A method of manufacturing golf balls having a highly transparent cover includes, prior to formation of the cover, a preformed body fabricating step wherein a fluorescent material that emits light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation is included in or coated onto the preformed body. In this way, a preformed body which matches a cover to be formed can be easily and reliably identified from among a plurality of types of preformed bodies stored at a temporary storage place. This manufacturing method enables golf balls of excellent visibility and stylishness to be efficiently produced.