The straightforward answer is that Nitro golf balls are made by a company called PG Professional Golf. But knowing the name behind the brand is only the first step. To really understand if these incredibly popular and budget-friendly balls are right for your game, you need to know who this company is, what they prioritize, and how the different types of Nitro balls are designed to perform on the course. This article will break down everything you need to know about the company behind Nitro, explore their different models, and help you, as a fellow golfer, figure out if a dozen Nitros should be in your bag for your next round.
Nitro golf balls are manufactured by PG Professional Golf, a company that has carved out a significant niche in the golf world by specializing in value-oriented equipment. You won't see them sponsoring PGA Tour pros or running multi-million dollar Super Bowl ads. Their vision is entirely different. Instead of competing with the high-end technology and pricing of giants like Titleist, TaylorMade, or Callaway, Professional Golf focuses on making the game of golf more accessible and affordable for the everyday player.
Think of them as the brand for the golfer who is just starting out, the weekend warrior on a tight budget, the senior player looking to enjoy the game without financial stress, or simply anyone who recognizes the painful reality of losing a few $4 balls in the woods or water in a single round. They have been in this part of the market for a long time, building a reputation for producing reliable, functional golf gear - from balls and clubs to bags and accessories - that gets the job done without breaking the bank. So while they may not be a household name in a "premium" sense, they are a staple on the shelves of big-box retailers and a godsend for millions of high-handicappers and casual golfers.
Walking into a store and seeing a box simply labeled "Nitro" might lead you to believe it's a one-size-fits-all product. However, Professional Golf actually offers a few different models, each tailored to a slightly different player preference and goal. Understanding the differences is the key to picking the right one for your style of play.
As the name proudly suggests, this is Nitro’s flagship model and it has one primary objective: to go as far as possible. The Ultimate Distance is a two-piece golf ball. From a coaching perspective, let’s break down what that means in simple terms. It has a large, energetic core (the "engine") and a durable Surlyn cover. This construction is engineered to produce very low spin off the an driver face.
Why is low spin good for distance? For players with slower to average swing speeds, high spin is an enemy of distance. It causes the ball to balloon up in the air and "fall out of the sky" instead of penetrating forward. Lower spin rates help produce a stronger, more piercing ball flight that gives you more carry and more roll once it hits the fairway. Even better, that same low-spin characteristic can significantly reduce the severity of a slice or a hook, helping you find more fairways. It won't fix a major swing flaw, but it can certainly help keep those big misses in play.
Who it’s for: Beginners, high-handicappers, and seniors - basically, any golfer whose main priority is adding more yards off the tee and finding the fairway more often.
You’ll often spot the Nitro Pulsar balls by their vibrant, matte-finish colors. While still a two-piece distance ball, the Pulsar is typically built to have a slightly softer feel off the clubface compared to the rock-hard sensation some associate with pure distance balls. The core is designed to be a bit softer, which makes contact feel less “clicky,” especially on putts and short chips.
There are two major benefits here. First, the softer feel gives a little more feedback around the greens, which many players prefer. Second, and just as important, the matte colors are incredibly easy to see. Not just in the air, but more importantly, sitting in the rough or amongst fallen leaves. From a coaching standpoint, I can tell you that the confidence you gain from being able to easily locate your ball is huge. It speeds up play and reduces the frustration of a lost ball on a shot that was only slightly off-line.
Who it's for: Golfers who still prioritize distance and affordability but want a softer feel than a traditional distance ball and love the easy visibility of a brightly colored matte finish.
If Nitro has a more "advanced" offering, the Tour Distance is it. This model is often a three-piece ball. Let's look at that construction: it has the core ("engine"), a urethane or soft cover ("feel and aerodynamics"), and an extra middle layer called a mantle. This mantle layer is the key. Its job is to act as a bridge, allowing the ball to be low-spinning off the driver (for distance) but higher-spinning off your shorter irons and wedges (for control).
This construction attempts to give players a little more of that "greenside bite" that better players look for, helping shots stop more quickly on the putting surface. It's a step up from the pure two-piece models, aiming to provide a more all-around performance. While it won’t spin like a premium tour ball, it offers a noticeable improvement in control for players who are beginning to fine-tune their short game but aren’t ready to pay premium prices.
Who it's for: The budget-conscious mid-handicapper who is starting to develop more feel and wants a ball that offers a better balance of distance and greenside control.
Having coached hundreds of golfers, I can tell you that playing the right ball for your skill level is one of the easiest ways to shoot lower scores. Buying themost expensive tour ball won't help if your game isn’t ready for it. Here’s a simple guide to see if Nitro is a good fit for you.
Comparing a Nitro to a Titleist Pro V1 is like comparing a reliable family sedan to a Formula 1 race car. They're both cars, but they are engineered for completely different purposes and a completely different user.
The biggest difference comes down to the material used on the cover. Nitro balls, like most distance and value balls, use a Surlyn cover. Surlyn is a durable, slick, and resilient ionomer resin. This durability is why they rarely get cut or scuffed, and its low-friction properties are a big reason they produce low spin for great distance.
Premium balls like the Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft, or TaylorMade TP5 use a Urethane cover. Urethane is a much softer, more "tacky" material. When you hit a shot with a wedge, the sharp grooves of the clubface can "bite" into that soft urethane cover, grabbing the ball and imparting massive amounts of spin. This is what allows tour pros and low-handicappers to hit aggressive approach shots that land and stop almost instantly. The trade-off is that urethane is far less durable and much more expensive to manufacture.
From a coaching perspective, my best advice is this: be honest with yourself about your game. For the average golfer who is working hard just to keep the ball in play, the low-spin characteristics of a Nitro are likely more helpful than the high-spin of a tour ball. Playing the right equipment for your current ability is the smartest path to improvement.
In short, Nitro golf balls are made by PG Professional Golf, a company dedicated to providing high-value, affordable equipment for the everyday player. Their balls are primarily two-piece constructions designed to maximize distance and durability, making them an excellent choice for beginners, high-handicappers, and anyone playing on a budget.
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