Why You Should Play with 2nd Hand Golf Balls?
If you’re a regular golfer, you know losing golf balls is part of the game. They can disappear into tall grass, woods, or water hazards like ponds and lakes. Now, losing $30-$50 worth of golf balls may not hurt professional golfers. However, it’s certainly frustrating for casual players who play just for fun. Luckily, 2nd hand golf balls can help you solve this problem.
In this article, we’ll explain why playing with used golf balls can actually be a really good idea.
What are 2nd Hand Golf Balls?
Second-hand golf balls are the ones that have been used before but were lost during play. These are still in playable condition and so are also known as used or recycled golf balls. They are collected from places like golf courses, water hazards, and tall plants.
Do note that before being sold, these balls are properly cleaned and graded. This ensures that the used balls you buy are of suitable prices and performance.
Types of 2nd Hand Golf Balls
The following are some main types of 2nd hand golf balls you can choose from:
Recycled Golf Balls: These are balls that were lost by their owners and collected for resale at lower prices after cleaning.
Refurbished Golf Balls: Refurbished golf balls are used balls that are professionally reconditioned to conserve their original performance.
Practice Golf Balls: Practice golf balls are not good enough for proper play. That’s why they are considered the best balls for high handicappers to develop their golfing skills.
Grading: After the golf balls are collected, cleaned and sorted they are then hand graded. You can read more about our grading system here.
Why You Should Play with 2nd Hand Golf Balls?
Following are some reasons why you should consider playing with used golf balls instead of brand-new ones:
The Price
The foremost reason people often go for used golf balls instead of buying brand-new ones is the price. The prices of recycled balls vary depending on their grade but are significantly cheaper than new ones. This means you can buy them in large quantities without denting your wallet. Plus, you don’t have to worry if they get lost because they didn’t cost much in the first place.
Quality
Believe it or not, used golf balls are usually in great condition and perform almost as well as new ones. This is because these days, balls are designed with advanced technology to protect them from water damage. Plus, sellers make sure to collect these balls soon after they are lost by players. So they aren’t exposed to harmful conditions for that long. Read more about EXTINCT: Waterlogged Golf Balls.
Environmentally Friendly
Almost 1 billion golf balls are produced globally annually, and millions are lost in America alone. That’s why using second-hand golf balls for casual games and practice is so important. It helps decrease the demand for new balls, reducing the waste produced during manufacturing.
Who Should Play with 2nd Hand Golf Balls?
When it comes to golf balls, secondhand ones are way better than new ones in the following cases:
Beginner and Casual Players
When you’re a beginner in golf, you’re most likely going to hit the balls anywhere but the target. So, it’s always a good idea to use cheaper used balls that you won’t mind losing. The other golf equipment is also expensive. So, you don’t need the cost of frequently buying new golf balls to pile up as well. This is especially true for players who aren’t serious about the game but occasionally like to play for fun.
Practice
If you prefer using quality balls, that’s great. However, it’s probably best to leave them for the actual game. You don’t want to lose your brand-new golf pro v1 balls during practice. Instead, for practicing, you can use good second-hand but high-grade golf balls, e.g., second-hand Titleist golf balls.
Testing New Equipment
When testing new clubs, you should always use 2nd hand golf balls. There is no point in using your best golf balls and risk losing them. In addition, you could also use this tip when you want to test different brands of golf balls for play. If the second-hand options do well for your game, you can purchase new balls of the same brand and stop unnecessarily spending on unreliable brands.
Hazardous Courses
When visiting a new golf course for play, always keep some second-hand golf balls handy. When you reach, evaluate the golf course for areas of dense vegetation and water hazards. If any of these damaging factors are present, it is best not to use your new golf balls.
How Do 2nd Hand Golf Balls Perform?
The performance of 2nd hand golf balls mainly depends on the amount of damage they have been subjected to. Some balls have only been played for a hole or two, and that’s why they are in mint condition. Others may show slight blemishes because of more use.
That being said, the quality and performance of a ball can be determined by its grade. This way, you know what to expect in terms of performance from each ball.
Conclusion
Golf can be expensive if you’re not smart about buying golf balls. If you’re a beginner or a casual player, there is no need to buy expensive new ones. You can just buy used practice balls or recycled balls, which are much cheaper.
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