13 Easy Sharpie Golf Ball Designs For Football Fans

Struggling to find your ball in a sea of identical white dimples? It’s frustrating when you hit a great shot, only to realize someone else is about to play your ball.

This is a common headache for golfers. Golf ball marking is the simple practice of personalizing your ball for easy identification. You need a mark that’s uniquely yours, not just to avoid confusion, but to express your own style.

Drawing on your golf ball is essential for quick identification, which helps you avoid a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball. In this guide, you’ll discover 13 easy, football-themed designs to make your ball stand out. Let’s turn that plain ball into a statement of your team pride.

Why Do Golfers Draw on Their Golf Balls, Anyway?

Drawing on your golf ball is essential for quick identification, which helps you avoid a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball. It’s also a popular way for golfers to express their personality, show support for their favorite teams, or use drawn lines as a putting alignment aid. The practice isn’t just for fun; it’s a smart strategy endorsed by the official Rules of Golf.

According to USGA Rule 6.3a, you are required to play your specific ball throughout a hole. Putting a unique player marking on it is the best way to ensure you can distinguish your ball from another player’s, especially if they are playing the same brand and model. Beyond the rules, custom golf ball designs are a fantastic way to bring your football fandom to the course. These diy golf ball designs transform a standard piece of equipment into a personalized statement of your team spirit.

13 Easy Sharpie Golf Ball Designs For Football Fans

Ready to show off your team pride on the green? Here is a collection of cool golf ball designs perfect for any football fan. We’ve selected these ideas for their simplicity and effectiveness, ensuring that even non-artists can achieve a great-looking result. From the iconic look of football laces to stenciled team logos, you’ll find the perfect Sharpie art to make your golf ball unmistakably yours.

1. Classic Football Laces

Pin this iconic design for a classic look on the course!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 brown or red permanent marker (fine tip)
• 1 white oil-based paint pen (extra fine tip for crisp lines)
• Rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the surface of the golf ball with rubbing alcohol to remove any oils. Let it dry completely.
2. Use the brown or red marker to draw one thick, solid line over the golf ball’s existing brand name or seam.
3. Let the brown/red ink dry for at least 5 minutes.
4. Take the white paint pen and draw one long vertical line down the center of the brown stripe.
5. Draw 3-4 shorter horizontal “stitching” lines across the central white line.
6. Let the entire design cure for at least an hour before handling.

Pro-Tip: For perfectly straight lines, place the ball in a golf ball line drawing tool to hold it steady while you draw.

2. Simple Team Initials

Save this easy idea to rep your team colors!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 2-3 permanent markers in your team’s primary colors (fine tip)
• Rubbing alcohol wipe

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the area where you plan to draw with a rubbing alcohol wipe.
2. Using your team’s main color, draw the first initial of your team’s name (e.g., ‘P’ for Patriots) in a simple, bold block letter.
3. Use the secondary team color to outline the first letter or to draw the second initial right next to it.
4. You can add a third color as a drop-shadow for a 3D effect.
5. Let the ink dry completely before use.

Lesson Learned: Outlining the letters with a black ultra-fine tip Sharpie after the colors dry makes them pop and look much cleaner.

3. The Quarterback’s Play Call

Pin this clever idea for the ultimate football insider!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip permanent marker
• 1 red ultra-fine tip permanent marker

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the golf ball and let it dry.
2. With the black marker, draw 5-7 small circles in a line to represent the offensive line.
3. Draw one circle behind the line for the quarterback.
4. Use the red marker to draw a squiggly line with an arrow at the end, starting from one of the circles, to represent a receiver’s route.
5. You can add another simple line or a dotted line for a second receiver’s route.

Pro-Tip: Look up a famous play from your favorite team (like the ‘Philly Special’) and draw a simplified version of that route for a truly personal touch.

4. Bold Yard Lines

Save this graphic design for a sharp look on the fairway!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 golf ball line drawing tool (the kind that clips on)
• 1 green permanent marker (fine or medium tip)
• 1 white oil-based paint pen (extra fine tip)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clip the line drawing tool onto your clean golf ball.
2. Use the green marker to trace two parallel lines around the circumference of the ball.
3. Remove the tool and let the green ink dry for a minute.
4. With the white paint pen, carefully draw short, evenly spaced hash marks between the two green lines.
5. Let the design fully cure. This now doubles as a fantastic alignment aid for putting!

Pro-Tip: Rotate the ball 90 degrees in the line drawing tool to add another set of lines, creating a “+” or “crosshairs” alignment system.

5. Your Favorite Player’s Number

Pin this idea to honor your favorite football hero!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• Permanent markers in your player’s team colors (fine tip and ultra fine tip)
• Pencil (optional)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the ball with rubbing alcohol.
2. Lightly sketch the player’s number on the ball with a pencil first to get the placement right.
3. Using the team’s primary color marker, carefully trace and fill in the number. Use a font style similar to their jersey for an authentic look.
4. Let the main color dry.
5. Use a secondary color or a black ultra-fine tip marker to outline the number, making it stand out.

Lesson Learned: Look up an image of the player’s actual jersey to copy the font style. Small details like serifs or blocky edges make a big difference.

6. The Goal Post

Save this simple and stylish goal post design!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 yellow permanent marker (fine tip)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. On a clean, dry golf ball, find a smooth area between the logos.
2. Draw one straight vertical line for the main post.
3. From the top of that line, draw a shorter horizontal line across.
4. From each end of the horizontal line, draw two shorter vertical lines pointing upwards.
5. Go over the lines a second time to make them bold and solid.

Pro-Tip: For a fun twist, draw the goal post on one side of the ball and a small football on the opposite side, as if it’s about to be kicked through the uprights.

7. Simplified Football Helmet

Pin this awesome helmet drawing tutorial!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• Permanent markers in your team’s helmet colors (e.g., silver, blue, red)
• 1 black ultra-fine tip permanent marker for outlines

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Start with a clean ball. Using the main helmet color, draw a large “C” shape for the side of the helmet. Fill it in.
2. Let the main color dry.
3. With a secondary color (like silver or gray), draw the facemask. This can be a simple grid of three horizontal lines and one vertical line.
4. Use the black ultra-fine marker to outline the entire helmet and the facemask to make the details sharp.
5. Add a simple stripe or logo on the side of the “C” shape if you feel confident!

Lesson Learned: Don’t worry about perfection. A simplified, cartoonish helmet often looks better and is more charming than trying to draw a photorealistic one.

8. Team Logo with a Stencil

The secret to a perfect logo every time! Pin this tips!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 marking stencil for your favorite NFL team (often 3D printed)
• 1 fine tip permanent marker in the main logo color

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Place the stencil over the clean golf ball, holding it firmly in place. Ensure it’s curved to fit the ball snugly.
2. Take your marker and use a gentle dabbing or stippling motion to fill in the logo. Do NOT use long strokes, as this can cause ink to bleed under the stencil.
3. Carefully fill in the entire design.
4. Lift the stencil straight up to reveal a crisp, perfect logo.
5. Let it dry completely.

Pro-Tip: If your logo has multiple colors, let the first color dry completely before repositioning the stencil (or using a different stencil) to apply the second color.

9. Color Block Your Team Colors

Save this bold and easy color block idea!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 2-3 broad-tip permanent markers in your team’s colors

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. On a clean golf ball, use the ball’s natural seam as a guide.
2. With the first color, carefully color in all the dimples on one half of the ball.
3. Rotate the ball and use the second color to fill in the other half.
4. For a three-color team, you can create three distinct wedges of color.
5. Let the ink dry. This creates a highly visible ball that’s easy to spot from a distance.

Lesson Learned: This design uses a lot of ink. It’s best to use fresh, new markers to avoid them drying out halfway through coloring the ball.

10. The Down Marker

A unique idea for the true football fan. Pin it now!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black permanent marker (fine tip)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the surface of the ball.
2. Draw a simple square or rectangle.
3. Inside the square, draw the number ‘1’ for 1st down. (You could also use 2, 3, or 4!)
4. Draw a simple pole shape coming out from the bottom of the square.
5. Use the marker to carefully fill in the number, leaving the space around it white.

Pro-Tip: Use this design on your #1 ball (like a Titleist Pro V1) to create a fun play on words: “1st down on my #1 ball.”

11. Football Field Texture

Save this cool, textured design idea!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 light green permanent marker (broad tip)
• 1 dark green permanent marker (broad tip)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. On a clean ball, use the light green marker to color in a thick stripe, about half an inch wide.
2. Right next to it, use the dark green marker to color in another stripe of the same width.
3. Continue alternating between the light and dark green markers until the entire golf ball is covered.
4. The result is a cool, striped pattern that looks like a freshly mown field.

Lesson Learned: A broad or chisel tip marker works much better for this design than a fine point, as it allows you to fill in large areas much faster and more evenly.

12. Abstract Team Spirit Pattern

Pin this modern, artistic take on team spirit!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 2-3 permanent markers in your team’s colors (a mix of fine and ultra-fine tips is great)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Take the first color and make a random pattern of dots all around the ball. Vary the size of the dots.
2. Take the second color and draw short dashes or lines in the empty spaces between the dots.
3. Use the third color to add smaller dots or other simple shapes to fill in any remaining gaps.
4. There’s no wrong way to do it—just have fun creating a unique pattern!

Pro-Tip: Try to keep the pattern balanced by distributing the colors evenly around the entire ball. Rotate the ball as you work.

13. The Championship Trophy

For the champion in your life! Save this winning design.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 metallic silver oil-based paint pen (fine tip)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. On a clean ball, start by drawing the triangular base of the trophy.
2. From the center of the base, draw a tall, tapering column.
3. At the top of the column, draw a football shape sitting horizontally.
4. Carefully fill in the entire shape with the silver marker. You may need a second coat after the first one dries to get a solid metallic sheen.

Lesson Learned: Oil-based metallic markers work far better than standard ones for this. Shake the pen well before use to ensure the metallic pigment is mixed properly for the best shine.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Custom Football Golf Balls

• Always Clean First: Wipe the ball with rubbing alcohol for the best results and a longer-lasting design.
• Choose the Right Tool: Use oil-based paint pens for maximum durability, especially for white and metallic colors.
• Use Stencils for Logos: For perfect, professional-looking team logos without any artistic skill, a stencil is your best friend.
• Dab, Don’t Drag: When using a stencil, use a gentle dabbing motion with your marker to prevent ink from bleeding underneath.
• Let It Cure: Give your finished design at least an hour (or overnight for paint pens) to fully dry before putting the ball in play.

People Also Ask About Sharpie Golf Ball Designs

Is it legal to draw on your golf ball for a tournament?

Yes, it is completely legal and even encouraged by the official Rules of Golf. USGA Rule 6.3a requires you to play a specific ball, and putting a unique identification mark on it is the best way to ensure you can distinguish yours from others, helping you avoid a penalty.

What is the best marker to use on golf balls so it doesn’t rub off?

The best and most durable markers are oil-based paint pens, such as Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers. Their ink creates a stronger bond with the ball’s non-porous surface, making it highly resistant to abrasion and moisture from wet grass, unlike standard alcohol-based permanent markers.

Does drawing on a golf ball affect its flight?

No, for all practical purposes, a simple ink mark from a Sharpie or paint pen will not affect your golf ball’s flight. The weight of the ink is negligible and it doesn’t significantly alter the aerodynamic dimple pattern, so you can draw on your ball with confidence.

How do you get a perfect logo on a golf ball?

The easiest and most effective way to get a perfect logo is by using a golf ball marking stencil. These tools are curved to fit the ball and allow you to simply fill in the design with a marker, ensuring a crisp, consistent, and professional-looking result every single time, even with no artistic talent.

Final Thoughts

Now you have 13 awesome ways to take your love for football from the gridiron to the golf course. Marking your golf ball is more than just a smart way to avoid penalties; it’s a chance to have fun, show off your team pride, and make your game a little more you. So grab a few Sharpies, try out your favorite design, and get ready for your buddies to ask where you got your cool custom balls.

Which football-themed design are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments below

Last update on 2026-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API