Amazon sells so many balls on their site, so it was only a matter of time before they got in the game themselves. Recently, they released their own ball, the Core Soft, which is a budget-friendly option geared toward the average golfer.
Amazon doesn’t show much info about the ball, like the compression, number of layers, or type of cover. To figure out the details and who it could be right for, we took the Core Soft to the course and put it to the test.
We compared it against some other balls that could be similar, as well as the Kirkland Signature ball. Let’s jump into the details to see if this ball should be added to your bag.
You can see our favorite balls for average golfers HERE.
The Details
Since Amazon doesn’t give us much info, I had to cut the ball open to see how many layers it had. As I’d expect with a budget ball, the Core Soft is a 2 layer ball.
Since it’s built with 2 layers, it’s going to be a ball designed for mid to high handicappers who prefer straightness over short game spin. You can see the differences between 2 and 3 piece balls HERE.
When it comes to compression, I’m not sure what the exact number is. Amazon says it’s low compression, but the only way to tell is by having your own machine. To me, it feels somewhere between a Callaway Supersoft and a Srixon Soft Feel, so the number is most likely in the 50’s.
As with most 2 piece balls, the Core Soft uses an Ionomer cover, which is a cheaper material. The benefit to Ionomer (compared to Urethane), is durability and less spin (aka straighter shots). You can see more differences HERE.
Since these balls are designed for the average player, being at a low price point is ideal. Most people don’t want to spend $5 on a ball, especially if they lose 3-4 each round.
As of now, the Amazon ball is priced at $1.20 each. The Kirkland ball is around $1.46 each. Both of these are cheaper than budget balls from Srixon and Callaway. The only ball that’s cheaper (that I like) is the Noodle Long & Soft.
The Quality
I don’t know how much you care about how long your ball lasts. The average player will probably lose their ball before it’s time to replace, but if you don’t lose many, it’s something to consider.
Since the Core Soft uses an Ionomer cover, it’s on the durable side. The shell is quite firm, which stops it from getting cut up.
I used the same ball for an entire round, 84 shots total. I was in the bushes and sand more than once. After my round, the ball was still in very good condition.
There were a few small knicks and scuffs, but I could easily use it again. Since the ball was in such good shape, I took things a little further.
First, I banged the ball against a rock. I was surprised to see no damage. Then, I really smacked it against the cart path. The picture above is the result. It does look worse in the photo, but I’d still use the ball.
The Long Game
Everyone looks for something different when it comes to picking a ball. For the average high handicapper (who this ball is designed for), I think the most important thing is a ball that performs off the tee.
Having a ball that gives you good distance and straight shots is one of the best ways to improve. Spin around the green is nice, but when you’re constantly hitting your second shot from the rough/woods, it’s tough to put up good scores.
Compared to the Kirkland, my drives went higher and had less spin with the Amazon ball. The total distance was very close, but the Amazon ball was a touch longer.
With the irons, the Amazon ball launched marginally higher than the Kirkland and had a lot less spin. That combo gave me an extra 4-5 yards with the Amazon ball.
What impressed me the most about the ball was the consistency. When it came to distance, spin, and launch, the numbers were pretty close every time.
When it comes to feel off the tee, I really liked how the ball felt. It was softer than the Kirkland, but it wasn’t overly soft where it felt squishy.
The main knock, if you could say that, is how it felt with the irons. I found that it felt a bit sluggish, where some balls pop off the face.
This is more of a personal preference, so it’ll depend on what you like. But for me, there wasn’t a whole lot of feedback, and I found good hits and mishits felt similar.
The Short Game
When it comes to short game, the main thing to look for is how much spin you get, and how the ball feels off the putter and wedges.
Since it’s a 2 piece Ionomer ball, my expectation was low spin and a firmer feel. Though this was the case, there were a couple of things that surprised me.
On full wedge shots, the Amazon ball launched a bit higher and had a bit less spin. I was pretty surprised to see how little it rolled out once it landed on the green. The distances between the two balls was very close.
The main difference came with shorter chip/pitch shots. The Amazon ball spun a lot less, so I wasn’t able to get the ball to bite that well.
That said, when I compared the Amazon ball to some of the most popular 2 piece balls, it was a bit lower launching and higher spinning than some (not all).
Just like with the driver, I found the ball to be pretty consistent around the green. Most of my shots had similar spin rates and went a similar distance.
When it comes to feel, I found that it felt pretty soft off the wedges, softer than the Kirkland. Off the putter, the Amazon ball was a bit muted and didn’t make much of a sound. I found the Kirkland to be a bit clickier.
The main thing I noticed was that the ball comes off the putter pretty fast. I think this is because of the firmer Ionomer cover. I ended up hitting a lot of putts past the hole, but I am used to a softer Urethane cover.
Should You Play The Amazon Ball?
Having used the Core Soft for a few rounds, I think it’s a solid ball that a lot of people could play. That said, it’s not going to be right for everyone.
In summary, this is how the Amazon ball compares to the Kirkland (and Pro V1):
- Tha Amazon ball is soft
- The Amazon ball launches higher
- The Amazon ball is longer
- The Amazon ball spins less
I think if you’re a mid to high handicapper (or beginner) who wants to hit more greens and fairways, it’s a ball to consider. If you’d rather have more spin around the green, there are better options.
Compared to the Kirkland ball, I liked the way the Amazon ball felt and I liked that it was straighter. The only reason to use the Kirkland would be for a lower ball flight or more spin around the greens.
Compared to balls with similar specs (2 piece, soft, low compression), I think the Core Soft performs just as well. If this was the type of ball I was after, I’d probably use the Amazon or Noodle ball because they’re much cheaper.
Let’s hear from you – Have you used the Amazon ball? If you have, let us know what you thought about it in the comments below.
Cheapest Place To Buy: On Amazon
