Revealed: 5 reasons why a yellow ball could actually improve your golf

Mark Townsend
Ernie Els chips with a yellow ball
Ernie Els chips with a yellow ball

It is a little-known fact that there are over 750 different coloured golf balls that are allowed to be used in competition play. But out on tour, and also around the amateur game, we see so few balls that aren’t white.

For whatever reason we only play a yellow ball when we’ve lost our others or been given a sleeve of something different. The manufacturers insist that there is no difference in the playing characteristics but it’s been a very slow transition in trying something out of the ordinary.

This year we saw Peter Malnati, who uses a Titleist Pro V1x, win on the PGA Tour with a yellow ball but his reasoning was not what the manufacturers would have wanted.

“I started using it in Minnesota at the 3M Open last summer, and the reason I switched to it is because my, at the time, my three year old (Hatcher), who is now four, liked them, and so, he’s kind of over it now, but it still makes me think of him, and that’s worth a smile or two, which is worth a lot out there for me.”

On the PGA Tour Champions we’re seeing more yellow balls. Fred Couples famously used one to shoot a 12-under 60 in the final round to win the 2022 SAS Championship and he claims that the change of colour has been an asset for his visibility.

Likewise Ernie Els, who was second on the money list and a winner three times, has also made the switch and it’s clearly helped his game.

At the 2022 Open Paul Lawrie made some sort of history when he hit the opening tee shot with a yellow ball.

“I’m 53, not 23, so my eyesight’s not the best. I just see it better when it’s flying. Also when I’m in the rough as much as I am, it stands out like unbelievable. Even the marshals can see it.

“I never thought I’d play with a yellow ball, but I actually quite like it,” he said at St Andrews.

Why switch to a yellow ball?

1/ So, as Lawrie says, enhanced visibility is one obvious positive. Up against a variety of backgrounds yellow balls are easier to track.

2/ All the leading manufacturers now produce at least a yellow option while others, eg TaylorMade, are trying very hard to offer different visuals to help with your alignment.

3/ There is also less chance of losing it which is a huge bonus at this time of year. If you’ve ever tried a yellow ball then, whatever you think of the visuals or feel, then it should be easier to spot around the course.

4/ Players who do use a yellow ball will often cite that it helps with focus and that it helps with confidence. And that can only be a good thing, whether it is psychological or not.

5/ A feeling of individuality. Who knows, standing out from the crowd may just help you try something a little different. And pulling off memorable shots is a huge part of what this game is all about, right?

There was once a bit of a stigma around yellow balls. They were seen as a bit of a novelty and a bit gimmicky but those days are long gone and we’ll be seeing more of them, either on TV or out on the course in the coming years.

You can buy yellow balls in the sale here.

READ MORE: The five best golf balls to use for the ‘average’ player