Are Used Golf Balls Worth It? The Truth About Second-Hand Golf Balls

Are Used Golf Balls Really Worth It?

If you’ve ever watched your brand-new Pro V1 disappear into a pond, you’ll know that sinking feeling — not just your ball, but a few quid gone forever. That’s why more and more golfers in the UK are turning to used and recycled golf balls.

But are second-hand golf balls actually worth it? Do they perform as well as new ones? Let’s tee off and find out.

What Are “Used Golf Balls”?

Used golf balls (sometimes called lake balls or recycled golf balls) are simply balls that have been lost, recovered, cleaned and resold.

Here at The Golf Ball Guys, we clean, grade, and test every ball to make sure you’re getting top quality — not just random range balls from the bottom of a lake.

Used golf balls come in different grades:

• Mint: Almost like new – minimal marks, full performance.

• Grade A: Light surface marks but still fly beautifully.

• B-Grade: Great for beginners, high handicap players and practice rounds.

Why Smart Golfers Buy Used Golf Balls

Let’s face it — golf isn’t a cheap hobby. Between green fees, clubs, and the occasional pint afterwards, it adds up quickly. Used golf balls give you the same feel and flight as new ones at a fraction of the cost.

💷 Save Serious Money:
Top brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade can cost £50+ a dozen new. Our used golf balls? Often half that — or less. That means you can play premium balls every round without feeling guilty when one finds the water.

🏌️♀️ Same Great Performance:
Modern golf balls are built tough. Independent testing shows that properly recycled balls lose a fraction to no distance or spin compared to new ones — especially if they’ve only been in the elements for a short while.

🌍 Better for the Environment:
Recycling golf balls prevents millions of them from entering landfills and waterways every year. Choosing second-hand golf balls is a small change that makes a big impact.

Are Used Golf Balls Good Enough for All Skill Levels?

Absolutely. Whether you’re a beginner trying to find your swing or a single-figure handicapper chasing consistency, there’s a grade that fits your game.

• Beginners: You’ll lose plenty of balls learning. Used golf balls are perfect — affordable and great quality.

• Mid-handicappers: A mix of Mint and Near Mint balls lets you play top brands without breaking the bank.

• Low-handicappers: Even single-digit players use recycled golf balls. When a new box of Prov1's are £50+ no wonder low handicap golfers come to us for Mint grade balls at half the price. We sell to plenty of scratch/plus handicap golfers. 

What About Water Damage or Performance Loss?

This is a fair question — it’s what puts many golfers off trying used balls in the first place.

At The Golf Ball Guys, every ball is carefully cleaned, inspected, and graded. We reject anything that won’t perform properly. Most of our stock are course found or comes from short-term lake recovery, meaning minimal water exposure.

The result? A ball that looks, feels, and flies like new — for far less than the pro shop price.

How to Choose the Right Used Golf Balls

If you’re new to buying second-hand golf balls, here’s a quick guide:

1. Pick your preferred brand – e.g. Titleist, Srixon, Callaway, TaylorMade.

2. Choose your grade – Mint if you want our top grade, Grade A if you are a mid-High handicap and B-grade if you dont mind the condition and lose alot of balls.

3. Buy in bulk – Save even more by grabbing 24 or 48 packs.

4. Try a few types – Some golfers swear by softer covers, others love low-spin distance balls. Experiment and find your perfect match.

Final Thoughts

So, are used golf balls worth it?
100% yes.

You’ll save money, help the planet, and still enjoy great performance from the brands you trust. Whether you’re playing once a week or every weekend, second-hand golf balls are a smart choice for golfers across the UK.

And who knows — maybe the next “used” ball you hit into the green was once someone else’s lost treasure!