Golf Ball Durability

I've heard that golf balls go "bad" when kept in cold conditions for extended amounts of time, mostly because of loss of elasticity I believe. Does anyone know how long exactly it takes? I've got some golf balls in my bag which has been sitting in a cold (sub 40*) basement for the majority of the winter. Thanks

I play with golf balls that have been sitting in the woods all winter (and maybe another winter or two). Ha ha!

They do go bad with age and environment and are more likely to crack.

Last week on the first tee box my son hit his drive and since it was right down the middle he didn't even watch it, but I did and noticed that the ball flight just didn't look quite right so I asked him if he hit it good. He looked a little surprised and said yes.

As we got up to his ball in the fairway it was back about 120 yards from where his drives typically go. I told him he better check that ball so he did and there was a crack only about 1/4 inch long but spit apart more than most of the hairline cracks I usually see on golf balls.

I put the ball in my pocket intending to throw it in with my practice balls at home but when I got home I just hit it down into the yard with a pitching wedge at my target 120 yards away. It didn't even get much more than halfway there, and I felt like I hit it OK. Must have been more damage than just what was visible on the cover.

Depending on how serious you are about the game you are in, just the thought that they might not be good could cost you, but if it were me I would use them. I buy and find used balls anyway and no telling where they've been or how long they've been there. I would cough up the money for a new sleeve if I was playing in a tournament though (just to be sure).

Ok, that's a good point. I'm sure a couple months in a bag didn't hurt them, I guess it was just a mental thing with me obsessing about the upcoming golf season. Looking forward to it, just trying to get every little thing correct.