We’ve already mentioned what the best beginner golf balls are in our other tips (cheap ones). However, a lot of players just getting started swear by some of the golf balls below. They could cost as much as $30 a dozen, but they might be the perfect choice for you.

* Used Golf Balls – It doesn’t matter how good you think you are going to be, used golf balls are the best choice for beginners. The brand of the ball doesn’t hold a candle to the cost. Beginners shouldn’t be spending anymore than $10-$15 for a dozen balls. Why? There is a good chance you’re going to hit them out-of-bounds, in the water, or they just seem to be invisible.

Even though the brand doesn’t really matter (I used pink flying ladies as a joke when I first started playing golf), it’s still important to look at the condition of the ball. If there are several scrapes around the ball, it’s probably not one you want to use. We highly recommend staying away from any that have deep cuts or slice marks in them. When hit; these balls don’t have the same type of control.

The best place to go for used golf balls is your local clubhouse. From time to time, they have grounds crew scour the ponds or search for lost balls in specific locations. In return, they will clean the golf balls up and resell them in the clubhouse. Most of these balls are already in good condition. The only downfall here is they might be a bit more expensive than you’re willing to pay.

Another option is to hit your local flea-market or garage sales. There always seems to be someone selling golf clubs and balls. We’ve seen these as cheap as $3.00-$5.00 a dozen, which would be ideal if you’re just getting started. Just remember; if you take this route you will probably have to clean the balls yourself. Then again; you could just wait until you reach a hole with a ball-cleaning stand.

* Wilson Ultra Golf Balls – We have always found Wilson Ultra to be more like a beginner’s ball. Since your swing might be all over the place in the beginning, it’s possible you will put cuts in the ball yourself. The Wilson Ultra has a harder shell, which makes it more difficult to damage. So, when you’re ready to purchase a dozen “new” balls, this is probably the best choice. They are inexpensive for new balls, so even if you lose a few here and there, it won’t hurt financially.

* Titleist DT – The first year the Titleist DT was released; beginners were quick to purchase them. They still offer a soft compression, faster core, durable Surlyn cover blend, and a 392 multi-dimple, high coverage, icosahedra design. Today, the Titleist DT is much cheaper for a dozen balls. This is due to all the innovations they have produced since (DT Carry, SoLo, 90, etc.).

Since these balls are durable, they can last a beginner a long time. All you have to worry about is making sure they do not get lost. The longer you are able to keep, the better the investment becomes.

* Callaway Golf Balls – The only reason we recommend Callaway golf balls is because a lot of intermediate to advanced players will use them as practice balls.

Whatever you decide to use, we will always recommend starting out with a dozen balls that do not cost anymore than $15. Once you start holding onto them for an entire round, thing you can starting thinking about the next “best” golf balls in 2012.

The Best Intermediate Golf Balls

We consider intermediate golf balls to be beneficial for individuals who are shooting somewhere in the mid-80s to low-90s on a consistent basis. In most cases, the 7 to 8 stroke difference is due to putting and not necessarily the tee shot or approach shot to the green. Once you reach this level, it’s time to think about:

* Better Control
* Distance
* Spin

You will always be thinking about control, but by the time you hit an intermediate level, better control is needed. Golfers are able to hit the green consistently, but they might be struggling to get their golf ball close to the hole. Then again; it might difficult to keep it on the green. Choosing the right golf ball can help. In this case, the best golf balls would be:

* HX Blue Callaway – Many golfers use the HX if they need help on and around the greens. It’s one that offers excellent spin and feel. When the ball hits the green, it’s not going to roll forward very far. Then again; if you tend to overshoot the hole, it has plenty of back-spin to bring it closer.

* Ben Hogan “The Hawk” – We understand intermediate players usually want to add a little more distance to their game, but there are better options than this Ben Hogan. It doesn’t have a lot of feel either, but the spin abilities are great.

* Maxfli Revolution Tour – A lot of intermediate players believe this Maxfli is almost as good as the HX Blue Callaway, but falls a little short on spin abilities. However, it’s a golf ball that is steadily balanced in distance, feel, and spin. Plus, you can usually get a dozen balls for around $30.

Titleist NXT Tour – Since most professional golfers carry Titleist in their bag, it’s no surprise that intermediate players want to the same. The NXT Tour is more for distance and spin, so if you’re looking for something with good feel, this is not the ball. Either way, it’s still one of the best choices for certain intermediate players.

While there are two-piece and three-piece golf ball designs, some people believe the best balls for intermediate players are:

* Multi-Layered or Three-Piece Golf Balls – We do recommend you read over the description of each golf and find a multi-layered or 3-piece version. These are golf balls that offer a higher spin rate. They are the perfect choice if you’re looking for more control, but don’t seem to be worried too much about distance.

If you want to start with a 3-piece golf ball then try:

* Nike One Vapor – Even though it’s not the most popular golf ball, it still offers maximum distance and control. One thing to consider before purchasing these is how fast your swing speed might be. If you don’t know; go get it tested. The Nike One Vapor is for individuals with a swing speed over 80mph.

* Taylor Made Burner TP – These golf balls are considered one of the best for several reasons. First off, they’re somewhere in the middle of the road when it comes to price. If you’re not worried about spending a little extra money, but don’t want to go overboard, these are the perfect choice.

Also, the Taylor Made Burners offer tons of aerodynamic and velocity technology. This golf ball is constructed to provide maximum carry and distance, which is something some intermediate players need. Plus, if you’re having a hard time getting spin off your irons; Burner TPs are the one of the best balls to consider.

* Titleist Pro V1 – If you’re an intermediate player looking for increased spin control and better flight patterns, the Titleist Pro V1 takes the cake. Its advanced aerodynamic qualities provide unbelievable control that could shave strokes off your game.

It’s one of the most popular choices, but there are a few things to consider. Even though Titleist considers them durable, several golfers have had issues with damaging the ball easily. This is most likely due to higher swing speeds. So, we recommend this for moderate to low swingers, not high speed swingers. Also, they are a bit more expensive.

The Best Advanced Golf Balls

Once you become an advanced player, your mechanics are sound and fluent. There is a lot of work to be done except for keeping a good mental state during a round. However, if you’re constantly scoring a par or better around the course, it means you know exactly what is needed to become as consistent as possible. There is even a chance you need another golf ball to shave a few strokes off your game.

Most of the advanced golf balls are balls that are currently being used on the PGA or LPGA Tour. So, instead of giving you the names of golf balls you already know, we want to focus on the iatricals of the game:

* Ball Compression Rating – You will want to figure out how tight the golf ball is wound if you want maximum performance. There are three compression levels; 80, 90, and 100. If you want something with an 80 rating then it’s going to be the softest and offer more distance. These are typically used by women on the LPGA and seniors on the PGA or LPGA.

The majority of golfers tend to use a golf ball with a 90 compression rating. Their swing isn’t as fast as a professional, but fast enough to make a difference. We like to consider this the middle of the road option. If you utilize a 100 compression rating then you will have a fast swing speed, and in most cases they are used by professionals.

* Ball Cover – There are 3 main ball covers; Balata, Elastomer, and Surlyn. The Balata is more like a piece of fine china. They look great in your golf bag and sitting on a tee, but there is a good chance they will get cut or damaged when struck by a golf club. The Balata is something we have personally used for years, because it has always been helpful to the short game. It doesn’t offer the best distance, but advanced players don’t typically need help that area.

The Elastomer ball cover is specifically designed for low handicap golfers. It will allow you to spin the ball with more control, and you don’t have to worry about sacrificing durability in the process. It’s also a good choice if you’re worried about the weather forecast. While other covers will create issues with different weather elements, Elastomer is pretty consistent. It’s why a lot of pro golfers use them.

By the time a golfer becomes “advanced,” he or she prefers golf balls that the professionals are already using. Advanced players aren’t necessarily worried about the overall price, but you do have to make sure the ball is perfect for your game. Take a few moments to see what your favorite golfer uses around the course. If it is the right fit for you, it should be able to help your handicap.