Balls
To be brutally honest I very rarely witness any variation in the brand of balls used in squash. They always seem to be Dunlops in the most part. That is the brand that I am most used to, and so that is the brand that I am recommending here.
However, there is a bit of a question about what colour dot ball you should use.
You have probably noticed that all squash balls have a coloured dot or dots on them. In short, these coloured dots show how much bounce the ball will have.
The are four colours of balls that are the most common seen. The least bouncy of these is the double yellow dot. This is followed by the single yellow dot (slightly bouncier), followed by the red (medium bounce), and then the blue (high bounce).
There are other types of colours (e.g. orange and green, but these are seldom used). There is also a slightly larger ball called a progress ball, that is super-bouncy and great for juniors and super-beginners.
In general, beginners are advised to play with either a red or blue ball. When you have improved a lot, and have mastered the basic shots it is a good idea to move onto the single yellow dot.
Don’t be tempted to go on to the double yellow too early! Many club players play exclusively with these, but this really is not always the best way, especially on cold courts, or if players are older or more immobile.
Here is a run-down of the best ball-options for your stage of play:
Your First Few Games – The Progress Ball
There is no shame in using a progress ball! They are slightly larger than a standard squash ball, but only 12% bigger, so not a massive increase. These balls are the bounciest of the lot, and so a perfect way to get started in the game.
The bouncier the ball when you start, the better you will be able to develop a smooth swing, and begin to develop some of the basic shots more quickly. All in all a fantastic place to start. Find current prices on Amazon here.
Beginner Ball – Blue
For beginners, a blue dot is a good bet to get your started. I’d probably go for these over the red just because of their extra bounce.
These are seriously bouncy when warmed up, and will give you lots more time to develop your shots. They are the same size as a pro squash ball, so slightly smaller than the progress ball. The bounce is slightly less as well, but still extremely high, giving you extra time and lengthening rallies. Here is a link to Amazon
Intermediate – Single Yellow
I know many people that play with these all the time, and I can see why. Especially if you play on a cold court, I would probably recommend using these balls as your go-to.
Even if that is not the case, they are a great stepping stone to using a double spot later on.
The bounce is much lower than a red or blue ball, but noticebly higher than a double yellow, and you have more time to play, and rallies will be longer. Single yellow dots are also excellent for practising drills and working on shots such as straight drives. Here is a link to Amazon.
The Basics Are In Place – Double Yellow
The double yellow dot is the official ball of pro and club squash.
The specific ball that is in circulation the most at my squash club, and also in most squash clubs in my area are the Dunlop Sport Pro XX. These are also the official ball of World Squash Federation (WSF), Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA).
They are, apparently, the only ball used in professional squash.
To buy a set of three double yellow dots, follow this link to Amazon
Here is what they look like:
Double yellow dots are the least bouncy of all squash balls (apart from orange balls which are only normally used in high altitude)
Rallies will be shorter and it is generally easier to hit drop shots and trickle boasts.
Many players will only use double-dot balls, and you may well come to a point in your play when this is the only ball you want to use yourself.