How much money do golf ball divers make?
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t collect statistics on golf ball divers specifically, its website suggests divers might earn about $200 a day. With 260 work days in a year (that is, if you don’t take any vacation), that’s $52,000. But that’s a gross figure.
What are the dangers of being a golf ball diver?
Golf ball divers work in crews for safety reasons. They may face danger from wildlife, such as alligators, and from objects hidden underwater. And scuba equipment is heavy, so obstacles such as a fishing line could trap and drown divers. The tasks are also physically demanding, repetitive, and tiring.
What do golf ball divers do?
What they do. Golf ball divers are professional recyclers: They retrieve golf balls, which are then cleaned, repackaged, and resold. Before beginning work at a golf course, they meet formally with its owner or manager to agree on the terms of the job.
Is 15 million golf balls a lot of golf balls?
It’s not exactly easy money — 15 million golf balls is a lot of golf balls. Perhaps even an impossible amount: According to USA Today’s math, he’d need to collect almost 4,000 golf balls a day, seven days a week — or to collect, en masse, a year’s worth of water-hazard balls at 34 or more different golf courses.
How much do you get paid to dive for golf balls?
between $50,000 and $100,000 annuallyOver the past couple of decades, golf ball retrieval and recycling has become a multimillion-dollar industry, in which hardworking divers can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on the economy and a diver's stomach for harsh conditions. Still, the wealth does not come cheaply.
How do you become a golf ball diver?
To become a golf ball diver, an individual must be certified for unrestricted commercial scuba diving, which may require up to 200 hours of diving experience. They must also be certified in first aid and dive rescue, in good physical health, and should enjoy working outdoors at all times of the year.
How do I start a golf ball diving business?
0:144:32How To Start A Golf Ball Retrieval Business - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCourse all right and go into a local course. And what you can do is you can build a relationshipMoreCourse all right and go into a local course. And what you can do is you can build a relationship with the owners all right as a third-party outsource. For retrieving the golf balls.
Are golf balls profitable?
And used Titleist golf balls sell for up to $1.50 each on eBay. You can also gather up all your worst balls and sell them as “hit away” or “shag” balls that are used for driving practice. You'll only get 5 to 10 cents each for these, but you'll sell them in batches of 300 to 600.
Is diving for golf balls a job?
Golf ball divers are professional recyclers: They retrieve golf balls, which are then cleaned, repackaged, and resold. Before beginning work at a golf course, they meet formally with its owner or manager to agree on the terms of the job.
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.
How much do golf ball picker uppers make?
Golf Ball Picker SalariesJob TitleSalaryNot Applicable Golf Ball Picker salaries - 1 salaries reported$10/hrStrongsville Golf Golf Ball Picker salaries - 1 salaries reported$10/hr
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."
How many golf balls are in a pond?
Weynand, 28, averages about 200 to 300 balls per pond but said many variables can affect the amount of balls in a lake, from the season to the location to whether they came from a left-handed or right-handed shot.
Is selling golf balls a good business?
There are even some companies that hire people to find them used golf balls. Selling used golf balls is a great way to make money. But before you sell them, it is important to know how much to charge and how to make sure that they are ready for sale. Golf Ball hunting is a very lucrative business.
Do golf balls expire?
Yes, golf balls can go bad, but it is dependent on a number of factors. The materials used to construct the golf ball, storage temperature and care and maintenance all play a huge part in the life of a golf ball. Most golf balls can last for several hundred rounds of golf or up to 10 years.
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! See example from eBay below.
How much do golf ball divers make a day?
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t collect statistics on golf ball divers specifically, its website suggests divers might earn about $200 a day.
How much does Glenn Berger make retrieving golf balls?
Money doesn’t grow on trees. But maybe it lurks in shallow waters. Glenn Berger says he earns about $15 million a year retrieving golf balls from water hazards in golf courses around Florida. He dives for balls, collects them, cleans them and resells them to driving ranges for a buck a piece.
What is the golf capital of Florida?
Florida is the home of The Player’s Club, Sawgrass and the PGA TOUR’s headquarters, and is widely considered the golf capital of the nation. Because of the elite reputation of the course, players — even amateurs — who visit the TPC-Sawgrass course use high-quality balls that might sell for almost $50 per dozen.
How much do golf ball divers make?
Buyers include the golf course, retailers, and golf ball companies. Anecdotal information suggests that divers earn about $200 a day.
Why do golf ball divers work?
Golf ball divers work in crews for safety reasons . They may face danger from wildlife, such as alligators, and from objects hidden underwater. And scuba equipment is heavy, so obstacles such as a fishing line could trap and drown divers. The tasks are also physically demanding, repetitive, and tiring.
How do two person dive crews work?
Roller. Two-person dive crews may work with a roller, which consists of metal discs on wheels. The roller’s metal grooves grasp balls as it moves through the water. Crewmembers stand on the ground at opposite ends of the pond and guide the roller by pulling on a wire connected to it.
How old do you have to be to dive golf ball?
Golf ball divers must be at least 18 years old and be certified for unrestricted commercial scuba diving. Certification may require up to 200 hours of dive experience, including low visibility diving, underwater navigation, and search and recovery.
How many ponds are there in a golf course?
A typical golf course has between 4 and 12 ponds. Divers spend 8 to 10 hours per day harvesting the ponds and may need multiple days to finish a job. Depending on the size of each pond, divers recover balls with the help of a dive crew or a roller.
Why do golfers dive?
Golf ball divers enjoy working outside. Because golf courses are generally well maintained, the manicured landscapes are attractive and designed for comfortable walking. But the conditions that draw golfers to the course are often the ones that challenge divers.
What do you need to know before you start working at a golf course?
Before beginning work at a golf course, they meet formally with its owner or manager to agree on the terms of the job. For example, the course charges the diver a fee for the opportunity to harvest the ponds.
How much money can a golf ball diver make?
How much money could you make as a golf ball diver? A golf ball diver usually earns from $50,000 to $100,000 a year, which is what we at MoneyMagpie call a decent sum. The independent diver or the company they represent usually signs an esclusive contract with 10-20 courses to retrieve their water hazard’s balls.
How many golf balls are recycled each year?
Every year, around one billion balls are produced, but nearly 100 million of these are later salvaged and recycled.
