By now, you have probably seen the trend of switching to a colored golf ball. Years ago, it was sort of a gimmick to throw a yellow golf ball into play. Yellow golf balls were used for driving ranges so they could distinguish which golf balls were theirs. Pink balls were used by beginner lady golfers and sold as part of the ultimate equipment that you need to start playing. The big guys, the pros, the golf purists would never hit anything other than a white golf ball. Well, that has not changed.
Pro golfers have been using colored balls sparingly for many years. As far back as the 1980s, a few players were using colored balls on tour, but it was sporadic. In the last few years, that has changed dramatically, and now there are several players using colored golf balls, including Bubba Watson. Yellow seems to be the most popular of the colors used on tour.
Why?
The next question that naturally comes to mind is, Why? Why should you switch to a yellow golf ball? Does it just look nice, or is there some science behind it? There are three reasons that people make the switch to a yellow or colored golf ball.
1) Easier To Find: Now, if you have never lost a golf ball, this may not apply to you. For us golfing mortals, we are used to having to search for a ball in the rough or tall grass. Sometimes in the fall, when you miss a fairway, you can be stuck trying to find a ball in a pile of leaves without much luck. The yellow golf ball seems to stand out much more than the white. At first, we thought it would blend in, and it was more of a gimmick. However, it does stand out and is relatively easy to find when you happen to miss the fairway.
2) Focus: Some players have had an increased ability to focus on the golf ball since switching to a colored ball. For some reason, they say that it makes them feel less distracted, and you can focus on the color of the golf ball. We think this mostly applies to the putting surface. The Yellow golf ball has a great contrast on the putting green, and it can help you visually when making a putting stroke. Visualization, when it comes to putting, is critical.
3) Glare: There is no question that golf companies have started recognizing glare as a problem in the game of golf. If you have noticed all the black clubs being produced, it is not just because they look cool; they help to eliminate glare. Colored golf balls, especially the ones in the matte finish can do wonders when it comes to decreasing glare.
Are Colored Golf Balls More Expensive?
Most golf companies are still producing a white version and a colored version of their golf balls, but they are both offered at the same price. It won’t cost you more money to try out a dozen and see how it helps. If you are looking to try a few different colors, the Volvik golf balls come in many different variations, and you can try a few until you find one that works for you. Aside from the color offered on a Volvik ball, it also has excellent distance and feel.
What About the Patterns on the Golf Balls?
Golf manufacturers like Callaway and TaylorMade have also started making golf balls with patterns on them. The designs are to again help with visualization. Another way the pattern can help is on the putting green as it is easier to see if the ball is staying true to its line with a patterned golf ball.
Colored Golf Balls To Try
If you have decided it may be time for you to give the colored golf ball trend a chance, here are a few options that you may want to try. Check out the very bottom of this article for a quick comparison of the prices between the four colored golf balls mentioned.
Best For Feel And Performance: Callaway Chrome Soft Yellow
- Great for the low handicap player ready to try a colored golf ball
- Good distance off the tee
- Fantastic feel and spin around the greens
- Premium-priced golf ball
- Available in truvis (soccer ball design) and triple track
Best For Color Selection: Volvik Vivid
Best if you want to choose between a lot of colors
- Very vivid coloring
- Less glare for better visualization
- Great greenside spin
Best Value: Callaway Warbird Golf Ball
- Not the latest release, so it is a better value
- Bright yellow
- Great distance golf ball
- Hex dimple pattern for less drag
Best For Women: Bridgestone e6 Pink
- Perfect for women’s clubhead speed
- The bright pink color is easy to see
- Good value
- Soft feel