
What is the average life span of a golf ball?
The lifespan of an average golf ball is usually two rounds at best – many players will switch out their clubs every few shots if they are struggling with accuracy on the course. Golf balls generally last for about 1,000 shots. If you are playing two rounds of golf in one day, that’s 2,000 shots or so.
How long do golf balls last on the shelf?
Shelf Life of a Golf Ball
- Two-Piece. Two-piece golf balls last a long time. ...
- 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.
- Storage. ...
- Considerations. ...
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. Of course, the impulsive whacks they get every time is one main reason for their subsequent decompression.
Is your life filled with golf balls or sand?
The sand is everything else—-the small stuff. ‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Do golf balls have an expiry date?
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.
How long do unused golf balls last?
What's the Shelf Life of a Golf Ball? 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.
Do golf balls get too old?
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.
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."
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 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.
What do you do with old golf balls?
What to Do With Old Golf BallsSelling Old Golf Balls. Many people don't know that used golf balls can also be sold. ... Give Away Old Balls. ... Clean & Reuse Golf Balls. ... Turn Old Golf Balls Into Decorations. ... Use an Old Golf Ball as a Massage Tool. ... Use an Old Golf Ball as a Meat Tenderizer.
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.
Does water hurt golf balls?
But if golf balls sit in the water for longer periods of time, permanent damage will be the result. While invisible from the outside, this damage will clearly affect the driving distance off of the tee. The further result is significant damage to the golf ball's core, which is designed to be ball's energy source.
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 is the number one golf ball on tour?
Pro V1Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it's a great ball for non-superstars as well. The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee.
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 does a golf ball last?
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.
What is a golf ball?
The modern golf ball is a pretty impressive, resilient piece of equipment. They are made to withstand high swing speeds, the sometimes unpredictable terrain of a golf course, and the errant shot.
Do golfers swap out their balls?
Most golfers swap out golf balls far more frequently and there’s nothing wrong with that. Maybe you had a bad hole and want to make a switch or you like hitting a new ball every round. Just know that it takes a lot of swings to wear out a ball.
Do all golf balls have the same durability?
Not all golf balls are created equal and there are a variety of factors that affect durability. Let’s take a look at the important things to keep in mind when it comes to the life of your golf ball.
Can you store golf balls in the freezer?
Storing your golf balls in a freezer has the same effect. If you keep them indoors at normal room temperatures, they will last for years without losing performance on the shelf. Don’t be afraid to stockpile your favorites, they will last you quite a while.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
What was the golf ball made of?
In the past, the golf ball was made of rubber. Different layers of rubber were wound together with threads. With strong hits, the thread inside the ball would take the beating. So if you have a golf ball which was used at some time from the past then the ball would not be in good condition to have accurate flight trajectory.
Can golf balls travel farther than they were made today?
A golf ball made a decade ago can travel a lesser distance than the ones made today. A lot of effort is put into research in making balls that can offer more forgiveness and more distance.
Do golf balls have shelf life?
Wrap Up: Do Golf Balls Have A Shelf Life. It is a general rule, in almost all the sports, athletes and equipment have improved over time slowly. It is even possible that the players in the past cannot compete with the present pro golfers. The research into right swing speed, posture, technological advances in equipment has produced results in ...
Will golf balls be better in 2030?
The golf ball made today if kept under normal condition will remain in perfect condition even if used after a decade later but in 2030 golf balls would have evolved to perform much better than they are today. So you will not like playing with them as a serious golfer.
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.
