How long do golf balls stay good under water?
There are certain variables that will affect how much water a ball absorbs:
- The type of ball (2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece)
- The cover material (Surlyn or urethane)
- The temperature of the water (warmer water will increase absorption)
- How long it’s submerged
- As the core absorbs water, it can expand and separate from the cover or mantle layers
How many strokes should an average 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.
Do golf balls have a shelf life?
Golfing experts suggest that an older three-piece ball might have a shelf life of two to four years. The reason a three-piece golf ball has a relatively short shelf life is due to the nature of the elastic threading. After a balata golf ball has been used by a player a few times, it could begin to fall out of round.
Do golf balls go bad or expire?
The question that is asked first at the beginning of the article was ‘Do golf balls go bad or expire’? So the answer is yes, they go bad and expire after several years, depending on the factors discussed above. You can store the balls at cool and dry places for years, and they might not affect the performance too.
Do unused golf balls go bad?
If unused golf balls are stored at room temperature which is around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, they can last for 10 years. Golfweek.com indicates that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a new ball off the shelf and a new one that has been stored for years.
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
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."
How long are unopened golf balls good for?
There have been no definitive scientific studies on exactly how long they will be fine for however golf ball researchers at Titleist state that as long as you keep your golf balls away from excessive heat or cold they can safely be stored for five years and most likely up to a decade.
Do golf balls lose performance with age?
Do golf balls go bad over a period of time? Mike. A: I called my sales representative from Callaway Golf and he indicated that golf balls have changed a great deal over the years. He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact 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.
Does water hurt golf balls?
Does Water Affect Golf Ball Performance? Theoretically, and anecdotally, yes. A layer of water inside the ball does it no favors. Since the ball isn't able to compress as much, it will surely not be able to fly as far – especially if it's been lying in water for months, or even years.
When should I replace my 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.
Can you throw out golf balls?
You will find that curbside recycling programs and your local recycling centers typically do not accept golf balls (or most other types of sporting goods, for that matter). That is because there is no true way to recycle a golf ball. However, there are multiple companies that put golf balls back to use.
Are old golf balls worth anything?
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! See example from eBay below.
Do pro golfers use a new ball on each hole?
Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.
Do warm golf balls go further?
Generally, a warmer golf ball travels farther. The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft.
What do you do with old golf balls?
What Can You Do With Old Golf Balls?Christmas Ornaments. You can make Christmas wonders with your old golf balls. ... Garden Critters. This is another project you can choose to do yourself by using used golf balls at your disposal. ... Vase Filler. ... Table Cloth Weight. ... Massage. ... Tool For Tenderizing Meat.
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?
"Under normal storage conditions -- 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit -- a golf ball can last forever, " states The Golf Professor. That's a bit of an exaggeration: If you were ...
How long do three piece golf balls last?
"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.".
How long does it take for a Wilson golf ball to change?
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.". Solid golf balls are designed for golfers with higher handicaps. They tend to produce more distance, especially if your swing speed is slow.
Can you store golf balls for years?
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.
Cover Material
Every golf ball has two physical components: the material of its cover and the core. The cover of a golf ball is usually made of ionomer, which is the tough one, or urethane, which is the soft one.
Core Material
Most modern balls have a polymer core that withstands all swing speeds. Compared to the ones made in the past, these are extremely durable and can maintain their shape and help golfers maintain their performance. Their lifespan makes them a hot favorite among professionals.
How Long Do 2-Piece Golf Balls Last?
If you lose a 2-piece golf ball to a water body, you will lose a distance of about six yards if it’s not retrieved for a week. And if you let it be for three months, you can expect it to drop three additional yards.
Do Golf Balls Go Bad In Water?
If a 3-piece ball stays in the water for about a week, it also loses roughly six yards, and if you leave it there for three months, you can expect to lose 12 yards.
Storage Considerations
When you are not using golf balls, you must store them safely in a place that has a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In that case, golf balls will last for about 10 years.
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
Under correct storage conditions, golf balls only last about 10 years before they start to degrade. For golf balls over 20 years, it is probably best to consider a newer one. A lot of technology changes in 20 years as well, so you will best be served with a new golf ball.
Final Thoughts On How Long Do Golf Balls Last
Typically, an average golf ball does a pretty good job for seven rounds. If you don’t see any visible damage, you can keep playing seven rounds. We’re talking about 18-hole rounds here, by the way.
Shelf Life of Golf Balls
Let’s talk about unused golf balls that have been stored away. These balls will be safe and ready to use as long as they are stored at room temperature, around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. In such conditions, golf balls can actually last up to 10 years!
Do Golf Balls Go Bad Over Time (If Used)?
Asking if a golf ball goes bad over time is like asking if your teeth will rot if you do not brush them. Just like any other material in the world, is susceptible to damage the more it is used. While modern balls are longer-lasting, it does not make them immune to damage or scuffing.
Do Golf Balls Go Bad In Water?
First of all, let’s talk about having water on your club’s face or playing with a damp club in general. Suppose there is some water on your clubface. In that case, it has the potential of making any existing scuffing or damage on the golf ball even worse, as it manages to tear off some of the paint too.
How Long Should You Use Your Golf Balls?
The time it takes for a typical golf ball to wear off depends on the material, design, and conditions it is stored. It is typically thought that one ball can be played for the duration of at least 7 complete 18-hole rounds without sacrificing any of its performance or layering.
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.
Where to store golf balls?
Storing Golf Balls In Your Bag. Many people elect to put a whole box of golf balls directly in their golf bag for storage. This is generally a fine place to store them as long as your bag is put inside a temperature-controlled area. This could be your home or office, as long as the temperature remains cool, and there’s no excessive heat or dampness.
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 happens when you hit a golf ball in a bunker?
Also, when you hit your shot, the sand particles between the ball and the clubface will add extra abrasion that can cause additional damage to the ball.
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.
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.
Can you play golf with recycled golf balls?
If the recycled golf balls you find have marks on them, discoloration, or scratches that aren’t rough to the touch, they are perfectly fine to play with generally. If you can feel the scratches, scrapes, or cuts, the golf ball will not perform as well as a new ball.
How long do golf balls last?
A golf ball in good cosmetic shape will hold its shelf life for 5-7 years or seven 18-hold rounds. However, scuff marks from any unfortunate play are more likely to result in a player changing golf balls much sooner than the ball losing its core integrity.
What is the shelf life of a golf ball?
The shelf life of a golf ball. Written by Joe Morelli in Golf 101 Last Updated February 4, 2021. The life journey of a golf ball is a story of resilience. They can take a beating, no doubt. They can survive the nature of various golf terrains. Golf balls take part in all player frustrations and in the joyous glories too.
Why do golf balls scuff?
That happens due to overplay with the same ball, or when they touch wedges during a pitch shot. These scuff marks downgrade the smooth movement of the ball. If you notice that the resultant roughness is affecting the performance of the game after a hole or two, the best move would be to clean the ball or replace it.
What happens if you put a golf ball in water?
The Polyurethane foam surface used on most golf balls is made of small cells that can attract moisture. If a golf ball sits in the water for too long, water diffuses into this cover and worsens the damage already caused by scuffing. When this damage spreads to the core, your golf ball can become impossible to use.
How long does it take for a golf ball to lose drive distance?
Experts say that after several days of a golf ball sitting in water, it loses its drive distance between 5 and 10 yards.
What is the design and engineering of golf balls?
The modern-day golf ball goes through a state of the art design and engineering. They are a big step of evolution compared to their older counterparts whose structural strength relied on a single layer of material.
Do golf balls change shape?
So no matter how hard you strike a golf ball, don’t expect it to change shape. The cover bit comprises an ionomer material, which is mostly soft urethane. The durability and ability of your golf ball to resist wear and cuts really depend on the quality of the material used for this exterior. Top of the line balls uses urethane, which puts up well ...
