Quick answer: The dots on a squash ball tell you how much it bounces. A double yellow dot (Dunlop Pro) is the slowest, lowest-bouncing ball, made for advanced and tournament players. A single yellow dot bounces about 10% more, a red dot is 6% bigger with about 20% more bounce, and a blue dot is 12% bigger with about 40% more bounce, which makes it the right ball for beginners.
Walk into most UK squash clubs and the ball on sale will be a double yellow dot. That is the ball the professionals use, and it is the wrong ball for most people who play once a week. Understanding squash ball dots is the quickest, cheapest way to get longer rallies and more enjoyable games. This guide explains what each dot means, how temperature changes things, and exactly which ball to buy for your level.
What do the dots on a squash ball mean?
Squash balls are hollow rubber spheres. They only bounce properly once the air inside warms up, and different balls are built to need different amounts of heat. The coloured dot is a speed and bounce rating: the more "serious" the dot, the less the ball bounces and the harder you have to hit it to keep it alive.
Dunlop, the official ball supplier to professional squash, uses this adult range:
| Dot | Dunlop name | Size vs Pro | Extra bounce vs Pro | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double yellow | Pro | Standard (40mm) | None (slowest) | Advanced, league and tournament players |
| Single yellow | Competition | Same | About 10% | Experienced club players, cold courts |
| Red | Progress | 6% larger | About 20% | Improving recreational players |
| Blue | Intro | 12% larger | About 40% | Beginners and first-timers |
For juniors there are also dot-free mini balls: a red Mini Fun ball for roughly ages 5 to 7 and an orange Mini Play ball for roughly 7 to 10.
What about green or white dots?
You may still see green or white dots on older stock or on other brands' balls. Historically these marked faster, bouncier balls in the intermediate range. The current Dunlop range uses the four colours above, so if you are buying new, stick to that ladder.
Double yellow dot vs single yellow dot
This is the comparison most club players actually care about. Both balls are the same size. The difference is bounce: the single yellow dot Competition ball gives roughly 10% more hang time than the double yellow dot Pro.
The Pro only behaves properly when both players hit hard enough to keep it hot. If one of you cannot, the ball cools, dies in the back corners and rallies fall apart. That is why many strong club players still train with the single yellow dot, and why it is the sensible match ball in a cold sports hall. The professional tour used to play with the Competition ball before switching to the Pro to shorten rallies as racket technology improved.
Rule of thumb: if rallies regularly end because the ball "sits down" rather than because someone played a winner, you are using a ball that is too slow.
Which squash ball should I use for my level?
- First few sessions: blue dot Intro. It needs almost no warming up and gives you time to reach the ball.
- Playing weekly, rallies of 5 to 10 shots: red dot Progress. Needs only a brief warm-up.
- League player, solid length and drives: single yellow dot Competition.
- Strong league or tournament player on a warm court: double yellow dot Pro.
- Children under 10: Mini Fun (red, no dots) then Mini Play (orange).
Move down one step (to a bouncier ball) whenever the court is cold or you are playing someone well below or above your level. Matching the ball to the weaker player produces a better game for both of you. If you are still choosing your first racket too, our guide to choosing a squash racket covers weight, balance and head size.
How temperature and warm-up change the bounce
Every squash ball is affected by heat. Cold air inside the ball means low pressure and a dead bounce; as you hit it, friction and impact warm the rubber and air, the pressure rises and the bounce returns. This is why the first two minutes of any game should be a warm-up, driving the ball up and down the wall.
Three practical points the other guides tend to skip:
- Cold courts need a faster ball. An unheated club court in January can make a double yellow dot unplayable for anyone but county-level players. Drop to single yellow.
- Keep spare balls warm. A ball left on a cold floor between games needs warming up again. Keep it in your pocket or bag.
- Quick bounce test: after warming up, drop the ball from shoulder height. If it barely comes back above knee height and rallies keep dying, switch to the next ball up the ladder.
How long does a squash ball last?
There is no fixed lifespan. A squash ball is two rubber halves bonded together, and over time air slowly escapes and the seam weakens. Replace a ball when it no longer reaches normal bounce after a full warm-up, when you see a visible split along the seam, or when it becomes noticeably shiny and skids. Hard hitters and frequent players get through balls faster, so it makes sense to carry two or three spares. Tubes of three are the tidiest way to keep them clean and together in your bag.
Squash balls vs racketball balls
Do not mix these up. Racketball (now also called squash57) uses a larger, much bouncier ball on the same court with a shorter racket. A racketball ball will make squash feel like it is played in slow motion, and a squash ball will be almost impossible to keep alive in a racketball game. If you play both, keep them in separate tubes.
Our picks at Central Tennis
All of the following were in stock at the time of writing. See the full range in our squash balls collection.
- Dunlop Intro Squash Ball (Single) - £4.00. Blue dot. The ball every new player should start with; it makes rallies possible from day one.
- Dunlop Progress Squash Ball (Single) - £3.50. Red dot. The best-value step up once you are playing regularly.
- Dunlop Competition Squash Balls, Single Yellow Dot, Tube of 3 - £10.00. The club player's match ball, and the right choice on cold courts.
- Dunlop Pro Squash Ball, Double Yellow Dot, 3 Ball Tube - £6.45. The official tournament ball, for strong players on warm courts.
- Dunlop Fun Mini Squash Ball (Box of 3), Red - £7.99. For children aged roughly 5 to 7 starting out.
Need a racket to go with it? Browse our squash rackets or read our best squash rackets UK guide.
Squash ball dots: FAQs
What is the difference between single-dot and double-dot squash balls?
They are the same size, but the single yellow dot Competition ball bounces about 10% more than the double yellow dot Pro. The double dot is harder to keep warm and is designed for advanced players.
What kind of squash ball has two yellow dots on it?
The Dunlop Pro, the official ball of professional squash. It has the lowest bounce of any adult squash ball.
What squash ball should a beginner use?
A blue dot Intro ball. It is 12% bigger than the Pro and bounces about 40% more, so it needs no warm-up and gives you time to reach it.
What are green dots in squash?
Green (and white) dots appear on older or non-Dunlop balls and generally mark a faster, bouncier ball. The current Dunlop range uses blue, red, single yellow and double yellow.
Why does my squash ball not bounce?
Usually because it is cold or too slow for your level. Warm it up for two to three minutes; if it still dies, switch to a ball with a faster dot.
Choose the right dot, enjoy better squash
Squash ball dots are not a status symbol. Picking the ball that matches your level and your court gives you longer rallies, better practice and more fun. If you are unsure, go one step bouncier than you think. Shop the full squash ball range at Central Tennis, or visit us in store and we will point you to the right one.
