Our robot test reveals the best – and worst – direct-to-consumer golf balls of 2025

Our 2025 robot test puts direct-to-consumer golf balls to the test, uncovering which models offer real value – and which don’t.

DTC golf balls have grown massively in popularity in recent years, and it’s not just because of their price. Some of them perform as well as, if not better than, the best golf balls in the game.

However, that’s not to say that every DTC ball is worth the money or your attention.

In our 2025 robot test, we tested 11 DTC golf balls to find out which models are a hit and which are a miss.

How we tested the golf balls

We tested 62 different golf balls on a $100,000 robot – including 11 DTC models. This machine delivers exactly the same strike every time, which means the only variable in our test was the ball itself.

We tested every ball across five different shot types to get a complete picture of how the balls stacked up:

• 114mph driver – PGA Tour average
• 93mph driver – LPGA Tour and typical male club golfer
• 78mph driver – average female club golfer
• 7-iron – 80mph, which is club golfer average
• 56° wedge – hitting a 40-yard pitch shot

Now, let’s get into the numbers…

We’ll break down the results into driver performance, irons, and wedges.

Driver – 78mph swing speed

Ranked by carry distance

The Seed SD-05 and SD-15 were noticeably slower and shorter than the other nine DTC balls for golfers with slow swing speeds. The SD-05 was 4.5 yards (2.77%) shorter than the longest ball at this speed, while the SD-15 gave up 3.5 yards.

The Seed SD-02 is the fastest and longest golf ball at this driver swing speed, 1.1 yards clear of the second-longest.

Aside from those, there was only 0.6mph in ball speed and 0.8 yards in carry distance between the other eight balls tested.

Driver – 93mph swing speed

Ranked by carry distance

The SD-02 continues its dominance as the best DTC golf ball, being the fastest and longest for golfers with average swing speeds.

Unfortunately, it’s the same result for the SD-05 and SD-15, bringing up the rear as the shortest and slowest DTC golf balls for average swing speeds.

The SD-05 is 6.6 yards shorter than the Seed SD-02, while the SD-15 is 5.7 yards shorter. Both are 2.5mph slower than the fastest ball at this swing speed.

Driver – 114mph swing speed

Ranked by carry distance

It’s another sorry sight for the SD-05 and SD-15 as they finish as the shortest and slowest DTC models out of all 11. Both models are nearly 10 yards shorter and over 3mph slower for fast swing speeds than the longest and fastest models.

The SD-02 is once again the longest, but it’s beaten by the Vice Pro Plus for ball speed, albeit by less than 0.1mph.

The SD-05 and SD-15 are detached from the pack by nearly four yards, while the difference between the the other nine models is just over five yards. Still a considerable difference, and enough to make you think twice about which DTC model you want to use, but a real sign that neither the SD-05 nor the SD-15 are built for driver distance.

Irons

Ranked by descent angle

There’s isn’t one particulaly dominant DTC golf ball when it comes to approach play; the SD-02 produces the longest distance, the Kirkland Signature V3.0 generates the highest-spin, the Pro Plus lands with the steepest descent angle, and the Vice Pro delivers the best carry distance consistency.

The Vice Pro Plus just beats the SD-02 and Pro into first place for approach play performance out of the 11 DTC golf balls, but all three are very close, when you factor in the scoring elements (descent angle and carry distance consistency).

Wedges

Ranked by backspin

The Vice Pro Plus was the highest-spinning golf ball when it came to short shots – and ranked 5th of all 62 balls tested.

The Kirkland Signature V3.0 was close behind and the only other DTC model to deliver more than 6,000rpm.

After producing the third-lowest spin with the 7-iron shot, the Vice Tour shot back up the rankings to finish third with 5,967rpm.

The top three has been somewhat shaken up with the 40-yard pitch, as the SD-02 drops out and it’s replaced by the Signature V3.0. The SD-02 hasn’t dropped far, it’s fifth out of the 11 DTC models with 5,845rpm. However, it’s the same four models at the bottom once again.

The four lowest-spinning DTC models were the SD-15, SD-05, Vice Drive, and Vice Pro Air. The Pro Air was the lowest-spinning DTC golf ball – 56th overall out of the 62 – generating only 5,371rpm. The Drive wasn’t much higher (5,492rpm), but there is quite a jump to the SD-05 and SD-15, of nearly 300rpm from the Pro Air.

Which DTC golf balls are worth your money?

The SD-02 is the overall best DTC golf ball, and it’s a model for everyone to consider.

The Vice Pro Plus and Kirkland Signature V3.0 are both higher-spinning models, perfect if you struggle to generate spin, or if you want to add spin to your game.

The Vice Pro is a very consistent golf ball that you can trust if you want to increase your green in regulation percentage. And, the Vice Tour is strong off the tee and with its short game perfomance.

The Seed SD-01, SD-X1, and SD-15 are all worth your consideration, but it’s difficult to advocate for the SD-01 and SD-X1 too much when they’re the same price as the SD-02, which performs better. The main differences between the three premium Seed models are with flight and feel – areas more specific to each golfer, and not areas a robot can comment on.

The SD-15 is a very good cheap option, and definitely the best two-piece DTC golf ball, but it’s only worth considering if you’re looking for a budget-friendly model. However, I would recommend golfers with fast swing speeds to avoid the SD-15 if distance is a priority.

It is worth noting that only four DTC golf balls finished with an overall ranking in the bottom half of the test, so the overall performance of DTC balls was solid.

Seed SD-02

The best DTC golf ball

Best Seed golf ball

Price: $33.00

seedgolf.co

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Price: $33.00

seedgolf.co

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Pros & Cons Specs Features

Pros

• Amazing versatile golf ball that works for a wide range of golfers
• Good distance off the tee
• Incredible value for money

Cons

• A lower ball flight compared to other X-model golf balls

Carry distance (yds)	Driver 114mph - 272.8 | Driver 93mph - 209.7 | Driver 78mph - 162.4 | 7-iron - 158.7
Ball speed (mph)	Driver 114mph - 163.8 | Driver 93mph - 134.2 | Driver 78mph - 113.4 | 7-iron - 109.5
Backspin (rpm)	Driver 114mph - 2,688 | Driver 93mph - 2,718 | Driver 78mph - 2,484 | 7-iron - 4,397 | Pitch - 5,845
Launch angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 11 | Driver 93mph - 12.8 | Driver 78mph - 14 | 7-iron - 21.3 | Pitch - 30.9
Descent angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 37 | Driver 93mph - 32.5 | Driver 78mph - 27.8 | 7-iron - 45 | Pitch - 36.4
Peak height (yds)	Driver 114mph - 32.1 | Driver 93mph - 22.7 | Driver 78mph - 15.9 | 7-iron - 30 | Pitch - 7
Compression (psi)	104

• High energy rubber core
• Ultra thin DuPont Surlyn mantle
• DuPont HPF inner cover
• Soft cast urethane cover
• 336 dimples
• 4-Piece construction
• Available in white only

Vice Pro Plus

Vice's fastest and longest golf ball

Best Vice golf ball

Price: $39.99

www.vicegolf.com

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Price: $39.99

www.vicegolf.com

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Pros & Cons Specs Features

Pros

• Solid performance from tee to green
• Brilliant value for a premium product
• A versatile model that works for ranging swing speeds

Cons

• A slightly muted feeling and limited feedback

Carry distance (yds)	Driver 114mph - 271.9 | Driver 93mph - 208.2 | Driver 78mph - 160.5 | 7-iron - 155.2
Ball speed (mph)	Driver 114mph - 163.6 | Driver 93mph - 133.7 | Driver 78mph - 114.3 | 7-iron - 112.9
Backspin (rpm)	Driver 114mph - 2,780 | Driver 93mph - 2,848 | Driver 78mph - 2,643 | 7-iron - 4,807 | Pitch - 6,090
Launch angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 10.9 | Driver 93mph - 12.7 | Driver 78mph - 13.7 | 7-iron - 20.8 | Pitch - 30.3
Descent angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 37.4 | Driver 93mph - 33 | Driver 78mph - 27.8 | 7-iron - 45.1 | Pitch - 35.4
Peak height (yds)	Driver 114mph - 32.2 | Driver 93mph - 22.8 | Driver 78mph - 15.6 | 7-iron - 29.4 | Pitch - 6.6
Compression (psi)	116

• Ultra thin cast urethane cover
• Versatile magnesium ionomer outer mantle
• Surlyn grade inner mantle
• Lightweight speed core
• 336 dimples
• 4-Piece construction
• Available in white and lime
• Alternative models include Drip, Shade, and Tracer

Vice Pro

The No.1 golf ball for carry distance consistency

Best three-piece Vice golf ball

Price: $39.99

www.vicegolf.com

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Price: $39.99

www.vicegolf.com

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Pros & Cons Specs Features

Pros

• Great value for money
• Competitive distance at varying swing speeds
• Consistent carry distance

Cons

• Limited feedback from every shot

Carry distance (yds)	Driver 114mph - 269.8 | Driver 93mph - 208.6 | Driver 78mph - 160.7 | 7-iron - 156.9
Ball speed (mph)	Driver 114mph - 163.1 | Driver 93mph - 133.6 | Driver 78mph - 113.1 | 7-iron - 108.8
Backspin (rpm)	Driver 114mph - 2,829 | Driver 93mph - 2,759 | Driver 78mph - 2,499 | 7-iron - 4,452 | Pitch - 5,708
Launch angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 10.8 | Driver 93mph - 12.9 | Driver 78mph - 13.8 | 7-iron - 21.3 | Pitch - 30.9
Descent angle (°)	Driver 114mph - 37.4 | Driver 93mph - 32.8 | Driver 78mph - 27.3 | 7-iron - 44.9 | Pitch - 36.4
Peak height (yds)	Driver 114mph - 31.9 | Driver 93mph - 22.8 | Driver 78mph - 15.4 | 7-iron - 29.6 | Pitch - 7
Compression (psi)	106

• Ultra-thin cast urethane cover
• Surlyn grade mantle
• Size-optimised High Energy Speed Core (HESC)
• 318 dimples
• 3-Piece construction
• Available in white and lime
• Alternative models include Drip, Shade, and Tracer

At the other end of the rankings, the SD-05 is well worth avoiding. There is no reason anyone should choose the SD-05 over the SD-02, especially considering both balls are the same price.

The Vice golf balls to steer clear of are the Pro Air, because it’s the same price as the Pro Plus and Pro and there are no performance benefits, the Drive, because it’s only fractionally cheaper than the Vice Tour and Seed SD-15 but overall it’s not as high-performing.

Yes, the three DTC golf balls I’ve suggested you avoid are cheaper than competitors golf balls of a similar nature, but that doesn’t make them good value. A golf ball only has value if it can perform.