How long can you soak golf balls?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 17, 2026
Just as long as you're diluting the bleaching solution with enough water (half-cup bleach with 1-gallon water), you have no cause for worry. As for soaking your precious golf balls in it, 10 to 15 minutes are more than enough.
Can you soak golf balls overnight?
It is better for the ball to remain less shiny than being damaged. While keeping the golf balls submerged in water overnight is a good idea, it is advisable not to keep them in water for an entire day. Hand gloves should be used while cleaning the ball with any detergent or acetone to prevent any damage to the skin.
How long can golf balls sit in water?
Both types of balls lose approximately six yards of total distance after eight days in water. However, two-piece golf balls will lose about 10 yards in total after three months in water, while multi-piece golf balls will lose approximately 12 yards in three months and 15 yards in six months underwater.
Are golf balls found in water still good?
When the golf ball eventually dries out, it is still not as effective as a golf ball that did not spend any time submerged in the water. The longer the ball stays in the water, the less it will fly. Now, you may be thinking you can live without a few extra yards as long as you save some money.
Do golf balls ever spoil?
Golf balls can easily go bad if they are extremely scratched up. The damage taken from hitting solid objects such as trees or cart paths, even clubs repeatedly can limit the performance in terms of distance, spin, flight, and roll. Take note beginner golfers!
33 related questions foundWhen should you throw away a golf ball?
Now, see if your ball is going to float. Drop it in, and walk away for a minute or two. If the cover is intact, then there should be absolutely no leakage to the internal area of your golf ball. If it starts to sink or you see any air bubbles coming up at all, it's a sign that the cover has a microfracture.
What is the lifespan of a golf ball?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
Are golf balls ruined in water?
But if golf balls sit in the water for longer periods of time, permanent damage will be the result. While invisible from the outside, this damage will clearly affect the driving distance off of the tee. The further result is significant damage to the golf ball's core, which is designed to be ball's energy source.
Do golf balls get worse over time?
He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact performance. Although, golf balls with scuff marks could impact the ball's performance.
Do wet golf balls make a difference?
There's a good reason for it. Put simply: When both the club and ball are dry, there's more friction on the clubface. The grooves on the clubface grab the golf ball more and impart more backspin. When the clubface is more wet, there's less friction, so the ball slides up the clubface.
Can you microwave a golf ball?
Yes, you too can get greater distance on your shots in just seconds - The Microwave Way. Merely pop a golf ball into your microwave oven - and voila! This juiced-up dimpled dumpling surprisingly flies farther than the ball pros use.
How do you wash a lot of golf balls at once?
The Bucket Method
- Fill a bucket with hot water enough water in to cover the golf balls. ...
- Allow the balls to soak for 30 minutes to remove any excess dirt.
- Get a soft bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, and scrub each golf ball individually. ...
- Dump the water out of the bucket and rinse out the soap and dirt.
Does bleach damage golf balls?
Will Bleach Damage Golf Balls? Using bleach to clean golf balls will not damage them. If you were to use bleach and then scrub them with a wire brush, the hard wires would probably scratch and damage the balls.
Can I wash golf balls in the dishwasher?
As mentioned above, you can completely clean golf balls in the dishwasher. However, you should only place the ball in the tooling area to avoid the excessive impact of the ball, which can damage the ball. Another note is that you should not wash the ball while cleaning the dishes.
Why do golfers clean their balls?
When a golf ball is about to be put into play, a golfer can clean the ball. If a golfer is putting a new ball into play after losing their previous ball or hitting it out of bounds, they can clean a ball before putting it into play. Before a golfer is about to take relief, a golfer can clean the ball.
Do softer golf balls go further?
Although softer golf balls go further from the tee for lower swing speed players, the gap across the whole range of ball types is only around 5 yards, so it is more important to fit the ball to your irons and then fit your driver to your preferred ball to maximise distance.
Do golf balls lose distance with use?
Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.
Which golf ball goes the furthest?
Longest Golf Balls: Titleist Velocity
The longest golf ball is the Titleist Velocity. This is a two piece ball that is built completely for distance and low ball spin from the tee. Titleist is known for having some of the best golf ball technology on the market, and the Velocity is no exception.
Do PGA players use a new ball every hole?
If you're a PGA Tour pro, you might swap out every few holes because, well, you get your pellets for free. But what about for those of us that pay for our spheres? According to Frederick Waddell, Titleist's senior manager of golf ball product management, play it until you lose it.
How many rounds do golf balls last?
Without visible damage, a golf ball can last up to seven 18-hole rounds without any loss of performance. In fact, you are more likely to lose a golf ball on the course before it just wears out. But as soon as the ball feels rough, you should replace it.
Can golf balls freeze?
Does Freezing Damage Golf Balls? For a while, people thought that they could take unused golf balls and put them in a freezer to preserve them. Unfortunately, this was later proven to be a mistake. Placing a golf ball in the freezer will cause it to have a much shorter lifespan.
How often does a pro golfer change balls?
Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.
Do golf balls go bad in the cold?
Factor #2: Storage Temperatures
Golf balls stored at room temperature have a shelf life of around a decade or longer if they are brand new. However, if they are stored in extremely cold conditions or hot conditions, the balls will deteriorate more quickly. It is a myth to store golf balls in the freezer.
Do golf balls matter for high handicappers?
Ionomer cover golf balls are usually less expensive, more durable, and produce less spin overall. Most importantly, most ionomer balls will produce less side spin off the clubface, which should help high handicap players keep the ball in play. The inside of the golf ball may be just as important.
What do you do with old golf balls?
What to Do With Old Golf Balls
- Selling Old Golf Balls. Many people don't know that used golf balls can also be sold. ...
- Give Away Old Balls. ...
- Clean & Reuse Golf Balls. ...
- Turn Old Golf Balls Into Decorations. ...
- Use an Old Golf Ball as a Massage Tool. ...
- Use an Old Golf Ball as a Meat Tenderizer.