how long should a golf ball last

by Dixie Stracke Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

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.

How long should you use the same golf ball?

Jul 29, 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 · 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.

Do golf balls go bad or expire?

Apr 04, 2022 · As long as they are kept away from excessive heat or cold, they are safe. The Golf Professor suggests that a golf ball must be put under normal storage conditions (70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit) so it can last “forever.”. Keep your balls in a cool and dry place; thus, normal indoor conditions should be alright.

How often should golf balls be replaced?

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

How many rounds of golf should a golf ball last?

seven

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 long are new golf balls good for?

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."

When should you throw away a golf ball?

Now, see if your ball is going to float. Drop it in, and walk away for a minute or two. If the cover is intact, then there should be absolutely no leakage to the internal area of your golf ball. If it starts to sink or you see any air bubbles coming up at all, it's a sign that the cover has a microfracture.

Do old golf balls lose distance?

A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.

Do used golf balls lose distance?

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?

If you're a PGA Tour pro, you might swap out every few holes because, well, you get your pellets for free. But what about for those of us that pay for our spheres? According to Frederick Waddell, Titleist's senior manager of golf ball product management, play it until you lose it.May 22, 2018

How do you know if a golf ball is bad?

If your golf ball is taking a lot of abuse on the course — such as hitting cart paths or rocks and gathering a lot of scuff marks — it's time to replace your golf ball. If you are so lucky still to have a pristine ball after seven complete 18-hole rounds, consider swapping for a new golf ball.Oct 8, 2021

Do softer golf balls go further?

Although softer golf balls go further from the tee for lower swing speed players, the gap across the whole range of ball types is only around 5 yards, so it is more important to fit the ball to your irons and then fit your driver to your preferred ball to maximise distance.Feb 8, 2016

Do scuffs affect golf balls?

If you take one thing away from this article, it should be that any disruption on the surface of the golf ball, whether that's mud or a scuff, has the potential to affect the flight of the golf ball. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about mud on your ball but the good news is that its impact is predictable.Oct 6, 2021

What can I do with old golf balls?

What to Do With Old Golf Balls

Selling 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.

Jan 19, 2022

Are golf balls found in water still good?

When the golf ball eventually dries out, it is still not as effective as a golf ball that did not spend any time submerged in the water. The longer the ball stays in the water, the less it will fly. Now, you may be thinking you can live without a few extra yards as long as you save some money.

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 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.

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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.