Are High-Visibility Golf Balls Better?
High-visibility golf balls have gotten much more popular in recent years. And we’re not just talking about the standard bright yellow golf ball. Different colors and designs have been introduced, helping the ball to stand out in all conditions.
Because, let’s face it, no one wants to hit an amazing drive and then not be able to admire it. Or spend ages trying to spot a ball in thick rough. And while high-visibility balls won’t help you hit your shots, they make them a hell of a lot easier to see.
While most people still seem to prefer a white golf ball, a colored golf ball can be easy to see against many different backgrounds. If your eyesight is no longer 20/20 then choosing a different color ball might make it easier for you to pick up the ball flight.
If you’re one of those lucky players that never loses a ball then the idea of playing with a blue golf ball might not appeal. However, by changing the design or color of the ball you might find the best golf ball for your game. If Bubba can play a pink ball then you could at least try a yellow color ball!
If you some from color blindness then you might want to change from a white ball to give yourself more chance.
What Types of High-Visibility Ball Are Available?
There are a whole host of different types of high visibility balls out there. Everyone is well acquainted with the yellow ball which has proven popular with players on the Champions Tour and even features from time to time on the PGA Tour. Likewise, the orange ball has enjoyed its day in the sun and was used by Jerry Pate as far back as 1982 when he won the Players Championship.
But golf has moved beyond the standard yellow or orange ball. There are now neon finishes and matte finishes and balls of blue and pink and green and red out there. Then there are golf balls out there like the Callaway TruVis which has a similar design to an old-school soccer ball. Or the TaylorMade Pix and the very unique-looking Srixon Tour Divide where both halves of the ball are colored in two extremely bright and contrasting colors.
Benefits of Using a High-Visibility Ball
There are three main benefits that can be associated with high-visibility balls. The first of these is quite straightforward. It’s easier to see balls in the air. As said above, it’s never fun to absolutely nail a tee shot only to not be able to hold that finish and admire it. With high-visibility balls, you have a much better chance of ensuring you enjoy all your good ones.
Another benefit, as again previously mentioned, is being able to see balls in the fairway or rough. There’s nothing more infuriating than not being able to locate a ball that you know is in play, but you just can’t see. And being able to clearly see golf balls saves the time of having to look for them, speeding up the game in the process. It’s a win-win situation.
The final benefit of high-visibility balls is they can help when putting. Balls like the TaylorMade Pix and Srixon Divide are very beneficial when it comes to lining up putts and judging the purity of the stroke.
Best High Visibility Golf Balls
Premium Balls
Players looking to buy premium golf balls are probably most likely to stick with white. This is because many people still see a bit of a stigma about going for a golf ball color other than white. There certainly is very little evidence of penetration on the various major golf tours although it probably helps that the players have caddies, marshals and spectators to help them find their ball if they lose sight of it.
Callaway Chrome Soft TruVis
With its unique soccer ball pattern, the Callaway Chrome Soft TruVis has a look that makes it stand out amongst other golf balls. The balls are usually available in either yellow and black or white and red. Callaway report that the “pattern is specifically designed to maximize your view of the golf ball” which should not only increase your visibility but also your focus.
The TruVis design has been around for a number of years and was originally brought to the market by Srixon. It is designed to help you see the ball better at address by making it appear larger than it really is.
For a tour-quality ball, this is among the lower-compression golf balls on the market. If you’re looking for a soft golf ball but still like the idea of high spin then you should give the Chrome Soft golf ball a try.
The balls retail at $49.99.
TaylorMade TP5 Pix
The TaylorMade TP5 pix balls were co-developed with 5-time PGA Tour winner and 4-time Ryder Cup Star, Rickie Fowler. They feature an unusual design where twelve black and orange triangular graphics are stamped all over the ball. This makes the ball easier to pick up and it also has TaylorMade’s ClearPath AlignmentTM, a visible line to help “gauge the quality of your putting stroke” and acts as a powerful practice tool.
Like the TruVis balls, The TaylorMade TP5 pix retail at $49.99.
Mid-Range
Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide
The Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide is among the most uniquely colored balls on the market. Whilst being a high-quality ball in terms of performance, it features a two-tone design with a 50/50 matte urethane cover. There are three color schemes available: yellow and orange, yellow and blue and yellow and red. But the purpose of this unusual mix is far more than just making the ball visible in the air.
360o alignment ensures you are lined up correctly on putts and provides instant feedback on your stroke. The same is true for pitches where the spin being imparted onto the ball can be seen in real-time. And hey, they also look pretty amazing and are sure to turn some heads on the course!
The Srixon Q-Star Divide retail at $35.99.
Titleist Velocity
While the Titleist Velocity can’t boast the same amount of features as the Q-Star Divide, it is a mid-range ball that performs extremely well on the course. The ball comes in four colors: standard white, matte orange, matte green and their new offering of matte blue, ensuring there are options to help when it comes to visibility. It offers plenty of ball speed to get you maximum distance on the golf course due to its high energy core.
The balls retail at $30 per dozen.
Budget
Volvik Vivid
With lower compression and suitable for lower swing speeds, the Volvik Vivid is perfect for senior golfers who may find themselves in need of balls that stand out more. The balls feature a solid, matte-finish with three lines stamped on the side to benefit alignment. A really nice feature of the Volvik Vivid is that when purchasing a dozen balls, buyers can choose an assorted pack of four different colors.
The balls are designed to produce a high launch with low driver spin to generate more distance.
Volvik Vivid also has an unmatched selection of colors golfers are able to choose from including purple, blue, green, orange, pink, red, white and yellow.
The balls retail at $34.99.
Srixon Soft Feel Brite
The Srixon Soft Feel Brite provides the same great performance as the hugely popular Soft Feel balls only with ‘Brite’ colors. The balls are available in bright red, bright orange and bright green ensuring fantastic visibility on all shots.
A great low compression choice and a solid seller for many years.
They are a superb budget option for any golfer seeking a visibility ball, coming in at only $22.99 per dozen.
Do Any Golf Balls Light Up?
Yes, it is possible to get balls that will flash when struck. They are great when playing at dusk. I’ve used them a bit and they are great at helping avoid losing balls in the twilight. Unfortunately, they don’t perform as well as a normal ball but they are fine for a couple of holes before the dark closes in.
Are High-Visibility Golf Balls Better: Conclusion
In terms of the performance of the ball, there won’t be any difference between the white version of the ball and the colored one. The only area where you’re going to see an advantage is when you’re trying to spot your ball in the air or search for it on the ground. Depending on the time of year and the quality of your eyesight a higher visibility ball could prove to be a major benefit to your game.
I’ve tried several different colors down the years including orange golf balls when playing in frosty conditions. They can definitely be a great help.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
What is the highest visibility golf ball?
While this can be subjective, the Volvik Vivid tend to stand out more than many other visibility golf balls. The Srixon Q-Star Divide also provides excellent visibility on account of its 50/50 finish.
How do I make my golf ball more visible?
If you have a white ball and are looking to improve its visibility, making designs at various parts of the ball should help you see it easier.
Why don’t golfers use yellow balls?
It’s no secret that the majority of golfers, both professionals and amateurs, use white balls. Sometimes there can be an element of pride in this, others see yellow golf balls as being ‘ugly’ or ‘gimmicky’. As a result, they are still a relatively uncommon choice but perceptions are slowly changing.
