Playing golf is much easier when you can see your ball clearly. Your typical white golf ball offers pretty good visibility, but could there be an even better option?
Whether you're here for the short answer or an insightful explanation, this blog will tell you all you need to know about the easiest golf balls to see.
What colour golf balls are easiest to see?
If you're in a hurry to find out which colour golf ball is easiest to see, we recommend the following colours:
Yellow and orange colours are very clear to the human eye. That's why construction workers wear yellow and orange jackets for visibility on-site! Did you know, the first coloured golf balls to be manufactured in the 1970s were yellow and orange?
Green balls, despite there being a lot of green on a golf course, are actually great for visibility, too. The reasoning behind it is a little more complicated, though. We break down the science later on, so keep reading to find out!
2023 best high visibility golf balls
- Srixon Z-STAR XV Yellow Golf Balls
- Volvik Vivid Orange Sherbet Golf Balls
- Srixon Soft Feel Brite Green Golf Balls
Not only do these balls offer fantastic visibility in all conditions, but the Srixon Z-STAR XV yellow golf balls are a firm favourite amongst professional golfers.
Key features:
- Premium 3-piece construction
- New FastLayer DG core (soft centre and hard outer shell = exceptional feel and ball speed!)
The new Volvik Vivid range are the world’s first high visibility balls with a patented matte finish. This provides minimal glare on the ball surface to promote concentration and improved ball striking.
More key features:
- Low driver spin, high launch, and extra distance is driven by Volvik's Nano bi high energy resilient core
- VAS (Volvik Alignment System) ceated as a visual key off the tee and on the green
Whether off the tee or around the greens, these Srixon Soft Feel Brite Green golf balls live up to their name. They’re so bright they are easy to see, even when hidden in the shrubs.
Key Features:
- Incredible softness and great distance off the tee thanks to the FastLayer core
- 38-speed dimple pattern to get more distance overall and better performance in the wind
High visibility golf ball FAQs
Are green golf balls easy to see?
You may be surprised to see green on our list of the most visible golf balls. After all, there’s a lot of green on a golf course - a green golf ball would blend right in, wouldn’t it?
Well, not necessarily. This part is going to get a bit science-y, so buckle up and let’s talk about how humans perceive and interpret colour.
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Humans have the ability to see a variety of colours. We can detect light and colours between wavelengths of 400 and 700 nanometers (one nanometer = one billionth of a metre).
The image above shows the full spectrum of colours our eyes are capable of viewing. Right in the middle of the visible light spectrum, we find the colour green at a cosy 555 nanometers. This is where our perception of colour is at its best.
Obviously, there's already a lot of green around the, uh, green! So before using a green golf ball, think carefully about your playing style and the points at which you struggle to see your ball.
In all but the most casual games, you won't be allowed to change balls between shots. If you use a green golf ball to make your high-flying driver shots easier to follow, bear in mind that you'll be using the same ball all the way to the hole.
Are coloured golf balls better than white golf balls?
Yes, in some ways. Coloured golf balls are significantly easier to track as they fly through the air, although that advantage isn't necessarily retained on the ground. Our perception of colour changes when the coloured object is viewed against different coloured backgrounds, so a ball that stands out clearly against the sky may be slightly harder to spot on the fairway.
Generally speaking, though, different coloured golf balls - especially green, yellow, and orange balls - are more visible than white golf balls. Yellow golf balls have become particularly popular in recent years, and as result, many manufacturers have started offering yellow versions of their top-selling balls.
READ MORE: How Not To Lose Golf Balls
Will a coloured golf ball improve my performance?
In terms of composition, the only difference between a coloured golf ball and a white golf ball is the colour of the cover. Everything else is exactly the same - even the cover material.
So, using a coloured golf ball won't change the physics of your game... but it might give you a mental advantage. For example, since a coloured ball is easier to find, it may give you the extra confidence you need to start putting a bit more distance on your shots!
Our best-selling coloured golf balls
Srixon Soft Feel Brite Green Srixon AD333 Tour Yellow Volvik Vimat Orange
If you have any other questions about the golf balls we provide or how to make your own personalised golf balls, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team and we will be happy to assist you.