Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority, which reviews the world's best golf products and gear. This post contains affiliate links, where we may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.
Golf practice doesn’t have to happen solely at the range. Let’s talk about something every golfer needs—better practice balls. I’ll help you separate the good from the junk that’s flooding the market.
Sure, practice golf balls might not sound exciting, but they’re game-changers for all of us. Whether you’re working on your swing in the garage, chipping in the backyard, or fine-tuning your short game without driving to the range, the right practice balls can help your game.
Most of us don’t have unlimited range access or the luxury of playing three rounds a week. What we do have is the ability to create a decent practice setup at home.
Maybe you’ve got a putting mat in the hallway, a backyard chipping area or just a net in the garage where you can smack some 7-irons after work. Whatever your setup, using the right practice balls is crucial.
It’s not just about convenience—it’s about building real confidence. When you groove your swing and work on contact with quality practice balls, hitting the course feels natural because you’ve been practicing with purpose.
I’ve put together a list of the 10 best practice golf balls for 2025. You’ll find options for indoor practice, backyard driving, short-game work—and one that’s compatible with a golf launch monitor. Onto the list.
Best Overall: BirdieBall Practice Golf Balls
The BirdieBall deserves the spotlight. It’s not your average foam ball. This clever little invention actually mimics a real golf ball’s feel, flight and spin better than anything I’ve seen. Let’s talk about that unique oval shape. Sure, it looks weird at first, but there’s some real genius behind it. When you hit a cut, it’ll tail off just like a real ball. Hook it, and it curves left. Pure it, and you’ll see this beautiful, piercing flight that makes you want to grab another one right away. What’s really cool is how it gives you true ball flight for up to 40 yards. That’s amazing feedback when you're working with limited space, and I’ve found it invaluable for practicing full swings.
I’m really impressed by how much you can learn from your misses. You’ll feel exactly where you hit it on the clubface—toe it, and you’ll know it. Flush it, and that sweet spot feeling is unmistakable. Most practice balls can’t give you that kind of feedback, and you don’t need a huge space to see what's happening.
The dense foam material feels surprisingly solid when you hit it. It’s not as hard as a range ball, but it’s way more realistic than those spongy practice balls you might be used to. Plus, it’s totally safe—you can blast these in your backyard or garage without worrying about breaking anything or upsetting the neighbors. They’re also tough. I’ve hit them in hot and cold weather, and they don’t warp or fall apart like some other practice balls do.
If you’re looking to improve your swing at home, the BirdieBall is worth every penny. For realistic feel and feedback, it’s the best practice golf ball on the market.
AlmostGolf Balls
AlmostGolf balls are the original pioneers of realistic-feeling foam golf balls, and they’ve stuck around for good reason. While they only travel about a third as far as regular golf balls, they feel surprisingly similar to the real thing when you hit them.
I love how these balls give you a bit of spin and make a satisfying sound when they connect with your club face. You’ll definitely know if you've hit it perfectly or flubbed it, which is exactly what you want in practice. They’re light enough to be safe but firm enough that you can use them with every club in your bag, making them perfect for backyard practice sessions.
While I wouldn’t say they’re quite as advanced as BirdieBalls when it comes to spin feedback and overall performance, they’re still one of the most reliable foam practice balls you can buy. If you’re looking for a trusted practice ball that won't break windows or disappear into your neighbor's yard, these are a solid choice.
GoSports Foam Practice Balls
You won't find a better value than the GoSports Foam Practice Balls. I love their realistic dimples and softness in your hands. Plus they’re just fun to smack around the yard.
While they don’t quite match up to BirdieBall or AlmostGolf in distance or accuracy, they’re perfect for working on your tempo and contact, whether you’re in the backyard or down in the basement. I really appreciate that they come in different colors—it makes finding them in the grass much easier. They’ve even thrown in a handy carry bag to keep everything organized.
If you’re like me and play casually, or if you’re just looking for an affordable way to keep your swing in shape between rounds, these practice balls are a fantastic budget-friendly choice.
Joyberg Practice Golf Balls
I’ve tried quite a few practice golf balls, and these Joyberg wiffle balls are solid. They’re your basic hollow plastic balls with 26 holes punched in them and measure about 42 mm across—that’s what helps them fly somewhat normally through the air.
They don’t feel anything like real golf balls (and I wouldn’t expect them to), but they’re perfect when you want to practice your chipping in limited space. I love that they won’t smash windows or bounce halfway down the street when you miss a shot. Plus, the multicolored pack makes them easy to spot in the grass.
They’ll get a bit banged up over time—these aren’t the most durable balls you’ll ever use. But for what you’re paying, they’re a fun and budget-friendly way to work on your short game without worrying about breaking things or losing expensive balls.
SKLZ Limited-Flight Practice Balls
SKLZ’s Limited-Flight Impact Balls are a nice step up from your typical plastic practice balls. They’re the same size as real golf balls and have a more solid feel, but they’ll max out at about 45 yards.
I’ve found these balls to be surprisingly tough—they don’t dent easily and last longer than I expected. What’s really cool is how they give you better feedback than those Wiffle-style balls you might be used to. They have a neat pop-back feature, where the ball squishes on impact then snaps right back to shape, so you can tell if you’ve hit it cleanly.
Sure, they’re a bit expensive when you’re buying a dozen, but they’re worth it if you want something more realistic than plastic balls but aren’t ready for foam. They hit that sweet spot right in the middle.
Titleist Pro V1 RCT Golf Balls
If you’re using a radar-based launch monitor, you’ll love these. The Titleist Pro V1 RCT is a game-changer, thanks to its special radar capture technology that provides crazy-accurate spin and launch data when hitting indoors.
And they aren’t just special practice balls—they’re genuine Pro V1s through and through. They feel exactly like the originals and perform just as well on the course. The only difference? There’s a clever little marker buried in the core that makes them sync with radar systems.
If you’re just looking for something to smack around the backyard, these may not make sense. But if you’re a data geek like me who is serious about indoor training and simulator work, you won’t find anything better.
ProActive Sports Pro Flight Practice Balls
These ProActive Sports Pro Flight Balls are perfect if you’ve got a tiny backyard or need something for indoor practice. They’re super light and simple, which is exactly what you want when space is tight.
They only fly about 40 feet, so you won’t get much feedback on your actual ball flight. But if you’re looking to work on your basic swing mechanics and tempo, they’ll do just fine. I like to think of them as training wheels for golfers—they build confidence without breaking windows.
While they’re not the most realistic practice balls I’ve used, they’re a safe bet if you’re just starting out or need something for indoor practice. You won’t feel like you’re hitting real golf balls, but that’s kind of the point when you’re working in limited space.
GoSports Pure Strike Training Discs
They look like golf balls but in fact are something else entirely: flat, circular discs designed to help you learn clean ball striking. I’ve found them to be helpful in my own practice.
If you can consistently clip one of these discs off the grass, you’re probably going to make great contact with real golf balls. I especially love using them with my wedges and short irons to work on controlling where my club hits the ground.
You’ll know right away if you’re doing it wrong—chunk it, and you’ll miss completely; thin it, and the disc just sits there laughing at you. But when you get it right? Man, there’s nothing like seeing that disc pop up with a satisfying little skip. Instant feedback!
While they’re not meant to replace hitting real golf balls, I’d recommend adding these to your practice routine. They’re fun to use, and they’ll help you groove that perfect contact we’re all chasing.
Callaway HX Soft Flight Foam Balls
These practice balls feature Callaway’s special HEX dimple pattern that helps them fly straighter than a typical foam ball. I’ve found they are the perfect balance: soft enough that you won’t break anything inside, but dense enough to hold their line when practicing outdoors.
You’ll notice they don't fly quite as far as regular golf balls—about 60-70% of the distance—which is actually perfect for backyard practice. They also come with a handy carry pouch, and you can get them in all sorts of bright colors that are easy to spot.
While I’d say they're not quite as realistic-feeling as BirdieBall, they’re definitely a step up from most practice balls I’ve tried. If you’re looking for something versatile that works both indoors and out, these are a solid choice.
The Big Ball Golf Putting Trainer
The Big Ball is exactly what you’d imagine. We’re talking about a golf ball that’s 25% larger and 30 grams heavier than a standard ball, and I’ve found it’s a fantastic practice tool that makes real putting feel like a breeze.
If you can sink putts with this chunky ball, you’ll crush it with a normal one. I love how it forces you to dial in your stroke and pay attention to where you’re aiming. You can’t just half-heartedly tap this thing—you’ve got to commit to every putt.
I won’t promise it will turn you into Tiger Woods overnight, but for such a simple training aid, it works better than you might expect. It’s like training with weights on your ankles. When you switch back to normal gear, everything feels easier and more natural.
Practice Smarter, Not Just More
These are 10 excellent practice golf balls that will transform your game in 2025. Whether you’re working on your swing indoors, practicing chips in the backyard or perfecting your form in a garage simulator, there’s a perfect ball here to help you improve right at home.
But remember: just hitting more balls won’t make you better. It’s all about practicing with purpose, and that’s where these practice balls really shine. They’ll help you nail down your strike pattern, smooth out your tempo and build that confidence. And hey, they’re actually fun, which means you’ll stick with your practice routine longer.
So what are you waiting for? Grab some of these practice balls and get to work.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Best Practice Golf Balls of 2025.
