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Used Golf Ball Test: Do Older Balls Lose Any Performance?
How many of you have played a golf ball for one or two rounds and then stopped using it once it showed a few visible scuff marks? Many golfers (including myself) are quick to discard balls because they assume that the performance has declined once they look a little worn. I decided to put it to the test – how do used golf balls perform versus new ones?
I think the results will surprise you…
Hundreds of Millions of Lost Balls
There is an enormous secondary market for used golf balls. It is estimated that there are as many as 400 million lost golf balls out there, and guys like this risk their lives to recover them.
Many websites sell used golf balls in varying conditions to golfers who are looking to snag a discount. For this test, I was sent 3-dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls in varying condition from the website Two Guys With Balls.
Like many of the other companies, they rate there balls in several categories based on visible wear. Here is the breakdown with estimated costs for a dozen Pro V1s:
- Eagle: Brand new ball that just came out of the sleeve and was only played a few holes – $19.99/dozen
- Birdie: Still in newer condition, but have a visible discoloration or imperfections – $12.99/dozen
- Par: Think of a ball that struck a cart path with visible scuffs and faded logos – $8.99/dozen
Here are some pics of that show you a visual representation. Each of the balls was consistent with the conditions shown on their website:
How Did The Used Balls Perform?
For the test, I took a random selection of the balls sent to me and tested each of them on my launch monitor. I hit full shots with a Sand Wedge, which gives a real indication of how well they can still spin. Then I hit my driver to see if there were any issues with overall spin and distance. All results were compared against a brand new Titleist Pro V1 out of the sleeve.
Here are the results broken down by the ball category:
Sand Wedge
| Ball Quality | Ball Speed (mph) | Total Spin (rpm) | Launch Angle (degrees) | Carry Yards | Total Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | 85 | 8127 | 30.6 | 102 | 107 |
| Eagle | 85 | 8030 | 30.3 | 103 | 108 |
| Birdie | 84 | 8114 | 30.1 | 101 | 106 |
| Par | 86 | 8219 | 30.2 | 104 | 109 |
Driver
| Ball Quality | Ball Speed (mph) | Total Spin (rpm) | Launch Angle (degrees) | Carry Yards | Total Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | 148 | 1969 | 14.7 | 242 | 270 |
| Eagle | 149 | 2028 | 13.5 | 246 | 275 |
| Birdie | 149 | 2041 | 13.6 | 244 | 273 |
| Par | 148 | 2084 | 13.6 | 243 | 271 |
As you can see the data is almost identical. While I can’t strike every golf ball exactly the same, there were no real measurable differences in performance between the used golf balls and the new one. This was a surprise to me. I thought I would see some attrition in the “par” balls that had visible scuff marks.
Think Twice Before You Stop Using That Ball
To me, this test proved a couple of things. If you are playing a premium golf ball like a Pro V1, don’t be so quick to discard them if they start showing some visible signs of wear.
Secondly, if you are looking to save some money, purchasing used golf balls can save you some serious money without sacrificing any performance.
As a cheapskate who often hits balls of trees, rocks, and cartpaths, this article makes me very, very happy.
As a follow-up, do you have any idea how old the used balls were? Is there any degradation over time or when balls are left in water? I assume some of the balls you hit may have spent some time at the bottom of a pond, so I guess that doesn’t affect them?
I think it’s safe to assume many of these balls were recovered from water hazards, but it’s hard to know their exact origin. Either way, the balls didn’t seem to show any serious changes in performance which is good news for everyone!
I find your report to be as I play both new on occation and used most oftern.
One thing that stands out that it is harder to find a used ball in the grass as they do not shine like new ones do
Thanks Jon, very revealing – if this is the case I would imagine putting results would not be any different although this is why I usually remove a ball out of habit.
Did you measure their accuracy. I would think that a scuffed ball would hook or slice more than a new one. After all, don’t cheating pitchers scuff baseballs to make them curve more.
there were no significant differences in the ball flight according to the launch monitor
I’m gonna think twice before I get rid of a experienced golf ball
Do golf balls have a best-before date? Say after 2 or 3 years, do new balls loose their bounce and spin?
there isn’t a true guideline for this, I’ve tested balls that were more than 20 years old that performed fairly well. With today’s solid-core balls, they should last a very long time but it’s impossible to establish a specific timeframe.
Pro v1s may be good….what about other brands?
I can’t speak specifically for other brands, but I think if you are buying another premium golf ball with a urethane cover you can expect to have a very good performance for quite some time.
I play with premium golf balls and would only stop using a ball when I lose it. Have gone up to 8 rounds with the same ball so not surprised with Jon’s test results at all.
Good info and I have been using used balls for a long time.
As a female golfer, should women use a different compression golf ball?
Is 80 the recommended compression for a female? Any recommendations?
Flawed study: No control as to age of balls (Ttileist changes graphics frequently so you can tell), No control as to how many times and how hard these balls have been compressed in the past. Too much speculation. Still, useful info if you accept the assumptions.
I’m a poor to mediocre hacker, and I use “recycled” balls all the time. I only use new I have received as gifts or miraculously won in closest-to-the-pin contests in company tournaments. I hit so inconsistently there is no way the ball can have any real impact on my “game”.