The Easy Way To Draw Strawberry Golf Ball Designs That Last

Looking for a creative gift for the golfer in your life? Tired of your own golf balls getting mixed up with everyone else’s?

This is where a DIY golf ball design comes in. You’re struggling to find a gift that’s personal, unique, and won’t break the bank. You want something that shows you put in a little thought and effort.

Drawing a cute strawberry on a golf ball with a Sharpie is a fun, easy, and affordable way to create a personalized gift. In this guide, you’ll discover the simple, step-by-step process to make your designs look amazing and last through every round. You’ll soon be making the most unique golf balls on the course.

Why Do My Golf Balls Look So… Boring?

Let’s face it, a standard, plain white golf ball is purely functional. It gets the job done, but it has zero personality. When you’re playing with friends or in a tournament, it’s easy to mix up your ball with someone else’s. And if you’re looking for a thoughtful, unique gift for a golfer, a sleeve of generic balls doesn’t exactly scream “I was thinking of you.”

This is where a simple DIY craft project can make all the difference. Decorating a golf ball with Sharpie marker art is an easy and incredibly rewarding way to create a personalized gift. You don’t need to be an artist to draw a cute strawberry or another simple design. This fun and creative golf ball drawing process turns a generic piece of equipment into a thoughtful present or a unique on-course identifier that’s all your own. It’s the perfect solution for adding a personal touch to the game.

7 Simple Steps to Your Perfect Strawberry Golf Ball

This is your complete, step-by-step tutorial to creating the perfect strawberry golf ball design. We’ve broken down the entire drawing process into clear, simple stages. You don’t need any special artistic skill to get a fantastic result that looks clean and professional. Just follow these instructions for this relaxing and fun DIY craft. By the end, you’ll have a durable piece of Sharpie art ready for the golf course.

1. Clean the Surface for Perfect Ink Adhesion

Pin this crucial first step to your ‘DIY Gift Ideas’ board!

This first step is the most important for ensuring your design lasts. You need to prepare the golf ball surface for the Sharpie ink.

Materials Needed:

• Blank golf balls (any brand will work for this project)
• Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (90% or higher for best results)
• Lint-free cotton pads or a microfiber cloth

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol onto a clean cotton pad.
2. Firmly wipe down the entire surface of the golf ball you intend to decorate.
3. Pay special attention to the area where you plan to draw your strawberry. This removes any invisible oils, factory residue, or coatings that prevent Sharpie ink from sticking properly, ensuring perfect ink adhesion.
4. Set the ball aside on a clean surface and let it air dry completely for 2-3 minutes. Do not touch the cleaned area with your fingers.

Don’t skip this step! I once tried drawing on a ball straight from the box, and the ink beaded up and smeared instantly. Cleaning is the secret to crisp, clean lines.

2. Create a Simple, Steady Holder

Save this simple hack for your next craft project!

Drawing on a curved surface can be tricky because the golf ball wants to roll away. A simple DIY craft jig will hold it steady and help prevent smudging.

Materials Needed:

• A plastic bottle cap (from a soda or water bottle)
• Optional: A small piece of poster tack or modeling clay

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Find a clean, standard-sized plastic bottle cap.
2. Place the bottle cap on your work surface with the open side up.
3. Set your cleaned golf ball into the cap. It should nestle in securely, creating a perfect golf ball stand.
4. If the ball still feels wobbly, place a tiny piece of poster tack inside the cap before setting the ball on top for extra stability. This gives you a hands-free holder for drawing and drying.

A bottle cap is perfect for this! It’s the right size, free, and keeps your fingers off the wet ink as you work and let it dry.

3. Sketch the Strawberry Leaves & Outline

Pin this cute drawing idea for your next personalized gift!

Now for the fun part: starting the actual drawing. We’ll begin with a simple line art outline of the strawberry.

Materials Needed:

• Green ultra-fine tip permanent marker (a Sharpie works perfectly)
• Red fine or ultra-fine tip permanent marker

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Using your green ultra-fine tip marker, draw the leafy top (the calyx) of the strawberry. Think of it as a small, spiky crown or a star shape.
2. Switch to your red fine-tip marker. Starting from the bottom of the green leaves, draw a rounded, heart-like shape for the strawberry body. Don’t worry about making it perfect; slightly irregular shapes look more natural.
3. Let the Sharpie art outline air dry for 5-10 minutes. This is key to preventing the colors from bleeding into each other in the next step.

Don’t press too hard. Let the marker do the work. The golf ball’s dimples can catch the tip, so use light, confident strokes for this easy sharpie art.

4. Fill in the Rich Red Color

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With the outline dry, it’s time to bring your strawberry to life with color. The key here is to fill the color evenly and avoid streaks.

Materials Needed:

• Red fine tip permanent marker
• Green fine tip permanent marker

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Take your red fine-tip marker and carefully begin to fill in the strawberry body.
2. Use small, circular motions or short, consistent strokes in one direction to minimize streaking. The dimples of the golf ball will hide most imperfections.
3. Be careful not to go over the green leafy area.
4. Using the green marker, fill in the leaves at the top.
5. Let the filled-in design dry for at least 15-20 minutes before proceeding to the final details.

If you see streaks, wait for the first layer to dry completely, then add a second light layer of color. This usually evens out the tone perfectly.

5. Add the Seeds and Final Details

Save this idea for a cute, personalized golf gift!

The small details are what make cute golf ball designs pop. Adding seeds to your strawberry gives it that classic, finished look.

Materials Needed:

• Black ultra-fine tip permanent marker

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Ensure the red and green ink is completely dry to the touch.
2. Take your black ultra-fine tip marker. This is essential for creating crisp, small dots.
3. Gently press the tip onto the red part of the strawberry to create small dots for the seeds.
4. Scatter the seeds randomly over the surface of the berry. You can use the dimples as natural guides for placing your dots. Don’t overdo it—less is often more!
5. You can also use the black marker to add a subtle outline around the leaves or berry if you like that look.

My first attempt, I used a regular fine-tip for the seeds and they looked like big blobs. The ultra-fine tip is non-negotiable for this step!

6. Let the Ink Cure and Dry Completely

Patience is key! Pin this reminder for your craft projects.

Before you can seal your design, the Sharpie ink needs to fully cure. This step is critical to prevent the Sharpie from smearing when you apply the sealant.

Materials Needed:

• Your finished golf ball in its holder
• A safe, dust-free place

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Once you’ve added the final seed details, your drawing is complete.
2. Leave the golf ball undisturbed in its holder.
3. Place it in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area that is free from dust.
4. Let the Sharpie ink cure for at least 1-2 hours. For best results, I recommend letting it sit overnight. This allows the solvents in the ink to fully evaporate, making the design much less likely to smear during the sealing process.

Don’t try to speed this up with a hairdryer! The heat can cause the ink to bubble or become sticky. Patience is your best tool here.

7. Seal Your Artwork for a Lasting Finish

This is the most important step! Pin it so you don’t forget!

This final step is what transforms your art project into a durable, playable golf ball. Sealing the design protects it from moisture and creates a scuff-resistant coating.

Materials Needed:

• Clear acrylic spray sealant (like Krylon Crystal Clear in a gloss finish)
• A well-ventilated space (outdoors or a garage with the door open)
• Cardboard or newspaper to protect your work surface
• Optional: Disposable gloves

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. SAFETY FIRST: Move your project to a well-ventilated area. The fumes from spray sealant are strong.
2. Place your fully cured golf ball (in its holder) on a piece of cardboard.
3. Shake the can of sealant vigorously for 1-2 minutes, per the can’s instructions.
4. Hold the can 8-10 inches away from the golf ball and apply a very light, even mist over the top half. Don’t try to cover it in one go!
5. Let the first coat dry for 20-30 minutes.
6. Rotate the ball and apply another light mist to cover any missed spots.
7. Repeat with a third and final light coat after another 20-30 minutes of drying.
8. Let the sealed ball cure completely for at least 24 hours before handling or using it. This creates a hard, protective shell to waterproof the Sharpie art.

My biggest mistake ever was spraying one thick, heavy coat. It dripped, stayed tacky for days, and ruined the design. Three super-light coats is the magic formula.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Durable Golf Ball Art

Here is a quick summary of the most critical steps for success. If you remember nothing else, remember these five points for your golf ball art project.

• Always Start Clean: Wipe every ball with rubbing alcohol to remove oils. This is non-negotiable for ink to stick.
• Let Ink Dry Between Steps: Patience is key. Allow outlines to dry before filling, and let the final design cure for at least an hour (overnight is better) before sealing.
• Use an Ultra-Fine Tip for Details: A regular Sharpie is too thick for small seeds or outlines. The ultra-fine tip makes your design look crisp and clean.
• Seal with Multiple Light Coats: The secret to a durable, non-tacky finish is 2-3 very light misting coats of clear acrylic spray, not one heavy coat.
• Allow 24 Hours to Cure: Don’t rush to use your creation! Let the final sealant cure for a full day to achieve maximum hardness and durability.

People Also Ask About Decorating Golf Balls

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

Yes, it is completely legal and actually encouraged by USGA rules. The official Rules of Golf require you to be able to identify your ball, and adding a unique marking is the best way to do so. As long as the marking is just ink (like from a Sharpie) and doesn’t alter the ball’s flight characteristics or surface texture, it is perfectly acceptable for all levels of play.

How do you make Sharpie on a golf ball permanent and waterproof?

The only effective way is to seal it with a clear acrylic spray. After your Sharpie design has fully dried (ideally overnight), apply 2-3 light coats of a product like Krylon Crystal Clear. This creates a hard, waterproof barrier that protects the ink from moisture and the abrasion of being hit with a club, making it significantly more durable.

What is the best marker to use on golf balls?

Standard fine and ultra-fine tip Sharpie permanent markers are the best all-around choice for their availability and ease of use. For even greater durability and fade resistance, you can use Sharpie Extreme markers, which are designed for outdoor surfaces, or oil-based paint pens, which offer more opaque color but require longer drying times.

Can you erase Sharpie from a golf ball if you make a mistake?

You can sometimes fix a fresh mistake. If you act quickly, you can often remove wet Sharpie ink with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. However, once the ink has dried for more than a few minutes, it becomes very difficult to remove without smearing. It’s best to practice on an old ball first.

Final Thoughts

You now have everything you need to start your own creative project and design beautiful strawberry golf balls. Remember, the real value in this DIY craft isn’t about achieving artistic perfection; it’s about the fun of the creative process and the joy of giving (or using) something truly personal and unique. It’s a simple way to add a little personality to the game.

Now that you’ve mastered the strawberry, you can apply these same techniques to any simple design. This is your chance to get creative and make something special.

What other cute designs are you thinking of drawing on your golf balls?

Last update on 2025-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API