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Do you have to use a white golf ball?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 21, 2026

The USGA doesn't restrict the color or the design painted on a golf ball. Professional and amateur golfers cans use any color or golf ball design they want. The standard golf ball is white, but there are many colors and designs golfers can choose from. Pink is a common golf ball color used by women.

Can you use any color golf ball?

One of the reasons you may think you almost never see professional golfers using coloured golf balls is that they are simply not allowed to do so because of rules on the PGA Tour or other major tours throughout the world. The PGA Tour has no rule preventing pro golfers from using a coloured golf ball.

Does it matter what color golf ball you use?

Yes and no. The color of the ball won't make a difference to the way you hit the ball so physically no. But psychologically, the fun aspect and the ability to see your ball more easily through the air does give you a small confidence boost.

Is there a difference between white and colored golf balls?

The only distinction between a white and a yellow golf ball is simply the color. However, this difference may lead to other effects on a golf game. With various ball colors, a golfer will gain levels of concentration, visibility, and identification.

Why do golfers use white balls?

These balls were exceptionally expensive to produce at the time. Hence, their owners probably preferred not to lose them and the natural color of the balls did not contrast against the grass. Therefore, many feathery balls were painted white.

30 related questions found

What is the easiest Colour golf ball to see?

Simply put, yellow golf balls are a lot easier to see. This is especially true with the fluorescent or neon yellow hue found on many balls, including the Srixon Q-Star and Q-Star Tour.

What golf ball does Bubba Watson use?

In terms of ball, he uses a Titleist Pro V1x. Bubba was one of the very few Tour professionals to put a yellow version into play for a while, and he also drew a lot of attention when he briefly signed with Volvik, but at the moment he puts a regular Pro V1x golf ball into play.

What is the difference between a yellow and white golf ball?

Aside from the color, there is no difference between a yellow and white golf ball. In the years past, the yellow golf balls were only really made by bargain brands. However, this has changed. Companies like Bridgestone, Srixon, and Titleist are producing yellow golf balls in their premium tour model golf balls.

Why are there different colored golf balls?

High-visibility golf balls are available in a variety of colors such as red, blue, yellow, orange, pink and green and are made to help you keep track of the ball no matter if it lands on the fairway, the rough or in a sand trap.

Are yellow golf balls legal?

Nope. The Masters runs by USGA rules, and USGA rules only state that a player must use a conforming ball as approved by the organization. Of the approximately 1,200 conforming balls, about 70 are pink. That makes pink the second-most popular color, behind yellow and just about tied with orange.

Do any pros use colored golf balls?

No stranger to colored balls himself, Bubba Watson put the yellow Pro V1x immediately into play this year and currently sits second on the Tour in driving distance at 314.4 yards. Kyle Jones and Rory Sabbatini have also teed up yellow Titleist balls on Tour.

Do matte golf balls make a difference?

Some golfers believe that matte finish golf balls spin fast in dry conditions but decrease their spinning capacity in wet conditions. However, the correct answer to whether matte golf balls spin more is that they do not.

Can you change your golf ball on the green?

Fortunately, under the Rules of Golf, golfers are allowed to change golf balls at various points during a round. Under normal conditions -- meaning the ball wasn't damaged beyond reasonable use, or it didn't wind up in a water hazard or was lost -- a golfer can change golf balls in between holes.

Why does Bubba Watson use pink?

Watson has used a signature pink driver for quite some time now (pictured below), and the pink golf balls are apparently an extension of the driver. Originally, being able to drive the ball further than all of the other golfers while using a pink driver gave Watson bragging rights over everyone else.

What makes a golf ball Illegal?

Legal golf balls can't be smaller than 1.68 inches in diameter. The Polara balls have a diameter of 1.68 inches (the same size as normal). If you have a smaller ball, you'll have less drag and that should give you more distance. You'll also notice that illegal balls are slightly heavier.

Can you bleach colored golf balls?

When you think of getting rid of discoloration, you immediately think of bleach. Half a cup of bleach with hot water. Soak dirty, stained golf balls in this mixture for about 30 minutes to get your golf balls to shine again. Plus, bleach also sterilizes the balls, which means goodbye algae and fungus.

What is the number one golf ball on tour?

Titleist Pro V1

Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it's a great ball for non-superstars as well. The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee.

What clubs does Phil Mickelson use?

Phil Mickelson uses the TaylorMade Original One Mini Driver and Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero fairway woods. Phil Mickelson uses Callaway X Forged UT, X21 UT Proto and Apex MB '21 irons.

What golf balls are used at the Masters?

Let's take a look at what's on show at the Masters this week.

  • Titleist 2021 Pro V1 golf balls.
  • Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball.
  • TaylorMade 2021 TP5 golf ball.
  • Srixon 2021 Z-Star XV golf balls.
  • Titleist 2021 Pro V1x golf balls.

What pros use Ping irons?

PGA Tour

  • Cameron Champ.
  • Harris English.
  • Tony Finau.
  • Brandon Hagy.
  • Tyrrell Hatton.
  • Jim Knous.
  • Lee Westwood.

How many rounds of golf should you play with the same ball?

When To Change Your Ball. Without visible damage, a golf ball can last up to seven 18-hole rounds without any loss of performance. In fact, you are more likely to lose a golf ball on the course before it just wears out. But as soon as the ball feels rough, you should replace it.

Can you lift your golf ball to identify it?

7.3 Lifting Ball to Identify It

If a ball might be a player's ball but cannot be identified as it lies: The player may lift the ball to identify it (including by rotating it), but: The spot of the ball must first be marked.

Is it illegal to putt with a different ball?

You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.

Why do pro golfers leave the pin in when putting?

He concluded that keeping the pin in prevented some breaking putts from entering the hole, specifically those putts that began to drift away from the hole's center as they approached it. The same putts succeeded every time with the pin out.

What are the most forgiving golf balls?

Most Forgiving Golf Ball, Ranked

  • #1 – TaylorMade Soft Response.
  • #2 – Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls.
  • #3 – Callaway Super Soft Golf Balls.
  • #4 – Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls.
  • #5 – Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls.
  • FOR WOMEN – Bridgestone 2019 e6 Lady Golf Balls.
  • THE OLD #1 – TaylorMade Project (a) Golf Balls.
  • Bridgestone e7 Golf Balls.