A golf ball analysis and rating method is provided to test and report golf ball characteristics of distance, spin, balance, feel, durability and price compared to other golf ball models wherein a set of golf balls of like model from the same manufacturer are shot-tested using a plurality of golf shots with a driver, an iron, and a wedge to obtain distance and spin data, balance tested to obtain data to rate balance, compression and cover hardness tested to obtain data to rate feel, durability tested to obtain date to rate durability, and price data is obtained to rate price. The data are analyzed and ratings corresponding to average values for each of the characteristics are assigned.