do you own a ball washer at home?

[treebound]

I mean like the ones at golf courses placed next to the tee boxes, either a plunger or a rotary type? I've been thinking about getting one just because I sometimes end up with dozens of dirty balls (my own after a round, or found ones ), and while I might clean an extra ball or two while waiting to tee off, I don't want to be the guy who dumps out a bag of dozens of balls and starts running then through the course ball washer. Now I've read stories of people running their dirty golf balls through a dishwasher or clothes washer, but let's just say that isn't an option. And while it might be tempting to head down to a local laundrymat and dumping a whole load of balls into a front load rotary washer, if I did that I would be the guy who got busted for it. So; 1. Do you have a golf ball washer at home? 2. If so, what type and where did you get it? I figure all those people selling all the clean used balls must have some way of cleaning them. I have no intensions of going into the recycled ball business, but I would like to get my golf balls washed. (And remember, this is a family site. ;) )

[SavvySwede]

I mean like the ones at golf courses placed next to the tee boxes, either a plunger or a rotary type? I've been thinking about getting one just because I sometimes end up with dozens of dirty balls (my own after a round, or found ones ), and while I might clean an extra ball or two while waiting to tee off, I don't want to be the guy who dumps out a bag of dozens of balls and starts running then through the course ball washer.

Now I've read stories of people running their dirty golf balls through a dishwasher or clothes washer, but let's just say that isn't an option. And while it might be tempting to head down to a local laundrymat and dumping a whole load of balls into a front load rotary washer, if I did that I would be the guy who got busted for it.

So;

1. Do you have a golf ball washer at home?

2. If so, what type and where did you get it?

I figure all those people selling all the clean used balls must have some way of cleaning them. I have no intensions of going into the recycled ball business, but I would like to get my golf balls washed.

(And remember, this is a family site. ;) )

They have a special machine for cleaning balls like that, every driving range has one as well. As far as home options go you're probably stuck with the traditional ball washer or you could get creative like these people and make a powered one of your own.

[trickyputt]

Get one. Put it on a post. Hang a sign on it. Its decorative and functional. Even my wife would think it was cool.

[treebound]

I wonder what happens to the equipment at courses that close. I did a little web searching and it looks like the ones by the tee boxes list for $150-$200. I think I'll do some more searching. I've already got some ideas for the stand.

[trickyputt]

Make the stand of residencial grade posting material, ornate, lathe turned or the appearance thereof.

[dkolo]

I mean like the ones at golf courses placed next to the tee boxes, either a plunger or a rotary type? I've been thinking about getting one just because I sometimes end up with dozens of dirty balls (my own after a round, or found ones ), and while I might clean an extra ball or two while waiting to tee off, I don't want to be the guy who dumps out a bag of dozens of balls and starts running then through the course ball washer.

Now I've read stories of people running their dirty golf balls through a dishwasher or clothes washer, but let's just say that isn't an option. And while it might be tempting to head down to a local laundrymat and dumping a whole load of balls into a front load rotary washer, if I did that I would be the guy who got busted for it.

So;

1. Do you have a golf ball washer at home?

2. If so, what type and where did you get it?

I figure all those people selling all the clean used balls must have some way of cleaning them. I have no intensions of going into the recycled ball business, but I would like to get my golf balls washed.

(And remember, this is a family site. ;) )

You can bust through a ton of golf balls in the sink with a nylon brush and some dish soap in no time. Getting a ball washer for home seems... excessive. I come home from the course with around 20+ new golf balls when I have time to rummage on days the course is backed up (read: most days, haha). I find it relaxing.

[treebound]

Yeah, I'll probably end up scrubbing them by hand in a tub. Did that earlier today with a set of irons I currently have posted on the local craigslist. I just thought it would be fun, in a hobbyist sort of way, to have a legitimate ball washer at home. Just a fun golf related thing.

[trickyputt]

Yeah, I'll probably end up scrubbing them by hand in a tub. Did that earlier today with a set of irons I currently have posted on the local craigslist. I just thought it would be fun, in a hobbyist sort of way, to have a legitimate ball washer at home. Just a fun golf related thing.

actually not just a ball washer, I would also hang a ball go/nogo gauge off of it, or have it as the ball holder. There are certain stainless and aluminum pipe sections that have the correct diameter that might be incorporated... if you care to google said parameter you will see... and the station could then serve as a filter for contricity, diameter, as well as cleanliness or recoating possibly.

[drifterdon]

My ball washer is an old plastic pickle gallon jar.

I throw a dozen or so balls I have found in with some water and soap then shake it for a while.

For the really dirty ones I find, I put a few drops of bleach in. That usually cleans them up.

Not sure if it does any damage to them but usually lose them again anyway.

[trickyputt]

There is a certain lack of style in a pickle jar. I hate to say it.

[drifterdon]

I suppose but then again I don't need a stylish ball washer sitting under the bench in my garage, that's where the pickle jar goes.

[trickyputt]

Its better there, I think, than on a stylish post in the yard.

[WedgeHead]

You can bust through a ton of golf balls in the sink with a nylon brush and some dish soap in no time. Getting a ball washer for home seems... excessive. I come home from the course with around 20+ new golf balls when I have time to rummage on days the course is backed up (read: most days, haha). I find it relaxing.

I agree with this. My sink has never failed me yet.

[drifterdon]

Its better there, I think, than on a stylish post in the yard.

That is for sure.

[Zeph]

I always clean my balls and shaft during the round, and I don't go grabbing other people's balls, so I rarely need to clean larger amounts of balls.

Back when I did pick up more random balls, I just filled a sink with hot water and soap. Let them soak, clean with a brush and wipe with a towel.

[boston blackie]

Put them in a delicates mesh bag in the washing machine with your laundry.

[trickyputt]

I have read that since the balls are polymer, and therefore somewhat sensitive to heat and deforming by impact, that placing them in the freezer after washing will return them to the original roundness or shape.

[NJpatbee]

I am not much of a ball hawk thanks to my eyes, but when I do find a couple I will either clean them while waiting on a tee or in the sink after the round.  As an 18 HCP I usually play my new golf balls until I lose them or really scuff them on a cart path.