What Do Mint, Grade A & Grade B Golf Balls Mean? A Guide to Used Golf Ball Grades
If you've never bought second hand golf balls before, you may have noticed that they are sold in different grades such as Mint, Grade A and Grade B. But what do these grades actually mean, and which one should you choose?
At The Golf Ball Guys, we carefully sort and grade our used golf balls so you can choose the right combination of condition and price for your game.
The grading system is primarily about the cosmetic condition of the golf ball. All of our balls are selected to ensure they are suitable for play, but the amount of visible wear can vary between grades.
What Are Mint Grade Golf Balls?
Mint Grade golf balls are the highest-condition second hand golf balls we sell.
These balls have been carefully selected for their excellent cosmetic condition and will often look very similar to a new golf ball. You may still find the occasional small mark, logo or player identification, as these are second hand golf balls, but overall they are in excellent condition.
Mint Grade is ideal if you want the appearance of a new golf ball while paying significantly less than the price of buying new.
For example, our Mint Grade Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are available for just £30 per dozen, compared with the £55 RRP of a new dozen.
What Are Grade A Golf Balls?
Grade A golf balls offer an excellent balance between condition and price.
They are in great playable condition but can have some cosmetic signs of previous use. You may see minor scuffs, marks, logos or other imperfections, but these are generally much less noticeable than on our Grade B golf balls.
Grade A is a particularly popular choice for golfers who want a good-looking golf ball without paying the premium price for Mint condition.
They're also an excellent option for recreational golfers, mid handicappers and regular players who want to keep their golf ball costs down.
What Are Grade B Golf Balls?
Grade B golf balls are the most budget-focused option.
These balls have more noticeable cosmetic wear than Mint or Grade A golf balls. They can have heavier scuffing, marks, discolouration, player markings or other cosmetic imperfections.
The important thing to remember is that Grade B refers to appearance, not whether the golf ball is playable.
If you're more concerned about getting plenty of golf balls for your money than having a perfect-looking ball, Grade B can offer exceptional value.
One of our biggest sellers is our 48 mixed-brand Grade B golf balls for just £25. That's 48 golf balls from recognised brands for around 52p per ball, making them particularly popular with beginners, high handicappers and golfers who tend to lose a few balls during a round.
Which Grade of Golf Ball Should You Buy?
The right grade depends on what matters most to you.
Choose Mint if:
- You want the best cosmetic condition
- You want your golf balls to look as close to new as possible
- You're happy to spend a little more for appearance
- You're looking for premium balls such as Pro V1 in excellent condition
Choose Grade A if:
- You want a great balance of condition and price
- You don't mind some minor cosmetic marks
- You play regularly
- You want a quality golf ball without paying new-ball prices
Choose Grade B if:
- Price is your biggest priority
- You don't mind visible cosmetic wear
- You're a beginner or high handicapper
- You regularly lose golf balls
- You want inexpensive balls for casual, winter or practice golf
Does the Grade Affect How the Golf Ball Plays?
The main difference between our grades is cosmetic condition.
A Grade B golf ball isn't simply a cheap golf ball because it doesn't perform. It has been graded lower because it has more visible cosmetic wear.
Likewise, you're paying more for Mint Grade because of its appearance and condition.
This means you don't necessarily need to buy Mint golf balls to enjoy great golf. For many recreational golfers, Grade A or Grade B can offer much better value.
If you're playing casually, losing several balls during a round or simply don't care what your golf ball looks like after a few holes, spending less can make a lot of sense.
Why Buy Graded Second Hand Golf Balls?
Buying graded golf balls gives you more choice.
Instead of simply buying a box of unknown used golf balls, you can decide how much you're willing to spend and what condition you expect your balls to be in.
Whether you're looking for Mint Pro V1 golf balls, affordable Grade A Titleist Tour Softs or a budget box of 48 Grade B mixed-brand golf balls, there's an option to suit different golfers and budgets.
At The Golf Ball Guys, we sort and grade our golf balls so you can spend less on golf balls without compromising on choice.
Mint, Grade A or Grade B – Which Is Right for You?
There's no single “best” grade. It really comes down to your priorities.
If you want your golf balls to look as good as possible, Mint Grade is the obvious choice.
If you want the best balance between appearance and price, Grade A is an excellent option.
And if you simply want cheap, playable golf balls, Grade B offers some of the best value available.
Whichever grade you choose, buying second hand golf balls is a simple way to reduce the cost of playing golf.
Browse our full range of used golf balls at The Golf Ball Guys and choose the grade that's right for your game and budget.