Used Golf Balls...good deal or bad investment?

[ZaPPPa]

I've used new cheap Top-Flite's and used NXT tours and the cheap balls feels like hitting rocks compared to the used NXT's. I'll take a good used ball over a cheap new one any day.

[jrjones]

I've bought several dozen balls from Dr. Mulligans and have been extremely happy. They only sell "Mint" condition balls. I get Pro V1's for 25 per dozen and I've compared every ball I've gotten from them with a new one out of a sleeve and I can not tell the difference. If you like playing "tour" quality balls, the used ball is the way to go.

[MI Rob]

I have bought used balls alot. NXT Tours, Pro V1s and V1x's. I havent noticed any difference from new and used yet. But that also depends on what grade you buy.

[cocky_watchman]

For an 18 handicapper I'd say it's absolutely pontless. You would be better off with a brand new quality 2 piece ball. Something like Srixon AD333, or a Titleist NXT extreme both will be better for your game, new so they will definitely not be dodgy and will work out similar price to second hand pro v1s. Srixon Soft Fell is another great ball. The Srixons are so much cheaper.

Why are high handicappers so obsessed with premium balls, particularly pro v1s?-Is it because they think having the same ball as a professional will narrow the gap? It probably will just narrow the fairway and the money in your wallet in reality.

Id also suggest trying the Top Flite balls-Gamer, D2 feel etc I haven't yet, but they are so cheap if they perform similar-which they will for me a 14 handicapper-Happy Days.

Currently I am playing Srixon Soft Feel (got 3 free with a magazine!) when they go Im gonna stick to the Srixon AD333. In summer when I need more control I'll switch to NXT tours. I just wouldn't trust Lake Ball/Recycled Balls/Lost Balls etc. After you have paid the postage costs from the internet the saving isn't that amazing-unless you are going through tons of balls I don't think it's worth it. i can live with £21 from the golf store and no postage for a brand new box of NXT tours-instead of £10 and £4 postage for some balls of unknown quality-No Brainer!

[chipper2]

I have been using used balls, but no lake balls. I walk 2-1/2 miles 6 or 7 times a week. In nice weather it is on the far side of a road from a golf course. I have 1, 2, 3 and up to 6 ball days. These are the number of balls I find laying within 4 feet of the road. I can lose these balls as easily as I lose new balls.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

I never buy used balls because of the potential "sitting in water" factor - but if I see Pro-V1 X-outs for sale, I'm nabbing up 3-4 dozen.

What exactly qualifies a ball to become an X-OUT? I always assumed it was a reject that didn't meet quality standards.

[Zeph]

I know I don't make full use of the Pro V1's, but I don't see why I shouldn't use them. I love the balls, especially around and on the greens. I might try E5+ next time, but for now I've got loads of used Pro V1's bought from eBay. I played with them all last year and never experienced any difficulties. The balls are more than good enough for my play at this stage. I also hit away some, so I won't buy new ones at this point.

My game is getting better, so if I improve like I'm hoping this year I'll maybe buy new ones next year. Don't know which brand, but I've come to rest with the fact that this is an expensive sport, so I'll treat myself to good balls. The most important for my part is the feel around and on the green. I only play one type of ball to get consistent. Currently that's used Pro V1's.

This is a topic I don't understand why so many people care about. Buying a $500 driver is OK, but god forbid a high handicapper buy expensive balls!

[BOOMSHANKA]

Good Point!!!

[YogiTKE]

This is a topic I don't understand why so many people care about. Buying a $500 driver is OK, but god forbid a high handicapper buy expensive balls!

$500 driver? Fess up people. Who has paid $500 for a driver?

[flopdarock]

since i work at a golf course i havent bought balls in a longgg time... ive never had problems with the balls ive found on the course... i literally have 1000's of balls... the crap ones i bring to the range as a way of 'giving back' the decent low end balls i sell to a local shop for like 10 to 15 cents a pop... the high end balls i play...
during tourny's at my course they hand out sleeves and sleeves of brand new balls... usually pro v1x's... guys will shank them literally a few feet away tee up another and leave the shanked one behind... so i have plenty of once hit balls... only the discolored weathered water balls ive found tend to fly funny... or thats what i tell myself after a bad shot... hahaha

[Prairie Golfer]

I always loved "fishing" for balls as a kid. Golf balls that were not as good but free was a good option. I believe that practice is as extinct as the persimmon wood these days though.

[laxbballgolf]

The day I discovered lostgolfballs.com was a very happy day for me. They are reliable quality, and I have honestly never even noticed a performance difference between new balls (I always buy AAAA or AAAAA quality). ProV1x's or Tour ix's for about $1.50 each!

I had a hard time justifying the price of premium balls before I tried out used balls, and I have never looked back!

[laxbballgolf]

I never looked back until I clicked on the link to that Golf Digest article. Shit!

On the lostgolfballs.com website it says, "We retrieve golf balls from the lakes and water hazards of over 2000 resorts, private facilities and top daily fee courses in 32 states." I might be switching back to buying new.

[Zeph]

Hehe, you say you don't notice any difference, but when you find out they are lake balls you don't want to use them anymore?

What exactly can happen to a golf ball after some time in the water by the way? I suppose they are pretty water proof, is it the material that suck water into the core?

[Big Padrigo]

I've got loads of balls from lostgolfballs, started of with some maxfli black max and then more recently ordered like 50 Prov V1s. I have never had any issue with any of these balls and do play new balls intermittently. The prov1s I have like just like the brand new ones I have in the box, it's very difficult to tell them apart and I don't see any difference in performance. I feel like I'm getting a great deal on these balls.

[IcemanYVR]

What exactly can happen to a golf ball after some time in the water by the way? I suppose they are pretty water proof, is it the material that suck water into the core?

Here's the same link that was made earlier in the thread.

http://forum.ottawagolf.com/showthread.php?t=9079

[albatross]

I understand we're talking about 5 or 6 yards difference in a lot of cases but I also wouldn't be so quick to jump all over a study by golf digest related to golf balls.

If anyone is "in bed' with Titleist it's Golf Digest. They both want you to buy new balls. The golf ball industry hates all of these new used ball sites on the internet.

I'm not saying I don't believe the study, but I'm certainly a little skeptical of it as well because I've never been able to tell a difference.

You can make statistics say whatever you want, especially when it's just an article in a golf magazine and there is financial profit involved.

[Dpricenator]

I understand we're talking about 5 or 6 yards difference in a lot of cases but I also wouldn't be so quick to jump all over a study by golf digest related to golf balls.

Advertising/marketing $$$$ are how GD stay in business. Just like anything else, money can buy what ever scientific results you want to buy. Do I think a scratch golfer should use used balls? NO. Do I think someone like myself who will most likely lose a couple balls per round (used to be 4-5) should play used balls? YES, I'm not going to motice 5 yards on a drive, I'm just happy it went straight. 215 yds vs 220? who cares? We're just playing a game. So to sum it up, if you are loosing balls quickly, then test out some ebay cheapies, until you can keep it inbounds.