36 golfdigest.com | may 2019Play Your Best Hot List
Only one in seven golfers playsthe same brand every round.titleist
dt trusoft$22 ▶ The focus on soft
starts with the larger
core in this two-piece
model, the softest in
the Titleist line. The
size provides energy for
more ball speed, and
the low compression
improves feel and
reduces driver spin. The
flexible cover material
gives your shorter shots
some grab.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★ ★ ½top-flite
gamer urethane$20 ▶ This three-
piece model brings the
groove-grabbing effects
of a urethane cover for
higher wedge spin to
the low-price category.
The design benefits
from a firm mantle layer
that helps limit driver
spin for better distance.
Each dimple’s interior
dimple creates tighter
air flow for longer carry.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★srixon
q-star$25 ▶ This two-piece
ball features a mid-level
soft compression that’s
designed to maximize
the performance of
average golfers. The
low compression helps
tee shots spin less for
better distance and
accuracy. It also has the
same dimple pattern as
the company’s tour-level
balls for extra distance.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★wilson staff
duo soft$22 ▶ The leader in
lowest compression
(29), this two-piece
ball uses its soft feel
to reduce spin for
maximum distance. The
ultra-large core provides
energy for even more
distance, and the firmer
cover enhances energy
transfer at impact.
Shallower dimples key
high flight.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★srixon
soft feel$20 ▶ new This lower-
compression ball’s
approach to distance
stays true to its name,
but engineers were
careful not to go too
soft. Why? The mid-
level compression offers
soft feel and low spin
yet retains the energy
transfer for optimal
distance through its
tour-ball dimple pattern.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★ ½cut
blue$20 ▶ new Building
on its original four-
piece design, this
version has two resilient
mantle layers to build
ball speed and boost
trajectory. The urethane
cover is now softer for
greenside spin. The
core’s redesign seeks
to improve the feel and
consistency of full shots
through the bag.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★taylormade
project (s)$25 ▶ This three-piece
model emphasizes soft
feel through a lower-
compression rubber
core, a flexible mantle
layer and a resilient
ionomer cover. The
cover generates more
speed on driver shots
than a urethane cover,
but it offers a softer feel
than many ionomer-
cover balls.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★ ★ ½oncore
avant 55$24 ▶ new Designed
for players with low to
mid swing speeds, this
two-piece ball features
a low compression
that drops into the
mid-50s to produce
distance off the driver
by reducing spin. The
low compression assists
high launch and makes
for a soft feel on wedge
shots and putts.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★▶ $25 AND UNDER
callaway
supersoft magna$23 ▶ new The Magna
is 3-percent larger than
standard balls. This
means its center of
gravity (CG) is higher
than standard balls and
higher in relation to
the club’s CG. That
makes higher launch
easier. A special surface
pattern is dialed in for
the ball’s larger cross-
sectional area.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★ ★callaway
supersoft$23 ▶ new The
update to Callaway’s
low-compression, two-
piece ball focuses on
improving distance
through a revise of
the ball’s hexagonal
dimple pattern for
better performance at
low-spin rates. Offered
in six colors, a softer
cover enhances feel and
boosts greenside spin.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★ ★ ★listed alphabetically