Disclosed herein is a solid golf ball made up of a core and at least one cover, wherein said core is formed mainly from a polybutadiene which is synthesized with using a catalyst of rare earth element such that the content of cis-1,4 bond is no less than 60%, said core has a diameter of 34.7 to 42.0 mm, said core undergoes deflection amounting to 2.5 to 5.0 mm under a load of 100 kg, said cover has an outermost cover layer which is formed mainly from a thermoplastic resin or elastomer compounded with organic short fibers, said outermost cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 55 to 70 and a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and said ball weighs 40.0 to 44.9 g. The solid golf ball excels in both flying performance and crack resistance and permits novice golfers to increase flying distance even when it is hit with a low head speed.