Best Golf Balls to Reduce a Slice
The dreaded slice is one of the most common misses among amateur golfers. It is often the specific nemesis for new golfers and high handicappers, but it is an issue that can affect any golfer and it can be difficult to fix quickly.
First things first, we should start by saying that it is impossible to cure a slice with golf equipment. However, as technology has moved forward there is now golf equipment specifically designed to reduce the effects of a slice.
When it comes to golf balls, you want to look for lower spinning options. These will produce less side spin. Therefore, reducing the drastic effect of a slice and keeping your ball a little closer to the fairway.
In this review we will take a look at our favourite golf balls to reduce a slice.
Table of Contents
1.Bridgestone E12 Contact
Distance: 95 | Feel: 95 | Control: 90 | Durability: 95
Best overall golf ball for reducing your slice
Bridgestone E12 Contact golf ball gets my pick as the best overall golf ball you can choose for reducing a slice. These balls are specifically designed to produce straighter and longer shots, but also offer exceptional all-around performance.
The key to the performance is a new innovative contact force dimple design. According to Bridgestone, this creates a more efficient transfer of energy with 38% more surface contact between the golf ball and the clubface. The result is less sidespin on long shots for improved accuracy, but more spin on short shots thanks to enhanced friction.
An active acceleration mantle layer improves ball speed for further increased distances, whilst a lower compression core gives these golf balls a soft long game feel. Around the greens you will not get the same feel as urethane Tour quality golf balls. However, these will be one of the best surlyn covered balls available and the bonus is improved durability compared to a Tour ball. Available in white, matte green, matte red and matte yellow, there is an option to suit every golfer.
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2. Nitro Ultimate Distance
Distance: 100 | Feel: 70 | Control: 70 | Durability: 100
Best low budget option
If your slice is causing you to lose a lot of golf balls, then you probably don’t want to be spending a fortune on new ones every round. These Nitro Ultimate Distance golf balls will provide long distance and low driver spin, but are a bargain at easily less than $1 per ball.
Nitro Ultimate golf balls are a two-piece construction. A highly reactive titanium core and aerodynamic dimple pattern is designed for a low spinning and straight ball flight, with maximum ball speeds velocity. An incredibly durable lithium surlyn cover ensures protection from scuffing.
These golf balls are not going to offer you any spin control and will have a noticeable hard feel on shorter shots. However, if you are a high handicapper or beginner then that is not likely to bother you too much. Your main focus is likely to be hitting the ball straighter and further off the tee and these golf balls will do exactly that. Available in white, orange and yellow.
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3. Wilson Staff Duo Optix
Distance: 90 | Feel: 85 | Control: 80 | Durability: 90
Best for finding your golf ball
One of three golf balls in Wilson Staff’s Duo range, the Duo Optix gets my pick as one of the best for reducing a slice. However, the Duo Professional and Duo Soft+ would also be good choices.
Duo Optix balls feature a small polybutadiene core, which is designed for maximizing distance and producing a straighter ball flight. Additionally, they have reasonable overall feel and control on shorter than most two-piece surlyn golf balls. Duo Optix balls would be ideal for mid or high handicappers looking for some playability instead of just a stereotypical distance golf ball.
If you are a golfer that finds yourself in the rough or trees more times than you would like, then these golf balls will definitely be harder to lose than normal. The Duo Optix has a semi-translucent cover with a matte finish, which enhances visibility as well as reducing sun glare. There are five bright colours to choose from; orange, yellow, green, red and pink.
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4. Vice Pro+
Distance: 90 | Feel: 95 | Control: 95 | Durability: 80
Best Tour quality golf ball
A Tour quality golf ball might seem like a strange choice when looking to reduce a slice, but the Vice Pro+ has the perfect low spin profile on longer shots. This allows you to get all the technology of a four-piece high-end golf ball, whilst still improving your dispersion off the tee.
Vice Pro+ balls have a thin cast urethane cover and S2TG (stick to the green) technology for improved feel and short game spin control. A high energy speed core and an elastic dual mantle design reduces driver spin for a low, yet long, penetrating ball flight.
These golf balls have the feel and performance of the most premium golf balls on the market, but you will need to have a faster swing speed to get the most out of their performance. They are still a higher priced golf ball, but if you buy in bulk they become better value for money. As well as standard white, they are also available in bright lime or red.
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5. Pinnacle Rush
Distance: 100 | Feel: 75 | Control: 75 | Durability: 100
Best value for money
Pinnacle now only produces two golf balls, Rush and Soft. Both would be great choices if you are wayward off the tee, as they are lower spinning on longer shots. I have chosen to add the Rush to this list, because I think they will be a great option for high handicap and newer golfers with reasonably fast swing speeds. There are lots of golfers with powerful swings, yet with higher handicaps due to lacking control and accuracy.
The Rush has a slightly higher compression rating, but with a firmer cover and high energy core designed for low spin and long distances. A 332 icosahedral dimple structure is designed to produce a consistent and powerful ball flight. As a distance golf ball it does lack short game spin control and feel, but it does not feel quite as rock-like as others on the market. Overall, this is an excellent value for money golf ball that will suit most high handicap golfers.
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6. Titleist Velocity
Distance: 100 | Feel: 80 | Control: 80 | Durability: 100
Best distance golf ball
Titleist is the brand renowned for having the number one ball in golf, ProV1. But, for golfers slicing the ball, it is the Velocity that you should be using. It has an ultra low spinning long game profile, which is ideal for keeping sidespin down and hitting straighter shots.
The latest Velocity model was released in 2018. It features a high speed LSX core and NaZ+ cover for fast ball speeds and long distances. A spherically-tiled 350 octahedral dimple pattern ensures optimized aerodynamics. Titleist Velocity is designed to produce a high launching ball flight on all shots, so that you can still stop the ball on the green despite that low spin profile. Available in white and three different matte colours; green, orange and pink.
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7. Mizuno RB Tour
Distance: 90 | Feel: 95 | Control: 95 | Durability: 80
Best for low and mid handicappers
Mizuno are not a brand that you will immediately associate with producing golf balls. Yet, the RB Tour might be one of the most underrated balls on the market. It has low driver spin that will help golfers struggling with hitting wide tee shots. However, similar to the Vice Pro+ reviewed earlier, the RB Tour offers much more all around playability than a distance focused golf ball.
Mizuno cone shaped C-Dimple design reduces drag to generate a penetrating ball flight that performs excellently in windy conditions. The RB Tour has a four-piece construction featuring a rubber dual core and high energy ionomer mantle creates good overall distance. A low compression rating provides a soft feel on longer shots and gives a high launch angle despite the lower spin. A urethane cover improves greenside performance, providing the feel and spin control that better golfers require.
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Can a golf ball fix my slice?
No, a golf ball will not ‘fix’ your slice. The most common cause of hitting a slice is having an open clubface at impact. This can only be cured by squaring up your clubface by making adjustments to your swing with lessons and practice.
That being said, a golf ball can help reduce the effects of a slice. Choosing golf balls with low spin, especially on long game shots, will also reduce the amount of sidespin you can possibly add at impact. Less sidespin equals less slice, keeping the ball closer to the intended target.
Conversely, higher spinning golf balls should be avoided. These will have the opposite effect and will exaggerate your slice even more.
What construction is best?
It is important to understand how golf balls are constructed so that you know what type of ball you should be looking to purchase. Each golf ball is made with a specific number of layers and uses a few different types of materials. These features give each ball their main characteristics.
Commonly you will see golf balls referred to by their number of layers. For example, a two-piece golf ball is one with two specific layers. Golf balls can have anywhere from one to six layers, however the majority on the market have between two to five.
So, more important, what type of construction is best for golfers struggling with a slice?
Two-Piece vs Multi-Layered Golf Balls
Generally, two-piece golf balls are going to be better at reducing your slice. The larger core is designed to produce lower spin rates for longer distances, which also reduces sidespin for straighter shots.
The downside is that you are sacrificing significant greenside spin control and might struggle to stop the ball rolling through the back of greens. Many manufacturers now produce multi-layered golf balls that are designed to produce lower spin on longer shots, whilst retaining some short game spin. Okay, they might not be as low spinning as most two-piece golf balls, but low-to-mid handicappers may require a middle ground.
Surlyn vs Urethane Cover
The outer layer of the golf ball, referred to as the cover, comes in two different materials; surlyn or urethane. Typically, two-piece balls have surlyn covers and then multi-layered balls are urethane, although there are some exceptions.
Similar to the choice over construction, which one you choose will be down to your priorities.
Surlyn (also referred to as Ionomer, which is a type of surlyn) is better at transferring energy to produce faster ball speeds and is a more durable material. It will also help keep spin rates down, which is better for golfers hitting a slice. However, it has a much harder feel, which is especially noticeable on your short game.
Urethane is a less durable material, but this gives it a much softer feel around the greens and is the choice on all Tour quality golf balls. The benefit is that it will give you improved spin control on shorter shots, but the drawback is the potential for higher spin off the tee.
Does compression matter?
Compression is another component that needs to be considered when looking for a golf ball that is both playable and helps reduce your slice. Compression, in layman's terms, is how much the ball squashes upon impact. A lower compression rating means that the golf ball will compress further.
A slice is most destructive on longer shots. This is also where compression comes into play, because it will mostly impact shots hit with more power. So, it is important to choose wisely.
Golf balls with lower compression rates are going to be a better choice for the majority of golfers struggling with wayward tee shots. More commonly found in two-piece golf balls, lower compression will result in reduced spin rates. The ability to squash under lower impact means they will produce more ball speed and a higher launch that is ideal for slower swing speeds.
The exception to the above is golfers with above average swing speeds. Mostly found in multi-layered balls, higher compression will allow more powerful golfers to maximize their distance and control. You should be careful not to use too high a compression though, otherwise spin rates will increase and this can have a negative impact on sideways shots.
Compression ratings have often been misunderstood by amateur golfers in the past and now only a few manufacturers, such as Wilson, still actually list their compression ratings. Although, you can often find it out on the golf ball websites or you can use the handy list compiled here by Golf Info Guides. Compression can still provide useful information about how a ball may perform, but as technology has developed there are other factors to consider.
What is your budget?
As with any golf equipment purchase, your budget will play a vital role in what you choose. This is even more so with golf balls, because there is always a chance of losing them.
Beginners and high handicappers will inevitably lose more balls, so typically it makes sense to select a more budget friendly option. However, if you are reading this article then it is likely you are hitting a few too many slices with your driver, regardless of your handicap. Therefore, chances are this means you are losing quite a few golf balls too.
Luckily, there are plenty of great options available on the market that should fit into any golfer's budget. Wilson and Pinnacle are two brands that offer good quality at an affordable price. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more premium ball then you could buy them cost-effectively from a straight to consumer brand like Vice when getting larger quantities.
Remember, more expensive does not always mean better as well. Premium balls, such as Titleist ProV1 or TaylorMade TP5, might be the most suitable to professional golfers, but they might not suit your game at all. In fact, if you are struggling with a slice then it is actually more likely the cheaper two-piece golf balls will have a more positive impact on your performance.
Use a colored golf ball
One tip for golfers hitting a slice is to choose a colored golf ball. Some golfers may still scoff at the thought of any golf ball that is not traditional white. Yet, they perform exactly the same and can be incredibly helpful.
Chances are that if you are hitting a slice, then you find yourself away from the fairway a bit too much. If this sounds like you, then it might be worth trying out a coloured golf ball that offers improved visibility. This can help you lose less golf balls, which is better for both your score and your wallet.
Conclusion
Finding a golf ball that will help reduce your slice, whilst also suiting your game, is not easy. The ideal ball is as much down to personal preference as anything else. Luckily, there are loads of excellent options available on the market and we have reviewed the ones we consider the best.
As with trying to find any golf equipment, your handicap and swing speed will play a role in which golf balls you are most suited to. But overall, the majority of golfers struggling with a slice will benefit most from two-piece golf balls with a surlyn cover and low compression. You are going to sacrifice some control around the greens, but the reduced spin on longer shots is likely to be far more important.
However, some golfers, especially mid to low handicappers will want an option with more short game feel and spin control. In this case, it is important to find an option that still retains a low spin profile with a driver. Otherwise you could find your slice gets worse, not better.
