Golf balls are made from a variety of materials that can be waterlogged or absorbed by the ground. This affects how they fly and their performance when hit with a club. Lake balls, on the other hand, are not affected by waterlogging and have a higher bounce rate than golf balls. Q:
Golfers should know that golf balls will get waterlogged and can be ruined. In order to tell if a golf ball is waterlogged, players should look at the dimples on the ball. If there are no dimples, it is not waterlogged. Q:
Are you fed up with spending $50 on a dozen golf balls? Regardless matter how much they cost, do those golf balls wind up in a water hazard or out of bounds?
Don’t be concerned; you’re not alone. The majority of golfers share this sentiment. Even the golf balls are costly, as if the equipment and greens fees weren’t enough. It is not a cheap game, but it is well worth the money.
One issue that often arises as a means of saving money is whether or not golf balls get soggy. You may have seen divers loading bag after bag with lake golf balls to sell for pennies on the dollar. Is it still possible to use these golf balls? Will they be beneficial to your game? Everything you need to know about wet golf balls is right here.ย ย
The Making of a Golf Ball
It’s critical to understand how golf balls are produced in order to fully comprehend how they are impacted when they spend time in the water. In general, golf balls are made up of a cover and one, two, or occasionally three extra layers of materials on the interior.
Surlyn or urethane is often used as the golf ball’s cover material. Following the USGA standards for golf balls acceptable for play, the dimple pattern of the golf ball is produced.
When golf balls are submerged, are they affected?
To figure out how much new and used golf balls are impacted when they go underwater, we need to divide them into two categories: new golf balls and used golf balls.
Golf Balls that are brand new
If you immerse a brand new, never-hit golf ball in water, you’ll get a completely different outcome than if you submerge a ball that has been played for a long time. The cover of a fresh golf ball is free of cuts and scratches. It has never been compacted by a golf club’s power. In order for a fresh golf ball to be impacted by water, it must be immersed for an extended period of time.
It’s difficult to predict how long it will take until it is impacted. However, it seems that weeks and months may pass with little change in the golf ball’s trajectory.
Golf Balls from the Past
These are the balls that you played for seventeen holes or the ones that have been in your bag for a few months and are mulliganed. There are a few scrapes and minor flaws, but it is generally a good golf ball.
When this kind of golf ball hits a pond or a lake, it rapidly becomes waterlogged. According to some research, the water only takes a few hours to reach the inner core and start affecting the yardage on the golf ball.
So, what happens next?
Water will seep into the middle or core of a golf ball with these micro-cracks if it falls into a pond. Because of the water, the core is not nearly as active as it was before. It loses the majority of its spring action, which allows it to fly.
Even after the golf ball has dried off, it is not as effective as a golf ball that has never been immersed in water. The longer the ball is submerged, the less likely it is to fly.
You may now believe that if you save money, you can live without a few more yards. That may be the case, but keep in mind that we’re talking about 10-20 yards here, not just 1-2 yards.
How Long Does It Take For Something To Become Waterlogged?
It just takes a few hours for a golf ball that has been struck many times and has some minor flaws in the cover to lose distance. This isn’t a lot of time. If you hit a golf ball into the water off the tee and can recover it with your ball retriever, you can remain using that golf ball without any changes.
ย Is Lake Balls a Good Idea?
So, knowing that golf balls may get wet, are these golf balls worth purchasing? Here are some things to think about.
- What are you going to do with the golf balls? Are these balls for practicing in your yard or stashing in the bottom of your bag when you’re having a bad day? If that’s the case, the water golf balls will most likely be OK. Are you a new player who want to strike the ball straight? Again, these golf balls are most likely in good condition. If you are a low handicap golfer trying to improve your score, however, do not purchase lake balls.
- How Long Did the Balls Have to Be Submerged? This is a question that may be difficult to respond to. The amount of time spent underwater and the distance a golf ball may travel are directly proportional. Do you have any idea how long the golf balls were submerged before being rescued?
- What’s the difference in price? Is there really that big of a difference? Is it possible to get a new golf ball that fits your game for a comparable price? If you have the option, switching to the new golf ball over the lake ball is likely to be worthwhile.
What Does It Mean If They’re Refurbished – Should You Use Them?
When you buy a reconditioned golf ball, you have no way of knowing if it was in the water or not (unless the manufacturer says it wasn’t). The cover of a refurbished ball is sandblasted off, replaced, and then painted to resemble the kind of golf ball it was initially.
Refurbished balls, without a doubt, seem to be brand new. You play them for the first few holes, at least. The paint on the refurbished balls does not seem to last as long as the paint on a brand new golf ball.
A reconditioned golf ball may be a fantastic option if the appearance of the golf ball on the first tee is important to you. If you’re simply looking for a good price on a golf ball, though, secondhand balls are the way to go. They are just nicer because they have been renovated; they are not more effective and may even perform worse.
Is It Really Important To Have A Good Golf Ball?
The quality of the golf ball makes a significant impact as soon as you can see and feel it, but it will matter more to professionals and improvers than to total novices.
If you’re consistently shooting over 100, struggling to keep the ball on the fairway, or simply getting the ball in the air, the quality of your club won’t make a significant impact.
The proper golf ball is worth the cost if you’re focusing on reducing your handicap, requiring every single yard you can get, and constantly improving your putting stroke. When you’ve reached this stage in your game, it’ll all come down to feel and distance.
Having a player test two different golf balls is one of our favorite methods to see whether golf balls matter. Could they tell if there was a difference? If there was no change in the way the ball flew or landed, the quality of the golf ball makes no difference.
ย Should You Use Lake Balls If You’re a Beginner?
A lake ball is more suited to the budget golfer than any other kind of golf ball. The lake golf balls would not be the greatest option for a novice seeking for the finest of the best. If you’re a novice who’s fed up with losing golf balls all the time and irritated by how costly the game is, don’t hesitate to try those lake golf balls.
ย What are the best balls for a novice to use? What are the many types?
Beginners should usually use a two-piece golf ball. The two-piece ball will keep the cost low while increasing the distance. A novice does not need to be concerned with spin and feel as much as a player with a lower handicap.
What balls should a player with a mid handicap use?
The short game is the most difficult aspect of the game for mid-handicappers. When it comes to slashing shots from your short game, a three-piece golf ball is the way to go. This golf ball will provide the spin and feel needed around the greens, as well as the distance needed off the tee for a mid handicap golfer.
What balls should a golfer with a low handicap use?
Golfers with a lower handicap need spin and feel. A lower handicap golfer often has a faster swing speed and the ability to launch and carry the ball farther than the ordinary player. Playing golf with a two-piece golf ball will not allow this golfer to stop and spin the ball as well as they would want. Lower-handicappers should seek for a three-piece (or four-piece) golf ball with a robust cover and lots of spin on the greens.
Recommendations for Golf Balls
We’ve selected a few of the finest golf balls for you to try, whether you’re a cheap shopper, a beginning golfer, or a mid handicapper.
If you’re at a stage in your game when you can’t determine which kind of golf ball is ideal for you, this 100 Golf Ball Mix is a great choice. We also like this inexpensive set for yard practice. This container contains old golf balls that have been cleaned (not rebuilt) and will show little to no wear. If you’re new to golf and only need a few balls to fill your bag, this is a great choice.
This is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a long-distance golf ball. What makes this Srixon so ideal for high handicappers is that, in addition to providing incredible distance off the tee, it also offers excellent feel around the green. This ball has a unique dimple pattern that will help you cut through the wind and deliver the ball straight to your goal. At about $20 per dozen, this is a cost-effective alternative for the high handicapper who is prone to dropping a few golf balls on the course.
When your handicap begins to drop and you feel like you have some influence over where the ball ends up, it’s time to start thinking about golf ball selection. The Bridgestone Golf Tour B RX is a fantastic all-around golf ball. There’s a lot of spin and feel around the greens, but there’s also a lot of distance off the tee. The Bridgestone is a little more expensive than some other golf balls, but at this stage in your career, these kinds of choices will be well worth it.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting a golf ball for your game, there are many things to consider. Whether you’re trying to figure out if it’s worth it to start buying waterlogged golf balls, keep in mind that their performance will be influenced by the amount of time they’ve been in the water. If this is still not important to you, then save your money on the golf balls. There’s no denying that the golf ball diving industry is still thriving. You’re probably not the only one in your foursome who wants to try a lake ball.
Hello, my name is Matthew, and I’m a mid-handicapper who enjoys playing as much as possible. I like testing out new gear, and this blog has a list of everything I’ve tried out over the years!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does water ruin golf balls?
Yes, water can ruin golf balls. Q:
How long does it take for a golf ball to become waterlogged?
It takes a golf ball about three hours to become waterlogged. Q:
Do golf balls go bad over time?
No, golf balls do not go bad over time. They are designed to last a long time with proper care and maintenance. Q:
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