Best Illegal Golf Balls 2025 - Golf Sidekick

Best Illegal Golf Balls 2025

Last Updated on March 5, 2025 by Matt
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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.

Best Illegal Golf Balls 2025

  1. Polara Self Correcting 2 Piece Golf Balls (Editor's choice)
  2. MG Senior Golf Balls (Best for slower swing speeds)
  3. Kaede Fly Distance Golf Balls  (Most unusual golf balls)
  4. Bandit Maximum Distance Golf Balls (Best of both worlds)
  5. ZZIINN Golf Balls (Insanely long)
  6. Volvik Magma Golf Balls (Best quality illegal golf ball)

The hype is real - these really do fly straight

Polara self correcting golf balls

Polara Self Correcting 2-Piece Golf Balls

Compression

85

Price Range:

$$

Minimum Swing Speed

85 mph

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.

Pros

  • They go arrow straight on every full shot
  • Durable two piece construction
  • Looks and feels like conforming golf balls
  • Way more fun than legal golf balls 

Cons

  • They are a bit pricey, but you may never lose one! 

Perfect illegal golf balls for senior golfers

mg senior illegal golf balls

MG Senior Golf Balls

Compression

40

Price Range:

$$

Minimum Swing Speed

75 mph

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.   

Pros

  • Perfect for senior players 
  • Budget friendly pricing 
  • High visibility neon design 

Cons

  • These just fall out of the sky for faster swingers 

Weird looking golf balls but they go long

kaede fly illegal golf balls

Kaede Fly Distance Golf Balls

Compression

90

Price Range:

$$$

Minimum Swing Speed

85 mph

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! 

Pros

  • Unique design and colors - like nothing else out there 
  • Lower ball flight 
  • Added distance through reduced drag

Cons

  • Not ideal for short game controlNot very durable
  • Very expensive 

Best of both worlds - flight correcting and long

bandit maximum distance golf balls

Bandit Maximum Distance Golf Balls

Compression

95

Price Range:

$$

Minimum Swing Speed

85 mph

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.

Pros

  • Decent performance for the price 
  • Good combination of flight correction and additional distance 
  • Pretty durable 

Cons

  • They sounds like a pebble 

Insane distance illegal golf balls 

zziinn illegal golf balls

ZZIINN illegal golf balls 

Compression

95

Price Range:

$

Minimum Swing Speed

90 mph

I recently played a round with the ZZIINN golf balls and tested them against my regular Titleist and Taylormade balls. I was surprised to see I was getting more distance on tee shots and fairway hits. At first, I didn’t believe it, but after consistently hitting 10 to 15 yards farther, I was convinced. I even handed a few to my buddy, and he was also hitting longer shots. The balls feel lighter than normal, which had me curious, but they clearly add distance.

One thing that caught me off guard was the scent. When I opened the box, I immediately noticed a fragrance. After some sniffing around (yes, I sniffed a golf ball), I realized it was intentional. It’s an odd but fun feature that didn’t bother me at all.

Performance Notes

  • Distance: Excellent off the tee and from the fairway. The extra yardage was noticeable and made drives more exciting.
  • Putting: Not great for putting. The lighter weight and matte finish made it hard to get consistent rolls.
  • Tracking: The yellow color makes it easy to follow shots.
  • Short Game: Around the greens, the balls felt unpredictable and tricky to control.

Final Thoughts

ZZIINN balls are fun to play and would make a great gift for a golfer who enjoys experimenting. Seeing the extra distance was a blast, and who doesn’t love hitting long drives? Just don’t count on them for precision putting. These balls break the rules, and that’s what makes them fun. Oh, and the scent? Definitely a first for me.

Pros

  • They smell great! 
  • They are crazy long 
  • Very cheap for the performance 

Cons

  • These aren't going to last long
  • The smell might be off putting for some

Illegal golf balls from a top manufacturer

volvik magma illegal golf balls

Volvik Magma 

Compression

90

Price Range:

$$

Minimum Swing Speed

80

I recently tried out the Volvik Magma golf balls, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. As someone who’s always looking for a bit more distance off the tee, these balls really delivered. I immediately noticed that my drives were carrying farther and rolling out an extra 15 to 20 yards compared to my usual balls. That kind of gain is hard to ignore.

What stood out was how soft they felt despite the added distance. The dual-core design must be doing something right because I could actually feel a bit more control around the greens than I expected from a distance-focused ball. My chip shots had decent spin, which gave me the confidence to go for more aggressive plays near the hole.

What I Liked

  • Extra Distance: My drives were consistently longer, and I even surprised my playing partners by keeping up with their typically longer tee shots.
  • Soft Feel: I didn't feel like I was sacrificing touch around the greens, which can sometimes be the case with harder distance balls.
  • Aerodynamic Flight: The ball flight was steady and consistent, even on windy days.

A Few Things to Note

  • Compression: At 90 compression, it might feel a bit firm for golfers with extremely low swing speeds, but I personally liked the balance of firmness and feel.
  • Dimple Pattern: The 432-dimple design did seem to help the ball stay on track, even on less-than-perfect swings.

Final Thoughts

The Volvik Magma surprised me with how well it balanced distance and control. I’d recommend it for anyone, especially seniors or golfers with slower swing speeds, who want to add some yards without losing the feel around the greens. It’s going in my bag for rounds when I need that extra distance.

Pros

  • They smell great! 
  • They are crazy long 
  • Very cheap for the performance 

Cons

  • These aren't going to last long
  • The smell might be off putting for some

Final Thoughts on Best Illegal Golf Balls

If golf is about having fun for you, and you aren't going to be playing in a load of official tournaments then using an illegal golf ball isn't going to do anything bad for you. Tee any of the balls in this list up and you're going to be the envy of your playing partners. It might also improve your game and you just learn to trust your golf swing and not try and steer the ball.  


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.

Last Updated on March 5, 2025 by Matt