Pro V's Under UV Light (Weird)

[ryanokeefe]

Recently purchased 2 dozen "Mint Grade" used balls.. They're performing a little weird but I put it down to my inconsistency, not the balls.
I also happened to purchase a UV torch recently (unrelated to the hype of finding lost balls at the moment).

Messing around, I discovered that the used Pro V1's I purchased have a weird finish under the UV light that doesn't align with some of the older model Pro V1/1x's I have lying around.

I don't have any 2020 balls to compare these to so I'm going to grab a sleeve of fresh ProV1's tomorrow to see if they have the same irregular finish. Until then, my conclusion is that I've either been duped with refinished balls or the finish on new ProV's are odd, to say the least.

 

[tony@CIC]

That's very interesting.  If we have chemists on the Forum maybe they can explain what the UV light is telling us. 

EDIT: I also just noticed they mixed in some Xs with that purchase. 

[Tarheelvolvo]

20 minutes ago, ryanokeefe said:

Recently purchased 2 dozen "Mint Grade" used balls.. They're performing a little weird but I put it down to my inconsistency, not the balls.
I also happened to purchase a UV torch recently (unrelated to the hype of finding lost balls at the moment).

Messing around, I discovered that the used Pro V1's I purchased have a weird finish under the UV light that doesn't align with some of the older model Pro V1/1x's I have lying around.

I don't have any 2020 balls to compare these to so I'm going to grab a sleeve of fresh ProV1's tomorrow to see if they have the same irregular finish. Until then, my conclusion is that I've either been duped with refinished balls or the finish on new ProV's are odd, to say the least.

 

First fake Scotty Cameron's and now fake PRO V1's??

 

Pure speculation on my part, but that is very odd and since you mentioned they are performing weird I wouldn't put it past some scammer to relabel rocks as Pro V1's to make a few extra bucks. Maybe send some to Tony to get to the bottom of it?

[ryanokeefe]

2 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

That's very interesting.  If we have chemists on the Forum maybe they can explain what the UV light is telling us. 

EDIT: I also just noticed they mixed in some Xs with that purchase. 

The X's are just some I had laying around. The purchase was of the 2020 Pro V1's only. Strangely, the middle and right balls on the bottom row are 2020 Pro V1's from the used order and they don't show much illumination at all. 

[chosenhandle]

@Johnsmalls just posted this TGW video in the Wilson Raw discussion. About 3/4 of the way through they use a UV light to show uneven paint distribution. It looks just like your pic.

 

 

[Middler]

6 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

That's very interesting.  If we have chemists on the Forum maybe they can explain what the UV light is telling us. 

EDIT: I also just noticed they mixed in some Xs with that purchase. 

Yes, I’m curious what that means too, I’m assuming some are refinished as the OP guessed. I didn’t realize golf balls were so easy to find with UV at night. Some of my “I only play golf balls I find” might be interested.

https://youtu.be/fphpqMLbT2I

 

[Tarheelvolvo]

3 hours ago, chosenhandle said:

@Johnsmalls just posted this TGW video in the Wilson Raw discussion. About 3/4 of the way through they use a UV light to show uneven paint distribution. It looks just like your pic.

 

You're probably right, especially since they are used balls and the paint could have worn a bit thin in spots from play or even from the factory.

[Siamese Moose]

You can always cut one open. I'd choose whichever one played the "weirdest".

[HeathS16]

You can always cut one open. I'd choose whichever one played the "weirdest".

Find it/buy it...cut it


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[ryanokeefe]

Update - purchased a sleeve of fresh 2020 ProV1's. They are the 3 x #8 balls on the top row.

The surface under UV Light is uniform and bright. 

I would assume that if the ununiform finish of the other balls was caused by cleaning/use, the "wear" wouldn't be as consistent or as gradual. I could be wrong though. There is also a ProV1X in the bunch that is well used and maintains it's illumination all over.

The parts that do illuminate on the used balls are similar in look to the fresh-out-of-the-box balls. 

Given that the illumination appear to be coming from the clear coat (in this situation), you would think that the parts of the balls that aren't illuminating over the entire surface would either have; no clear coat in the darker spots(doesn't appear to be the case) or that these balls may be refinished after having some minor surface defects removed and then a different type of clearcoat applied.

[ryanokeefe]

Another note: I've cut 2 of them apart and they are the latest model Pro V1's at the core. So I guess it just leaves the refinishing vs very weird wear question.

[GregGarner]

11 hours ago, ryanokeefe said:

Update - purchased a sleeve of fresh 2020 ProV1's. They are the 3 x #8 balls on the top row.

This is WILD. I can't believe how different they are. The new ones look like they just crawled out of a swamp or were bitten by a spider or something and then you have some used ones that barely show up at all!

a) I need to buy a UV light
and b) the guys at the shop are definitely going to ask me what I'm doing

[tony@CIC]

@ryanokeefeCare to share which source you got these, Lostballs.com, etc. 

[ryanokeefe]

5 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

@ryanokeefeCare to share which source you got these, Lostballs.com, etc. 

these are from lostgolfballs.com.au
the balls were "2020 Pro V1 - AAAAA Mint Grade" .. I've just checked and only the "AAAA Near Mint Grade" are available right now.

[tony@CIC]

these are from lostgolfballs.com.au
the balls were "2020 Pro V1 - AAAAA Mint Grade" .. I've just checked and only the "AAAA Near Mint Grade" are available right now.

.

Hmmm interesting. My wife gets her yellow 5A Pro V 1Xs from lostgolfballs.com in the US. She hasn't noticed an issue and they guarantee their product but I'm still interested. Ultimately she'll probably be switching to MTB Black but in the meantime she has about 4 doz of the 1Xs to work through.


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[golfinnut]

Aren't most 2nd swing or "Mint Grade" golf balls all "resurfaced" with a new cheaper to manufacture coating anyway before they are resold??  

[ryanokeefe]

4 hours ago, golfinnut said:

Aren't most 2nd swing or "Mint Grade" golf balls all "resurfaced" with a new cheaper to manufacture coating anyway before they are resold??  

No, There are "recycled" and then there are "refinished" (so they say).
https://www.lostgolfballs.com.au/grading-system/ shows the stupid "A, AA, AAA, AAAA, AAAAA" system that this particular company uses for both styles.

[ryanokeefe]

11 hours ago, greggarner said:

This is WILD. I can't believe how different they are. The new ones look like they just crawled out of a swamp or were bitten by a spider or something and then you have some used ones that barely show up at all!

a) I need to buy a UV light
and b) the guys at the shop are definitely going to ask me what I'm doing

The UV light shows a surprising amount of additional detail that is tough to pick up with the naked eye.
Below image shows the same fresh-from-the-box Pro-V1. A basically invisible surface defect can easily be seen under the UV light.
 

[tony@CIC]

The UV light shows a surprising amount of additional detail that is tough to pick up with the naked eye.
Below image shows the same fresh-from-the-box Pro-V1. A basically invisible surface defect can easily be seen under the UV light.
 

It'd sure be interesting to hear from Tony Covey about the 'defects'. in the new Pro V.  I assume the letters are manufacturing marks - perhaps date of manufacture? 
BTW great close up photos. 

[ryanokeefe]

-Another Update-
I played 9 holes with one of the brand new balls, to see how it faired after some use. I played horribly so the ball saw 2 adventures into the water (retrieved with my I GOTCHA JAWZ), multiple bunker shots and a lot of chips after missed approach shots. I also went overboard with the ball washer on every tee box.
The images below show the #8 "New" ball after 9 holes, in between two of the "Mint used" golf balls. Visually, I would consider the #8 ball to be in worse condition than the used balls, after the 9 holes of play.

As you can see, there is still an even glow over the hole ball and no signs of any reduction in the surface illumination under the UV light, apart from sections that are affected by nicks from club grooves. 

I spoke to lostgolfballs.com.au via phone, today. Their rep vehemently denies that the ball is refinished. I asked how they wash their balls and was advised that the process is simply soapy water and a scrub.

If I take lostgolfballs.com.au's word for it; the only thing I can think of, that could cause the difference between the "used" and "new" balls is either: the extended stay in muddy water OR extended exposure to the sun. I'm interested to hear of any other theories. 

Either way, it's got me stumped.

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

I am a chemist so I will try to speak on this. Your clear coat likely has some phosphorescent material on it (UV light excites it and then it gives off a glow). Some organic compounds glow under UV light and that is likely what you are seeing. I bet on the older balls, the coating is worn down by sun, rain, heat etc over time, like you have noted above. 

[Kenny B]

47 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

I am a chemist so I will try to speak on this. Your clear coat likely has some phosphorescent material on it (UV light excites it and then it gives off a glow). Some organic compounds glow under UV light and that is likely what you are seeing. I bet on the older balls, the coating is worn down by sun, rain, heat etc over time, like you have noted above. 

As an old chemist, I will agree with the young chemist as I have forgotten most of it.    Unless, that is, we talk about Cherenkov glow.  Contrary to what many people think, we do not glow, even after working at the Hanford nuclear site for 50 years.    However, we are not allowed to show our third eye when we go out in public.  

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

25 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

As an old chemist, I will agree with the young chemist as I have forgotten most of it.    Unless, that is, we talk about Cherenkov glow.  Contrary to what many people think, we do not glow, even after working at the Hanford nuclear site for 50 years.    However, we are not allowed to show our third eye when we go out in public.  

I should have known with your avatar and where you live. You’ll live to 200, and have spidey senses

[JalanK]

A couple thoughts after looking at the photos: The cover on the 2019-2020 version is thinner than previous covers. It's possible that could contribute to the differences in appearance. As Titleist redesigns their balls, I'm sure the formula of the cover undergoes changes to help them obtain the characteristics they seek. 

Did you try moving them around in the light to determine if the position, and how the light hit them had anything to do with the appearance?

If you're concerned, contact Titleist and ask them what they think. You might even send then a couple of the wonkier performing balls to analyze and compare to new versions.

This is why I don't buy used balls, unless I just want a few for practice. I'd be interested in hearing what Titleist says, if you contact them.

[Buffly]

@ryanokeefe I have found about 5,000 golf balls with a black light and about 15% are Titleist Pro Vs. 

I have found that sun exposure deteriorates the uv phosphorescence and the clear coat wearing thin also diminishes the glow. 

Taylormade balls don't glow as bright as Titleist, Callaway, Srixon, and Bridgestone. 

I would guess the mint lost used balls you find online have been heavily scrubbed to be cleaned and may have had long time sun exposure which both deteriorates the glow. 

 

[heavygolffeels]

Lake balls? Clearish water intensifies UV and can practically bleach a golf ball. I'm sure even without visible damage that would have some effect on the coating. 

Can you perform a quick bounce test? Drop them from the same height on hard surface? 

Also do the float test in some salt water?