
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. ...
How long should you use the same golf ball?
Jun 04, 2021 · 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 · How long does a golf ball last? The research says you can get seven rounds out of a golf ball before seeing a drop off in performance but obviously that will vary depending on what happens to it. If it catches a tree or path and gets scuffed, that number is going to go down.
How long do golf balls stay good under water?
Feb 09, 2022 · Typically, golf balls last about 7-rounds before you should change them out for another one. If you don’t see any visible damage after 7-rounds, you can keep playing with it for another 7-rounds. Many golfers like to use the same ball for as long as possible. But there are many golfers that you will notice changing the ball quite often.
Do golf balls go bad or expire?
Sep 13, 2021 · The average lifespan of golf balls depends on how they’re used and stored, but most last between three to four years. Golf balls have a lifespan that ranges from one to three years, but there are factors that can affect how long they last. Factors such as the golf ball’s use and storage will depend on how quickly it breaks down.

How many years do golf balls last?
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
When should you throw away a golf ball?
Once the cover is cracked, it's completely useless to you. Sometimes, the noise will be a little bit faded, which could just mean that your golf balls are on their way out but haven't completely died yet. If you play competitively, you should replace them right away.
How can you tell if a golf ball is still good?
Follow these steps to determine if your favorite golf balls have lost their edge:Examine Them. This is the easiest way to identify an obviously bum golf ball, but it's also only the first step in the process of looking for more subtle quality issues. ... Float Them. You've heard of a root beer float. ... Drop Them. ... Drop a Dime.Sep 20, 2021
How often should you replace a 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 get worn out?
Balls are likely to be lost or damaged before they wear out. According to Golf Digest, unless there is visible damage to the cover, the average golf ball should last at least seven full 18-hole rounds without any degradation in performance.
Are old unused golf balls still good?
He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact performance. Although, golf balls with scuff marks could impact the ball's performance. This occurs from over-play, or by hitting other objects; rocks, trees, cart paths, etc.Jan 3, 2018
How long should golf clubs last?
3 years to 10 yearsThe standard set of golf clubs is going to last from 3 years to 10 years, depending on the number of rounds played per year, and how well you take care of your clubs. If you play a few times per month, you can expect your clubs to wear out much quicker than the golfer who plays just a handful of times per year.Apr 12, 2021
Are old golf balls worth any money?
Because of the age and the craftsmanship put into these balls they are among the ones that have the highest price tag of collectible golf balls. These balls are referred to as antique, and goes for sums upwards of +$5000!May 25, 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
How many rounds does a golf ball last?
sevenWithout 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.
How many golf balls do pros carry?
How many balls can a pro golfer carry in his bag? Essentially, they can carry nine golf balls at a single time, but this isn't some crazy rule. In truth, they can carry around as many as they want, or as many as their caddies are willing to carry.
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.
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.
Do golf balls lose compression over time?
When properly stored at favorable conditions and are still unstrained, most golf balls don’t lose compression over time. One agent that affects compression is temperature. Since the environmental temperatures (at the golf course or in the storage shelf) aren’t always under our control, compression of golf balls will likely dissipate as time passes.
Should you store golf balls in a freezer?
An old golf myth states that storing your golf ball in the freezer would maintain its compression. Myths are myths, after all. Have you ever played golf during cold weather? You know it can cause you to lose distance. Playing with cold golf balls weakens the impulse of their supposed range.
Storage Temperature for Golf Balls
Storing your golf balls in an environment with extreme temperatures can bring about unfavorable effects. Whether you store them in a freezer or in a sunny space, you will regret it either way. As long as they are kept away from excessive heat or cold, they are safe.
Shelf Life of a Golf Ball
A golf ball, in reality, won’t last forever. Maybe it can last for a few decades, but no scientific studies can determine its accurate shelf life. However, keeping your golf balls on a shelf for long-term storage will make them last quite a while without effacing their current performance.
Types of Golf Balls
The two-piece golf ball has a soft ionomer cover (used to withstand the impact of errant strikes and rough terrain) and a solid rubber core (which is difficult to damage). It is a distance-type golf ball designed for players with higher handicaps. This ball usually lasts a long time.
When To Change Your Golf Ball?
Golf balls are impossibly impressive if they do not wear out at all. Besides the speedy swings and forceful blows they take, they may land on tough grounds and unfriendly surfaces, taking impacts that may later lead to damages.
Bonus Tips
Its height of bounce is lower than usual. Purchase a new golf ball. Compare its height of bounce to the older one you suspect is flawed. Their level of release should be equal, so expect an equal height of bounce, too. If the bounce height of the old golf ball is relatively low, it’s time to replace it.
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.
