this to create a multi-material construction built to a golf ball that offers complete performance from tee to green. A soft compression core ensures fast ball speeds and low spin for more distance, whilst HEX aerodynamics produce a higher ball flight with drag reduction.
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8. Mizuno RB 566
Distance: 90 | Feel: 90 | Control: 85 | Durability: 90
Best for mid handicappers
Mizuno are best known for the smooth buttery irons, but their RB golf ball range is excellent and flew under the radar when they were released in 2020. The RB 566 golf balls offer Mizuno’s softest compression and will suit most golfers in cold weather. Mid handicappers with average swing speeds could easily find this ball excellent for all year round use, not just cold weather.
A large low compression core produces a nice soft feel on long shots as well as a long and stable ball flight. However, what is most noticeable about the RB 566 ball is the dimples. This is where the ball gets its name. It features 566 dimples including Mizuno’s micro-dimple design, which Mizuno claims slows the descent as the ball goes past its apex for bonus hangtime. The ionomer cover is designed to offer reasonable greenside control and feel. Mizuno RB 566 golf balls are also available in yellow and orange.
Pros
Cons
Should I Get A Lower Compression Golf Ball?
One of the considerations when changing your golf ball for colder weather is if you should opt for a lower compression. In general this is a good idea. The reason is that a colder golf ball will be harder to compress. Whilst you are allowed to warm up your golf balls prior to playing, it is against the Rules of Golf to artificially warm them during the round. Therefore, to combat this you can choose a lower compression ball.
Compression refers to how much the golf ball will squash upon impact. This squashing helps to generate more ball speed and distance. So, a cold golf ball that becomes harder to compress will not travel as far.
Golfers that typically use higher compression golf balls such as a Titleist ProV1, may find benefit in changing to a lower compression alternative such as the Titleist TruFeel. The sacrifice will usually be less short game control, however if you are playing in wetter conditions then this will have less impact due to the softened greens.
A low compression rating is typically favored by slower swing speeds, so golfers already using these balls may not need to make a change.
Does the construction matter?
Every golf ball is constructed with a certain number of layers and different materials, which will have a major impact on how it performs. When choosing your golf ball it is important to understand how the construction affects performance.
Two-Piece vs Multi-Layered Golf Balls
Two-piece golf balls have a larger core. This design typically produces lower spin rates and longer distances for the majority of golfers. You will sacrifice control on short shots, however the primary concern for many golfers in cold weather is distance. This makes two-piece golf balls an excellent option.
Multi-layered golf balls are preferred by professionals and low handicappers, because with faster swing speed these balls can offer control, playability and distance. The downside is that these balls are more expensive to produce, so carry a premium price. During the winter when greens are less likely to be burnt out and hard, control and spin are not always valued as highly.
Surlyn vs Urethane Cover
The cover is the outer layer of the golf ball and will be made from a type of surlyn or urethane.
Surlyn is most common on two-piece balls and is better at transferring energy for more distance. It normally will be found on golf balls that advertise low spin and fast ball speeds.
Tour quality golf balls use a urethane cover, because it produces a better feel and more spin on shorter shots. Recently golf manufacturers have been releasing slightly more budget friendly urethane options, designed to suit the club golfer. For example the Srixon QStar or Titleist Tour Speed.
There will be some golfers that insist on only playing urethane golf balls, due to wanting the consistency in feel. However, in cold weather surlyn will benefit most golfers. Surlyn golf balls are no longer as firm as they used to be, with several super-thin surlyn covers featuring on our list, and the distance benefits will be noticeable.
Should I use the same golf ball all the time?
There is often an argument amongst golfers that using the same golf ball all the time, regardless of changes in temperatures, is better for your overall performance. Whether this is an option that is likely to suit you will depend on what golf ball you are currently using and what type of golfer you are.
High handicappers and golfers with slower swing speeds are already best suited to using low compression two-piece golf balls. Therefore, there is no real need to change for cold weather.
Some low handicap golfers, normally ones that rely heavily on playing high spin chip and pitch shots, will choose to play a Tour quality urethane ball even in the coldest conditions. Distances can simply be adjusted accordingly based on the ball not travelling as far. So, you should weigh up if you are willing to have longer shots into greens for the benefit of retaining the same feel and control around the greens.
Use a colored golf ball
Colored golf balls can be extremely useful during cold wintery conditions.
They have the exact same performance as the traditional white, yet some golfers are put off by the look. Once you get used to hitting a brighter ball a few times there is no real downside and you get to much improved visibility.
Cold conditions in the winter typically come hand-in-hand with fairways being covered in leaves on tree-lined courses. Having a bright colored ball can really help you find it more often. Losing less balls is better for both your score and your budget.
Conclusion
We picked out the new 2021 Callaway Supersoft as the top golf ball for cold weather. However, every one of the golf balls on our list are excellent and would be worthy choices.
There are now more manufacturers and models of golf balls being released than ever before. So, when it comes to choosing the ideal ball for you, it is best to try several different options to find out what works.
You might be a golfer that values continuity and wants to stick with the same golf ball all year around. But, hopefully this guide has helped highlight the benefits of ditching a Tour ball in favor of one with a lower compression and more distance orientated.
Still not sure? Why not give one the balls on our list a try. If you are currently using a Tour-quality ball, you might be surprised by the performance of these ‘Club’ balls. You will even save yourself some money too!
