Do Any Pros Use Yellow Golf Balls?

Most golfers stick with white golf balls. But golf balls actually come in a variety of colors – though yellow, orange, green, pink, and red golf balls are less common. So do any pros use colored golf balls, specifically yellow ones? Let’s take a look.

Why Choose Colored Golf Balls?

Before examining if pros use yellow balls, it helps to understand why recreational golfers might choose colored balls in the first place. Here are some of the main reasons:

• Visibility – Colored balls like yellow stand out against grass, dirt, and foliage so they are easier to spot. This helps avoid lost balls and speeds up the pace of play.
• Alignment – Some players feel colored balls help with aligning putts as the bold ball contrasts against the putting lines.
• Confidence – The unique ball can be a confidence booster and help a player’s mental game.
• Distinction – A colored ball easily identifies a player’s shots within their group.
• Fun – Colored balls inject more fun into the game for some players.
• Branding – Ball colors represent brands like Titleist’s orange balls.

So recreational golfers have valid reasons to play with yellow or other colored balls. But what about the pros?

The Stigma Against Colored Balls

There is often a stigma against colored golf balls among professionals and low-handicap players. Here are some of the main objections:

• Unprofessional look – White balls project a more serious, professional image.
• Visibility concerns – Darker colors like yellow may become harder to see in low light conditions.
• Quality questions – Colored balls are often seen as novelty balls not optimized for pro performance.
• Difficulty finding replacements – Pro shops often have fewer colored ball options in stock.
• Not tournament legal – Organizations like the USGA restrict ball colors in professional tournaments.

So the vast majority of touring pros opt for the traditional white golf ball. But a few iconoclasts have ventured into yellow balls.

Famous Pros Who Have Used Yellow Balls

While very rare, there are a few famous golf professionals who have embraced yellow golf balls:

John Daly – The big-hitting Daly is known for being bold and unconventional. He has used yellow golf balls made by Loudmouth Golf on occasion. The yellow color fits his flashy style.

Bubba Watson – Long drive champion Bubba Watson has used a yellow ball for visibility. In one tournament he even used a ball with a glow-in-the-dark coating made by Volvik.

Suzann Pettersen – LPGA star Pettersen played a Bridgestone e6 yellow golf ball for several seasons. She felt it suited her game and helped draw attention.

Ian Poulter – Ryder Cup hero Poulter created orange and yellow patterned golf balls with Titleist through custom order. This unique ball matched his colorful style.

So while a minority, a few big-name golfers have adopted yellow balls. But no top pros use them exclusively today.

Using Yellow Balls Can Be Controversial

When famous pros have turned to yellow balls, it sometimes stirs controversy:

• Accusations of showboating – Some view colored balls as flashy excuses to draw attention.
• Hurting play – Opponents feel colored balls actually hurt the pro’s game more than help.
• Distracting – A yellow ball flying through the air on a course of white balls can be distracting.
• Not traditional – Golf traditionalists feel pros should respect the sport’s traditions.

So pros who go yellow often face backlash from critics. But they defend their right to use the ball they feel is optimal.

Do Any Pros Currently Use Yellow Balls?

While no big-name pros exclusively play yellow balls today, a few still incorporate them:

• Jason Dufner uses yellow balls for practice rounds to replicate tournament conditions.
• Rickie Fowler mixes in some yellow balls alongside white. He feels the yellow balls help him focus.
• Lydia Ko has put yellow Volvik balls in play, liking the visibility.
• Keegan Bradley has used yellow Srixons in the past as a change of pace.

So while not common, a handful of pros still integrate yellow balls periodically.

Why Most Pros Don’t Use Yellow

It’s clear very few professional golfers use yellow balls during tournaments. Here are the main reasons:

• Strict rules – Pro tours enforce white ball policies. Colored balls would undermine tradition.
• ** Sponsor deals** – Pros often have ball sponsorship contracts requiring them to play models from those brands. Most don’t offer yellow versions.
• Consistency – Elite golfers want a consistent ball optimized for their game. Switching from white could mess with their mechanics.
• Looks – Many pros feel colored balls undermine their professional image. Yellow seems too flashy and gimmicky.
• No need – Good players rarely lose balls, removing a main advantage of yellow’s visibility. Alignment and psychological aids are minor.

So for both practical performance reasons and maintaining a traditional professional appearance, the vast majority of pro golfers avoid yellow golf balls.

When Might Pros Adopt Yellow Balls?

While uncommon now outside practice, there are scenarios where touring pros could expand the adoption of yellow balls:

• New generation – Younger pros like Fowler who care less about tradition may drive new equipment trends.
• Technology improvements – If yellow balls deliver better aerodynamics, distance, or spin through R&D, usage could increase.
• Rules change – Tours may relax ball color rules to attract viewers and sponsors.
• Branding deals – As equipment makers target millennials, branded yellow balls could rise.

So while not an imminent change, yellow balls creeping into more pro bags over time is plausible. But widespread adoption still seems doubtful.

Key Takeaways on Pros Using Yellow Balls

Looking at the history and current landscape, a few key points stand out:

• A small number of famous pros like Daly, Watson, and Pettersen have used yellow balls situationally.
• No top pros use yellow balls exclusively today, though a few mix them into practice.
• Stigma, tradition, and tour rules keep adoption low, but that could evolve gradually.
• For most pros, the performance case and professional image outweigh the visibility benefits.

So while likely remaining a novelty, yellow balls in professional golf may increase slightly in the coming years. But the traditional white ball still dominates among modern touring pros.

The Bottom Line

While recreational players have embraced colored golf balls and a few iconic pros have flirted with yellow, the vast majority of modern professionals stick with traditional white.

The lack of a compelling performance incentive combined with golf’s customs and organizational rules has limited adoption. But whether through technology, changing mindsets, or relaxed rules, yellow golf balls may trickle slowly into more pro bags.

For now, white remains king. But a bit more color could add flair to pro tournaments on occasion.