How long do Golf Balls last?
- Golf balls are made of rubber, which is a natural material that will deteriorate over time. ...
- The average lifespan of golf balls depends on how they’re used and stored, but most last between three to four years. ...
- If you store your golf balls in the garage or basement where it’s too cold or too hot, this can cause them to break down more quickly. ...
Full Answer
How long do golf balls stay good under water?
Jul 15, 2019 · Without visible damage, a golf ball can last up to seven 18-hole rounds without any loss of performance. In fact, you are more likely to lose a golf ball on the course before it just wears out. But as soon as the ball feels rough, you should replace it. Most golfers swap out golf balls far more frequently and there’s nothing wrong with that.
How many strokes should an average golf ball last?
Aug 13, 2021 · Changing balls mid-hole would result in a two-shot penalty in stroke play. You also want to think carefully about where you are storing your golf balls. Keeping them in excessive heat or cold will affect performance over time. As a general rule storing them at room temperature will keep them fine for five to 10 years.
Do golf balls have a shelf life?
By Jim Thomas. Titleist golf balls have a shelf life of five years or more. Unless you store your golf balls in an environment with an extreme temperature -- a freezer, for example, or during...
Do golf balls go bad or expire?
Sep 11, 2020 · Golf balls will last for 7 rounds before wear even begins to affect your game. You are more likely to lose the golf ball before you ever need to replace it. There’s no reason to use a different ball as long as there aren’t any deep gouges or cuts. We need to look at some factors, as some circumstances can affect your ball more than others.
Do new golf balls go bad?
Do Urethane Golf Balls Go Bad? Urethane golf balls are the most common outer layer of golf balls found on the market. The durable shell will last for years if new or in mint condition. If they get too scuffed up or are found in ponds they might lose performance.Jun 19, 2020
Do new golf balls deteriorate over time?
A golf ball in good cosmetic shape will hold its shelf life for 5-7 years or seven 18-hole rounds. However, scuff marks from any unfortunate play are more likely to result in a player changing golf balls much sooner than losing their core integrity.Oct 8, 2021
How long does the average golf ball last?
When To Change Your Ball Without visible damage, a golf ball can last up to seven 18-hole rounds without any loss of performance. In fact, you are more likely to lose a golf ball on the course before it just wears out. But as soon as the ball feels rough, you should replace it.
How often should you replace your golf ball?
The most simple answer to the question of how often should you change your golf ball is that there are no set rules. Some Tour players change their ball after a certain number of holes, but the truth is, this is more based on superstition than the diminishing quality of the ball itself.Dec 12, 2021
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
Do golf balls lose performance with age?
So do they? Modern golf balls are designed to be durable so their quality will not lessen through normal play. The 'surface cover' is the element of all golf balls most susceptible to damage. Provided a ball suffers only small scuffs or paint loss it can continue to be played without any loss of performance.
Do golf balls lose distance with use?
Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.
Do golf balls get waterlogged?
The golf ball core is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs water. However, it takes 12 hours for the water to get through the cover and find its way to the core. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that a golf ball that has been immersed underwater for an extended period can be waterlogged.May 22, 2021
When should you throw away a golf ball?
#1 The Bounce Test Monitor the way the balls move. The newer one is likely to have some more bounce to it since it's never been used before, but your older golf ball shouldn't be far behind it. If they both bounce at relatively the same height, your older golf ball should be okay.
How many balls can a golfer carry?
There's no limit to how many golf balls a player can carry in his or her bag, so long as they comply with the One Ball Rule, which dictates the same model and manufacturer. Rich Beem used to play with a new ball on every hole. Ernie Els believes there was only one birdie in any ball.Jun 27, 2019
Can a golfer change balls?
Fortunately, under the Rules of Golf, golfers are allowed to change golf balls at various points during a round. Under normal conditions -- meaning the ball wasn't damaged beyond reasonable use, or it didn't wind up in a water hazard or was lost -- a golfer can change golf balls in between holes.Feb 9, 2020
How many holes do pros use a golf ball?
But the best professional golfers in the world don't seem to vary the stockpile of ammo they pack for competitive rounds of The Players Championship. Indeed, it's almost a badge of honor not to add more balls on a course where water is in play on 11 holes.Oct 22, 2017
Two-Piece
Two-piece golf balls last a long time. A two-piece ball has a solid rubber core with a soft plastic or ionomer cover. Ralph Peterson, research and development director for Wilson golf balls, said, "For a two-piece ball, we've really seen no changes after five to seven years."
Three-Piece
A three-piece golf ball, usually targeted at better players, features a solid rubber or liquid center surrounded by elastic windings and a Surlyn or balata cover. "Three-piece wound balls are a bit different because they go through stress relaxation of the windings, " said Peterson, adding that they should last "a couple of years."
Storage
GolfBallTest.org debunks a myth about golf ball storage: "Storing golf balls in the freezer is never recommended and does not preserve their compression and freshness, contrary to some belief," In fact, playing with cold balls will sap your drives of their normal distance. So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile.
Considerations
Even if you can store golf balls for a years without a loss of performance, you might be disappointed in their performance when you take them to the golf course. That's because golf ball manufacturers are continually looking for cutting-edge methods to improve the performance of their balls.
How long do golf balls last?
Golf balls will last for 7 rounds before wear even begins to affect your game. You are more likely to lose the golf ball before you ever need to replace it. There’s no reason to use a different ball as long as there aren’t any deep gouges or cuts.
How many rounds can you get out of a golf ball?
You should be able to get at least seven rounds out of a golf ball, at least according to Golf Week and Golf Digest. This assertion is just a generalized average, and many factors could contribute to it being longer or shorter than that.
What is the cover of a golf ball made of?
The cover of a golf ball is made of one of two materials: urethane or ionomer. These two materials are overwhelmingly used in golf balls’ production, and both have very different characteristics. But which is better for durability and longevity?
What is an ionomer cover?
Ionomer covers are used on the more affordable golf ball lines and tend to have a more solid feel. The more clicky feel is something many players don’t enjoy but does come with the positive of the cover being extremely durable. Players often speak of how hard these golf balls feel, which is due to the ionomer cover and its stable properties.
What happens when you pick a golf ball off the top of the sand?
When you have to pick the ball off the top of the sand, the club’s grooves are more likely to damage the cover.
Do golf balls have longevity?
If you are playing on a well-manicured, top-notch golf course, your golf ball will have increased longevity. The ball will roll across perfect, luscious fairways and greens, and you don’t have to worry about any nasty tree roots or hardpan.
How Long Does A Golf Ball Last?
Studies have been completed that show a golf ball can last up to 7 rounds of golf – 18 holes per round before needing to be replaced. The golf ball will perform at a high level for the 7 rounds before the majority of golfers notice any difference.
When To Replace A Golf Ball?
So when should you replace a golf ball if you are fortunate enough not to lose it in the trees or in a water hazard. There are two key times when you should replace the golf ball.
How Long Do Pros Use a Golf Ball For?
This will vary by golfer. In the days of balata covered golf balls, professionals could change golf balls every 3-4 holes because the cover was more likely to get a mark or the covered get beat up and needed to be changed.
How Many Golf Balls Should You Carry in Your Bag?
I would recommend having at least 5-6 golf balls in your bag, but for some reason 12-18 feels more right. The last thing you want to worry about on a golf course is if you are going to run out of golf balls in the middle or the end of a round.
My Personal Experience
Recently, I wanted to test how long I could use a golf ball for. I made it 40 holes before losing the ball in the water hazard. During the first two rounds I shot a 73 and a 75 with the golf ball and was even par through the first 4 holes of the 3rd round.
What Golf Ball Would You Recommend?
There are really some very good options on today’s golf market. You will see golf ball priced in the upper 40 dollar range and some as cheap at 15 dollars.
Final Thoughts
Golf balls have come a long way from the balata balls of the past. They now fly higher, longer and with the right amount of spin. One top of all of that they also last a long time.
How Long Do Golf Balls Last?
The lifespan of a golf ball can be an eternity. There is no exact expiring date for a golf ball. As long as you are not storing your golf ball in extreme temperatures, it will last for years. If you ask about reasonable storage conditions, it is safe to say that under 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it is more likely to last forever.
The Longevity of Two-Piece Golf Ball
Generally, a two-piece golf ball lasts longer. It has a durable rubber core and a more hardened outer layer. This hardcover is less prone to scratches and cuts. Experts usually recommend it for beginners.
Longevity of Three Piece Golf Ball
A three-piece golf ball has less life expectancy than a two-piece golf ball. Professional players usually have this ball. It comes with a solid rubber outer covering; the balata cover makes it tighter and firmer.
Does Longevity Depend Upon How You Store It?
The way you store your golf balls directly impacts the performance and, thus, on the balls’ longevity. If you can ensure the ball storage under room temperature and don’t keep it in the scorching heat, your golf ball will go a long way.
Does the Durability of Golf Balls Depend on Its Cover?
The durability of a golf ball depends on the type of cover you choose. Usually, golf ball covers are made of two different materials—a softer urethane or a durable ionomer material (surlyn).
Does the Durability of Golf Balls Depend on Its Core?
The core of a golf ball is the most powerful and most significant portion of the ball. The core is the engine of your golf ball. It is responsible for one thing, and that is power.
When Should You Change Your Golf Ball?
It takes a lot of swings just to wear out a golf ball. The ball is expected to survive at least seven 18 hole rounds. You should not see any loss of distance in your drive or face problems with ball control.
