The premium golf ball market is highly competitive, but is the Mizuno Pro S capable of blowing away the competition?

Every golf ball manufacturer hopes to produce models that can challenge the best golf balls in the game. One of those brands is Mizuno. In recent years, I would say that Mizuno haven’t been challenging the best premium golf balls, let alone the best golf balls, but that all seems to have changed with the Mizuno Pro S and Pro X golf balls.

Focusing solely on the Pro S (you can read the Pro X review here), I’ve genuinely been blown away by how well this golf ball performs, considering its predecessor – the RB Tour – was very underwhelming in my eyes.

Considering the price of the Pro S and its capability on the golf course, I can easily see this golf ball competing with the best in 2025. Currently, there aren’t any Tour pros gaming the Pro S, but that might change as we venture further into the year. I can certainly see more amateur golfers playing Mizuno golf balls based on my experience with the Pro models.

I envision more golfers favoring the Pro S over the Pro X (although that’s not my preference), because they’re softer-feeling, slightly lower-spinning off the tee, and deliver a more penetrating ball flight. As human golfers, we all have different preferences, whereas a robot has zero preferences. For this reason, I’m eagerly anticipating how the Pro S and Pro X perform in our 2025 golf ball robot test because I really like how they play, and I imagine they’ll be super competitive in our robot test.

Given their value for money and on-course performance, it’s very hard to find any criticism for the Pro S, other than the fact they’re a premium, Tour-level golf ball that isn’t been played on Tour. That being said, here are my thoughts on the Pro S that led me to score it highly.

Versatility

I’ve awarded the Pro S 4.5 out of 5 for versatility because I can see this golf ball suiting a wide range of golfers. Although it’s categorized as a premium golf ball, even if you typically play with a model for beginners and high-handicappers or a golf ball for mid-handicap golfers, you’ll thoroughly enjoy switching to the Pro S.

Based on this golf ball’s properties and performance I have given it half a point more for versatility than the Pro X. Obviously, with them both receiving high grades for versatility, I view the Pro X and Pro S as being very suitable golf balls for golfers of all abilities, but the reason I think the Pro S is slightly more versatile is because it’s softer, flies slightly lower, and spins less off the tee.

Tee to Green Performance

For my game, the Pro S isn’t as strong from tee to green as the Pro X, hence why it’s received half a point less in this category. However, 4 out of 5 is still a very respectable score. I felt as though the Pro S performed better for me as I got closer to the green.

I began using the Pro S on the putting green at Cleveland Golf Club, I quickly became a fan of the feel and response on the green. After nailing a few putts, I made my way over to the short game area to play a few chip shots, pitch shots, and bunker shots before heading out on the course. I was impressed with how quickly the ball stopped on the green when playing from close range.

When I headed out on the course I was skeptical as to whether the Pro S would be as strong as it was at the short game area, but it exceeded my expectations given that it’s supposedly not a high-spinning golf ball in the short game. I was happily flying the Pro S at the pin and watching it stop very quickly.

Moving away from the green, I did notice that the ball was flying slightly lower than the Pro X which doesn’t suit my game. Also, off the tee, the lower ball flight and lower spin definitely hindered how much carry I was able to get out of the Pro S, but in the right hands, this will be a very competitive golf ball if you need to reduce spin in the long game and get your ball flying through a lower window.

Feel and Response

I can’t complain about the feel and response of the Pro S, the feel is soft – as described – and the response is strong. The reason why the Pro S hasn’t received full marks in this category is because I prefer a firmer feel.

That being said, I really enjoy the response this golf ball delivers from every club face in the bag. I would define it as strong feedback although it’s soft. By strong, I mean that you can feel the ball coming off the face whether you’ve made good or bad contact. When applying a full swing, impact almost feels as though it’s happening in slow motion because of how well the golf ball reacts with the club face, from driver down to wedge.

Durability

I’ve made claims that the Pro S is a brilliant value for money golf ball and a golf ball can only be good value if it’s durable. The Pro S is undoubtedly durable. I easily played 18 holes with one golf ball and, minus a couple of battle scars, it was in a solid condition. I wouldn’t rush to play another 18 holes with the same golf ball, but it held up loads better than the RB Tour or RB Tour X did.

Given how durable two of the three Pro S golf balls I received have been (the third I haven’t taken out of the sleeve), I did consider awarding them 5 out of 5 for durability, but I would like to have a larger sample size to bump this grade up to full marks.

Final Verdict

The Mizuno Pro S is a brilliant golf ball for a wide range of golfers to enjoy. Based on its performance and properties I can see this being a model most golfers would happily play with. Factor in the very reasonable price and you have a very competitive golf ball in a very crowded market.

Obviously, the biggest downside with the Pro S is the fact that it’s not currently being played on Tour, but given how much of an improvement this ball is compared to previous premium ranges I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tour pros add this ball to their bag.

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.