Why doesn't the world's softest golf ball tick my boxes?

The Wilson Duo Soft is the world’s softest golf ball with a lot more to offer. So, how did I get on with the 2025 model?

The Wilson Duo Soft is a very well-received golf ball across the globe. It’s not a model you’re going to see being played on Tour, but that doesn’t mean it can’t challenge the best golf balls for an amateur golfer. I was impressed by how well the 2025 Duo Soft played, and it’s not a golf ball I would normally play with.

Having worked in golf retail, I saw the Duo Soft grow in popularity among amateur golfers – specifically beginners and high-handicappers because it’s a cheap golf ball that feels soft and travels far. That definitely hasn’t changed with the 2025 model.

There aren’t many better wins in life than finding a quality product that doesn’t break the bank, and that’s exactly what you get with the Duo Soft. They might be cheap, but that doesn’t make them bad. They’re one of the best low-spin golf balls and one of the best golf balls for slow swing speeds, but considering I need more spin and have a quick swing speed, I found a lot of joy in playing the 2025 Wilson Duo Soft.

I’m a fan of Wilson golf balls, they’re quality products at a very reasonable price. I can sing their praises for hours – or you can just read the reviews of the Staff Model, Staff Model X, and Triad golf balls. The Duo Soft isn’t competing with any of those golf balls (on paper) but it easily can for the right golfer.

In our 2023 golf ball robot test, the previous model Duo Soft dropped off in performance for quicker swing speeds, but that might not be the case for the 2025 model based on what I’ve seen out on the course. Only time will tell, and we’ll have the answer when we test it in our 2025 robot test.

I will say that the Duo Soft has a ceiling as to how well it can score in the four categories we score, and that might make you think it’s not a good golf ball, but that couldn’t be more wrong. The 2025 Wilson Duo Soft really surprised me with how well it performed on the course – for a two-piece model – and I’ll explain why now…

Tee to Green Performance

It seems only fair to start here because I’ve just mentioned how impressed I was with the Duo Soft’s performance, but that hasn’t translated into a high score for tee to green performance. This is mainly because it’s not as strong as other golf balls I’ve recently tested on the course.

I always start by taking the golf ball I’m testing to the putting green and short game area before heading out on the course. The Duo Soft rolls fine, and the spin and control is as expected for a two-piece golf ball when playing chip shots, pitch shots, and bunker shots from within 100 yards, but there’s nothing special about the Duo Soft around the green or on the putting surface.

Where the Duo Soft impressed me most was with scoring clubs (clubs I play with when I have 100 – 160 yards in). This typically includes my 54° wedge to 8-iron – depending on the wind. The spin exhibited when I was playing with these clubs was very good and the ball was very accurate. What I learned is, full shots with lofted clubs are the Duo Soft’s bread and butter.

You can’t argue that the Duo Soft isn’t a long golf ball, it’s basically a soft-feeling distance golf ball at this point, but it’s not freakishly long, and with the low compression, I don’t get as much from this ball as other golfers with slower swing speeds would. It still travels a good distance, but I’d rather play a premium golf ball to help me optimize distance off the tee.

Versatility

I thought long and hard about the Duo Soft’s versatility. In the end, I decided to award it 4 out of 5, which might be a bit of a cop-out, but I feel like it is suitable for a wide range of golfers, I’m just not one of those golfers it’s suitable for.

Any golfer with a swing speed south of 100mph, playing a fade, and wanting to lower spin will love the Duo Soft, and it will work for them, and the majority of golfers fall into that category. Hence why I’ve settled on the score I have.

Feel and Response

The Duo Soft is the world’s softest golf ball. For most golfers, that is music to their ears because they prefer soft over firm. However, I’m not one of those golfers. I can appreciate how soft the Wilson Duo Soft is, but it’s just not for me.

I think the fact that it’s incredibly soft hinders how responsive it is. There were odd occasions when I was unaware as to where the golf ball hit the face because I hardly felt it hit the face. Some golfers love this, but I prefer strong feedback and a firmer feel.

Durability

I played rounds with both white and yellow golf balls – the yellow has a matte finish. I was expecting the matte to scuff quicker and easier than the white, but it didn’t. Both colors were durable enough to endure a full round without needing to be tossed. I think durability is a trait of Wilson golf balls.

Final Verdict

I feel like my scoring is quite harsh on the Wilson Duo Soft because it is a really good golf ball, but that’s not been reflected in its overall grade. For the right golfer, there arguably isn’t a better golf ball than the Duo Soft.

One thing I really like about the Duo Soft is that it hasn’t lost its identity. Wilson haven’t tried to revolutionize this golf ball, they know it has its place in the market and they’re catering to the golfer who wants a soft golf ball, that travels far, spins admirably, and doesn’t cost a lot.

Ultimately, the 2025 Duo Soft is a golf ball most of the golfing population will enjoy, sadly, I’m just not in that population of golfers.

Alternative options

Wilson Duo Soft 2025 Golf Balls

RRP: $22.99 / £27.00

Colors: White; Yellow; Red; Orange; Green; Pink

Construction: 2-Piece

Cover: Surlyn

Dimples: 302