Jump to content

Second Hand Golf Balls from the Bay


royourboat

Recommended Posts

I buy second hand golf balls off the bay. I think the stores often buy them in bulk and put them through a typical dishwasher with high heat. Has anyone found performance issues with them.

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUz5cMht6OE"]I like to tee the ball up.. using man sized clubs.[/url]

[quote name='MonteScheinblum' timestamp='1496985379' post='15667418']
[quote name='mothman65' timestamp='1496984980' post='15667404']
Is Melbourne getting any closer to happening Momte?
[/quote]

Still need some more, but it's pretty likely I'll come. Just don't know when yet.
[/quote]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 47
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Depends on what you are buying. ProV and comparable are a great deal 2nd hand. Other balls, cheaper balls, are usually only a few dollars more for new. I have purchased many 2nd hand and don’t ever remember an issue. Make sure you search around for a good reputable company.

Driver:    2021 Cobra Rad Speed Peacote 9* w Kuro Kage 60g Silver TiNi Dual-Core Shaft 

Fairway Woods: 2014 Adams Tight Lies 14° 3 Wood w Kuro Kage 65g Shaft tipped 1 inch

                           2015 Adams Tight Lies 22° 7 Wood w Kuro Kage 65g Shaft tipped 1 inch

Irons:  2016 Nike Vapor Fly 4-AW   

 Wedges:  2017 Cleveland CBX 56°& 60°wedge              
Shafts:  Matrix Ozik Program F15 85S Graphite Shafts 4i - 60°

Grips:   Superstroke S-Tech + 2 Wraps
Putter:  Gamer -  2020 Odyssey Stroke Lab 7s Black w Superstroke Claw 1.0 grip at 35in.

             Backup - Custom Built Bastain Milled Prototype w Px 6.0 shaft and Lamkin Deep Etched Cord Grip at 33in.

                           Ball:  Taylor Made 21' Rocketballz            Bag:  Ogio Fuse Whiskey            Glove: MG Dyna-Grip Elite             Current Shoes: True Linkswear Motion phx

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try:

 

Golfballsdirect.com

 

https://www.golfballsdirect.com/

 

They run specials all the time. Free shipping. 25% off etc. Good quality balls. The 5A’s are essentially new. Very impressive.

 

I used to buy there before the now legendary “Srixon XV trial pack sale” last year when I bought 12 dozen for the year at $20 a dozen.

Last month I bought 20 dozen when they went on sale again for $20 a dozen. I’m good for 2- 3 years now.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Here is some information on second-hand golf balls that hopefully everyone will find helpful or educational.

 

Let's start with some definitions to help understand what products are offered:

 

What is the difference between a recycled golf ball and a refurbished golf ball?

 

A recycled ball is simply a used ball that has been washed, sorted and graded by condition. A refurbished ball (also called refinished or reconditioned) is stripped of the clear coat and paint, then re-painted, clear coated, and stamped with manufacturer’s logos. Since these layers are not necessarily applied according to manufacturer’s specifications, the depth of the dimples is altered which significantly changes the aerodynamics of the ball. By law, this process must be indicated with a “refinished” stamp on one of the poles. This refinishing process is used on balls that are so badly discolored that the standard cleaning method isn't enough to make them sell-able. So although refinished balls look new, they are basically the lowest grade with a new paint job which is hiding the damage.

 

What happens to golf balls that have been submerged in water? Does it affect the performance?

 

Golf balls do absorb water. The amount will vary depending on variables like the temp of the water, the type of ball and the materials used during manufacture, and how long the ball has been submerged. Once the water is absorbed into the golf ball, drying of the ball is very slow at ambient temperature. Even when extreme drying of the ball is attempted at 160°F under vacuum, the absorbed water is not completely removed.

 

Testing by re-sellers that indicate an insignificant loss in performance are often conducted by shooting balls out of a cannon rather than being hit with a golf club. This tests the aerodynamics of the ball, but it doesn’t test the energy transfer on a ball struck with a club. While water may not have a big effect on aerodynamics, water can have a HUGE effect on distance and energy transfer coming off of a club face.

 

For a two-piece ball, being in the water typically makes the ball harder in terms of compression, and it also slows down the coefficient of restitution (the ability of the ball to regain its roundness after impact), and that makes it fly shorter. In tests of a two-piece ball, the carry and roll after eight days in the water was 244.9 yards compared with 250.7 yards for a new two-piece ball, a loss of 5.8 yards in distance after only 8 days!

 

Since most second-hand balls are recovered from water hazards, expect some loss in performance. This amount will vary from ball-to-ball depending on the variables mentioned earlier. You cannot detect the performance impairment with a visual inspection. Just because a golf ball looks brand new doesn't mean it is, or that it will perform the same.

 

I understand that golf equipment is expensive and we all want to stretch our dollar and get the most bang for our buck. If you want to save money on golf balls, look for last year's models that have been discontinued, or logo over-runs, or deals like buy 2/get 1 free. This way you'll know your golf balls will perform the way they were designed and be consistent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been buying golf balls from Ebay and always used. I never had any issues once with them. Or maybe I am not that good to even notice the difference. My lowest rounds were finished with used golf balls. I do wonder though that the balls that I buy might have indeed come from water hazards, I may squeeze some more distance from new golf balls but I am too cheap to buy new ones. Maybe when they are one sale I would. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last year I purchased some used Callaway Chrome Soft on eBay. They all looked nearly new. I only use them in a shag bag and to hit into a net in my basement. Some of the balls didn't feel right but I figured it was the indoor net thing. The other day one of them split in half. It had a green core and then the cover. I don't believe the Chrome Soft was ever a 2 piece ball.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last year I purchased some used Callaway Chrome Soft on eBay. They all looked nearly new. I only use them in a shag bag and to hit into a net in my basement. Some of the balls didn't feel right but I figured it was the indoor net thing. The other day one of them split in half. It had a green core and then the cover. I don't believe the Chrome Soft was ever a 2 piece ball.

I’ve heard a similar story of someone seeing the paint chip off a refurbished pro v that they bought, and underneath the paint it was actually a Pinnacle Gold.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last year I purchased some used Callaway Chrome Soft on eBay. They all looked nearly new. I only use them in a shag bag and to hit into a net in my basement. Some of the balls didn't feel right but I figured it was the indoor net thing. The other day one of them split in half. It had a green core and then the cover. I don't believe the Chrome Soft was ever a 2 piece ball.

The original CS (3 pc) has a greenish / blueish core and the outer mantle was just beneath the cover. Look at the "I cut them open so you don't have too" thread on page 1. Did it look like that?

Cobra F7+ - Stiff
Callaway V-Series 3 & 5 wood with Aldila Rouge Silver
Srixon 585 5-AW - Modus 105 Stiff
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 53 & 58 Degree
EVNROLL ER5
Srixon XV - Yellow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did a little research and found this study. According to this research, golf balls in the water up to 5 months had very little effect on performance. I would like to see a link from 1badbadger information. They seem to contradict.

 

Link to study:

https://golfballdive...re-played-balls

 

True, and I'd like to see the link and what sort of data was used or if it was just opinion.

Because, end of the day, it's rather easy to check yourself if the used balls you've purchased have become waterlogged (and/or absorbed moisture), and that's by using a digital kitchen scale to weigh them.

I was curious a few years ago and weighed a bunch of different brands of balls, from premium/tour brands and to include some of the lesser brands (because I "thought" some balls felt lighter), and quickly found that ALL golf balls weighed about 47 grams.... We're talking grams here, not ounces, but grams.

And then to test the waterlogged theory, remembering the balata balls of my youth that did feel heavier (even comparing them in your hand) when left in ponds or creeks for too long because of their thin covers and cavities created by windings, I put bunch of modern balls in a bucket of water for months during the offseason, and when I pulled them out in the spring and weighed them they still came in at 47 grams. I guess it's possible for balls to absorb some moisture over extended periods, like 5-10 years, being submerged, but I'd think the re-sellers aren't selling 2008 ProV1s.

 

Now I agree, with the discounted cost of last year's discontinued models available and/or bulk pricing deals you can find, why bother with second-hand golf balls. I still find it hard to believe that modern cavity-less multi-piece balls are going to absorb any water.

But, like most things, I could be wrong. :golfer:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did a little research and found this study. According to this research, golf balls in the water up to 5 months had very little effect on performance. I would like to see a link from 1badbadger information. They seem to contradict.

 

Link to study:

https://golfballdive...re-played-balls

Did a little research and found this study. According to this research, golf balls in the water up to 5 months had very little effect on performance. I would like to see a link from 1badbadger information. They seem to contradict.

 

Link to study:

https://golfballdive...re-played-balls

I thinkn there is a lot of science to show the opposite of this....probably created by the manufacturers, but water balls are very questionable as far as maintaining original performance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Polyurethane does attract and retain moisture fairly readily. More than you'd ever want to know about it here:

 

https://www.ptonline.com/knowledgecenter/plastics-drying/resin-types/hygroscopic-vs-non-hygroscopic-resins

 

But here's the executive summary:

 

Hygroscopic Resins

(i.e., Nylon, ABS, Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, PET, PBT,)

 

Have a strong affinity to attract moisture

Will absorb moisture onto their molecular structure if exposed to ambient air

Internal moisture can not be removed with hot air alone

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Polyurethane does attract and retain moisture fairly readily. More than you'd ever want to know about it here:

 

https://www.ptonline.com/knowledgecenter/plastics-drying/resin-types/hygroscopic-vs-non-hygroscopic-resins

 

But here's the executive summary:

 

Hygroscopic Resins

(i.e., Nylon, ABS, Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, PET, PBT,)

 

Have a strong affinity to attract moisture

Will absorb moisture onto their molecular structure if exposed to ambient air

Internal moisture can not be removed with hot air alone

Weird since polyurethane is what you use to moisture protect and seal wood cabinets after staining them. It’s supposed lock out moisture on wood.

 

Not debating anything other than what I know about refinishing my bathroom vanity last week.

Cobra F7+ - Stiff
Callaway V-Series 3 & 5 wood with Aldila Rouge Silver
Srixon 585 5-AW - Modus 105 Stiff
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 53 & 58 Degree
EVNROLL ER5
Srixon XV - Yellow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Polyurethane does attract and retain moisture fairly readily. More than you'd ever want to know about it here:

 

https://www.ptonline...roscopic-resins

 

But here's the executive summary:

 

Hygroscopic Resins

(i.e., Nylon, ABS, Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, PET, PBT,)

 

Have a strong affinity to attract moisture

Will absorb moisture onto their molecular structure if exposed to ambient air

Internal moisture can not be removed with hot air alone

Weird since polyurethane is what you use to moisture protect and seal wood cabinets after staining them. It’s supposed lock out moisture on wood.

 

Not debating anything other than what I know about refinishing my bathroom vanity last week.

 

It might be a difference in thermoset versus thermoplastic urethane formulations. That article is about the resin pellets which are melted down and used in thermoplastic urethane (TPU) products. The stuff we use to finish surfaces is not TPU (or at least I don't think it could be).

 

Maybe that's another check mark on the plus side for cast thermoset golf ball covers...

 

https://www.docenti.unina.it/webdocenti-be/allegati/materiale-didattico/540167

 

TPUs prepared with polyethylene oxide soft segments are elastomeric, but phase separation of hard and soft segments is hindered by the large number of ether groups in the soft segment available to hydrogen bond with the hard segment [58, 59]. This hard–soft segment interaction competes with intrahard segment hydrogen bonding promoting phase mixing rather than phase segregation. In addition, polyethylene oxide soft segments are relatively hygroscopic. TPUs with polyethylene oxide absorb up to 15% of their weight in water from the atmosphere [60], whereas TPU with PTMEG soft segments will absorb about 1% water by mass at standard test conditions. Water plasticization of PEG TPUs greatly degrades TPU tensile properties

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless we know the specific formulation of the polyurethane compounds being used, I think any speculation about their behavior under wet/submerged conditions is not likely to be very meaningful. There is an enormous variation in how these polymers behave when wet and generalizations are not possible. Just a casual browse of the interwebs shows some polyurethanes are formulated specifically for their ability to resist water absorption, others are not. Which are used in golf ball is not known to any outside of the ball industry, and likely even only a few within.

 

And, likewise, I'd take any manufacturer supplied opinion on this with a large grain of salt as their interests are only to sell more new balls.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sorta doubt anyone here has a swing that is more consistent than the golf balls he plays, regardless of the condition of the ball.

Paradym TD 10.5/Tensei Blue 65R

TM BRNR Mini 13.5

Callaway Rogue Max D 3 wood

Paradym 4 hybrid

Srixon ZX5 / ZX7 on MMT 125S

Srixon Z785 AW

Cleveland RTX6 54/58

Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11S

 

Collings OM1-ESS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sorta doubt anyone here has a swing that is more consistent than the golf balls he plays, regardless of the condition of the ball.

 

Yes this is true. However I doubt any of us would choose to loose 6 yards on both bad and good shots to save a penny.

 

You came to a golf ball forum...presumably to learn more or provide input on matters relating to WHICH GOLF BALL..saying the ball doesn't matter sort of defeats the whole point of why people chime in here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sorta doubt anyone here has a swing that is more consistent than the golf balls he plays, regardless of the condition of the ball.

Yep 5-8 yards on the driver is hard to verify because on any given day, even with new balls I can have a 10 yard differential.

 

Maybe on wedges and short clubs it would be more noticeable, however if a driver is 5-8 yards a SW would be maybe 2-3 ?

Cobra F7+ - Stiff
Callaway V-Series 3 & 5 wood with Aldila Rouge Silver
Srixon 585 5-AW - Modus 105 Stiff
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 53 & 58 Degree
EVNROLL ER5
Srixon XV - Yellow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the past I've played through a couple batches of used ProV1x. IIRC there were about three times (out of 100 or so balls) when after a few holes one ball just didn't seem to be quite going my normal distance off the irons and wedges.

 

It was so infrequent that it could easily have just been a string of poor shots that I somehow thought were solid. But what the heck, at about a dollar a ball I just tossed the offenders and grabbed a different ball out the bag.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sorta doubt anyone here has a swing that is more consistent than the golf balls he plays, regardless of the condition of the ball.

 

Yes this is true. However I doubt any of us would choose to loose 6 yards on both bad and good shots to save a penny.

 

You came to a golf ball forum...presumably to learn more or provide input on matters relating to WHICH GOLF BALL..saying the ball doesn't matter sort of defeats the whole point of why people chime in here.

 

 

Its a lot more than pennies. I can buy 5A Grade, no logo Pro V1's for about $20 per dozen which is less than half the price of new balls. That's what I'm trying to find out here from other golfers their experience with used balls. I think RobE is on to something with the weight. If he weighed the ball right after it was taken out of the water and it weighed the exact as a new out of the box ball, how could there be any water in it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...