Should you use a yellow golf ball?

A lot of thought goes into what ball a golfer should play, but what colour of golf ball should you be teeing up?

The obvious answer is white, but if you were watching the Valspar Championship, that answer might have changed. That’s because Peter Malnati, who picked up his second PGA Tour win, used a yellow Titleist Pro V1x to claim his first win in eight years.

Why does Peter Malnati use a yellow golf ball?

While there are several reasons you might want to use a yellow ball on the golf course, Malnati’s is touching.

The PGA Tour player, who is also a director on the PGA Tour’s board, explained that his four-year-old son took a shine to the yellow ball when he started using it last summer.

“The reason I switched to it is because my, at the time, three-year-old, who is now four, liked them,” he explained.

“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.”

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While it’s a heartwarming reason, you might be wondering if using a yellow ball can help your game and there are some pretty good reasons to consider it.

Why should you use a yellow golf ball?

The first reason you might consider using a yellow golf ball is the visibility benefits that come from it.

It’s something that former Open champion Paul Lawrie explained helps him, while he was playing at the 150th Open at St Andrews.

“I’m 53, not 23, so my eyesight’s not the best,” the Scot explained.

“I just see it better when it’s flying. Also, when I’m in the rough as much as I am, it stands out unbelievable. Even the marshals can see it. I quite like it actually. I never thought I’d play with a yellow ball, but I actually quite like it.”

If you’re someone who often struggles to follow the flight of a white golf ball, particularly against grey skies, then this could be worth considering.

In particular, if you are someone who struggles with their eyesight, then having something that is more visible can be very useful.

Although you might not associate yellow golf balls with playing at a high level, almost every manufacturer, including Callaway and Titleist, now make premium golf balls in yellow. On the Champions Tour, it’s not uncommon to see yellow golf balls on the fairway.

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Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor