6 Best Golf Balls for Cold Weather

Golf ball sitting on snow in the winter

Erik Schjolberg

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Jan 6, 2024

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Key Takeaways – Best Cold Weather Golf Balls of 2024

  • A firmer ball will have less spin and more roll
  • Reduced drag helps in cold weather
  • High-visibility balls are easier to find in winter conditions
  • Quality balls will produce consistent results in cold weather

As we approach the colder months of the year, many golfers question what are the best golf balls for cold weather.

While the rubber components of the ball are not impacted like the tires on a Formula 1 car, the other elements do play their part. In this post, I reveal the best cold-weather golf ball for 2024 for yardage gain and control on the golf course.

You will notice that the golf balls on this list are equipped with drag-resistant aerodynamics, helping your ball cut through cold dense air for superior results.


Cold Weather Golf Balls Buying Guide

#1 Firmer Ball (less spin, more roll)

Some guys will suggest a SOFTER ball for the cold to help with compression, but I find a FIRMER ball to be more beneficial (assuming you have a decent swing speed).

Why? The cold air of a winter’s day is denser than its warmer counterpart, leading to a higher drag force on the ball and an earlier-than-planned descent. One way to reduce the impact of the air is to play a firmer golf ball that generates less spring off the clubface.

The construction of these balls lowers your risk of ballooning shots and further involving the dense air. Firmness makes the best cold-weather golf balls in my opinion.

Note – golfers with mid to slow swing speeds may prefer a low-compression golf ball for consistent launch.

#2 Reduced Drag

Golf balls that restrict drag and promote free-flowing flight are vital for optimal carry distance in winter. Manufacturers have their designs for combatting drag, but I find the Hex Aerodynamic layout from Callaway and the tetrahedral pattern by Titleist are the two most effective designs.

Reduced drag is a MUST for the best cold-weather golf balls.

#3 Visibility

If you find that visibility is a challenge on winter days, then you should think about adding some color to your life.

Red, pink, green, orange, and yellow golf balls… there are a few colors you can’t find these days. The designs are enhanced with an optical brightener to stand out in dry grass and foggy conditions, making them great cold-weather golf balls.

#4 Greenside Spin

Earlier, I mentioned the thinking behind a firm golf ball with low long-game spin to restrict the impact of denser air, but that can hurt your game around the green. You’ll find that reduced greenside spin makes it impossible to stop your ball rapidly.

A winter golf ball near the green

Therefore, if green side spin is a big concern for you, I suggest searching for a golf ball that improves shot-stopping power, to give you a chance around the greens, when looking for the ideal cold-weather golf ball.


Best Golf Ball for Cold Weather – Test Results and Rankings

#1. Titleist Tour Speed

🏆 Best Overall 🥇
A Titleist Tour Speed box on my table

My Rating: ⭐️ 5.0/5.0
Construction: 3-piece
Cover Material: Proprietary Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Soft/ High
Dimples: Quadrilateral Dipyramid
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White, Yellow

Pros:

  • Explosive ball speed
  • Penetrating trajectory to slice through the air
  • Low long game spin
  • Increased greenside spin

Cons:

  • They are still expensive
  • Not ideal for golfers with slow swing speeds
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My Experience (with pictures):

The Tour Speed made me smile from the get-go because of the price tag for a urethane golf ball. Although the engineers opted for proprietary overcast, this golf ball delivers ideal results from tee to green.

I found that the high-speed core optimized the energy transfer at impact, prompting explosive ball speed off the clubface. Despite sitting between the cover and core, you will notice the work of a thin, ionomer casing layer which reduces long game spin and reinforces velocity.

The inner workings of the golf ball are protected by a Titleist proprietary urethane cover, which bites into the grooves of your short clubs for a rampant spin. However, the difference in spin between the Pro V1 cast urethane and the Tour Speed cover was noticeable, as my ball produced reduced drop and stop control.

Finally, 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimples fight drag for penetrating ball flight. This trajectory helps your golf ball cut through the cold, dense air for optimal performance.

Me putting a Titleist Tour Speed ball in the box

The Bottom Line

The Titleist Tour Speed carries a lower retail price than other urethane golf balls, which puts it within reach of the average golfer. In addition, it delivers low long game spin and rapid ball speed in your long game for impressive length, while still boosting greenside spin. 

Overall, the Tour Speed is a great option for low and mid handicappers with moderate to fast swing speeds, and definitely one of the best cold weather golf balls.

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#2. TaylorMade Distance +

🏆 Best Budget 🥇
A Distance Plus ball in my hand for testing

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5.0
Construction: 2-piece
Cover Material: Ionomer
Type: Distance
Feel/Compression: Soft/ Moderate (77)
Dimples: Aerodynamic
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low
Color Options: White, Yellow

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Fights drag
  • Accelerates ball pace
  • Minimizes long game spin

Cons:

  • Limited greenside spin and control
  • They can scuff easily hitting the sand
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My Experience (with pictures):

I found that the TaylorMade Distance + is a super affordable distance golf ball created for high handicappers with moderate swing speed. A 341 aerodynamic dimple pattern aids your cause in the cold weather because it fights drag and produces a penetrating ball flight for maximum carry distance.

Aside from its crafty aerodynamics, you will notice that the Distance + is equipped with a React Speed Core, which restricts driver spin and boosts pace. During testing, these components complemented each other to provide ample yardage.

You’ll find that this golf ball features a compression rating of 77, which is considered moderate and ideal for mid to faster-swing-speed golfers. The firmer construction, rapid velocity, and penetrating trajectory help your ball produce added roll upon landing.

The Bottom Line

The TaylorMade Distance + is a highly affordable distance golf ball created to help high handicappers with moderate speeds and maximize long game distance.

Despite its impressive yardage returns, this distance ball provides minimal spin around the green. But that could be a fair trade since you’re gaining the cold weather golf balls distance advantages.

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#3. Bridgestone e12

🏆 Honorable Mention 🥇
A Bridgestone e12 box frontview

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5.0
Construction: 3-piece
Cover Material: Ionomer
Type: Distance
Feel/Compression: Soft/ Moderate (70)
Dimples: Contact Force
Forgiveness: High
Spin: Low
Color Options: White, Matte Yellow, Matte Green, Matte Red

Pros:

  • Accelerated ball velocity
  • Sidespin reducing mantle
  • 3 color choices make it easy to identify your ball in rubbish weather
  • Reduces backspin

Cons:

  • Minimal backspin for short game shots
  • The thick cover reduces feedback
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My Experience (with pictures):

The Bridgestone e12 is an ideal ball for cold weather because of its all-around performance, forgiveness, and versatility. I felt the Contact Force Dimple pattern was the star performer for its high spring on long shots and increased friction and spin around the green. In addition, the dimples resisted drag to help your ball travel unhindered.

When you strike the e12, you will notice that the Gradational Compression Core explodes off the face of your woods while restricting spin. These components are essential for maximizing your long game yardage to combat the effects of cold, dense air.

I noticed that the sidespin-reducing mantle played a pivotal role in keeping my golf ball straight and boosting pace. While the e12 is not the highest-spinning golf ball I know, the expertly crafted dimple pattern enhances friction at contact, prompting satisfactory drop and stop results.

The Bottom Line

The Bridgestone e12 range are ideal winter golf balls, as they enhance friction on short game shots and spring off the tee. In addition, they are easy to compress, low spin, accelerated ball speed, and limited drag allow your ball to fly uninterrupted for optimal carry yardage. It’s definitely one of the best cold weather golf balls we’ve tested.

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#4. Callaway Supersoft

🏆 Easiest to See 🥇
My new Callaway Supersoft balls with different color in the grass

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5.0
Construction: 2-piece
Cover Material: Ionomer
Type: Distance
Feel/Compression: Soft/ Low (38)
Dimples: Hex Aerodynamics
Forgiveness: High
Spin: Low
Color Options: White, Matte Yellow, Matte Green, Matte Pink, Matte Orange, Matte Red

Pros:

  • Springs off the face on long game shots
  • Resists drag for a higher launch
  • Increased friction on short game strikes
  • Ideal for golfers with slow swing speed

Cons:

  • It causes moderate and faster swing speeds to balloon strikes
  • Minimal short game spin
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My Experience (with pictures):

Despite catering to average golfers with slower swing speeds, Callaway Supersoft golf balls are among the brand’s most popular. It is one of the few low compression golf balls to feature on our list, thanks to its elevated ball pace, high launch, and low long-game spin.

In addition, I found that the Hex aerodynamic dimples fought drag, making the Supersoft’s ideal winter golf balls.

You’ll feel that the soft compression core enhances the energy transfer from the clubface to the golf ball at impact, accelerating zip and lowering spin.

My moderate swing speed launched the Supersoft higher than I liked, leading to a loss of yards. However, slow swing speeds will cherish this quality because of consistent ball flight and carry yards.

Although the Supersoft is a distance ball, and you can expect minimal spin, the cover attempts to lift your performance around the green.

You’ll notice that the engineers employed a Paraloid Impact Modifier cover that springs off the face on long shots and boosts friction on wedge strikes for an increased bite-on approach.

The Bottom Line

Callaway Supersoft is one of the legendary low compression golf balls that works to enhance the performance of slow-swinging players. It delivers explosive velocity and low spin in your long game while promoting a soft, rapid landing around the dancefloor… perfect golf balls for cold weather.

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#5. Wilson Tour Velocity

🏆 Honorable Mention 🥇
A 5 packs inside of Wilson Tour Velocity box

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5.0
Construction: 2-piece
Cover Material: Ionomer
Type: Distance
Feel/Compression: Medium/ Mid (70)
Dimples: Enhanced Aerodynamics
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low
Color Options: White

Pros:

  • Drag resistant flight
  • Rampant ball pace
  • Lower long game spin
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Only available in white
  • Limited short game spin
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My Experience (with pictures):

The Wilson Tour Velocity makes excellent golf balls for cold weather, thanks to their drag-resistant dimples, mid-compression rating, and increased roll upon landing. I enjoyed drag-free launch for a free-flowing flight and optimal carry distance.

Besides slicing through the dense air, the hard ionomer cover encourages a piercing trajectory prompting optimal roll on the ground. In addition, you will experience limited long-game spin thanks to the stiff, ionomer cover.

Finally, you receive a boost at impact from the mid-compression core, which offers an element of spring off the clubface at contact. You’ll notice that this adds additional pace to your golf ball, encouraging a high, long golf shot.

The Bottom Line

The Wilson Tour Velocity is an affordable two-piece ball that conquers cold air to maximize carry distance in the winter. In addition, I appreciated the additional roll that the ball provided in chilly temperatures with soft turf conditions.

The overall performance of this entry-level distance ball makes it ideal for high handicappers all year, as well as being one of the top golf balls for cold weather.

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#6. Callaway Warbird

🏆 Best for Beginners 🥇
Me holding Callaway Warbird ball testing at the golf course

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5.0
Construction: 2-piece
Cover Material: Ionomer
Type: Distance
Feel/Compression: Firm/ High (90)
Dimples: Hex Aerodynamics
Forgiveness: High
Spin: Low
Color Options: White, Yellow

Pros:

  • Reduces drag
  • Promotes accelerated ball pace
  • Maximum roll
  • Low spin on long game shots

Cons:

  • Limited spin around the green
  • Rock hard feel
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My Experience (with pictures):

I spent years playing the Callaway Warbird as a junior because of its straighter flight, explosive pace, and low long game spin. The Warbird is a suitable choice when playing golf in the cold weather because the Hex aerodynamics resist drag for uninterrupted flight in dense air.

Another feature I welcome in colder weather is the golf balls’ firm structure, which increases bounce and roll upon landing. The added roll is beneficial under damp, cold turf. Pairing drag-resistant aerodynamics with optimal roll leads to increased yards in your long game.

I experienced a power boost at impact thanks to an expanded high-energy core, which resulted in rampant pace. A tough ionomer cover aided my speed and limited spin to produce consistent length. The downside of minimal long-game spin is reduced short-game control.

The Bottom Line

The Callaway Warbird is an entry-level, two-piece distance ball with a high compression rating, designed for high handicappers with a moderate to fast swing speed. You will receive minimal long game spin, accelerated speed, and drag-free flight for improved carry and total yardage – a perfect golf ball for cold weather.

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And the Winner of the Best Winter Golf Balls is…

My quest for the best golf balls for cold weather required focus on drag resistance and roll upon landing. Drag-resistant flight is vital in the cold because it is denser than warm air, which holds the ball up in flight. The below picks excelled in our test and came out as our top suggestions.

Best Overall

The Titleist Tour Speed is the best golf ball for cold weather, thanks to its all-around performance. With exceptional short-game spin, rapid ball speed, reduced long-game spin, and drug-resistant launch, it’s the perfect cold-weather golf ball.

Best Budget

Our final list contained three super affordable golf balls for every player’s budget. However, the TaylorMade Distance + reigned supreme for accelerated velocity, limited drag, and reduced long-game spin, making it suitable for mid and high-handicappers.

Easiest to See

Conditions during a winter round of golf can change drastically and produce poor visibility. That is why colored golf balls are a suitable option for a quick find. The Callaway Supersoft has the best selection of colored balls, with five to choose from, excluding the traditional white.

Cold weather golf ball in the grass

FAQ

What is the best golf ball to play in cold weather?q

The Titleist Tour Speed is the best golf ball to play in cold weather thanks to its all-around performance. A high-compression golf ball offers a stiff structure. It was supported by a high-speed, low-spin core and casting layer and an enhanced spinning urethane cover.

Are Pro V1 golf balls good in cold weather?

Finally, the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimples restricted drag, ensuring consistent flight.

Yes, Pro V1 golf balls are good in cold weather for high-swing-speed golfers. These balls encourage consistent flight, reduced drag, low long game, high short game spin, and explosive ball speed.

However, I do not suggest that slow-swinging high handicappers play with Pro V1 balls at any point in the year. It is a premium product that is costly to lose frequently, and it does not suit your swing.

Does cold weather affect golf balls?

Yes, cold weather does affect golf ball flight because colder air is denser than warm air and creates greater drag force on the dimples. This forces your ball to land earlier than planned, leading to a loss of long-game yardage.

Should you use a different golf ball in the winter?

Yes, I suggest using a different golf ball for winter to optimize your performance in the conditions. That change may be a higher compression golf ball or a colorful design, easily identifiable in low visibility.

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