Used Balls vs. New Balls

[shankasaurus]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I've got a question. Would it be better for me to move to a used version of a high quality ball or new cheap balls?

A guy across the river from me sells used golf balls. I usually hit Topflites or something similar. When I find the occasional Pro V1, I enjoy hitting it until it runs off into the woods or water. I'm about a 15 handicap and lose a couple balls per round (at least), so I don't really want to pay the $50 for a dozen Pro V1s.

I've noticed that with that softer ball, I can putt more consistently too. Everything I've read seems to be the "No they're junk" crowd versus the "Nothing wrong with them" crowd. Can we have a pros and cons thread instead?

I got paired up at a scramble with the guy who sells them and he was pretty straight-forward about them, but they were what he was hitting that day. He said pretty much what I've read, some people hate them some love them, and for him they were fine. Judging from that day, he's about as good as me.

So far I've been unable to find anything unbiased. The only research I've found was a 1996 study by Golf Digest, who is paid by golf ball manufacturers that have a vested interest in selling new balls.

[nuck81]

There are plenty of affordable softer balls too. But do whatever you want. Who is anyone else to say it is right or wrong?

[brgolf]

I think if you buy quality used balls, say without big scratches on them, then you ought to be fine. You are a mid to high handicap player so it could make sense. Also consider doing a test. Hit Pro v1s to a practice green and hit whatever midprice new balls you would choice and see what outcomes you like best. Hit tee shots and see what distances you are getting. Are these satisfactory with the USED balls vs the new balls? Is there anything else you notice about the spin on tee shots, the trajectory etc that you prefer/dislike.

Finally, plan to buy the same standard/type of used balls for consistency. Used balls will never be perfectly uniform and even for a 15 HC balls which look the same but behave differently will play havoc with your chances. If one ball to another exhibits characteristics that produce 5 or even 10 yards of difference on any given approach shot, that could be horrible.

[shankasaurus]

Maybe I can get a dozen new and a dozen used then go hit them all at once to test them. Only problem there is that if my swing was that consistent I wouldn't be concerned about losing balls.

[topspin4hand]

As a high handicapper, my choice was to purchase the previous yr's version of new balls. For example, Bridgestone has E5+'s out now and in 2008 they had the E5 (no +). So in 2009, I picked up brand new 2008 E5's for approx. $9/dozen rather than the $28-$30/dozen they were priced at in 2008 or what the E5+'s were going for at the time.

My current problem is that late last season, I tried the B330RX and LOVED them, however I still have 4 dozen brand new E5's to go thru and feel guilty not doing it, so I'm going to play them out this season... lesson: don't buy too many if you aren't certain!

[Dave40]

I would suggest using a ball with a urethane cover even if it's used. Chipping and pitching is where I notice the most difference. Shorter putts = better score.

[alomar123]

If you lose more than a few each round, buy used. It just adds up too quickly.

[Valleygolfer]

According to what I have heard the new balls last 5+ years or better so I wouldn't worry about a used ball unless it's cut or scuffed significantly. I say go with used ProV1s if that is what you like.

[CoolBreeze20]

I only have experience with lostgolfballs.com, but if you stick with 4A or even 5A rated balls from them, it is EXTREMELY hard to tell the difference between the used ones and a brand new version. To each their own........but I personally dont ever buy ProV1's new.....always get them used from LGB.com and havent been disappointed yet.

[2bGood]

Find yourself a ball and stick with it, used or new. I like to buy a few dozen new balls and the a bunch of used one. I stat my round with a new ball and then later work in a used ball If I lose my new one.

[Yukari]

I find tons of balls when I am waiting for a slow foursome up front.

I use only the used balls--which ever I find. But mostly premium balls as I use the cheap ones for driving range.

I only use new balls when I am playing in a tournament. Whether it is used or new doe NOT make any difference. Used Pro V1 performs as same as new Pro V1.

So I would recommend using used premium ball rather than new Top Rocks.

[CrazyXGolfer]

  Yukari said:

Whether it is used or new doe NOT make any difference. Used Pro V1 performs as same as new Pro V1.

Me and my golf coach argued about this the other day, I tend to agree with you..... But unfortunatly, New ProV's will preform much better then old ones that are 18 holes old.

We actully went played 18 holes each, we used 2 golf balls on every hole, so we had 4 to test when we got back. we grab'd the launch mointer out and got a high speed camera to watch the ball though impact, there was quite a bit of different, in the spin raitings and the ball compression. All 4 balls showed the same results, they DONT preform as good as the new ones. But if you a high handicapper, I would not worry about it.... (I use Used proV's for practise rounds ect and when chipping and putting on greens while practiseing. But comp play I always use new balls!)

[Shripe]

From a non-handicapper, I'd definitely go the used route given the rate I'll probably lose them once I start seriously playing the tougher (i.e. not just short par 3 courses) courses. I used lostgolfballs.com on a bit of an impulse buy, simply because they had this low-compression ball on sale for Father's Day. Can't tell the difference between them and new ones.

[assassin307]

I started using used balls but have recently switched to new balls. I like the new balls better and feel I play better, especially around the green and while putting.

[Gibby]

Anyone know if the used balls from Play It Again Sports are recycled or refurbished? From my understanding, refurbished are the bad ones, balls in really bad condition but with a new coat of paint on it, which actually hinders the performance even more, while recycled are balls that are lightly used with nothing done to them except a wash down. I saw a box of used ProV1s at a PIAS near my house but i couldn't figure out if they were refurbished or recycled and i couldn't find a rating (AAA, AAAA etc.)

[shankasaurus]

I checked and the guy only sells used balls that are in playable condition, no cuts or bad scuffs. He has a website too, it's usedgolfballstore.com. I think I'll get a dozen Pro V1s and then a sleeve of new Pro V1s then toss them on my triple beam balance (I've got a ceramic studio in the garage,) to see if there's any difference in weight. Then I'll go hit them both and see if there's a difference. I'll post the results here sometime this weekend if anybody is interested.

[BlueRidgeTitleist]

A good rule of thumb is buy the best ball you can afford. There is a difference.

[Shripe]

  Gibby said:

Anyone know if the used balls from Play It Again Sports are recycled or refurbished? From my understanding, refurbished are the bad ones, balls in really bad condition but with a new coat of paint on it, which actually hinders the performance even more, while recycled are balls that are lightly used with nothing done to them except a wash down. I saw a box of used ProV1s at a PIAS near my house but i couldn't figure out if they were refurbished or recycled and i couldn't find a rating (AAA, AAAA etc.)

I would assume that they just take in whatever they're given, and probably don't recycle them. I'd suggest you ask someone knowledgeable over there to make sure. I'm heading off to a local PIAS to see what they'll give me for some relatively in good shape clubs that I mistakenly picked up from a rummage sale for only $2 (turned out to be women's clubs... I should've guessed that from Ben Hogan's "Princess" label. I hit another one about the same distance away from me last week, but they didn't have anything I really wanted (it's a smaller store than I think this one will be).