Best Golf Balls for Spin and Control

Urethane-covered balls that stop quickly on the green.

Greenside spin comes from the cover. Urethane is soft and grips the grooves; ionomer is harder and slides. If you want chips that check and wedges that stop, these are the ones.

Our top picks for spin

1

Vice Pro

Vice's middle urethane ball, sitting between the Pro Plus and Pro Air, with less driver spin and a slightly flatter flight than the Pro Plus for extra roll.

Compression 90Urethane coverMedium feelPremium2

Titleist Pro V1

Titleist's three-layer tour ball that pairs low driver spin with heavy wedge spin and a softer feel than the Pro V1x. A strong all-round choice for better players who want a mid, steady flight.

Compression 92Urethane coverSoft feelPremium3

Srixon Z-Star

Srixon's softest Z-Star tour ball, built to stop quickly around the greens while keeping driver spin down. A good fit for better players who prize short-game control.

Compression 88Urethane coverSoft feelPremium4

Bridgestone Tour B RX

A distance-oriented tour ball for moderate swing speeds, giving easy launch and carry while keeping a urethane short game.

Compression 89Urethane coverMedium feelPremium5

Callaway Chrome Tour

Callaway's lower-spinning, softer-feeling four-piece tour ball, now with a stiffer mantle for extra speed. A good fit for better players who want distance without giving up wedge control.

Compression 87Urethane coverSoft feelPremium6

Wilson Staff Model

Wilson's four-layer tour ball with a medium-firm core, built for a penetrating flight, low spin off the tee and plenty of spin around the greens.

Compression 90Urethane coverMedium feelPremium7

Titleist AVX

Titleist's softest urethane ball, flying lower and spinning less off the tee than the Pro V1 while still checking up around the greens. Good for moderate swing speeds that want distance plus short-game control.

Compression 81Urethane coverVery soft feelPremium

What to look for

Not sure? Try the finder

The golf ball finder asks about your swing, scores and budget and narrows it to three. You can also compare every ball's compression in the compression chart.

How we pick

We score every current ball on how well its compression and swing-speed range match the golfer, its cover and spin, how it feels, and its price tier, weighted for the golfer this page is about. Specs come from each maker's published information. No brand pays to be listed.

More golf ball guides

Best Golf Balls for BeginnersCheap enough to lose, soft enough to feel good, and straight enough to keep in play.Best Golf Balls for SeniorsLow-compression balls that get more out of a slower swing.Best Golf Balls for Slow Swing SpeedsFor driver swing speeds under 85 mph (drives under about 210 yards).Best Golf Balls for a 90 mph Swing SpeedThe most common driver swing speed among amateur men, and the widest choice of balls.Best Golf Balls for Fast Swing SpeedsFor driver swing speeds over 105 mph, where firmer, tour-level balls make sense.Best Golf Balls for High HandicappersStraighter, softer, cheaper. Balls that help the shots that cost you the most.

Common questions

What is the best golf ball for spin?

Our top pick is the Vice Pro. Vice's middle urethane ball, sitting between the Pro Plus and Pro Air, with less driver spin and a slightly flatter flight than the Pro Plus for extra roll. The Titleist Pro V1 and Srixon Z-Star are close behind.

Does compression matter?

Yes. Match it to your swing speed: low compression for slower swings, higher for faster ones. See the compression chart.

Updated November 2026