13 Easy Sharpie Heart Golf Ball Ideas With Pro Sealing Tips

Searching for that perfect gift for the golfer who has everything? It can feel like an impossible task.

You want something personal, thoughtful, and unique. A Sharpie heart design on a golf ball is a creative DIY project that turns a simple piece of sports equipment into a sentimental keepsake. It’s an easy and affordable way to give a truly one-of-a-kind present.

Decorating golf balls with Sharpie heart designs is a fun and inexpensive way to create a personalized gift for a golfer. This guide will show you 13 easy ideas, from simple outlines to creative patterns. I’ll share all my pro secrets to make sure your heartfelt creation looks amazing and lasts on the course.

Want a Heartfelt Gift That a Golfer Will Actually Use?

Finding a unique gift for a golfer can be a real challenge, especially when they seem to have every gadget and piece of gear already. You want to give something that comes from the heart, not just another item off a store shelf. This is where the simple, creative power of Sharpie markers on a blank golf ball comes in. It’s the perfect solution for a sentimental gift idea.

I’ve spent hours perfecting these simple designs and, more importantly, testing how to make them last. A personalized golf ball isn’t just sports equipment; it’s a handmade token of affection they can see every time they tee up. I’m sharing all my secrets with you so you can feel confident creating a beautiful, lasting DIY gift.

13 Easy Sharpie Heart Golf Ball Ideas You Can Make Today

Ready for some inspiration? Here is a collection of golf ball art examples ranging from minimalist classics for total beginners to more playful patterns for when you’re feeling adventurous. Each of these 13 golf ball designs has been chosen for its visual impact and ease of execution on a tricky, dimpled surface. We’ll show you exactly how to create each one.

1. The Classic Outline Heart

Pin this simple and elegant idea to your ‘DIY Gifts’ board!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 red fine-tip Sharpie permanent marker
• Isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth
• An egg cup or roll of tape to hold the ball steady

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Prep the Surface: Wipe the entire golf ball with the alcohol-soaked cloth to remove any oils. Let it dry completely for 1-2 minutes.
2. Position the Ball: Place the ball in your holder to keep it stable.
3. Draw the Outline: Using a light, steady hand, draw one half of the heart. Rotate the ball slightly and draw the second half to meet at the top and bottom points. Don’t press too hard.
4. Dry: Let the ink cure for at least 30 minutes before handling.

Rotating the ball to meet your pen stroke creates a much smoother curve than trying to draw the entire arc with just your wrist.

2. The Solid Color Heart

Save this bold and beautiful heart idea!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 pink or red fine-tip Sharpie (for the outline)
• 1 pink or red chisel-tip Sharpie (for filling)
• Isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the Ball: Prep the surface with alcohol and let it dry.
2. Draw the Outline: Use the fine-tip marker to draw a classic heart outline, just like in the first idea.
3. Fill with Color: Use the chisel-tip marker to color inside the lines. Use a light, dabbing motion (stippling) rather than long strokes to get even coverage in the dimples.
4. Dry Completely: This design uses more ink, so allow it to dry for at least an hour before touching.

Overlap your coloring strokes slightly to avoid leaving white gaps between the dimples.

3. The Polka Dot Heart

A fun and playful design! Pin it for later.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 3-4 different colored fine-tip Sharpies (e.g., red, pink, black)
• A pencil with a fresh eraser
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Dry: Prepare the golf ball with alcohol.
2. Lightly Sketch: Use the pencil to very lightly draw a heart outline. This will be your guide.
3. Start Dotting: Use one color to place dots randomly along the pencil line.
4. Add More Colors: Use the other colors to add more dots along the line and begin filling the inside of the heart. Vary the dot sizes slightly by pressing harder or softer.
5. Erase Guide: Once the ink is dry, gently erase any visible pencil marks.

Don’t aim for a perfect pattern. The charm of this design is in its random, playful look.

4. The “I ❤️ U” Message

Share a sweet message! Save this heartfelt gift idea.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• 1 red fine-tip Sharpie
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Prep the Surface: Clean the ball thoroughly with alcohol.
2. Write the Letters: Using the black ultra-fine marker, carefully write the letter ‘I’ on one side of the ball. Leave a space, then write the letter ‘U’. Use short, deliberate strokes.
3. Draw the Heart: In the space between the letters, use the red fine-tip marker to draw and fill in a small, solid heart.
4. Dry Completely: Let the ink set for at least 30 minutes before sealing.

Practice writing the letters on a piece of paper first to get the spacing right.

5. The Tiny Heart Pattern

So cute! Pin this all-over pattern idea.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 red ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Ball holder

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Position: Prepare the ball with alcohol and place it in the holder.
2. Draw First Heart: Draw one tiny, solid red heart near the “top” of the ball.
3. Scatter and Rotate: Begin drawing more tiny hearts, scattering them randomly. Rotate the ball as you go, varying the angles of the hearts.
4. Work in Sections: To avoid smudging, work on one half of the ball, let it dry for 10-15 minutes, then flip it over in the holder to complete the other side.
5. Fill Gaps: Look for any large empty spaces and add another heart to create a balanced pattern.

Don’t worry about making every heart identical. The slight variations are what give this design its handmade charm.

6. The Heartbeat Line (EKG)

A modern, meaningful design. Pin it now!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• 1 red ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• A thin rubber band
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the Ball: Prep the surface with alcohol.
2. Create a Guide: Wrap the thin rubber band around the equator of the ball. This will be your straight-line guide.
3. Draw the Line: Using the black marker, trace along the top edge of the rubber band to draw the EKG line, leaving a gap in the middle for the heart.
4. Add the Heart: Remove the rubber band. In the gap you left, use the red marker to draw a small heart that connects the two ends of the black line.
5. Dry: Let the design cure completely.

The rubber band trick is a game-changer for getting a straight line around a sphere.

7. The Stitched Heart

Love this crafty look! Save it to your DIY board.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Dry: Prepare the golf ball surface.
2. Draw Heart Outline: Start by drawing a simple, clean heart outline with the ultra-fine marker.
3. Add Stitch Marks: Go back over the outline and add small, perpendicular lines crossing the heart shape every few millimeters. These are your “stitches.”
4. Keep Stitches Consistent: Try to make the stitch marks a similar length and spacing for a neat, embroidery-like effect.
5. Dry: Let the ink set before handling.

Angle the stitch marks slightly in the same direction as you go around the curves of the heart to make it look more natural.

8. The Interlocking Hearts

The perfect symbol for a special someone. Pin this idea!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 2 different colored fine-tip Sharpies (e.g., red and blue)
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the Ball: Prepare the surface with alcohol.
2. Draw the First Heart: Using your first color (red), draw a complete heart outline.
3. Draw the Second Heart: With your second color (blue), draw another heart outline that passes “under” one side of the first heart and “over” the other side. To do this, draw up to the red line, stop, move your pen to the other side of the line, and continue drawing.
4. Dry: Let the first color dry for a few minutes before drawing the second heart to prevent the colors from bleeding into each other.

It’s easier to make the second heart look like it’s weaving through the first if you plan the “over” and “under” points before you start drawing.

9. The Gradient Heart

For the artist! Save this beautiful gradient technique.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 3 fine-tip Sharpies in a similar color family (e.g., dark pink, medium pink, light pink)
• A pencil
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Sketch: Prepare the ball and lightly sketch a heart outline with a pencil.
2. Start with Darkest Color: Using the darkest pink, create a dense pattern of dots (stippling) at the top of the heart.
3. Introduce Medium Color: Begin dotting with the medium pink, overlapping with the dark pink dots and extending further down. Make the dots less dense as you move down.
4. Finish with Lightest Color: Use the lightest pink to fill the rest of the heart, overlapping with the medium pink dots. The dots should be sparsest at the very bottom.
5. Blend and Dry: The overlapping dots will create a smooth gradient effect. Erase any pencil marks once dry.

The key to a smooth gradient is the density of the dots. More dots create a darker area, while fewer, more spaced-out dots create a lighter area.

10. The Golden Heart Accent

Add a touch of luxury! Pin this elegant gold design.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 metallic gold oil-based Sharpie paint pen (extra fine point)
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean the Surface: Wipe the ball with alcohol and let dry.
2. Activate the Pen: Shake the oil-based paint pen well with the cap on. Press the tip down on a piece of scrap paper a few times to get the ink flowing.
3. Draw the Heart: Carefully draw a small, solid heart. The oil-based ink is more opaque, so you will get full coverage in one pass.
4. Dry Completely: Oil-based ink takes longer to cure. Let the ball sit untouched for several hours, or overnight, before sealing.

Oil-based paint pens provide vastly superior coverage and durability on non-porous surfaces like golf balls, even before sealing.

11. The Heart Constellation

A magical idea for your star-lover. Save it!

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• A pencil
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Dry: Prepare the golf ball surface.
2. Plot the Stars: Use the pencil to make small, light dots that form the outline of a heart. Add a few extra dots inside and outside the shape.
3. Ink the Stars: Use the ultra-fine Sharpie to make a permanent, slightly larger dot over each pencil mark.
4. Connect the Dots: Carefully draw thin, straight lines connecting the dots that form the main heart outline.
5. Dry and Erase: Once the ink is fully dry, gently erase the pencil guide marks.

Use a ruler or a straight edge (like a credit card) to help guide your pen for perfectly straight constellation lines.

12. The Pixelated Heart

For the gamer in your life! Pin this cool pixel art idea.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 red fine-tip or chisel-tip Sharpie
• A piece of graph paper and a pencil
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Plan Your Design: On the graph paper, sketch out a simple pixel heart by coloring in squares. This will be your map.
2. Clean the Ball: Prepare the surface with alcohol.
3. Use Dimples as a Grid: Think of the golf ball’s dimples as your pixel grid. Find a starting point and use your red Sharpie to carefully fill in one dimple.
4. Build the Shape: Following your graph paper map, fill in adjacent dimples to build the blocky heart shape. Work slowly and deliberately.
5. Dry Completely: Allow the ink to fully cure before handling.

This is one design where the dimples are your friend! Using them as a natural grid makes creating the pixel effect surprisingly easy.

13. The Heart with Initials

The ultimate personal touch. Pin this classic romantic idea.

Materials Needed:

• 1 clean golf ball
• 1 black ultra-fine tip Sharpie
• A pencil
• Isopropyl alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Clean and Dry: Prepare the golf ball surface.
2. Draw the Heart: With the Sharpie, draw a large, clean heart outline. This will be the frame for your initials.
3. Pencil the Initials: Lightly sketch the two initials inside the heart using the pencil. This allows you to perfect the placement and size before using permanent ink.
4. Ink the Initials: Carefully trace over your pencil sketch with the ultra-fine black Sharpie. Use smooth, confident strokes.
5. Dry and Erase: Let the ink dry completely for at least 30 minutes, then gently erase any remaining pencil marks.

For the classic “carved” look, use a simple plus sign (+) or an arrow through the heart to connect the two initials.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Sharpie Golf Balls

• Always Clean First: Use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to wipe down the golf ball before you start. This is the #1 secret to making the ink stick properly.
• Use the Right Tools: Fine-tip Sharpies are great for outlines, ultra-fine tips for details, and oil-based paint pens offer the best durability.
• Light Touch is Key: Don’t press hard. Let the ink flow naturally to avoid bleeding into the dimples and getting fuzzy lines.
• Let It Dry: Give the ink plenty of time to cure before you handle it or apply a second color. At least 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb.
• Seal for Durability: To prevent the design from rubbing off during play, you MUST apply a clear acrylic sealant spray. This is the most important step for longevity.

People Also Ask About Decorating Golf Balls

How do you keep Sharpie from smudging on a golf ball?

The best way to keep Sharpie from smudging is to apply a clear acrylic spray sealant. After drawing your design and letting the ink dry completely for at least an hour, apply 2-3 light, even coats of the sealant. This creates a hard, protective layer that makes the design water-resistant and smudge-proof for handling and play.

What is the best marker to use on golf balls?

For maximum durability and vibrant, opaque color, an oil-based Sharpie paint pen is the absolute best choice. For general crafting and more color options, classic alcohol-based Sharpies (fine or ultra-fine tip) work very well, but they require a clear sealant to become durable enough for use.

Does drawing on a golf ball affect its flight?

For all casual rounds of golf, a simple Sharpie drawing will have no noticeable effect on the ball’s performance. Technically, according to USGA rules, any foreign material could make a ball non-conforming for high-level tournament play, but a thin layer of ink from a marker is almost universally accepted for personal identification.

How do you fix a mistake with a Sharpie on a golf ball?

It is very difficult to completely fix a dried Sharpie mistake. If you act immediately while the ink is still wet, you can sometimes remove it with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. Once dry, your best option is to try to incorporate the mistake into your design or color over it.

Final Thoughts

You now have everything you need to turn a simple sleeve of golf balls into a one-of-a-kind gift that’s filled with heart. It’s a fun, relaxing project that shows you put time and thought into your present, and that’s a feeling no store-bought gift can match. Which heart design are you excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below

Last update on 2025-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API