Second hand golf balls

[Golfhack23]

With the cost of premium golf balls being in the $50 or more range has anyone used golf balls from places such as lostgolfballs.com?

I've never purchased any golf balls from a second hand store and was just curious if anyone had and how they felt about them. 

 

[elight]

The general consensus is that these are all balls sourced from lakes and ponds. Who knows how long they were underwater. Even a small amount of time under water can negatively impact performance. You're better off using a high quality DTC ball like Maxfli, Vice or Snell. 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

No no no!  If you look into it closely you will find a MGS report I believe on these. If I’m not mistaken there was a Titleist ProV1 ball that the paint was worn off and was actually a callaway ball.  Always buy new. There are a ton of high quality premium balls at great prices. The Wilson Staff Model 24 ball is one of them. Ball speed monster. I grabbed 6 dozen during the buy 2 get 1 free for $200. MaxFli is another one as is Vice.  

[storm319]

26 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

No no no!  If you look into it closely you will find a MGS report I believe on these. If I’m not mistaken there was a Titleist ProV1 ball that the paint was worn off and was actually a callaway ball.  Always buy new. There are a ton of high quality premium balls at great prices. The Wilson Staff Model 24 ball is one of them. Ball speed monster. I grabbed 6 dozen during the buy 2 get 1 free for $200. MaxFli is another one as is Vice.  

It is important to distinguish between recycled vs refinished/refurbished. 

Recycled: generally pulled from ponds, cleaned/sorted/graded for resale. 

Refinished/Refurbished: also generally pulled from ponds, covers and/or paint in poor shape, cleaned/paint chemically stripped/repainted/restamped for resale. Due to the refinishing/restamping, you don’t really know what you are getting. 

MGS staff tested a refinished/refurbished vs a new Pro V1 and have continually advocated against these, not used/recycled balls that haven’t been refinished. I have personally had good luck with recycled balls (purchased from LostGolfBalls a couple of times), but I would never purchase refurbished/refinished balls. 

[Fongle]

The absolute only thing I would use second hand balls for would be hitting into a net at home, if you were working on a swing change and just focussing on the contact, or teaching someone new, and you literally just needed any sort of ball whatsoever to hit and weren't looking at numbers/data at all.

Even for chipping practice etc at home I still use chrome tour balls after I've played a round with them etc, because I want the feel off the face, launch height etc to remain constant for that sort of thing.

[Hacker60521]

@Golfhack23 I’d rather find a lower cost ball that I can afford “new” than risk salvaged balls. My sense is that there are a lot of great balls that aren’t in the $50-ish price range. 

[AverageSizedDog]

Nothing compares to a new ball. That being said, you are willing to compromise in some areas to save money, lostgolfballs and fb marketplace are great places to start. I think marketplace might be better because sometimes you can find someone who is looking to get rid of some stuff rather that business trying to make money. 

[Rob Person]

Golfballnut.com lostgolfballs.com etc do try to separate and rate the balls they sell. I've used both in the past.

But like was said, you can find amazing deals.on quality premium balls all the time. 

Vice has last years models from 20 a dozen. Look on dicks sporting goods website for sales too!

[GolfSpy_BNG]

10 hours ago, storm319 said:

It is important to distinguish between recycled vs refinished/refurbished. 

Recycled: generally pulled from ponds, cleaned/sorted/graded for resale. 

Refinished/Refurbished: also generally pulled from ponds, covers and/or paint in poor shape, cleaned/paint chemically stripped/repainted/restamped for resale. Due to the refinishing/restamping, you don’t really know what you are getting. 

MGS staff tested a refinished/refurbished vs a new Pro V1 and have continually advocated against these, not used/recycled balls that haven’t been refinished. I have personally had good luck with recycled balls (purchased from LostGolfBalls a couple of times), but I would never purchase refurbished/refinished balls. 

IMO you can call them any name you want but they are the same to me.  It’s a ball that was salvaged from somewhere after being there for who knows how long. And don’t get me started on the grading process. This one looks good it’s a 4 or better.  There are so many good new balls on the market now it doesn’t make sense to me to buy used. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Not something I will go near anymore. I know better and there are plenty of golf balls that are offered new for great prices. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

As others have said, there are a lot of very good performing golf balls for a much more cost effective price. Even if you were to purchase 5A Mint ProV1s from a site like lostgolfballs, you're going to be paying nearly the same if not more per dozen than new Maxfli Tours. The entire tour series of Maxfli balls are fantastic, and the Tour X has been my predominantly played ball this year. I have some left dash ProV1x and ProV1x I'll be using for a tournament this weekend but once they are gone I have no qualms playing the Maxfli ball going forward. 

Vice, Snell, and Odin are three other DTCs I can think of off the top of my head that sell great golf balls at the $30 ish per dozen range as well. As @GolfSpy_BNG mentioned, the Wilson Staff model balls are fantastic.

If you absolutely need to see Titleist, Callaway or Taylormade on your ball but don't want to pay the price for new balls then I suppose the secondhand market is your best best and there's nothing wrong with that either. But in my eyes I'd rather play a new ball that has performed well in MGS testing.

[Chas c]

I've been sourcing from clean green golf balls, just getting the 'near mint' grade and they have all been fantastic. I've found one or two (out of the 8 dozen I've ordered) that had very minor nearly imperceptible imperfections (probably only been hit once before judging by most of them), but the rest have been, to my eye, undistinguishable from new balls. No discoloration, the covers feel super grippy, etc. With the regular discounts, you can get these near-mint grade for less than a dollar a ball. A video review gets a 40% off code, so you're talking 60 CENTS per ball. Maybe once I get better and stop losing 6 balls a round I'll switch to new, but I'm quite pleased with the value.

[storm319]

13 hours ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

IMO you can call them any name you want but they are the same to me.  It’s a ball that was salvaged from somewhere after being there for who knows how long. And don’t get me started on the grading process. This one looks good it’s a 4 or better.  There are so many good new balls on the market now it doesn’t make sense to me to buy used. 

If you don’t see a difference between a used ball that was simply cleaned and repackaged and a ball in poor condition that was refinished differently than the OEM intended, I don’t know what to tell you. I just want to clarify for readers that may not understand what is being referred to (because there is a huge difference). 

I’m not sure I would consider the Wilson Staff Model to be a good value given that the regular price is nearly the same as the big OEMs at $50 per dozen (that promo price you are referring to is not regularly available and even then, the Maxfli Tour line are regulatly available for less). 

Ultimately, would I pay the same for used Pro V1s vs new Maxfli Tour/Vice Pro? Nope, but there are still good condition used options available for much less than either (I have a local hookup for near mint Vice Pro/Pro Plus that were not pulled from water that I can hand pick for .50 per ball which is a far better value than the above). 

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 hours ago, storm319 said:

If you don’t see a difference between a used ball that was simply cleaned and repackaged and a ball in poor condition that was refinished differently than the OEM intended, I don’t know what to tell you. I just want to clarify for readers that may not understand what is being referred to (because there is a huge difference). 

I’m not sure I would consider the Wilson Staff Model to be a good value given that the regular price is nearly the same as the big OEMs at $50 per dozen (that promo price you are referring to is not regularly available and even then, the Maxfli Tour line are regulatly available for less). 

Ultimately, would I pay the same for used Pro V1s vs new Maxfli Tour/Vice Pro? Nope, but there are still good condition used options available for much less than either (I have a local hookup for near mint Vice Pro/Pro Plus that were not pulled from water that I can hand pick for .50 per ball which is a far better value than the above). 

I avoid used golf balls at all costs now. Much to Marks point, you really don't know how long they have been wherever they have been and the cost of new balls from Vice Maxfli and others is far better and more trusted. 

To each their own, but when I look at saving money on golf, golf balls are not the place I am going to start. 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

10 hours ago, storm319 said:

f you don’t see a difference between a used ball that was simply cleaned and repackaged and a ball in poor condition that was refinished differently than the OEM intended, I don’t know what to tell you. I just want to clarify for readers that may not understand what is being referred to (because there is a huge difference). 

Both are still a ball salvaged from somewhere after an unknown period of time. Not that hard to understand.  That’s why they are the same to me. Obviously some are refinished/refurbished and some are just used but that doesn’t change my statement above. 

[Mike10487]

Boy howdy! This subject always gets some quick responses. My 2 cents. I'd rather buy the cheapest (NEW) Top flight, Pinnacle, Wilson, Molitor or Slazenger before I bought a used/refurbished/recycled ball. MSG has ruined me for the 2nd hand ball market! I hope you guys are happy!

Edited July 12 by Mike10487

[Cmra1]

I’ll use the refurb ball ocassionally if I find one on the course and it just makes it way into the rotation. You can date a prov by the alignment mark so if it is an old one or obvious issues it goes into the practice bag when I cull the bag every couple weeks

[Mike10487]

So lets face it, there is absolutely no reason a 25+ handicap golfer should be using a $5 pro V. Walmart sells brand new balls that equate to less than $1/ ball. Are these premium balls? NO WAY, but if I had to play a tournament or a cash game and had to choose between a new "Toprock" and a recycled pro v. I'm taking the ones in a sleeve. 

[storm319]

This is the most thorough study on the effect of water submergence on performance that I have seen. TLDR: no significant differences in mass or distance between the unused balls and those that had been submerged in a pond for up to a year.

https://www.golfsciencejournal.org/article/81254-retention-of-golf-ball-performance-following-up-to-one-year-submergence-in-ponds

[storm319]

Again, I am not advocating for spending the same for a used multilayer urethane big OEM offering vs a similarly constructed new DTC offering. 

However, if my given the choice between a used, good condition multilayer urethane priced below what you can find any new ball for vs paying more for a new 2-piece, low compression ionomer ball, I am going used every time (the loss in ball speed and spin from the 2-piece ball will likely be more impactful to my game than what sitting in a pond will do to the used ball). 

[buckpillar]

On 7/7/2024 at 10:18 PM, Golfhack23 said:

With the cost of premium golf balls being in the $50 or more range has anyone used golf balls from places such as lostgolfballs.com?

I've never purchased any golf balls from a second hand store and was just curious if anyone had and how they felt about them. 

 

If you do buy from any used golf ball seller, hope you get the ball you want not buying a Titleist and getting a Top Flite in disguise. A water ball perhaps?

I never had any luck with used balls, maybe look for logo over run balls, you can get a better ball cheaper.

Hope this helps.

[funkyjudge]

I had never purchased any used or recycled/refurbished golf balls of any type until last year, when I decided to give Usedgolfballs.com a try just to see how good or bad their offerings are. I purchased only their 5-star+ non-refurbished or refinished balls, and only ProV1x left dash and Bridgestone Tour BRX balls.

I played some of those balls in non-competitive casual rounds with friends last fall and this spring. Most of them performed exactly as the new balls of the same make and model. However, I found a couple of the ProV1x left dash balls flew somewhat erratically. Because of this, I will NEVER purchase any type of used golf balls in the future!

Edited July 12 by funkyjudge
Typo

[BigMacQue]

On 7/7/2024 at 10:18 PM, Golfhack23 said:

With the cost of premium golf balls being in the $50 or more range has anyone used golf balls from places such as lostgolfballs.com?

I've never purchased any golf balls from a second hand store and was just curious if anyone had and how they felt about them. 

 

I've bought from lostgolfballs.com and I've been happy with them.  You're not getting refinished or refurbished balls, you're getting a bona fide ball.  You need to buy the Near Mint or Pristine, which does save you some money but is still not as expensive as new, but I've had no issues with performance.  As they say, every ball is a used ball as soon as it's hit one time.  I've found many of the ones I've bought look like they've never been hit.

[IlliniBill]

If by second hand balls you mean balls that I have found, then I have no problem with them.  In fact, my only notable achievement in golf is the fact I have not purchased a golf ball in the past 60 years.  I have played some brand new balls received at outings or as gifts, but cannot discern much difference from the balls I find.  I am pretty selective as to which found balls I play and discard ones that appear too old or damaged.  My preferred ball is a ProV1 which is good because that is one that I find most frequently (along with Callaway Supersoft and Kirkland which I don't play).  I also like Vice Pro.  

But then, maybe that's why I'm a 17 handicap?

[BigMacQue]

I have used Maxfli Straightfli balls (and I have an unopened box of Maxfli Softfli, four dozen balls, for sale if anyone is interested), and I prefer the Pro V1.  I have new Pro V1's, but for every day play, since I'm playing up to four times a week, I use the used balls I've bought from lostgolfballs.com.

[short fat Scotsman]

For those of us who can't play 2 rounds with the same ball, does it really matter.  For the great majority of us who lose balls (consistently even 1 per round) there are probably a lot more things needing attention to than the type of ball being played with.  Save the money and buy a lesson.  Have a wander through the rough looking for your ball and find all these 'almost new' balls with  one previous (temporary)owner .........no better than you are, that's why you are ball hunting in the same place!

[Jakesy35]

36 minutes ago, IlliniBill said:

If by second hand balls you mean balls that I have found, then I have no problem with them.  In fact, my only notable achievement in golf is the fact I have not purchased a golf ball in the past 60 years.  I have played some brand new balls received at outings or as gifts, but cannot discern much difference from the balls I find.  I am pretty selective as to which found balls I play and discard ones that appear too old or damaged.  My preferred ball is a ProV1 which is good because that is one that I find most frequently (along with Callaway Supersoft and Kirkland which I don't play).  I also like Vice Pro.  

But then, maybe that's why I'm a 17 handicap?

ProV1 is not my preferred ball (I drank the Maxfli Tour X kool aid and I think they’re fantastic balls to replace the discontinued Callaway Chrome Soft Xs I used to use). But I have a nice collection of ProV1s from all the hackers that do like them and also like to leave them in the woods on the right of the fairway. So I encourage anyone who loses a ton of balls to keep playing those ProV1s, you’re doing a great service to the general public! 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

My son works at my club and brings home hundreds of ball that I clean, sort and mostly use back at the course at the driving range.

If you find a new ball use it if you loose balls. But I wouldn’t buy them from a place that sells used balls. As mentioned most are water balls. Also do not buy refinished balls. 
Take a look at this ProV1x that was refinished. Who knows what brand of ball is actually under that horrific paint job.

[chisag]

... There are basically 3 kinds of golfers when it comes to golf balls. 

1. Play the best ball for your game. The cost is almost insignificant compared to the cost of everything else associated with playing golf. Especially those that play once a week or less. After doing their own testing they play the ball best for their game. 

2. Always looking for a bargain and takes advantage of sales like Maxfli Tour/X/S at 4 dozen for $119 or even better when they go on sale for $109. Any sales of premium balls that are buy some get some free and stock up for the season. Any of the established DTC balls, especially in bulk. 

3. Those looking for the cheapest ball they can find. Using ball retrievers to fish some out of a lake, recycled and refurbished. They don't care if one or more balls in a dozen are suspect or they have their head in the sand and refuse to believe they are any worse than a new ball. And some of the higher index players don't care if that slice is a product of their swing or a defective ball as long as it is free or very cheap. 

... I doubt anything written on a golf forum will move any of the above out of their chosen category. It's always good to state our opinions as that is why we are here, but very few from 1 or 2 are gonna read anything from a 3 that makes them order used balls and very few from 3 are gonna pay for new balls, even on sale. We live in an Internet Age where you can find most anything to back up your preferred opinion but it is also possible to have an open mind and do your own deep dive research and compare the conflicting reviews. Shills abound. I would add I play 4 to 5 times a week and start every round with a new ball, unless my ball from the last round was put in play after losing a ball or having it damaged and I would never consider a recycled/refurbished ball but that's me and of course if you are a 3 your milage already varies. 

 

Edited July 12 by chisag

[Frank G]

I’m a recent convert to Lostgolfballs.com. I’m a 12 Handicap and just picked up 96 Titlest Tour soft balls for $110. Balls arrived at my doorstep within 24 hours. I stick with Mint or Pristine quality. Yes the ball type can be a year or two off current, but I don’t notice any difference from the ones offered new at 10x that price. These balls are harvested weekly from the ponds and arrive as advertised. If you disagree with the quality provided, this company rapidly works to make you happy.