The Best Illegal Golf Balls

The Best Illegal Golf Balls

Sometimes breaking the rules is more fun than following them.

I suspect this is especially true for the recreational golfer. I mean, who wants to play a round that’s fully compliant with USGA rules? 

BORING!

If you’re pickin’ up what I’m slappin’ down, this post was hand-crafted with you in mind.

Today I’ll be highlighting some of the best non conforming golf ball options currently available.

Renegades unite!

The 5 Best Illegal Golf Balls

Ready to get the competitive edge against your golf buddies? These are some of the best illegal golf balls currently on the market.

#1 – The Polara XD (Extra Distance)

Specialty: This ball offers maximum distance with the added bonus of hook/slice reduction.

Polara is the OG when it comes to the illegal golf ball. 

Back in the 1970s, Polara came up with a golf ball that “auto-corrected” on mis-hits. The Polara Golf Balls were so successful that the big dogs stepped in and got the USGA to update its definition for what qualifies as a conforming ball

These power moves led to a lawsuit and 1.5 million dollar settlement in favor of Polara Golf, but it didn’t change the updated United States Golf Association rules.

Instead, Polara established itself as a key leader in the illegal ball category.

Polara Golf XD
$35.00

Save 20% using code Par3 at PolaraGolf.com.

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03/07/2024 03:24 pm GMT

Why You Should Give these Golf Balls a Try

Most weekend warriors are looking for a ball that gives them more distance. 

The Polara XD is one of my top recommendations in that category, but the Polara XD is more than just a distance ball. Thanks to a special dimple pattern, this ball can also reduce a hook or slice by 50%. 

Whenever you have the chance to kill two birds with one stone, you should give it a try.

I’ve given these golf balls a test run myself. Check out my Polara golf balls review.

Ball Attributes (for the geeks out there)

  • Higher trajectory
  • Longer carry distance
  • 2 piece construction
  • Compression of 85
  • Soft surlyn cover with 336 dimples

#2 – Bandit MD Golf Balls

Specialty: Incredible distance.

Bandit Golf is another proud seller in the illegal golf balls marketplace.

In fact, their marketing team brags that each ball “exceeds USGA distance limits” and the golf ball box itself looks like an old western “wanted” posted.

All that to say, you won’t see a Bandit ball on the PGA Tour, but you might see this distance golf ball 30 yards further than yours on the fairway.

Bandit Maximum Distance Golf Balls
$21.66
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03/07/2024 12:15 pm GMT

Why You Should Give Bandit Golf Balls a Try

It’s fair to ask: “Are these balls just a bunch of hype?”

Apparently not, as Bandit golf balls broke 5 long standing Guinness World Records for speed and distance.

Although Bandit keeps many of the details of this ball under wraps, it’s clear that this is not a traditional golf ball.

Bandit’s designers created a patented dimple pattern that combines perfect geometric and aerodynamic symmetry. Explaining this technology is beyond my pay grade, but there’s a reason why this golf ball isn’t legal.

Bandit Golf Ball Attributes

  • DuPont Lithium Surlyn cover
  • High energy core
  • Higher ball flight and longer hang time
  • Better carry distance

#3 – The Polara Ultimate Straight

Specialty: Hook and slice correction, which equals greater distance.

Another Polara golf ball, you ask? That’s right!

As I told you earlier, this company knows what they’re doing.

This Polara ball gets the bronze metal because it doesn’t maximize distance nearly as much as the #1 ranked Polara XD, but it does offer some special benefits for hackers around the world.

Top Pick
Polara Self-Correcting Golf Balls
$44.95

Save 20% using code Par3 at PolaraGolf.com.

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03/06/2024 09:15 pm GMT

Why You Should Give these Balls a Try

The Polara Ultimate Straight are the best golf ball for those who tend to hook and slice.

Yes the XD or the Bandit will give you maximum distance, but if your golf ball ends up in the woods, that extra distance doesn’t really help you.

If you struggle to hit golf course fairways, the Ultimate Straight golf balls need to be at the top of your illegal ball shopping list.

Again, these balls aren’t eligible for golf tournament play, but that’s because they give you a real advantage, regardless of your swing speed.

Ball Attributes

  • Up to a 75% hook or slice reduction
  • Simple alignment arrow
  • 2 piece construction
  • Ionomer cover with 386 dimples
  • 85 compression

#4 – The Volvik Magma Golf Balls

Specialty: More carry distance

The Volvik Magma ball rounds out the non conforming golf ball list. Unfortunately, the Magma are becoming harder and harder to find, so I dropped them down on the list because of future availability.

From a distance, the Magma looks like a normal golf ball.

But as we all know, looks can be deceiving.

Volvik made two strategic (and illegal) moves when designing the Magma.

  1. A reduced diameter
  2. High trajectory dimples

This is an interesting move from a company that has plenty of legal ball options to choose from, and I applaud Volvik’s willingness to embrace the “dark side” for a moment.

Side note: See my Volvik Vivid review if you’re looking for a bright conforming option.

Volvik Magma Long Distance Golf Balls
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Why You Should Give these Balls a Try

This Volvik golf ball can deliver more than 20 extra yards over a regular golf ball.

Since Volvik is the official ball of the World Long Drive, I put a bit more stock on their expertise.

As an added bonus, Volvik is a well-known name is the world of golf. When you pull out a Volvik ball on your next golf outing, your buddies will be less suspicious of your golf equipment (the Bandit ball and Polara ball often command more scrutiny from competitive friends).

Ball Attributes

  • 3 piece construction
  • Unique dimples create higher trajectory
  • Reduced diameter for less drag
  • More carry distance
  • Good greenside spin

Best Illegal Golf Ball For Seniors

The MG Senior is the best illegal golf ball for a senior golfer.

If you fall into the senior category, chances are you have a slower swing speed.

This MG ball is designed to help you launch the ball higher and longer, but it can’t be used in official tournament play. Even though the MG Senior conforms to USGA standards for construction, weight, size and symmetry, the initial velocity of the ball is rated as “too fast.”

Say goodbye to slow swing speeds with this super-fast MG golf ball.

MG Senior Golf Balls
$29.95
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03/18/2024 10:14 pm GMT

Choosing the Best Illegal Golf Balls

It’s hard to say which illegal golf ball will offer you the greatest advantage, but one thing is for sure – these golf balls aren’t USGA approved for a reason.

My advice would be to start with the Polara XD and see what kind of results you experience. That particular ball reduces hooks and slices while offering better overall distance.

If you’re finding it too tough to just make a decision, you can just go bonkers and buy a dozen of each of these golf balls. You’ll spend about $100, and you’ll become an official golf course renegade.

Either way, I’d love for you to try out one of the options and leave some feedback in the comments below.

Illegal Golf Ball FAQs

What is the longest illegal golf ball?

For straight hitters, the longest illegal golf ball is the Bandit Maximum Distance ball. However, golfers who struggle with a hook or slice will get the most distance from the Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball.

What is the longest hitting golf ball?

My Golf Spy’s testing concluded that the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash is the longest hitting golf ball on the market (assuming you’re looking for a conforming ball option).

  • Heavy hitters (105mph swing speed and up) – Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
  • Mid swing speed (90-105mph) – Maxfli Tour CG
  • Low swing speed (90mph and below) – Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Check out this great video to see the full rundown:

What illegal golf ball goes the farthest?

The Bandit Maximum Distance golf ball is the illegal golf ball that goes the farthest. In fact, it’s actually broken several Guiness World Records.

However, if you struggle to hit the ball straight off the tee, the Polara Ultimate Straight may actually give you more distance because of its ability to reduce hooks and slices.

What makes a golf ball illegal?

A golf ball is illegal if it doesn’t meet the requirements set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A. These regulating agencies set the rules for golf ball construction, weight, size, symmetry and more. If a manufacturer creates a ball that falls outside of their specifications, that ball is considered “non-conforming” or “illegal.”

2 Comments

  1. I tried the Polara XD for several rounds, don’t know that it gave me much extra distance, but it did reduce my slices quite a bit, probably half. I normally use a Pro V1 or Cut Blue, drive it about 235-250, with a 20 yard fade/slice about 25% of the time. Polara XD was fun to play but definitely got questions from my playing partners.

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