Can golf balls go bad?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on honestgolfers.com


Are 2 year old golf balls still good?

There have been no definitive scientific studies on exactly how long they will be fine for however golf ball researchers at Titleist state that as long as you keep your golf balls away from excessive heat or cold they can safely be stored for five years and most likely up to a decade.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfingfocus.com


Do golf balls go bad if not used?

Do Unused Golf Balls Go Bad? If unused golf balls are stored at room temperature which is around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, they can last for 10 years. Golfweek.com indicates that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a new ball off the shelf and a new one that has been stored for years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfible.com


How do you know when golf balls are bad?

It's the sound of vibrations rattling throughout the layers of your golf ball, and then reverberating off of the cover, which is usually made of some type of ethylene. If you're not able to hear that sound, it means that there might be a microfracture somewhere on the cover's surface.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cherrywoodgolfclub.com


When should you throw away golf balls?

Once the water has cooled, drop your golf ball in. If you don't see any air bubbles popping up, walk away for a few minutes. Is your ball still buoyant after some time has passed? That means it's watertight and the exterior is intact.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on totallydriven.com


How Long Can You Use a Golf Ball Before Performance Drops Off?



What is the lifespan of a golf ball?

What's the Shelf Life of a Golf Ball? A golf ball in good cosmetic shape will hold its shelf life for 5-7 years or seven 18-hole rounds. However, scuff marks from any unfortunate play are more likely to result in a player changing golf balls much sooner than losing their core integrity.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on toprankgolf.com


Do golf balls lose distance with use?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com


How often should you change golf balls?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfmonthly.com


Do pro golfers use a new ball on each 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfcartreport.com


Does water damage 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. When a more significant fracture appears on the ball's cover, and the water invades the inner part on a bigger scale, the water can ruin the golf ball.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfwaterton.com


Are 25 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."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com


Do golf balls go off with age?

Do golf balls go bad over a period of time? Mike. A: I called my sales representative from Callaway Golf and he indicated that golf balls have changed a great deal over the years. He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact performance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tcpalm.com


Do golf balls go bad garage?

Golf balls are designed to be stored in a 70- to 80-degree environment if they are going to be kept for long periods of time. Therefore, you can store your golf balls in the garage if it is climate controlled, but it is not the best place if there are large fluctuations in temperature.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on golfcartreport.com


What do you do with old golf balls?

What Can You Do With Old Golf Balls?
  1. Christmas Ornaments. You can make Christmas wonders with your old golf balls. ...
  2. Garden Critters. This is another project you can choose to do yourself by using used golf balls at your disposal. ...
  3. Vase Filler. ...
  4. Table Cloth Weight. ...
  5. Massage. ...
  6. Tool For Tenderizing Meat.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on conserve-energy-future.com


Does it hurt golf balls to freeze?

It is certainly not a good idea to hit a ball when it is at freezing temperatures, because this will not only cause damage to the ball but probably the club as well, never mind the potential damage to your body if you are not warmed up properly.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on franklygolf.com


Do golf balls go bad in heat?

Golf balls stored at room temperature have a shelf life of around a decade or longer if they are brand new. However, if they are stored in extremely cold conditions or hot conditions, the balls will deteriorate more quickly.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on foresightsports.com


Can you change balls to putt?

You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usga.org


Why am I hitting my 3 wood farther than my driver?

Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on swingmangolf.com


Can you switch golf balls during play?

Fortunately, under the Rules of Golf, golfers are allowed to change golf balls at various points during a round. Under normal conditions -- meaning the ball wasn't damaged beyond reasonable use, or it didn't wind up in a water hazard or was lost -- a golfer can change golf balls in between holes.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thegolfnewsnet.com


Does the brand of golf ball really matter?

The quality of golf ball you use definitely matters and impacts on your game. Higher quality, more expensive golf balls generally have a urethane cover, leading to greater 'feel' and spin control. Premium balls will usually perform longer and hold greens more consistently, helping you shoot lower scores.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on projectgolfau.com


Can you hit too many golf balls?

Hitting more than 30 full shots will most likely tire you out, and for me, it almost always impacts performance. You could hit more balls if you want, but keep the majority of it to short chip shots and putts. Getting these two things dialed in is what's going to help you shoot the best round.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on outofboundsgolf.com


Do pro golfers use the same ball?

In PGA Tour, most professional and high-level amateur tournaments, golfers are bound by the One Ball Rule, meaning they can only play a single golf ball -- same manufacturer and model -- throughout a stipulated round. So professional golfers can carry as many of the same golf ball in their bag as they'd like.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thegolfnewsnet.com


Are 10 year old golf balls still good?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on honestgolfers.com


Are expensive golf balls better?

The average golfer won't get enough benefit to justify paying the higher price and would be better off using that money to work on their swing. The only benefit to an expensive golf ball would be the increased spin around the green and the nice soft feel at impact.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on outofboundsgolf.com


Do golf drivers lose their pop?

A golf driver can go dead and lose its pop when there is a crack, or defect, in the club face. This can be caused by faulty manufacturing or weakness in the driver head, and affects distance and performance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on projectgolfau.com
Next question
Is iPhone 6 a 3G?