Best Illegal Golf Balls 2025

Playing illegal golf balls in a competition is cheating but what about using them for a casual round on your own or with friends?

We know that golf is a hard game, so why not get a little bit of extra help from non conforming golf balls to boost distance and improve accuracy?

I'm a golf ball nerd, and I've played all of the balls in this list so you can be sure that the feedback I'm giving you is genuine. There are a lot of wild claims made by the manufacturers of illegal golf balls and many are total BS. Let me guide you in your choices and make sure you're getting the most from your money.

Ok, these illegal golf balls are the real deal. I picked up a dozen to play with some non conforming clubs as an experiment and I was just blown away. I literally couldn't hit a shot with ANY shape, they just went arrow straight and at least 10-15 yards further than my normal golf balls. If you struggle with a big hook and slices off the tee, this is definitely the golf ball for you.

The secret of this illegal golf ball is that you have the line the seam up with the target. You can do this on every shot to give you a perfect ball flight, but it will be illegal in tournament play. Polara claim that they reduce unwanted shot shapes by 75% and that its definitely what I saw on the golf course.

The dual core 2 piece construction feels along the lines of a Srixon Soft feel and I was impressed with the greenside spin and control. Off the the putter they felt firm but not unpleasant.

These illegal golf balls from MG were specifically designed to increase distance for senior golfers who have had a drop in swing speed as time catches up with them. Balls designed for seniors will also help beginner golfers who struggle with their strike or players who have naturally slower swings so if you fall into any of those camps, these could be a great option for you. 

What makes these balls illegal is that their initial rebound velocity off the face of the golf club is not conforming to USGA standards. This is the only ball sold by MG which isn't legal, so make sure you're buying the ball you want - whatever that may be! 

If you hit the ball under 250 yards (which is most people to be honest) these balls will give you up to 20 yards more distance - or so the marketing materials on the box say. I swing the club too fast for these balls, but my friend Fred has a respectable 90mph driver swing speed and found that these balls went like sh*t off a shovel! He wasn't getting 20 yards more, but he was seeing at least 10 extra yards on drives and found that the ball felt extremely hot off the face. 

On finesse shots greenside the ball does OK - it has a decent surlyn cover but it's not going to rip like a Pro V1. Off the putter it feels hard, but we have to remember its a distance ball.   

I've included these strange looking illegal golf balls in this article because they are something completely different. I've never seen anything like this on the market and I had to see if they were a gimmick.

The unique dimple pattern on these Kaede fly golf balls is meant to reduce drag by 19% over standard golf balls, which is said to lead to big increases in carry distance. I teed these up on a normal round in Thailand where carry distance means everything due to the soft fairways. I have to say, I didn't notice any real difference in how far the ball flew, but I did find that they had a much lower ball flight that normal. 

This lower ball flight could be good or bad for you depending on how you normally hit the ball. I did find that they weren't very durable and the strange dimple pattern scuffed up really easily, especially when playing out of the bunker.  

There are much better golf balls on this list if I'm completely honest! 

The box claims these are the world's longest illegal golf balls. I can't say for sure if that’s true, but I can tell you one thing: they add serious distance. If you're looking to crush long, straight drives, these balls get the job done.

They're not as well-rounded as premium options like Polara balls, which offer better playability across the course. However, for the price, Bandit balls are a fantastic value if you want a little extra firepower off the tee.

Key Performance Highlights

• Distance: These balls deliver impressive yardage gains. Perfect for hitting bomb drives down the fairway.
• Accuracy: Surprisingly straight for an illegal ball, even on narrow fairways.
• Short Game: Lacks finesse around the greens compared to higher-end options.
• Value: Exceptional bang for your buck.

Final Verdict

If you're playing a casual round and want to have fun shocking your buddies with longer drives, Bandit balls are a blast. They may not be the complete package, but for the price and sheer distance alone, they’re a worthy addition to your bag.

A history of illegal golf balls

First and foremost; what is an illegal golf ball anyway? Most golf balls are made with strict adherence to PGA rules and standards. For official tournament play, the PGA does their best to make the playing field as equal as possible.

This means no gear whatsoever that can give a player an unfair advantage. And illegal balls are just that – an unfair advantage. Of course, it's only unfair if you are competing in an official amateur or professional tournament.

Outside of these official settings, “unfair” translates to a lot of fun. The reason these kinds of balls are typically banned is that they are manufactured to give you more distance. Some balls also help correct hooks and slices on their own.

In fact, some illegal balls can add as much as 15 yards to your shots. Of course, there are a couple of hitches with illegal balls. While they are a blast for casual play, they won't do anything to improve your game. In fact, if you use them too often, they could actually hinder your game.

Secondly, the added distance and slice correction usually coincides with a lack of playability on the green. Most people use them for distance and to get straighter shots in the long game. So if you are in fact in the market for a ball of this nature, take a look at our list.

Why are Polara golf balls illegal?

Polara golf balls are deemed non-conforming by the United States Golf Association (USGA) due to their unique asymmetrical dimple design, which significantly reduces hooks and slices by up to 75%. This self-correcting technology violates the USGA's equipment standards, leading to their disapproval for official tournament play.

How do you know if a golf ball is illegal?

To determine if a golf ball is legal for tournament use, consult the USGA's official list of conforming golf balls. Balls not included on this list do not meet the established standards and are considered non-conforming.

Why are Volvik golf balls illegal?

Regarding Volvik golf balls, there is no evidence to suggest that they are illegal. Volvik manufactures a variety of golf balls that conform to USGA standards and are permissible for tournament play.

Why is the MG golf ball illegal?

The MG Senior golf ball is considered non-conforming because its initial velocity off the clubface exceeds USGA limits. This increased speed can result in longer distances, providing an unfair advantage, which is why it is not approved for official play.

It's important to note that while non-conforming balls like Polara and MG Senior are not allowed in official tournaments, they can still be used for casual or recreational play, provided all participants agree. However, scores achieved with such balls should not be submitted for handicap calculations.