Amazon is taking a private-label swing on the golf course.
The net retail big began lately promoting golf balls underneath its Amazon Fundamentals model in mid-October. Priced at simply $15.99 for a dozen balls (when GeekWire bought a field in November), Amazon is focusing on a budget-conscious golfer with one of many most cost-effective choices throughout its on-line market.
The worth received our consideration. Subsequent we would have liked to check efficiency.
The balls confirmed up on my doorstep a day after ordering. I swung by the Evergreen Golf Membership observe facility close to Seattle and enlisted the assistance of educating professionals Austin Nutt and Tyler Yee.
I introduced alongside the Amazon Fundamentals balls, in addition to two higher-end opponents: Taylormade TP5x ($45/dozen) and Titleist ProV1 ($55/dozen).
Utilizing every ball, the professionals hit 10 pictures with three totally different golf equipment: driver, 7-iron, and wedge.
It wasn’t an enormous shock to see each professionals generate extra distance and better ball speeds with the Taylormade and Titleist balls, significantly off the motive force (about 10 yards on common).
Yee stated the Amazon balls felt like hitting a “marshmallow” versus a firmer feeling with Taylormade and Titleist. Amazon manufacturers the balls as “Core Gentle.”
Nutt stated it might be more durable to regulate the Amazon ball with shorter pictures across the inexperienced. “You get what you pay for on the earth of golf balls,” he stated.
Nonetheless, Yee stated he wouldn’t be against a pupil utilizing the Amazon Fundamentals ball. And on the low value level, Nutt stated it’s “definitely not a foul possibility.”
The Amazon ball additionally didn’t scuff — whereas each Taylormade and Titleist had small marks after the check run. That sturdiness could enchantment to some golfers.
On-line golf reviewers have responded positively. Well-liked YouTuber Rick Shiels stated he was “blown away” by the worth in his personal check, whereas teacher Matt Fisher referred to as the balls a simple purchase for golfers who “lose a bunch.”
The balls have a 4.5-star ranking from practically 600 evaluations on Amazon.
It’s not clear the place Amazon’s balls are manufactured. Shiels stated they’re equipped by the identical firm behind Costco’s Kirkland Signature balls.
Amazon’s golf balls are USGA-approved, which means they can be utilized throughout competitions. The balls are presently listed as out of inventory on Amazon’s website, however shall be out there once more in early 2026.
Personally, as a golfer myself, I favor the higher-end ball, simply to get that slight edge to (theoretically) assist decrease my rating. However I see the enchantment for rookies, high-handicap golfers, and anybody extra nervous about shedding balls than squeezing out additional yards down the green.
Amazon’s ball isn’t attempting to beat premium tour-level choices — however perhaps it doesn’t actually need to.
