Review: Night Sports Light-Up golf ball

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FOR golf addicts, spending the majority of your day researching, testing and writing about golf equipment sounds ideal but believe me, it can get dull after a while.

I know, I sound like the millionaire footballer moaning about money so I will stress that 90% of the time it’s great, but there are moments when it feels like another press release about a driver will send you over the edge.

It was at one of these 'on the edge' moments when I came across a glow-in-the-dark ball called Light-Up Golf Ball – the product was different from the norm and it had my attention. 

I had to get my hands on one so the call went in and I managed to shuffle my diary to allow myself an afternoon’s testing.

I went to play 9-holes at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, at 5.45pm. This would allow me to use the ball when it was still bright and also as the light began to fade post-seven o’clock .

The first thing to say is the Light-Up looks very similar to a regular ball but it is obvious that it is not your standard Pro V1. It has a slightly darker colour and feels harder than a normal golf ball.

The first time I struck the ball I wasn’t sure I wanted to hit another one. The ball shot off to the right, sliding off the clubface towards the water and the biproduct was an unappealing slapping sound. ‘This is not going to be a fun round’ I thought.

But, much to my surprise and delight, my second shot fared better and the ball behaved as I expected it to, sailing towards the green and landing just short. The compression of the ball was good, I got good distance out of it and the sound wasn’t too bad. The difference? I hit the ball well.

From just two shots I could tell that this was a ball which would punish me if not struck well but would perform admirably if hit properly.

Around and on the greens the ball behaved better than expected. If you really try, it's possible to put a decent amount of spin on the ball and while it may not provide the greatest feel you’ve ever experienced, it does what you tell it to.

The ball isn’t on the same level as a top-of-the-range standard ball but, obviously, this ball is designed for something different.

Every shot I hit the ball illuminated, and I could see this even at 6 o’clock when the sun was out. It lights up for eight minutes – plenty of time to find that sprayed drive.

The ball comes into its own as the light starts to fade. At dusk, you will see the ball fly in the air, which is a real novelty, and it will stay illuminated on the fairway, or wherever you hit it, allowing you to easily locate your ball.

Everyone should have this ball in their bag for when the light is fading and you have a couple holes to play .

Verdict

In terms of a glow-in-the-dark ball, the Light-up surpasses all expectations. It offers decent distance, and while feel and sound may not be the best, users should remember that this is essentially a novelty golf ball.

Price: £18 for four balls

For golf addicts, spending the majority of your day researching, testing and writing about golf equipment sounds ideal but believe me, it can get dull after a while.

I know, I sound like a millionaire footballer moaning about money so I will stress that 90% of the time it’s great, but there are moments when it feels like another press release about a driver will send you over the edge.

It was at one of these 'on the edge' moments that I came across a glow-in-the-dark ball called Light-Up Golf Ball – the product was different from the norm and it had my attention. 

I had to get my hands on one so the call went in and I managed to shuffle my diary to allow myself an afternoon’s testing.

I went to play 9-holes at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, at 5.45pm. This would allow me to use the ball when it was still bright and also as the light began to fade post-seven o’clock .

The first thing to say is the Light-Up looks very similar to a regular ball but it is obvious that it is not your standard Pro V1. It has a slightly darker colour and feels harder than a normal golf ball.

The first time I struck the ball I wasn’t sure I wanted to hit another one. The ball shot off to the right, sliding off the clubface towards the water and the biproduct was an unappealing slapping sound. ‘This is not going to be a fun round’ I thought.

But, much to my surprise and delight, my second shot fared better and the ball behaved as I expected it to, sailing towards the green and landing just short. The compression of the ball was good, I got good distance out of it and the sound wasn’t too bad. The difference? I hit the ball well.

From just two shots I could tell that this was a ball which would punish me if not struck well but would perform admirably if hit properly.

Around and on the greens the ball behaved better than expected. If you really try, it's possible to put a decent amount of spin on the ball and while it may not provide the greatest feel you’ve ever experienced, it does what you tell it to.

The ball isn’t on the same level as a top-of-the-range standard ball but, obviously, this ball is designed for something different.

Every shot I hit the ball illuminated, and I could see this even at 6 o’clock when the sun was out. It lights up for eight minutes – plenty of time to find that sprayed drive.

The ball comes into its own as the light starts to fade. At dusk, you will see the ball fly in the air, which is a real novelty, and it will stay illuminated on the fairway, or wherever you hit it, allowing you to easily locate your ball.

Everyone should have this ball in their bag for when the light is fading and you have a couple holes to play .

Verdict

In terms of a glow-in-the-dark ball, the Light-up surpasses all expectations. It offers decent distance, and while feel and sound may not be the best, users should remember that this is essentially a novelty golf ball.

Price: £18 for four balls

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