
Lake golf balls or simply lake balls are commonly used terms to describe balls that have been lost in play, traditionally in lakes, rivers and water hazards. However, many of the lake golf balls sold are found in any location of the golf course, including when they have been simply lost in the rough areas or even lost outside of the golf course.
What are lake golf balls and how are they used?
What are Lake Golf Balls? Lake golf balls are those that have been submerged in water hazards on golf courses. When you play on a golf course with lots of lakes or hazards, it’s common for one (or several) of your balls to find the water, in spite of your best efforts.
How many golf balls are in a lake?
10 Balls – 12 Balls – 20 Balls – 24 Balls – 30 Balls – 36 Balls – 40 Balls – 48 Balls – 50 Balls – 72 Balls – 100 Balls – 150 Balls – 200 Balls – 500 Balls – 1000 Balls What are Lake Balls? Lake golf balls or simply lake balls are commonly used terms to describe balls that have been lost in play, traditionally in lakes, rivers and water hazards.
How much do lake balls cost?
For recreational golfers, the main difference that lake balls make is on your bank balance. While you will have to fork out between $40-$50 for a brand-new pack of twelve golf balls from Titleist, you could, theoretically, pick up twelve lake balls from the same brand for half the cost.
Are ‘golf balls’ bad for lakes?
Golf balls are tough, so what’s the harm of them being in the water and are they really bad for lakes? Actually there are quite a few issues, and the environmental impact might be more extensive than you think. It’s such a big problem that you will be fined if caught hitting balls into nature on purpose.

Do lake golf balls make a difference?
If you've a mid-level handicapper then you are unlikely to notice the minor differences between a brand new golf ball and a lake ball. The fact that they have been under water for a length of time will more than likely have zero impact on your game!
What does Lake ball mean?
Definition of lake ball : a compact rounded mass of organic material sometimes formed in sediment on a lake bottom.
Do lake balls lose distance?
The further result is significant damage to the golf ball's core, which is designed to be ball's energy source. Studies show that after just one week in the water, lake balls will lose 5 to 10 yards in driving distance off of the tee; after 3 months, the distance loss widens to 20 to 30 yards.
Are water golf balls good?
They basically found that there was almost no difference in the performance of all of the golf balls. Using Trackman to trackball flight, carry distance, and roll distance, their testing revealed that golf balls that had been submerged for as long as 5 months performed just as well as brand new golf balls.
Are lake balls worth buying?
If you are a beginner looking for the best of the best, the lake golf balls would not be the best choice. If you are a beginner that is frustrated with losing golf balls continually and angry with how expensive this game is, then don't hesitate to give those lake golf balls a shot.
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 do you clean lake balls?
0:100:46How to Clean Dirty Golf Balls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you find some old balls out there in the woods. And you want to clean them up a bit you've gotMoreOr you find some old balls out there in the woods. And you want to clean them up a bit you've got something nice and you want to be able to use it in your next round.
Are golf balls found in a pond still good?
Does Water Ruin Golf Balls? It depends on how long a golf ball has immersed underwater. Even waterlogged golf balls can last a long time, but their playing effectiveness will decrease.
Do golf balls get old if not used?
Do Golf Balls Have a Shelf Life? AKA: Will an Unused Golf Ball Expire? You can usually get about 10 years out of an unused golf ball, again, provided that it is stored properly. The best temperature for golf ball storage is around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do PGA players use a new ball every 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.
Does a golf ball go further when its wet?
Rain increases air humidity creating thicker air which leads to more resistance to the golf ball in flight. The golf ball will therefore not travel as far in the rain and even more so in cold wet weather. It is estimated steady rain causes a negative effect on 'carry' distance of around 3-5 yards.
Do golf balls get worse over time?
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.
Should you buy Lake Balls?
The cost of golf balls seems to be getting higher and higher . Unless you’re a professional golfer or have money to burn, you’ve probably looked into buying refurbished or water golf balls. However the big question everyone wants to know is “Are Lake Balls Any Good?”.
Lake Balls – What do the golf experts say?
When it comes to buying second hand golf balls and everyone wanting to know are lake balls any good, we’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help answer all of your questions. In my research I found this excellent video from YouTube Golf superstar Rick Shiels. He discussed refurbished golf balls and lake balls.
What are the best lake golf balls?
I recently bought some lake golf balls from Amazon. I was actually due to be playing the Celtic Manor 2010 course, I knew this golf course has lots of water so I was trying to preserve my bank balance! I opted for the Srixon Soft Feel golf balls. These were excellent and classed as Grade A golf balls.
What is the cover of a golf ball made of?
The cover of the golf ball is usually made of Surlyn or a Urethane material. The dimple pattern on the golf ball is created by following the USGA guidelines regarding golf balls suitable for play.
What happens when you put an old golf ball in a pond?
There are some scratches, some slight imperfections, but it is an otherwise suitable golf ball. When this type of golf ball heads into a pond or a lake, it gets waterlogged pretty quickly.
What is a lower handicap golfer?
A lower handicap player usually has higher than average swing speed and the ability to launch and carry the ball as far as they need. Playing golf with a harder two-piece golf ball will not give this player the ability to stop and spin the ball the way they want to.
How long does it take for a golf ball to get waterlogged?
When this type of golf ball heads into a pond or a lake, it gets waterlogged pretty quickly. In some studies, it only takes a few hours for the water to reach the inner core and start to impact the yardage on the golf ball.
Why is the core of a golf ball not as active?
When this happens, the core is not nearly as active as it was because of the water. It loses most of its spring effect that makes it fly. 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.
Can you paint a refurbished golf ball?
The paint on the refurbished balls does not seem to hold up entirely as well as those on a brand new golf ball. If the look of the golf ball on the first tee is crucial to you, a refurbished golf ball could be a great choice. If, however, you are just looking for a deal on a golf ball, just buy used balls.
Can you submerge a golf ball in water?
If you take a brand new, never hit golf ball and submerge it in water, you will get a very different result than a ball that has been played for quite some time. A new golf ball has no cuts or scratches in the cover. It has never been compressed with the force of a golf club.
