Practice golf balls are for refining your swing in your home or backyard without breaking the windows or anyone’s head. Usually made of plastic or foam, practice balls are for spaces around 20-100 yards. They are designed to cause no damage unlike actual golf balls.
With the best practice golf balls, you can improve your hand-eye coordination, swing sequence, posture, ball position, etc. at a limited space and budget.
Table of Content
10 Best Practice Golf Balls’ Reviews
It goes without saying that even the best practice golf balls won’t offer the same distance, spin, and durability as real golf balls. Practicing with real balls is surely the best. When that’s not possible because of limited space, practice golf balls are the alternative. Considering these, if you want to get golf practice balls to improve your performance, here are our top 11 picks for that.
1. AlmostGolf Limited Flight Practice Golf Balls
(Best for realistic experience)
With a weight of 13.5 grams and a dense foam core, Almostgolf foam practice balls offer one of the most realistic experiences. The dimpled texture on the ball surface enhances that experience.
Coming to the distance, they can go around 30-50% of actual golf balls distance. You can use these to practice your full swings too. You don’t have to worry about breaking things either, as they are just about 0.476 oz. Whereas the actual golf ball usually weighs 1.620 oz.
If we compare, these balls are firmer and heavier compared to many foam balls. Thus, Almostgolf balls go farther and provide better feedback. Keep in mind that, Almostgolf balls have a longer ball flight. You will need a comparatively bigger space for them than regular sponge balls or soft-foam practice balls.
Benefits at a glance
- You can practice full swings with these.
- Offers better feedback than PrideSports yellow foam balls.
- These balls go farther than GoSports foam balls.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Not the best choice for indoors.
- These are pretty expensive for a practice golf ball.
Final verdict
These are the best practice golf balls for backyard if you don’t mind spending money on quality practice balls and have a slightly bigger space. They offer great distance and feedback for a practice ball.
2. SKLZ Limited-Flight Practice Impact Golf Balls
(Best airflow practice ball)
Most of the airflow balls don’t offer durability. They just split open after a few hits. SKLZ Limited-Flight practice balls made with thicker plastic are different from them. It’s firmer and lasts longer.
They go about 15-25 yards, even with golf drivers. As these balls don’t go very far, it’s for those with a very small space and no practice net. In addition, it is so light and soft that you can use it anywhere in the house. These balls don’t make much sound either. This lets you use this indoors without disturbing other family members.
The yellow and black color make it easy to observe when it’s in the air. But the concern is that it gets hard to spot it in the grass, especially if the yellow color is facing down. Also, it’s not for practicing on tall grass. The ball might get stuck in the blades. It is more suitable for practicing on small grass or putting green.
Benefits at a glance
- It goes around 15-25 yards with drivers.
- They last longer than regular airflow plastic balls.
- The size and shape are like actual golf balls.
- These balls have better flight, feel, and distance than wiffle balls.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Not suitable for practicing on tall grass.
- It’s hard to spot in the tall grass.
Final verdict
These are the best limited flight golf balls for those looking for durable airflow plastic balls to practice in a tight space. It is more suitable for practicing indoors than in a tall grass-covered backyard.
3. Reyshin Foam Golf Balls
(Best for price)
50 balls, 10 tees, and 1 mesh bag at such a cheap price is a great deal for those looking for a budget-friendly package. Even if you don’t count the price of the mesh bag and tees, the balls cost very less per count. That alone makes these balls attractive.
Comparing it with the real golf ball, they come in the same size and have a dimpled surface to provide a better feel. They perform best in the 20-30 yards range. As these are made of comparatively thicker foam, they are quite durable and don’t feel too spongy when you hit them.
The concern is that, even if you can use them for full swings, they aren’t much suitable for improving ball flight. Because of the ball’s lightweight, it easily gets more affected by the wind than Almostgolf practice balls.
Benefits at a glance
- You can use them for practicing full swings.
- They don’t sink in water.
- They are pretty durable, even if you hit them with blade wedges.
- These balls are easy to spot.
Drawbacks at a glance
- As they are quite lightweight, the wind affects the ball’s flight very much
Final verdict
These are the best foam practice golf balls for your budget. It’s mainly for those who want to practice full swings and don’t want the ball to go much far.
4. BirdieBall Practice Golf Balls
(Best for fixing slices and hooks)
With a flight distance of around 40 yards, BirdieBall gives you an idea of what your flight would have been with actual golf balls. They help you see slices and hooks, which is a great advantage to high handicapper or beginner golfers struggling to hit straight.
The shape of this ball is a bit unique for a practice golf ball. When you hit it, you compress the bottom of the cylinder at impact. Then, it springs back, making the ball fly true.
It is a bit pricey for a practice golf ball. There is no argument to that. But made of durable polymer, these practice balls last long and let you practice more. It can handle different golf club hits.
Benefits at a glance
- Suitable for full swing practice
- Launch well
- Help fix slices and hooks
- Comparatively durable
- Ball flight is similar to real balls
Drawbacks at a glance
- Cracks easily in cold temperature
- Quite pricey
Final verdict
BirdieBall Practice Balls make miss-hits noticeable. It works like a training aid to offer feedback and help you hit better over time. The sound it makes when struck correctly is satisfying.
5. The Floppy Indoor Practice Balls
If you are looking for a durable practice ball for improving chip and pitch shots, this one is a good option. Floppy balls offer a better feel than plastic practice golf balls for limited spaces. You can use it for practicing short-distance shorts against your bedroom’s wall, on hitting mats, or in your backyard. They bounce very near to you when you hit them. That way, you won’t need to repeatedly bend to fetch them.
These squishy soft, lightweight balls are covered with woven fabric cover. They don’t damage mirrors, frames, or anything indoors.
It goes without saying that the spin or distance isn’t enough to be considered nearly as good as actual golf balls like they described in the product description. Also, you can buy a pack of real golf balls for the same price. You buy it when you need balls that don’t go farther, are durable and soft enough to not damage anything in the house.
Benefits at a glance
- They last for a long time.
- Best for improving 10-20 yards shots.
- Offers better feedback than regular wiffle-type balls.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Not for practicing with drivers.
- They lose shape if you use them for full swings.
Final verdict
These indoor golf practice balls are suitable for those looking for durable practice balls to improve swing or short-distance shots in-between office breaks or in the house. If you want to practice long-distance shorts with soft balls, foam balls might be a better choice.
6. Callaway HX Soft-Flight Foam Practice Golf Balls
Callaway HX comes with Callaway’s patented HEX pattern dimples. That helps to simulate actual golf balls better.
When we compare, these golf balls offer a more realistic feel than most other foam practice balls. As Callaway HX is firmer, you can even practice your full swings with these balls. The ball flight is better than regular foam or wiffle-type balls.
But they are not as firm as Almostgolf practice balls. So, you won’t require as much space as AG balls. That means Callaway balls go farther than many other foam balls, but not like Almost practice golf balls. This lets you have comparatively short-flight practice sessions and realistic experience too.
Benefits at a glance
- They can go around 100 yards or more with drivers.
- They roll well.
- It offers a good feel.
- They are softer than Almostgolf practice balls.
- It includes a mesh carry bag.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Doesn’t provide as much realistic feel as Almostgolf practice balls.
- They still require bigger space compared to many other foam practice golf balls.
Final verdict
Though Almostgolf balls give a more realistic feel, HX balls are more suitable for small spaces and affordable than AG balls. In addition, HX balls are softer than AG balls, which makes them safer to use.
7. PrideSports Foam Practice Golf Balls
If you are looking for a durable practice ball for improving chip and pitch shots, this one is a good option. Floppy balls offer a better feel than plastic practice golf balls for limited spaces. You can use it for practicing short-distance shorts against your bedroom’s wall, on hitting mats, or in your backyard. They bounce very near to you when you hit them. That way, you won’t need to repeatedly bend to fetch them.
These squishy soft, lightweight balls are covered with woven fabric cover. They don’t damage mirrors, frames, or anything indoors.
It goes without saying that the spin or distance isn’t enough to be considered nearly as good as actual golf balls like they described in the product description. Also, you can buy a pack of real golf balls for the same price. You buy it when you need balls that don’t go farther, are durable and soft enough to not damage anything in the house.
Benefits at a glance
- They go around 15-20 yards with a wedge.
- Offers better visibility.
- They are squishier than Almostgolf practice balls.
Drawbacks at a glance
- These balls absorb water and expand.
Final verdict
These indoor golf practice balls are suitable for those looking for durable practice balls to improve swing or short-distance shots in-between office breaks or in the house. If you want to practice long-distance shorts with soft balls, foam balls might be a better choice.
8. Orlimar Golf 36 Practice Balls
If you are looking for an affordable package that offers both foam and plastic balls in one pack, Orlimar Golf 36 is a great option. You get a total of 36 balls containing 12 foam and 24 airflow plastic balls at a very cheap price.
The plastic balls are more suitable for indoor practice sessions with wedges or short golf irons. In comparison, the high-density foam balls are for practicing full swings. As these foam balls are quite lightweight, you can also use them indoors.
Benefits at a glance
- One of the most affordable practice golf balls.
- Suitable for around 40 yards range.
- You can use it both indoors and outdoors.
- The foam balls float.
- Includes a mesh bag.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Included plastic balls are comparatively less durable.
Final verdict
These plastic and foam golf balls are for golfers looking for affordable practice balls to improve their swings. However, if you are looking for better shot feedback, Almostgolf practice balls might be a better choice.
9. Thiodoon Practice Airflow Golf Balls
For those who struggle to hit the middle of golf balls, practicing with smaller balls can be a good drill. So that when you play with standard-size balls, it gets easier to hit them in the middle. Thiodoon airflow practice balls are approximately 40mm in diameter, meaning they are about 2.7 mm smaller than actual golf balls. The difference is too small to notice, but they help you improve.
Coming to the performance, they don’t fly or go much far, which makes them a great choice for playing in the backyard or your room. They are for short-distance shots. In addition, they come in 6 different bright colors that are very easy to spot in the grass.
Consider the fact that they are made of comparatively thin plastic. You can’t use them for full swings or strike them with power. That will make them crack easily. If you want firmer airflow balls, SKLZ Limited-Flight practice balls are a better choice.
Benefits at a glance
- Suitable for 20-yards range.
- Good for practicing chip shots.
- They don’t damage the wall or break glassware.
- Offers good visibility.
Drawbacks at a glance
- They will dent easily with drivers, woods, or distance irons.
Final verdict
If you are struggling to hit the middle of the balls and need affordable airflow balls to practice chipping, Thiodoon airflow practice balls are a great choice.
10. GoSports Foam Golf Practice Balls
GoSports foam practice balls with their dense foam structure and dimpled surface, help to give you a realistic feel. They are more responsive and durable than SKLZ Limited-Flight practice balls.
These are stiffer than regular foam balls as well. Thus, they fly farther. You can even get 80-110 yards with your drivers. It gets you a good carry and rolls nicely too. And with sand wedges, these practice golf balls go around half of the distance you get with real golf balls. You can easily practice the chip shots of 30-40 yards or more.
Consider that these balls aren’t for practicing full swings in tight spaces. They go farther than regular limited-flight foam balls. But the weight being around 9.5 -10.5 grams, it doesn’t do much damage to your valuables. But it is still a better choice to strike them toward a practice net or in a comparatively bigger space for full swings.
Benefits at a glance
- It can go over 100 yards with drivers.
- Offers a great feel at impact.
- It includes a storage tote with the balls.
- They are more affordable than Callaway HX golf balls.
Drawbacks at a glance
- Not for practicing full swings indoors.
Final verdict
GoSports foam balls are a great choice for practicing chip shots. If we compare with the other balls of the list, they are not as firm as Almostgolf practice balls. But GoSports do offer a more realistic feel than a regular foam ball. In addition, they come at a more affordable price than Almostgolf and Callaway HX balls.
11. Bac-kitchen Foam Golf Practice Balls
The Back-kitchen 40 foam balls pack contains foam balls of different firmness. That helps to make your practice versatile. You can start the practice with the softer ones and gradually use the firmer ones to understand the difference. This assists in understanding how your swing should be different for golf balls of different levels of firmness. It will be beneficial when you hit the actual golf balls during rounds.
These foam balls come with dimples to make them have a higher and longer flight. They go 40-75 yards with drivers. Bac-kitchen balls fly straight to let you understand draw or slices, but that can be affected by wind.
Benefits at a glance
- You can practice full swings with these.
- They float.
- Suitable for practicing in a 40-75 yards range.
- These balls are easier to spot in the grass.
Drawbacks at a glance
- The different hardness of the balls might feel inconsistent.
Final verdict
These golf balls are for those who want a versatile practice session with foam balls of different density. It’s a very affordable option too.
Things to Consider When Buying Practice Golf Balls
Material and price are mostly the main factors when we go to buy a practice golf ball. It’s because we want practice balls that give us good performance in limited space at an affordable price. Size, shape, flotation, and dimple assists in making the experience more realistic to improve your shots.
1. Material: Foam vs. Plastic
Practice golf balls are mostly made of plastic or foam. You need to choose one between them depending on how you will use them.
Foam golf balls
When we compare, foam practice golf balls offer a more realistic feel and sound than plastic golf balls. Especially the foam balls with a compressed core feel more like actual golf balls. As foam balls fly higher and farther, they are more suitable than plastic ones for driver and iron shots.
But if you are planning to play indoors, soft foam golf balls are a better choice. They do less damage to glassware than compressed-core foam balls.
Plastic golf balls
These practice balls are usually cheaper than foam balls. But plastic balls crack open after a few hits. Perforated plastic balls are comparatively more durable than practice balls with no holes or non-perforated balls. It’s a better choice as an affordable solution for practicing swings or hand-eye coordination in tight spaces.
2. Size and shape
Try to buy practice golf balls that are the same size as the standard golf balls, which is 42.7 mm (1.680 inches). Or at least get the ones near this size. This will help you be better at hitting the sweet spot of golf balls. And for the shape, spherical is the best choice to get a more realistic feel.
3. Floatation
If you are going to play near a pond, practice balls that float are a better choice. This will cut down a lot of costs. Though the real balls don’t float because of the high density, many practice balls do. Foam balls mostly float. Some plastic balls float too, or stay just underneath the surface. You can grab them easily with a golf ball retriever. Check the product specifications to know whether they float or not.
4. Dimple
Dimpled practice balls are better for getting a better feel. This will help you strike better shots and make the experience more realistic. Just like the dimples of actual golf balls, dimples of practice golf balls help to make the balls go farther and higher too.
5. Price
Practice golf balls, both plastic and foam are cheaper than actual balls. They usually come in packs of 12, 24, 36, 50 or even 100. These packs usually cost around $8 to $45.
A plastic practice golf ball is usually cheaper than a foam practice ball. The plastic ones can be as cheap as $0. 28/count or less. While the foam practice golf balls can be $0.4/count too. But the dense-core foam balls that offer realistic feel and go half or ⅓ of the actual balls’ distance costs around $1 or more per count.
Alternatives: X-out balls and Lake balls
X-out or lake golf balls are for those who lean toward practice balls for a cheaper alternative. These cost more than foam or plastic golf balls. But they are better for improving the swing.
X-out golf balls
X-Out golf balls are factory overruns or balls with aesthetic flaws, but they are also entirely new compared to the buckets of the lake or used balls in some shops. They have minor flaws, that’s why they are sold at a discounted price in plain packaging.
Top brands often sell balls as practice golf balls that differ only because of a cosmetic blemish like paint, ink or stamping. They are very similar to X-out balls. But they have ”practice” or ‘P’ with the logo. While X-out balls might have “X-out” written on it. The major difference between these two is that USGA allows practice balls in competitions.
Lake golf balls
Lakes balls are an attractive investment. They are better than foam balls for practice. But keep in mind that they are not as good as new ones. Water impact tests were conducted on balls that settled on the bottom of the lakes and found that the balls that spent time in the water traveled less than the new balls, or merely the dry golf balls.
Summing It Up
Golf is all about practice. To break 100 consistently, to get your first under 90 scores, or to beat the scores of your golf buddies, you need to keep practicing as much as you can. You might have to do that inside your home or in your backyard. For that you need balls that won’t be a bother for others. Being affordable will be a plus.
So, we have picked out the 11 best practice golf balls keeping different preferences in mind. Among foam balls, Almostgolf balls are the most realistic ones. While among plastic balls, SKLZ Limited-Flight practice balls are of the best quality.
Which practice ball matches your preferences the most? Let us know in the comment section.
And keep practicing!
Great blog thank you