Should I Use Yellow Golf Balls?

There are an increasing array of colors now available whereas once you only had a choice of white or yellow. Should you be using a yellow golf ball? let’s try to answer this question for you.

Should I Use Yellow Golf Balls

Why Are Golf Balls White?

Golf is a sport that has been around for centuries, and golf balls have mostly always been white. This is because white stands out on the green grass, making it easier for the golfer to track their ball. It was also because white was one of the cheapest color options. In the winter months when there might be a touch of frost around some people would swap to a yellow or orange ball to give themselves a better chance of finding it. Even club golfers usually prefer to stick with a white golf ball most of the time. Professional golfers in particular have stuck to the more traditional option.

Why Use Colored Golf Balls?

Golf is a game that requires precision and skill, so choosing the right golf ball can make all the difference to your score. While many players will consider spin rates, compression ratings and launch angles few will tend to think if the color of their ball might help them.

Colored golf balls are becoming increasingly popular among golfers as they are easier to follow in flight and to find on the ground, particularly for players whose sight is on the wane.

Senior golfers might want to check out these golf balls.

Golf Monthly asks whether you should be playing a yellow ball

What Color Golf Ball is Easiest to See?

Golfers often have a difficult time finding their golf ball on the course. To help with this problem, many opt for a colored ball which can be easier to find under certain conditions. Studies have shown that the color that is easiest to see is typically yellow.

Srixon for example introduced their optic yellow color across many of their models.

Here are some good ball choices for beginners.

Can Pros Use Colored Golf Balls?

If you watched much golf on TV you’d probably be forgiven for thinking golf balls are only available in white. Since the main reason to play with a yellow ball is to make it easier to see in the air and on the ground pros don’t tend to use them because:

  • they are usually younger guys with decent eyesight
  • they have a caddy to help spot the ball
  • there are probably quite a few spectators or marshalls around to help

Do Pros Use Colored Balls?

Wayne Levi was the first PGA Tour player to succeed with a colored ball. He used an orange ball to win the 1982 Hawaiian Open. Later that year Jerry Pate used an orange ball in his victory at the Players Championship. Despite these successes 40 years ago colored balls never really took off on tour.

Since then the odd player has occasionally used a non-white ball. Bubba Watson for example has used a yellow Pro V1x. Indeed Titleist has only fairly recently started making a yellow version of their flagship ball. Since around 70%of the players teeing it up each week are using Titleist that would have made it impossible for them to use anything but white.

What Is The Difference Between A Yellow Ball And A White Ball?

In terms of their playing performance absolutely nothing! The only difference is the color of the paint applied to the ball. Depending on how good your eyesight is this might make a significant difference to your enjoyment of the game though.

Yellow and orange balls seem much easier to follow through the air and are usually just as easy to spot once they’re on the ground.

The only problem with using a non-white ball is there is still some stigma attached. You may find your playing partners make negative comments about you and your choice of ball!

What Are The Advantages Of Using A Yellow Golf Ball?

The advantage of using a yellow ball is that it is generally easier for most players to follow in the air. This means you should save time looking for your ball as you have a much better idea of where it went in the first place.

Depending on the light conditions I find a white ball particularly hard to follow at times.

What Is The Most Visible Golf Ball Color?

While the majority of players has favored the traditional white ball over the years there is scientific evidence to suggest that yellow is a better option.

The eyes are most sensitive to yellow, green and orange which all lie in the middle of the spectrum and we have the most difficulty with colors at either end such as blue or red.

If you tend to play your golf mainly in crisp clear blue skies then you might wonder what all the fuss is about but if you spend a lot of time playing under cloudy grey skies then I think you will quickly see the value of playing a yellow or orange ball.

Are Pink Golf Balls Best For Women?

Certainly, some golf ball models aimed at women have fallen foul of this somewhat sexist stereotype. As I’ve already said the paint job on the outside of the bearing on the performance. However, golf ball companies looking to offer something different clearly decided that pink is one of the best colors to go with when marketing to the female sector of the market.

Having tried out a pink Volvik S3 I can say that I was quite pleased with the visibility in general and in certain situations found the ball easier to spot than a white one.

Is It Easier To Hit A Yellow Golf Ball?

The biggest advantage of using a yellow ball is that it is easier to track in-flight. That being said some may find that it’s color makes the ball stand out a little more even at address. This should give a confidence boost and make the ball appear easier to hit. I’m sure that a confidence boost of any kind will do your game no harm.

What Other Types Of Golf Ball Should I Try?

While the color of the ball can help you spot the ball in flight or on the ground more easily there are a couple of other designs that might also be useful to you. TaylorMade offers several different styles of Pix balls in their TP5 range. The cover of the ball features many different symbols which should help your eye see the ball more clearly at address and should make it seem “bigger”. Callaway also produces balls with their Truvis design to give a similar effect of extra “depth” to the ball. This design was originally marketed by Srixon having been developed by Julian Morley.

Should I Use Yellow Golf Balls: Summary

The negative connotations associated with playing a yellow golf ball are rapidly diminishing. Even if you have 20/20 vision you are likely to follow a yellow ball in the air more easily. Even if you were a staunch Titleist Pro V1 player your last excuse for not giving a yellow ball try has gone since they are now made in yellow and white. Why not give them a try?

What is ball hawking?

Ball hawking is searching for lost balls on a golf course.

What is an X-out golf ball?

An X-out golf ball is one that has minor imperfections that mean it can’t be sold as a new ball.

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