Anyone Still Buying Recycled Mint Condition Balls? Or Similar?

[North Texas]

If so, what are some of the better places to buy from?

[Drewhill44]

I've had good luck so far buying on the Bay.  I only buy from 100% positive feedback sellers.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Drewhill44

[st1800e]

There’s a number of threads on the forum for recycled balls.  Lots of info.  

[JAM01]

I’ve stopped buying used since I purchased some used/recycled/refurbished Titleist NXTs years ago. Horrible performance, cut a few open and realized they were various 2 piece balls repainted and relabeled. With the DTC options and balls like the Kirkland, I have opted for new balls. 

[North Texas]

1 hour ago, st1800e said:

There’s a number of threads on the forum for recycled balls.  Lots of info.  

 

I tried that before I started this thread and got nothing about recycled balls. 

 

I tried it again just and it only pulled up this thread. 

 

Am I doing something wrong?

[st1800e]

 

 

 

[st1800e]

35 minutes ago, North Texas said:

 

I tried that before I started this thread and got nothing about recycled balls. 

 

I tried it again just and it only pulled up this thread. 

 

Am I doing something wrong?

 

Not sure how you’re searching. I searched for

Recycled Golf Balls

got 10,000 results, to narrow it down I then clicked on

Recycled AND Golf AND Balls.  

Got 555 results, or course there are a lot of threads containing those words unrelated to what your looking for so you need to then scroll through the results picking out the ones that look like what you want.  

[wannabettz]

I refuse to buy new golf balls even though there are a bunch of great options at all price points.  My preferred method is to just hawk in the woods on the course since seemingly every round I am waiting around twiddling my thumbs.  

 

I used to buy a lot of "used" golf balls in Mint or Near Mint condition and I still think this is the best method.  Theres a bunch of different sites that sell these and eBay is good for this as well. 

 

Whatever you do, do not buy reconditioned or refurbished balls.  They take the golf ball and slap a fresh paint job on it but they suck and you can never guarantee what type of ball is actually underneath that shiny new exterior.

Edited December 30, 2023 by wannabettz

[Puttersaurus Rex]

After reading threads here, and personal experience:

 

[JAM01]

21 hours ago, wannabettz said:

I refuse to buy new golf balls even though there are a bunch of great options at all price points.  My preferred method is to just hawk in the woods on the course since seemingly every round I am waiting around twiddling my thumbs.  

 

I used to buy a lot of "used" golf balls in Mint or Near Mint condition and I still think this is the best method.  Theres a bunch of different sites that sell these and eBay is good for this as well. 

 

Whatever you do, do not buy reconditioned or refurbished balls.  They take the golf ball and slap a fresh paint job on it but they suck and you can never guarantee what type of ball is actually underneath that shiny new exterior.

Absolutely agree with this approach. I became a ball snob and in my mind a three piece urethane yellow ball is my best friend. Especially at 27.99 double dozen when on sale. 

[ahenderX]

I’ve purchased from Golf Ball Hero and GolfBalls.net. Happy with both. Golf Ball Monkey has better prices but the shipping is high. I’ve stocked up on new Maxfli Tour (4 doz for $90) and 3 doz 2019 Chrome Soft practice balls so I’m good for the rest of the year.

Edited January 11 by ahenderX

[mantan]

Lostgolfballs.com was my go to for years.  I believe they are partially owned by Acushnet. (IIRC correctly they bought PG, the company that runs LBG).  Their recycled balls, especially the 'mint' ones are very good and to me played like new balls.

 

While I never felt I gave anything up, I've gone back to buying new balls. My current ball is the Srixon QST and during the B2G1 sale, it's out to less than $25/dozen. At that price point, I'm fine buying new. But I was playing a $54/dozen ball, I'd be back at LGB.

[Puffdaddyshrimp]

If I want to try out a new or different ball I’ll venture over to lostgolfballs and pick up some mint condition ones.  I bought some “ refurbished “ and the outer layer was scuffed and the paint was janky. Gave them to the kids to use.

[st1800e]

I tried the mint balls from LGB,  had 20 of 48 kindly replaced by the vendor no charge due to not being minty looking. After a few weeks of play, durability and performance seemed to be lacking.  
Who knows where those balls have been?  And for how long? 

However, for someone losing 6-8 balls a round they might make sense.  

[Neurotica]

I buy used ProV1s mint from whomever has the best price at the time. Usually around $2.50 a ball shipped. Can’t tell 95% of them from new other than pen marks. Questionable ones I use in my simulator.  

[Stanks]

Sure do. I source mine locally from a "supplier" who get's his stuff from all of the top local courses. Supply is extremely steady. That way, I can really look at them and check them out in depth. Same year or even a prior year ProVs, TPs, CS / CT in bulk supply with extremely little to no use for ~$1 a ball? You bet I'll do that. No questions asked and haven't been let down yet. I'm looking for scuffs, discoloration, marks, dents and dings. My guess is that the balls I buy have maybe 1 - 3 holes of use, if that. It's a guessing game and that's where the obvious markings come into play. We all know the best balls can last a full round or more but, will definitely get some minor marks as the swings continue. 

 

I've been playing long enough, now, to know what to look for and can compare to new considering that's how I played in my earlier years. Not everyone is in the same situation as me though but, I habitually visit my source and buy in bulk. I figure I'm good for at least the next few years with how much I play and how often I lose golf balls. 

 

That being said, I would never ever buy used ones from Lostgolfballs, Ebay, etc. etc. etc. and definitely no refinished balls. Been down that road and won't go back. 

 

A lot of areas have a 2nds or collected balls place to buy. You're pickings may differ more than mine.