{"id":1874,"date":"2023-05-17T14:57:01","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T14:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onestopgolfing.com\/?p=1874"},"modified":"2023-08-28T15:49:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T15:49:46","slug":"why-are-golf-balls-white-are-there-other-color-golf-balls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onestopgolfing.com\/why-are-golf-balls-white-are-there-other-color-golf-balls\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Golf Balls White? Are There Other Color Golf Balls?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When first seeing this blog title, you might wonder why we are asking this question. Surely we have all seen golf balls that are made in colors other than white? Therefore, if there are already golf balls in yellow, orange, pink and a whole host of other colors and styles, why ask why they are white? The thing is, despite other colors making it into the wider golf ball family, the prevailing standard color of golf balls is still white, and that is why we ask the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Golf balls are most commonly white dating back to almost the game’s inception. Although initially, golf balls were made from feathers and leather, white was later chosen for its visibility and the availability of white pigment. While colored golf balls are now more common white remains the standard due to tradition.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover the fascinating history behind the traditional white golf ball in our comprehensive guide. Explore why this color has prevailed, the advent of colored golf balls, and how color influences players’ performances. A must-read for golf enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the game’s subtleties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Why Are Golf Balls White?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you might expect, the decision to make balls white goes all the way back to the earliest days of the game. The first golf balls were made from feathers wrapped in leather, the colors of which would naturally blend in with the colors of the golf course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being the case, and given how expensive these balls were to produce, their users wanted a way to ensure that they would remain visible during the game<\/strong>, and so the white coloring was chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This much we might have been able to guess, but why choose white over other pigments? White was a particularly abundant and affordable pigment, not to mention bright and highly visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back then, people of many different trades relied on white pigments manufactured from lead and chalk to create white paint for all kinds of uses. Artists in particular favored the lead variety for its vibrancy over other white pigments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had other colors been readily available at the time, it\u2019s quite possible that golfers would have found bright orange, yellow or other colors preferable to white as they can stand out even more against the course\u2019s natural features. As it happens, though, white was the best choice available to those people at that time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/a>When Did Manufacturers Start Making Non-White Golf Balls?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An obvious problem with everyone using white balls was that white is not always the most visible color in nature, especially when it is lost in the rough. On top of that, if many people were on a course, then it gets harder to tell different people\u2019s golf balls apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was for these reasons and more that sports product giant the Wilson Sporting Goods Company — you might know the best for their tennis equipment — decided to bring more color to the world of golf balls.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wilson\u2019s first colored golf balls were fluorescent to help improve visibility of the ball when lost in the rough, as well as in adverse weather conditions with poor light, for example. Their first fluorescent balls were launched into the market back in 1923<\/strong>, but there was something of a trade-off that meant some resisted purchasing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Wilson\u2019s new fluorescent balls were certainly more visible, they were also of a lower quality because of the pigments and dimpling patterns that had to be used in their manufacture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first two non-white colors that Wilson introduced were Oriole Orange, and Canary Yellow, and they called the ball the Hol-Hi Ball. Despite the drop in quality, however, they were priced very highly because of the difficulty in making them, costing the equivalent of about $136 in today\u2019s money. It wasn\u2019t until the early 1980s that Wilson made the concept commercially viable, reintroducing their new colors and quickly cornering a massive one fifth of the market for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impact of Color on Player’s Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The color of a golf ball might seem inconsequential, but some golfers swear by their color choice, attributing it to psychological impacts on their performance. Research in color psychology suggests that colors can influence mood, concentration, and even physical reactions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, some players prefer yellow or orange balls because they believe these bright colors increase their focus and visibility on the course. Conversely, others stick to traditional white as it provides a stark contrast against the green fairway and blue sky, helping them maintain accuracy in their shots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the exact influence of color on a golfer’s performance might vary between individuals, i<\/strong>t’s clear that this seemingly minor choice can hold significant meaning for many players. While golf balls may be traditionally white, golf tees, hats, bags and even carts come in all sorts of different colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Influence of Television and Media<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The persistence of white golf balls isn’t only tied to tradition and visibility on the golf  course. The advent of televised golf in the mid-20th century played a significant role in reinforcing the dominance of white golf balls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the era of black-and-white television, white balls were much easier for viewers to track against the green backdrop of the golf course. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even as color television became ubiquitous, the image of the white golf ball had already been firmly ingrained in the public consciousness, reinforcing its position as the standard choice for golfers and viewers alike.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What about the Golf Pro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professional golfers often have their unique preferences and superstitions when it comes to golf equipment, and color choice is no exception. For instance, Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, famously opted for a pink driver and pink golf balls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Hale Irwin, has been seen using yellow balls,<\/strong> and jerry pate an orange ball. <\/strong>Which was also the first non white ball to win a Tournament, behind the club of Wayne Levi though! You can read more about this on Golf Focus. <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have more golf ball articles on the site you can check out below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n