Hi fellow golfers! Today we’re having a look at lake golf balls, as there’s been quite a bit of chat about them in the golfing community recently. So, what are lake golf balls? The clue is in the name, they are golf balls that have been lost in lakes or other water hazards around the golf course. They are also known as recycled or reclaimed golf balls.
Once lake golf balls are recovered, they are then cleaned, sorted and graded, sometimes they are even reconditioned. Once they are sorted and graded they are then resold at a fraction of the price of new golf balls. Who doesn’t want to save money on new golf balls?
The popularity of lake golf balls among golfers comes from several key benefits. Firstly, they offer significant cost savings, golf is an expensive hobby and lake golf balls allow golfers to save a few pounds by purchasing premium brands at much lower prices. Secondly, using recycled golf balls is an environmentally friendly choice, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability within the sport.
Finally, lake golf balls provide an excellent option for both practice rounds and casual play, you’d rather lose a lake golf ball than a brand new Titleist pro v1 that cost close to £5 a ball. This is what makes lake golf balls a practical choice for golfers of all skill levels.
What are Lake Golf Balls?
In the intro we’ve briefly explained what they are, golf balls that have been lost in water hazards on golf courses. Their origin lies in the numerous lakes, ponds, and water hazards that are common on golf courses. Over time, a significant number of golf balls end up in these water hazards, and between the Golfer Guide team we have definitely contributed to hundreds of lake balls!
How are they Collected?
So, we know how they end up in the water hazards, but how are they taken out?
The process of collecting lake golf balls involves several steps, this is to ensure the balls are suitable for reuse. Believe it or not, professional divers or specialised machines are typically employed to retrieve the balls from water hazards. Divers, such as Nicky Dorfel pictured below, use underwater equipment to locate and gather the submerged golf balls, often working in coordination with golf courses to periodically clear the water hazards.
As well as divers specialised machines can be used. Underwater golf ball retrievers are fairly common, more common than divers and are a few different retrievers out there. Firstly you may have seen individual golf ball retrievers that are carried around in golfers bags like a golf club. They usually extend and have a “cup” at the end to cup the golf ball and get it out of the water. We’ve had varied levels of success with these, but for just retrieving your own golf balls they are fairly good, however unclear water makes it much more difficult to locate and retrieve your ball.
As well as individual golf ball retrievers, the most common and success are those used by golf companies or specialist lake golf ball companies. They are big almost like rollers that roll down the bank of the lake and across the bottom of the lake, capturing balls as it goes over them. 100s of golf balls can be retrieved in one go using these specialised machines.
As they are specialist machines and quite large, they aren’t really suitable for personal use and you would need permission from the golf club to be able to use these on the course
Once collected, the next step is to clean up the lake golf balls, to remove dirt, algae, and any other debris. After cleaning, the balls are inspected and sorted based on their condition and quality. High quality balls that are usually more expensive to buy may be reconditioned or refurbished to enhance their appearance and performance before being packaged and sold. This entire process ensures that golfers receive high-quality, affordable golf balls that perform well on the course.
Quality and Grading
When purchasing lake golf balls, it’s important to understand the grading system, you what to know the quality of the golfballs you are buying. The grading system is used almost universally, it indicates the quality and condition of the balls. Here are the common grading categories used with the golfing industry:
Mint Condition Lake Golf Balls
Mint condition balls are nearly indistinguishable from new ones, you cannot tell the difference. They show very minimal to no signs of wear and tear, maintaining their original appearance and more importantly, performance. These lake golf balls offer the best value for those looking to save money without compromising on quality.
A-Grade Lake Golf Balls
A-Grade lake golf balls are in excellent condition, these balls only minor cosmetic imperfections such as small scuffs or slight discolouration. More importantly these imperfections do not affect the ball’s performance, making A-Grade balls a great choice for most golfers.
B-Grade Lake Golf Balls
B-Grade balls are more common and usually have noticeable imperfections, including larger scuffs, maybe faded logos, or minor surface scratches. While these lake golf balls are still perfectly playable, they may exhibit slight variations in performance compared to new or Mint balls. B-Grade balls are still a good choice for casual play or practice rounds.
C-Grade Lake Golf Balls
C-Grade lake golf balls show significant signs of use. These golf balls have imperfections such as deep scuffs, discolouration, or other visible damage. They are best suited for practice or driving range use, you probably don’t want to use these on your rounds, as their performance may be inconsistent.
Performance Comparison
When comparing lake golf balls to new golf balls, there are a few key factors to look at:
- Appearance: New golf balls are pristine, who doesn’t love new, clean, perfect golf balls. While lake golf balls may have cosmetic imperfections depending on their grade. Mint and A-Grade lake balls closely resemble new balls, while B-Grade and C-Grade balls show more wear and tear.
- Performance: For the most part, Mint and A-Grade lake balls perform very similarly to new golf balls, providing comparable distance, spin, and feel. However, B and C-Grade balls may have slight performance variations. This is due to their surface imperfections. While these differences are usually minor, they can be more noticeable to lower handicap players who rely on precise shot control.
- Durability: New balls generally offer maximum durability since they have not been exposed to the elements or been used previously. Mint and A-Grade lake golf balls maintain much of their original durability, while lower-grade balls may show reduced lifespan due to prior wear and of course water exposure.
Overall, lake golf balls, particularly those in Mint and A-Grade condition, provide an excellent balance of cost savings and performance, making them a viable option for golfers without the premium price tag.
Benefits of Using Lake Golf Balls
We’ve already mentioned a few of the advantages and benefits of using lake golf balls, but let’s take a look in more detail. Let’s see if you’d benefit from any of the below points.
Cost Savings
This is the main point. The main reason so many golfers use lake golf balls is the significant cost savings they offer compared to buying brand new golf balls. New golf balls, especially those from premium brands, can be very expensive, especially if you are prone to losing one or two during a round. Lake golf balls, on the other hand, are often sold at a fraction of the price, making them an attractive option for budget conscious golfers.
Lake golf balls allow golfers to enjoy high quality balls without breaking the bank. You aren’t as annoyed when you lose a lake golf ball compared to a brand new one. Of course, it’s still frustrating but less so when they cost a fraction of the price.
Environmental Impact
Lake golf balls contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting recycling and reducing waste. By retrieving and reusing lake golf balls that would otherwise remain submerged in water hazards helps reduce the need for manufacturing new balls. This, in turn, lowers the demand for raw materials and decreases the environmental footprint associated with producing new golf balls within the golf industry. Additionally, recycling golf balls helps keep water hazards clean and maintains the aesthetic and ecological health of golf courses across the UK and world.
Accessibility
Lake golf balls make premium brands more accessible to golfers of all abilities. When a few of us here at Golfer Guide starting playing, we were losing so many balls during a round, there was no way we were going to pay £60 for some TP5s or ProVs to lose half of them in one round. High-end golf balls are known for their superior performance and advanced technology but are often out of reach for many golfers due to their high cost.
However, lake golf balls provide an opportunity to play with top-tier brands at a reduced price. You can try a range of the top tier golf balls at an affordable price and find the one most suited to you, from Titliest to Srixon, you can try them all. This accessibility allows golfers of all skill levels to experience the benefits of premium golf balls, from improved distance, spin control, to overall performance, without the premium price tag.
Where to Buy?
There are multiple websites offering lake golf balls now, but a couple of our favourites at Golfer Guide are:
- LakeBalls.com
- LakeGolfBalls.co.uk
- AceGolfBalls.com
- And even eBay! (Just be cautious of the grading)
Conclusion
Benefits Summary
Using lake golf balls offers several benefits, to golfers of all abilities:
- Money Savings: Lake golf balls provide significant savings, especially when compared to purchasing new balls. They make high-quality brands much more accessible.
- Environmental Impact: Recycling and reusing golf balls is always encouraged, to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable approach to enjoying the game.
- Quality Options: With grading categories from Mint to C-Grade, golfers can choose the level of quality that best suits their needs and budgets.
Encouragement to Try
If you’re looking to enhance your golfing experience and save some pennies, lake golf balls are an excellent choice. Their affordability, as well as the ability to access premium brands, makes them a smart option for golfers of all levels. Give lake golf balls a try and see how they can improve your game and more importantly reduce your expenses. After all, golf is an expensive hobby! Happy golfing!