Effects of temperatures on golf balls in storage

[jons1]

With all of the buy 3 get 1 free deals over the years, I have a few dozen Titleist ProV1x balls in the garage that have sat through several winters and summers. Does it effect the performance of the ball over time? Should I just use these as shag balls now? Let's say a range of 0F to 85F (-18C to 30C)

[Jeff58]

VICE Labs – Myths about ball storage – VICE GOLF STORIES Thermal degradation of polymers - Wikipedia

According to my wife, who is a polymer engineer, cold will have virtually no effect regardless of time. The enemies are heat approaching the material’s melting point (usually ~170f), chemicals (including fertilizers), water (which is of course a chemical), and light.

Quotes -

Your golf balls should last about a hundred years in the garage, like most of the other crap in there.

See if it’s discolored. If it is, the material has reacted and is likely degraded.

[jons1]

Well that's good to know. I guess I got more golf balls to use. Funny thing is, I still like my tp5x better but even if I use as a backup or shag them, that's a solid backup.

[cristphoto]

The manufacturers typically say to store at room temperature and in the box out of sunlight. They also say best performance comes within five years and after that balls start to lose performance.

[pallmall]

Should be OK for some years. However, if the environment is humid, when the moisture goes into rubber layer, resilience will drop a little bit. I think even moisture issue does happen, people may not notice it.

[farmer]

Interesting. I found a dozen of the legendary TM Red that had been hiding in my golf closet. I guess, given a stable, dry space, they will still be OK?

[grm24]

This is my experience with some older golf balls. I've posted this here before. I had a couple dozen new old stock Nike TA2|LNG and Nike Tour Accuracy DD golf balls that I decided to alternate playing with my ball choice at the time, Z-Star XV, back in 2017/2018. While the Nike balls were from 2002/3 they performed the same distance wise as the Z-Star XV. I was surprised. Not sure how long I had them but they were in a closet in my home for years. Again this was my experience and may not be the same for others.

[Jeff58]

Like these? Played them today actually. Kind of a cross between the current V1 and TP5, but a bit more energetic. Still a superb ball.

[farmer]

^^^^ Yes, those are the ones.

[golfdad907]

I still have 3 doz TP Red, use them in scrambles, no noticeable loss of performance...and one of the best golf balls ever made.

[Titleist84]

Good to hear they last that long. I had a credit on Taylormade so bought 8 dozen TP5X. Then bought 4 dozen Bridgestone BX.