Most golfers have an ego. Most golfers feel as though they need to use top-of-the-line clubs and the same balls they see on the PGA tour. Budget balls, like the Noodle, are often overlooked and laughed at, but do they deserve it?
I’ve spent a lot of time testing different golf balls from different brands. After testing the Noodle Long And Soft for 12 full rounds, I’m going to share my thoughts, what I liked, what I didn’t like, and who might consider using them.
In This Review
Product Details | Intro | Feel | Short Game | Long Game | Bottom Line | Alternatives
Noodle Long And Soft Product Details
| MSRP | $14.99 |
| Handicap | High |
| Layers | 2 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Swing Speed | Under 95 MPH |
| Compression | 70 |
| Spin | Driver: Low Wedge: Low |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Colors | White |
| Company Website | Taylormade |
The Intro
When a ball is priced at a buck per ball, it’s going to turn some people away. When a ball is called “Noodle,” it’s also going to turn some people away.
People have pretty big egos when it comes to golf. They feel as though they can’t possibly shoot good scores without this year’s driver and Pro V1 balls.
I’m sure you know the guy who goes out and buys Pro V1s for 50 bucks and shoots 95. I just don’t get that. It’s hurting your wallet, and it’s probably hurting your scores.
I’d argue that using a ball that’s long and straight is the best option for average players looking to lower their scores. That’s exactly what the Noodle is looking to do, plus it’s extremely easy on the wallet.
The Feel
As the name suggests, this ball is going to be “soft.” The 2 piece design with a compression rating around 70 puts this ball right in the middle of the compression scale. This means it’ll fit a wide range of players.
RELATED: 2 vs 3 Piece Golf Balls: What’s Right For You?
Off the tee, it felt solid. It’s not going to provide the explosive feedback of a well-struck Pro V1, but it’s nothing to complain about. What I did like was that you didn’t get the clunky feeling when you hit a bad shot, as you would on a high compression ball.
I also found that it was quite responsive on the green. It had a nice feel to it coming off the putter. Not too soft, like a Callaway Supersoft. Not too firm, like a Wilson Staff Model.
The only knock I’d have is how it feels off the wedge. I wouldn’t call it a “dead” feeling, but it has a bit of a sluggish feel compared to a more premium ball.
The Short Game
Since these balls have 2 layers and are designed for beginners and high handicaps, they aren’t going to spin a whole lot around the green. I don’t see this as a big deal because beginners won’t be able to spin any type of ball anyway.
To see how this ball performed, I hit 10 chip shots around the green and looked to see how much it rolled. A positive number means the ball landed and rolled towards the pin. A negative number means it landed and rolled back towards me.
| Shot # | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 5 | 11 |
| 6 | 14 |
| 7 | 11 |
| 8 | 9 |
| 9 | 12 |
| 10 | 9 |
| Average | 10 Yards |
On average, the ball landed on the green and rolled out 10 yards. This was a half-swing sand wedge, not a full shot. It’s definitely not the best, but it’s what I expected.
The Long Game
The more important test is how the Noodle performs off the tee and from the fairway. High handicaps struggle to hit the green and fairway. They usually slice or hook the ball, and don’t really get that much distance.
If you can hit a few more fairways and greens in regulation, you can easily shave some strokes off your score. What we’ll do to test the Noodle is take 10 shots off the tee and see how many fairways we can hit.
| Shot # | Fairway Hit | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No | 242 |
| 2 | Yes | 251 |
| 3 | Yes | 248 |
| 4 | No | 237 |
| 5 | No | 241 |
| 6 | Yes | 249 |
| 7 | Yes | 259 |
| 8 | Yes | 254 |
| 9 | No | 239 |
| 10 | Yes | 247 |
| Average | 60% FIR | 246 Yards |
I was able to hit 6 out of 10 fairways, which I was very happy with. The majority of my shots went pretty straight, with only a couple missing well right and left.
My average distance was 246 yards, which is also respectable (for me and the course conditions). It wasn’t the longest ball I’ve hit, but I think hitting fairways is more important.
I can almost guarantee that if you keep the ball in the fairway and only hit 200 yards, you’ll be able to lower your scores. That’s been the case with me, and switching to a ball like this has definitely helped.
You can see how far the average golfer hits their driver HERE.
The Bottom Line
Overall, if you’re a high handicapper, have a slower swing speed, or just don’t want to spend a fortune, the Noodle Long And Soft is one of the best budget balls on the market.
If I was able to change the name, I would put “Long And Straight” on the ball. I’m sure you’ve played balls that always seemed to end up in the pond or bushes. There’s a reason for that.
The first few times I played a Noodle was when I found one in the bushes. I usually ended up playing the same ball for the rest of my round. There’s a reason for that.
I also play this ball a lot in winter when the ground is wet and muddy. Losing $5 balls in the mud really isn’t that fun, so since these are a buck or so, it doesn’t hurt as bad.
If you’re a low to mid handicapper, these probably won’t be the best option. They don’t spin much around the green and they could fly too high with a faster swing speed.
For everyone else, I’d recommend you give them a try if you haven’t already.
If you have any questions or want to share your experience with the Noodle, make sure to leave a comment below.
Where To Buy
Check the current price on Amazon or at Worldwide Golf
Other Balls To Consider
If you’re looking for a new golf ball, let us help you find one. The Noodle is a solid option, but there are better options for certain people. Your first option is to read one of our “best of” guides that talk about our favorites.
The second is to answer a few questins and get a personalized recommendation from us. If you’re interested, go to the comments section below and answer the questions we have listed.
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