I played golf in college, played some professional events and played the game for 30 years. For most of that time, you can find Titleist Pro V1 in my golf bag.
So when I decided to go all-in on Maxfli formation for 45 days, I will admit that I expected some significant changes.
Before we go any further: Maxfli balls perform well in independent testing including MyGolfSpy’s 2025 Golf Ball Testing. They have been inside Ben Griffin’s PGA Tour bag wins. And they cost significantly less than a nearly $60 box of golf balls. The question I wanted to answer wasn’t whether these balls compete on paper. It was if I would actually use one in a tournament (or in daily gaming) and trust it.
Lineup at a glance
| Tour S | TOURNAMENTS | The X tournament | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | 85 | 95 | 100 |
| overlay | Cast urethane | Cast urethane | Cast urethane |
| cloak | High speed | High speed | Dual ionomer |
| Best for | Moderate swing speed focused on feeling | Well-rounded, average movement speeds | Distance and speed, fast swing speed |
| Spin Greenside | Moderate | Good | Excellent |
Ball for ball
The X tournament it became my main ball. The distance off the tee was solid, maybe a touch longer than my typical tee shots. The 2025 Ball Test had led the entire average speed driver test in ball speed, so the data backs that up. Even though it was the easiest ball in Maxfli’s lineup to roll around the greens, I still feel that the premium golf balls I’ve played in the past (Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade, etc.) are a bit more responsive than the Tour X. The Maxfli Tour X was one of the better golf balls, but it can be harder for 20 golf balls than 5 in the swing. greens.
tour plays like a well made medium compression tour ball that doesn’t try too hard in any direction. It offers consistent flight, solid shot feel, and the kind of predictable iron performance that lets you focus on the shot. I enjoyed the higher ball flight on the Tour iron shot. I may have given up a little distance on my approach, but I gained some ability to play with the fly. Around the greens, I prefer the spin that the Tour X model provides.
Tour S it’s the softest of the three and feels like it. On chips and short, the feel is distinctly soft. Where I would offer a word of caution is around the green on longer shots: The Tour S doesn’t generate spin the way the Tour X does. It tends to release a little more than you control. Again, not a deal breaker, but worth knowing so you can plan your shot. The Tour S did well in the low-rev category for slower swing speeds, so there’s a clear audience for it.
Durability: A pleasant surprise
I think the whole time I was testing and playing with Maxfli golf ballsI kept looking for the reason why they are at a lower price. The area where I thought I would find it was in sustainability.
These balls are not cut easily. When I wasn’t losing a ball in the water or in the woods, I found myself playing the same one for multiple rounds without any meaningful wear or scratches. For a ball at this price, this impressed me. If durability concerns were part of what kept you anchored to a premium ball, I didn’t find any reason for that concern here. You are not trading longevity for the lowest price.
What about the align version?
Maxfli offers alignment line versions from these balls. The line is very visible and easy to place on a target. I went back to the standard version. I prefer to draw my own line or use the ball name stamp on the side. But if alignment aids are part of your pre-shoot routine, it’s a good option to have.
The award is part of the performance story
Right now at DICK’S Sporting Goods, where the Maxfli is sold exclusively, you can get 48 balls for $119. That works out to about $30 a dozen. If you only want two dozen at a time, you pay $70.
Over the course of a full summer, depending on how much you play, you could be looking to save hundreds without giving up the cast urethane build.
The honest question every golfer should ask themselves is whether the performance gap between a $60 dozen and a $30 dozen is wide enough to justify the difference in price. After 45 days with Maxfli formationMy answer is that for most golfers, it is not. I plan to play a lot of golf in the coming months and saving a few bucks on golf balls that don’t sacrifice performance seems like a smart move.
Experiment long. Am I coming back?
The 45-day experiment has ended. The conclusions reached. The article has been written.
So I’ll keep it Maxfli in the bag?
I’m in no rush to remove it.
I like it Maxfli ball. I’ve shared the sleeves with friends and family who were skeptical about why I was playing something new and they came back with good things to say. The value case makes sense, the performance is real, and not everyone needs a $5 golf ball to play well.
