The ‘next generation' Pro V1 and Pro V1x have a lot to live up to. Titleist says the new models have more durable covers than their predecessors, made from urethane elastomer, and by increasing the size of the core and decreasing the width of the ionomeric casing layer, the Pro V1's ball speed and ‘drop-and-stop' performance should also be increased. The four-piece Pro V1x also has a redesigned ionomeric casing.

Another long-standing Titleist success to be updated, the two-piece PTS Carry now comes with a 252-dimple cover, which is designed for a higher lift, and hence greater distance, to help golfers with a lower launch. The large 1.595" low-density, soft polybutadiene core is designed to provide greater distance, while the soft, surlyn cover should encourage spin and greenside control.

The Tour B330-RX, Tour B330 and Tour B330-S represent a three-pronged attack on the premium ball market by Bridgestone this year. The Tour B330-RX is designed for low handicappers who do not have Tour-level swing speed, but want Tour-level response for their short game. The ball features a very soft ‘gradational compression core' and Bridgestone claims it is the softest multi-layer ball on the market.

The Tour i and Tour iX are four-piece balls that feature Callaway's new ‘intertia technology', which is designed to reduce spin when the ball is struck by the driver, yet to also enhance feel. The HEX aerodynamics have been updated and the balls come with a new and softer thermoset urethane cover. While the Tour i is intended to offer ‘unmatched greenside control', Callaway hopes the Tour iX will be the longest ball on Tour.

TaylorMade has a pair of three-piece ‘Tour Preferred' balls, Red and Black, which the company says are used by over 120 Tour players around the world. The Black version has a 360-dimple pattern that encourages a mid-to-high ball flight, whereas the dimple design on the Red is designed to promote a mid-to-low flight. Both balls are built with TaylorMade's Low-Drag Performance aerodynamics, with a view to gaining maximum distance from off-centre hits.

Having enjoyed great success with its two-piece balls in recent years, Srixon has leapt into the three-piece market with its Z-Star and Z-Star X, new for 2009. The 104-compression Z-Star X is designed to provide ‘Tour performance' characteristics such as explosive distance and high spin around the greens, whereas the 90-compression Z-Star is designed to provide ‘optimum distance, spin control and soft feel' for the mid-to-low handicapper.

A golf ball with a name that sounds like it should be a black-and-white horror flick, Top Flite says on the box that The Freak is ‘nasty long'. Playing at a golf course near you, the ball's name is derived from the fact it features ‘Dimple-in-Dimple aerodynamics. This is supposed to maintain spin in flight, so the ball should hold its line better, while also reducing drag, to maximise driving distance.

One golf's premier brands of the 1960s and 1970s, Penfold launched a revival last year by introducing a 21st century version of the Heart ball that was used by James Bond in his famous golf match against Goldfinger in the 1967 film. The ‘collector set' of 12 was only available online last year, with a donation made to the British Heart Foundation for every sale.

Carrying on the strong traditions of the Precept Lady series, Precept claims the Lady iQ 180 is the softest golf ball on the market. Designed for slower swing speeds, the ball has a super-soft core featuring patented Gradational Compression Technology for added distance, while the soft ionomer cover is designed to reduce side-spin for a straighter ball flight.

The Pro Cyber is a three-piece golf ball that heads a new range from Nassau. The line also features the Tri Cyber, with a titanium-blended core designed to provide feel and added distance, and the Cyber, QX and Plus models, meaning all golfers can find a Nassau ball suited to their game. Nassau's logo programme offers balls that are imprinted before the final coat is applied to the outer cover, to ensure logos do not rub off.

Pink Ribbon's two-piece Titanium ball promises distance and soft feel for the woman golfer, and it stands out with an RRP of £11.95 for a dozen. Not only does Pink Ribbon provide excellent value for money, but from every £11.95 purchase just over £1 will go to breast cancer research and support.

A 2008 Retail Audit from Sports Marketing Surveys shows that the AD333 was the UK's best-selling two-piece golf ball. Its Energetic Gradient Growth core is designed to provide excellent ball speed, and to enable golfers with moderate swing speeds to maximise driving distance. The Pana-Tetra blended cover encourages a high launch angle and low spin from the driver, while maintaining its softness for greenside control.

The name may be ‘One', but there are actually three of them. Nike's One Tour is a four-piece ball designed with accomplished players in mind. A progressive density core is encased in a polymer ‘power transfer layer', with an inner cover and seamless urethane outer cover with a 378-dimple design. The three-piece One Tour D is designed for golfers with moderate-to-high swing speeds while the One Vapor is intended for lower speeds.

Pinnacle has built the Platinum Feel with a soft and thin cover around a larger core, with a view to providing both long distance and soft feel. Platinum Feel is supported by the FX Long at a lower price point, which has a high-velocity 1.565" core for reaching long distances in a straight line.

The soft high-velocity core of the Tour Deep is designed for great distance combined with soft feel, and the ball's feel is enhanced by an ‘ultra-thin' urethane cover that Ben Hogan promises is both soft and durable. The ball also comes with deep simples, which should encourage a stable ball flight with reduced drag.

The Noodle+ Lady is designed to provide women golfers with a high trajectory for greater distance, while still providing a ‘velvety' feel around the greens. The two-piece ball is also distinct with its ‘diamond-shine' iothane cover.

First introduced at the 2007 PGA Show, Chromax balls have been gaining in popularity since, particularly with women golfers in the US and Japan. The balls come in six colours, and with two finish options beneath the clear cover: metallic or sparkle. The USGA-approved two-piece, titanium-core balls come with a soft compression of 75, with a firmer 90 compression set to follow later this year.