Noodle Golf Balls Review: The Brutally Honest Verdict

Are you tired of the sinking feeling—both in your stomach and your wallet—every time a brand new, premium golf ball splashes into a water hazard or vanishes into the woods? For most amateur golfers, the fear of losing an expensive ball can create more tension than a downhill three-foot putt. You wonder if there’s a cheaper alternative that doesn’t feel like hitting a rock and actually performs well.

This is where the legendary Noodle golf ball enters the conversation. For years, it has been the go-to choice for budget-conscious players, but the core question remains: are Noodle golf balls actually good?

For beginners, high-handicappers, and golfers with moderate swing speeds, the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls are an absolutely fantastic choice. They deliver on their promise of impressive distance and a surprisingly soft feel, offering some of the best value in the entire golf market.

In this brutally honest, in-depth review, we’re going beyond the marketing hype. Based on extensive on-course testing, we’ll break down exactly how the Noodle Long & Soft performs, who it’s perfect for, and—just as importantly—who should steer clear.

TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls Review 2025: Our Honest Verdict

The TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls are an excellent choice for beginners and high-handicap golfers due to their impressive distance, soft feel, and unbeatable value. While they lack greenside spin for advanced players, their forgiveness makes them a top contender in 2025.

After putting these balls through their paces, my verdict is clear: if you are a beginner, a mid-to-high handicap player, or have a slower swing speed, the TaylorMade Noodle is one of the smartest purchases you can make in golf. It lives up to its “Long & Soft” name by providing excellent distance off the tee and a satisfying feel on impact that defies its low price point. The low-spin characteristics not only help maximize yardage but also reduce the severity of slices and hooks, keeping you in play more often.

However, this is not a tour-level ball, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Advanced players will immediately notice the lack of significant greenside spin, meaning approach shots will roll out more. But for the vast majority of recreational golfers, the benefits of distance, forgiveness, and affordability far outweigh this single drawback.

Pros	Cons
✅ Excellent value for money	❌ Limited greenside spin and control
✅ Delivers good distance and straighter flight	❌ Not ideal for advanced or low-handicap players
✅ Soft feel on impact, especially for a distance ball	❌ No longer on USGA conforming list for official events
✅ Durable IOTHANE cover holds up well	❌ Primarily available in white (Long & Soft model)

Why Trust Our Review? Our Testing Process

We tested the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls over several rounds, focusing on distance off the tee, feel with irons, control around the greens, and overall durability to provide a comprehensive, real-world evaluation.

To give you a truly authentic review, I didn’t just read the specs on the box. I took a 15-pack of the Noodle Long & Soft balls to my local course and played multiple full rounds with them, simulating real-world conditions that every golfer faces. My goal was to see if they lived up to their reputation.

Here’s a breakdown of our testing methodology:

1. On-Course Rounds: I played three full 18-hole rounds exclusively with the Noodle golf ball. This allowed me to test it in a variety of situations, from wide-open par 5s to tricky short par 3s.
2. Driver and Iron Performance: On the driving range and the course, I paid close attention to ball flight, distance, and forgiveness. I intentionally hit some off-center shots to see how much the ball would correct itself compared to my usual premium ball.
3. Short Game Scrutiny: I spent significant time around the practice green hitting chips, pitches, and bunker shots. The primary focus here was to gauge the level of spin and control—or lack thereof—on shots landing on the green.
4. Durability Test: Let’s be honest, budget balls sometimes get a bad rap for durability. I played the same ball for an entire round (which included an unfortunate encounter with a cart path and a dense tree) to see how the IOTHANE cover held up to scuffs and scratches.

A Deep Dive into TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls’s Features & Performance

The magic of the Noodle isn’t just its price; it’s the surprisingly effective technology packed into its simple, 2-piece construction. TaylorMade designed this ball with a very specific player in mind, and every feature is engineered to maximize performance for that golfer. Let’s look at what makes it tick.

Standout Feature 1: The “Long & Soft” Promise

The name says it all, and impressively, the ball delivers. The secret lies in the combination of its two core components: the core and the cover. The Noodle features a very low-compression Impact Propulsion Core. With a compression rating between 34 and 70, it’s incredibly easy to compress, even for players with slower swing speeds (under 95 MPH). When you can compress the ball properly, you transfer more energy, resulting in higher ball speed and more distance.

This core is wrapped in a durable IOTHANE cover. This material is engineered to feel soft on impact while being resilient enough to withstand mishits and rough surfaces. During my testing, the first thing I noticed was the satisfying sound off the driver and irons. Compared to other budget balls that can feel like hitting a marble, the Noodle provided a soft, cushioned feel that inspired confidence. It’s this combination that perfectly fulfills the “Long & Soft” promise.

What I Liked (The Pros)

Key advantages of the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls include their excellent value, impressive distance for slow swing speeds, and a forgiving, straight flight that helps keep the ball in play.

• ✅ Unbeatable Value: This is the most obvious pro. The low cost per ball completely changes your mental game. I played without the fear of losing an expensive ball, which led to more confident, aggressive swings on challenging holes. You can’t overstate the psychological benefit of playing a ball you’re not afraid to lose.
• ✅ Impressive Distance and Forgiveness: The low-spin design truly works. Off the tee, my typical slice was noticeably tamer. The ball seemed to fly straighter and held its line better on slight mishits. For players who struggle with hooks and slices, this forgiving nature is a game-changer that keeps you out of trouble.
• ✅ Genuinely Soft Feel: For a 2-piece distance ball, the feel is exceptional. It felt great off the putter face, rolling true and consistently. On full swings with my irons, the impact was pleasingly soft, providing enough feedback without the harshness of other “distance” models.
• ✅ Excellent Durability: After 18 holes of play, including a ricochet off a tree, the ball I used showed minimal signs of wear. There were no major scuffs or cuts, just minor cosmetic blemishes. The IOTHANE cover proved to be tough and resilient.

What Could Be Better (The Cons)

The main drawbacks are its limited greenside spin, which causes shots to roll out more on the green, and the fact it is no longer on the USGA conforming list for tournament play.

• ❌ Lack of “Bite” on the Greens: This is the Noodle’s biggest trade-off. The same low-spin design that helps you hit long, straight drives works against you on approach shots. I found that shots into the green didn’t stop quickly. Approach shots tended to roll out more, requiring adjustments in my short game strategy to land the ball short and let it run to the pin.
• ❌ Limited Feedback for Advanced Players: While the soft feel is great for most, skilled players will miss the nuanced feedback of a multi-layer tour ball. You can’t “work” the ball as easily to hit controlled fades or draws, and the feel isn’t as precise for delicate touch shots around the green.
• ❌ Not on the USGA Conforming List: For 99% of players, this doesn’t matter. However, it’s important to know that the Noodle no longer appears on the official USGA conforming ball list. This means you cannot use it in sanctioned tournaments or competitions. For your weekend game with friends, it’s perfectly fine.

How TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls Compares to the Competition

Compared to a premium ball like the Pro V1, the Noodle offers similar distance for average golfers at a lower cost but has significantly less greenside spin. It’s often compared to the Srixon Soft Feel, with some users finding the Noodle slightly harder.

To understand where the Noodle fits in the market, it’s helpful to compare it to a tour-level ball (Titleist Pro V1) and a direct budget competitor (Srixon Soft Feel).

Feature	TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft	Titleist Pro V1	Srixon Soft Feel
Target Golfer	Beginners, High-Handicappers, Slow Swing Speeds	Low-Handicappers, Advanced Players	Beginners, Seniors, Moderate Swing Speeds
Feel	Soft for a distance ball	Very Soft, Premium Feel	Exceptionally Soft
Distance Performance	Excellent, low spin for straighter flight	Excellent, optimized for high swing speeds	Very Good, designed for feel over pure distance
Greenside Control	Low Spin (significant rollout)	High Spin (excellent stopping power)	Low-to-Moderate Spin (better than Noodle)

This comparison highlights the Noodle’s distinct place: it’s built for distance and forgiveness at an incredible value, sacrificing the spin and control that only low-handicap players can truly leverage.

Is the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls a Good Value for the Money?

Absolutely, yes. For its intended audience, the TaylorMade Noodle Long & Soft is arguably one of the best overall values in all of golf. The performance-to-cost ratio is simply off the charts. You get a golf ball from a top-tier manufacturer that delivers tangible benefits—more distance, straighter shots, and a pleasing feel—for a fraction of the cost of premium balls.

Think of it this way: the primary weakness of the Noodle is its low greenside spin. However, the beginner and high-handicap golfers it’s designed for often don’t generate enough clubhead speed and consistent contact to produce high spin anyway, even with a premium ball. Therefore, they are paying a premium for a feature they can’t fully utilize.

The Noodle wisely focuses on the attributes that will help these players lower their scores: keeping the ball in play off the tee and providing a consistent feel. When you can buy a dozen (or more) balls without breaking the bank, you play with more freedom and confidence, which is invaluable.

FAQs About the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls

Here are some quick answers to the most common questions golfers have about Noodle balls.

Who should play Noodle golf balls?

Noodle golf balls are best for beginners, mid-to-high handicappers, seniors, and any golfer with a slower swing speed (under 95 MPH). They prioritize distance, forgiveness, and soft feel over greenside spin. If you struggle with a slice, want a few extra yards off the tee, and don’t want to worry about losing expensive balls, the Noodle is an ideal choice for your game.

Who makes Noodle golf balls?

Noodle golf balls are made by TaylorMade, a major brand in the golf industry. They are designed as a budget-friendly option for recreational golfers. This is an important point—you are getting a product backed by the research and quality control of one of the biggest names in golf, not some generic, no-name brand.

Are Noodle golf balls illegal?

Noodle golf balls are not “illegal” for casual play but they no longer appear on the USGA conforming ball list. This means they cannot be used in official USGA-sanctioned competitions or tournaments. For your regular weekend round, a charity scramble, or a friendly wager with your buddies, they are perfectly legal and fine to use.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls?

After thoroughly testing and analyzing the TaylorMade 2018 Noodle Long & Soft Golf Balls, the conclusion is simple. This ball is a phenomenal choice for a huge segment of the golfing population. It does exactly what it promises, providing great distance, a forgiving flight, and a soft feel at a price that can’t be beaten.

You should buy this golf ball if:

• You are a beginner or a mid-to-high handicap player.
• Your driver swing speed is below 95 MPH.
• You prioritize distance and forgiveness over greenside spin.
• You are budget-conscious and want to play without the fear of losing balls.

You should probably look for a different ball if:

• You are a low-handicap or scratch golfer.
• You rely on high spin to stop the ball on approach shots.
• You need to play in USGA-sanctioned tournaments.

For the target golfer, the Noodle isn’t just a good ball; it’s the right ball. It delivers confidence in a box, allowing you to focus on your swing instead of your wallet.

Last update on 2025-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API