Is retrieving golf balls illegal?

There's no simple answer, but the short answer is “no”, it is not illegal to hunt for golf balls, as long as you respect the owner of the course and don't bother anyone while doing it.

Is it OK to pick up golf balls?

Picking up or hitting somebody else's ball also creates some rather annoying ramifications for the other golfer. If they don't see you doing it, they're going to have to declare their ball lost, take a penalty, and go re-hit if they want to register an official score.

Can you collect golf balls and sell them?

Generally you'll be paid between 6 and 12 cents per ball selling them wholesale. If you're good at collecting, that can add up to hundreds of dollars daily. If you're not a diver, or you don't find more than a few hundred balls at a time, you might consider retailing the used golf balls yourself.

What happens if someone takes your golf ball?

Rule 7.4 states there is no penalty if the player's ball is accidentally moved by the player, opponent or anyone else while trying to identify it and it should just be replaced on its original spot. The penalty for breach of Rule 7.4 is the general penalty.

How do I get permission to dive for a 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.

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How much do golf ball collectors make?

Over 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.

What is the penalty for picking up your golf ball?

Penalty for Lifting or Deliberately Touching Ball or Causing It to Move. If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move. (... Continued), the player gets one penalty stroke.

Can you refuse a conceded putt?

When the concession is made, the ball is considered holed and the golfer whose putt was conceded is finished playing that hole. Once a stroke is conceded, the concession can't be refused or withdrawn.

Is it a penalty if you hit your own golf bag?

Previously, a penalty stroke was incurred if the player hit himself or his own equipment. Now, this is without penalty provided it happened accidentally.

Can you collect golf balls on a golf course?

There's no simple answer, but the short answer is “no”, it is not illegal to hunt for golf balls, as long as you respect the owner of the course and don't bother anyone while doing it.

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."

What is a AAAA golf ball?

These balls have the appearance of a new golf ball with absolutely minimal marks if any at all and will be shiny in appearance. Please note that some balls may have a small logo or minor ink spot. This grade is ideal for the serious golfer. This grade is also known as "Mint", "Perfect" "Pearl" or "AAAAA".

Can I pick up my ball on the fairway?

Here's how lift, clean and place works (typically): If a golfer is hitting their current shot from a lie in the fairway of the hole they're playing, then they're able to pick up the golf ball (after first marking the original spot with a tee or other marker), clean off the golf ball, then put it back by placing it in a ...

Can you keep the balls at a driving range?

As a general rule driving ranges prohibit golfers from using their own balls as a matter of both policy and practicality.

Does a gimme in golf count as a stroke?

In golf, a gimme is a shot that the other players agree can count automatically without being played. When a player has only a very short putt left to play, other players may grant a gimme (i.e., one stroke is counted), but the ball is not played.

Can you putt with a ball already in the hole?

A golfer shouldn't pluck their ball out of the hole until the ball has come to a rest or is certain not to bounce out, otherwise that would be a one-stroke penalty. The player then has to replace the ball on the lip of the hole or against the flagstick and then putt the ball in the hole.

Can you stand behind someone when they putt?

When it comes to reading a putt's break, members of a four-ball team may stand nearly anywhere on the green to watch a partner putt, with one exception: They're not allowed to stand on or close to an extension of the player's line of putt behind the ball (Rule 14-2b).

Can I pick my ball up on the green?

Once you have determined that your ball is on the green, you may now begin the process of marking your ball. All you need to do is place your ball-marker directly behind the ball and then you may pick it up. Whilst a ball marker is commonly a coin, it can be any artificial object that helps you spot the ball.

What is the penalty for lifting your ball without marking it?

If you forget and lift the ball off the green without marking its spot, you get a penalty stroke. And if this does ever happen, make sure you put the ball back where it was before cracking on.

How long do golf balls stay good?

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.

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.

What do golf courses do with balls in the water?

A number of businesses have started to collect old golf balls and turn them into profit. The most common way to find success in the golf-ball-recycling world is to employ divers to scavenge the balls from the lakes on and around golf courses. John Weynand is one of those divers.