What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Lake or Secondhand Golf Balls?

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Are Recycled Golf Balls Worth Buying?

Golf balls are one of the few pieces of equipment that golfers regularly lose, replace and repurchase. As a result, many golfers eventually ask the same question:

Can I save money by using secondhand golf balls instead of buying new ones?

For some golfers, the answer is yes. Recycled and lake golf balls can offer substantial savings, especially if you lose several balls during a round. However, there are also potential performance drawbacks that many golfers don’t fully understand.

A golf ball that has spent months—or even years—submerged in water may not perform the same as a brand-new ball. Likewise, a ball found in the rough, trees or bushes may have hidden damage that affects distance, spin and consistency.

If you’re still determining which type of golf ball best suits your game, our comprehensive golf ball fitting guide can help you identify the right golf ball before deciding whether to buy new or used.

In this guide, we’ll examine:

  • What lake balls are
  • What recycled golf balls are
  • The advantages of buying secondhand golf balls
  • The disadvantages of using used golf balls
  • How water affects golf ball performance
  • Which golfers should use secondhand golf balls
  • Which golfers should avoid them
  • Whether used golf balls actually save money

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information needed to decide whether secondhand golf balls are a smart choice for your game.

What Are Lake Golf Balls?

Lake balls are golf balls that have been recovered from water hazards on golf courses.

Professional diving companies often retrieve thousands of golf balls from lakes, ponds and water hazards each year. The balls are then:

  • Cleaned
  • Sorted
  • Graded
  • Packaged
  • Resold

Many premium golf balls found in water hazards are almost new when lost, making them attractive to budget-conscious golfers.

Popular lake ball models include:

  • Titleist Pro V1
  • Titleist Pro V1x
  • Callaway Chrome Soft
  • TaylorMade TP5
  • Srixon Z-Star
  • Bridgestone Tour B

Because these premium balls are expensive when purchased new, many golfers view lake balls as a way to access premium performance at a lower cost.

What Are Recycled Golf Balls?

Recycled golf balls differ slightly from lake balls.

A recycled ball may have been:

  • Found on the golf course
  • Recovered from rough
  • Retrieved from trees
  • Retrieved from water hazards
  • Collected from practice facilities

The ball is then cleaned and sometimes refinished before being sold.

Some recycled golf balls receive:

  • Cosmetic touch-ups
  • New paint coatings
  • Logo removal
  • Re-stamping

While these processes improve appearance, they can sometimes affect the original surface characteristics of the golf ball.

Understanding Golf Ball Grading Systems

Most used golf balls are sold according to condition grades.

Grade A / Mint

Characteristics:

  • Looks almost new
  • Minimal markings
  • Original finish intact
  • No visible cuts

Best choice for most golfers.

Grade B / Near Mint

Characteristics:

  • Minor scuffs
  • Slight discoloration
  • Small player markings

Often provides the best balance of quality and value.

Grade C / Practice Grade

Characteristics:

  • Visible wear
  • Noticeable marks
  • Surface imperfections

Suitable primarily for practice.

Refinished Balls

Characteristics:

  • Repainted surface
  • Original finish removed
  • New outer coating applied

These are often the least desirable option because performance consistency may be affected.

Advantages of Using Secondhand Golf Balls

Let’s start with the positives.

1. Significant Cost Savings

This is the biggest reason golfers buy used golf balls.

Typical Price Comparison

Golf BallNew Price (Dozen)Used Price (Dozen)
Pro V1£45-£55£15-£30
Pro V1x£45-£55£15-£30
TP5£40-£50£15-£28
Chrome Soft£40-£50£15-£28
Z-Star£35-£45£12-£25

Potential savings can exceed 50%.

For golfers who lose multiple balls per round, this can add up quickly over a season.

2. Access to Premium Golf Balls

Many golfers would never spend £50 per dozen on new Pro V1s.

However, purchasing used balls may allow them to play premium models at a much lower cost.

Instead of buying a budget distance ball, they can often afford:

  • Pro V1
  • TP5
  • Chrome Soft
  • Z-Star

for a similar price.

3. Environmentally Friendly

Buying recycled golf balls helps reduce waste.

Millions of golf balls are lost every year.

Using recovered balls:

  • Extends product life
  • Reduces landfill waste
  • Lowers environmental impact

This is an appealing benefit for environmentally conscious golfers.

4. Ideal for Beginners

New golfers often lose multiple balls each round.

Using secondhand balls can:

  • Reduce costs
  • Lower frustration
  • Encourage experimentation

Until a golfer develops greater consistency, used balls often make financial sense.

Disadvantages of Using Lake or Secondhand Golf Balls

Now let’s examine the potential drawbacks.

1. Water Can Affect Golf Ball Performance

This is the most controversial topic surrounding lake balls.

Modern golf balls are remarkably durable, but prolonged water exposure can still affect performance.

Potential effects include:

  • Reduced compression
  • Slightly lower ball speed
  • Reduced distance
  • Inconsistent spin rates

The longer a ball remains submerged, the greater the risk of performance degradation.

What Does Testing Show?

Several independent tests over the years have examined waterlogged golf balls.

General findings suggest:

Balls Submerged Briefly

  • Little to no measurable difference

Balls Submerged for Months

Possible losses:

  • 2-5 yards of distance
  • Slight reduction in ball speed
  • Reduced spin consistency

Balls Submerged for Years

Potential losses:

  • 5-10+ yards
  • More noticeable compression changes
  • Reduced overall consistency

The challenge is that golfers rarely know how long a lake ball has been underwater.

2. Inconsistent Performance

One of the biggest issues with used golf balls is inconsistency.

For example:

Golf Ball #1:

  • Lost yesterday
  • Nearly new condition

Golf Ball #2:

  • Lost two years ago
  • Significant water exposure

Both may appear similar after cleaning.

However, performance could differ significantly.

Consistency matters, especially for lower handicap golfers.

3. Surface Damage

Even if a ball has never entered water, it may have suffered impacts from:

  • Cart paths
  • Trees
  • Rocks
  • Asphalt

Small cuts or abrasions can affect:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Spin rates
  • Ball flight stability

This is often difficult to identify visually.

4. Refinished Balls May Not Perform Like New

Refinished golf balls are particularly controversial.

During the refinishing process:

  • Original paint may be removed
  • New coatings applied
  • Logos reprinted

These modifications can potentially alter:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Dimple characteristics
  • Surface friction

Most golfers should avoid refinished balls if performance consistency is important.

How Much Distance Can You Lose?

One of the most common questions golfers ask is:

“Will I lose distance using a lake ball?”

The answer depends entirely on the condition of the ball.

Approximate Performance Impact

Ball ConditionPotential Distance Loss
New0 yards
Mint Recycled0-2 yards
Near Mint0-3 yards
Waterlogged3-10 yards
Poor Condition5-15 yards

For many recreational golfers, these differences may not be noticeable.

For competitive golfers, they can be significant.

Which Golfers Should Use Used Golf Balls?

Beginners

Excellent choice.

Benefits:

  • Lower cost
  • Less frustration
  • Easier learning process

High Handicappers

Generally a good choice.

Most high handicappers will benefit more from affordability than from marginal performance gains.

Casual Golfers

Used golf balls often make excellent sense.

The cost savings typically outweigh minor performance differences.

Which Golfers Should Avoid Used Golf Balls?

Low Handicappers

Golfers seeking maximum consistency should usually play new golf balls.

The smallest performance variations can influence scoring.

Tournament Players

Competition golfers should prioritise consistency.

New golf balls provide:

  • Predictable distance
  • Reliable spin
  • Consistent feel

Golfers Undergoing Ball Fittings

A fitting should always use new golf balls.

Used balls can distort launch monitor data.

New vs Used Golf Ball Comparison

CategoryNew Golf BallsUsed Golf Balls
DistanceExcellentVariable
SpinConsistentVariable
FeelConsistentVariable
DurabilityExcellentVariable
CostHighLow
ValueModerateExcellent
Tournament SuitabilityExcellentModerate
Beginner SuitabilityGoodExcellent

The Best Types of Used Golf Balls to Buy

If you decide to purchase secondhand balls, look for:

Best Options

✅ Mint Grade

✅ Near Mint Grade

✅ Premium models

✅ Balls with original finish

Avoid

❌ Refinished balls

❌ Practice-grade balls

❌ Heavily discoloured balls

❌ Balls with visible cuts

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Lake Balls Legal?

Yes.

Lake balls are fully legal under the Rules of Golf provided they conform to current equipment regulations.

Do Lake Balls Perform Like New Golf Balls?

Sometimes.

A recently lost premium ball may perform almost identically to a new ball.

A ball submerged for years may not.

Are Refinished Golf Balls Worth Buying?

Generally, no.

Most golfers are better off buying higher-grade recycled balls that retain their original factory finish.

Do Professionals Use Recycled Golf Balls?

No.

Professional golfers use brand-new golf balls to ensure maximum consistency.

Are Used Pro V1s Better Than New Budget Golf Balls?

For many golfers, yes.

A mint-condition used Pro V1 may outperform a new budget ball, particularly around the greens.

Final Verdict

Lake balls and secondhand golf balls can offer exceptional value, but they are not ideal for every golfer.

Great Choice For:

✔ Beginners

✔ High handicappers

✔ Casual golfers

✔ Golfers on a budget

✔ Practice rounds

Less Suitable For:

✘ Low handicappers

✘ Tournament players

✘ Golfers seeking maximum consistency

✘ Serious competitive golfers

For most recreational golfers, high-quality mint-grade recycled golf balls represent an excellent way to reduce costs while still enjoying the performance of premium golf ball models.

However, golfers focused on scoring, competition and consistency will usually benefit from investing in brand-new golf balls, where performance remains predictable from the first tee to the final putt.

And for even more information the right golf ball for your game then make sure and try out our golf ball selector app which will help you narrow down the best golf ball for you.

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