How long do golf balls last in storage?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 08, 2026
Do Unused Golf Balls Go Bad? If unused golf balls are stored at room temperature which is around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, they can last for 10 years. Golfweek.com indicates that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a new ball off the shelf and a new one that has been stored for years.
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
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."
Do golf balls have an expiration date?
As long as they are not stored in harsh conditions like extreme cold or heat, a golf ball can last for years in your bag or stocked on the shelf.
When should you throw away golf balls?
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.
Do used golf balls lose distance?
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.
41 related questions foundDo new golf balls deteriorate with age?
Do golf balls go bad over a period of time? Mike. A: I called my sales representative from Callaway Golf and he indicated that golf balls have changed a great deal over the years. He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact performance.
Do golf balls lose distance as they age?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
Do golf balls get waterlogged?
The golf ball core is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs water. However, it takes 12 hours for the water to get through the cover and find its way to the core. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that a golf ball that has been immersed underwater for an extended period can be waterlogged.
What can I 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.
How often do pros change golf 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.
Is a 3 wood better than a driver?
For many golfers, a 3 wood will give overall better results than a driver and can be used regularly off the tee and even replace the driver. So a 3 wood is a valuable club that can give you the needed distance off the tee and is more versatile than a driver.
Can golf balls go in dishwasher?
According to Golf Week, golf balls can be cleaned in the dishwasher on the top rack. Just don't wash dishes at the same time! 17.
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.
How long should golf clubs last?
In short, the lifespan of modern golf clubs can be anywhere from three years, to a lifetime if repairs are made. However, the longevity of your golf clubs is entirely dependent on how frequently you play and how well you care for your clubs.
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.
What is the rarest golf ball?
Divers have begun a search in Donegal for what they believe could be some of the world's rarest golf balls. The gutta percha balls once belonged to golfing legend Old Tom Morris, who won the Open four times in the 1860s.
How much are used golf balls worth?
Generally you'll be paid between 6 and 12 cents per ball selling them wholesale. If you're good at collecting, that can add up to hundreds of dollars daily. If you're not a diver, or you don't find more than a few hundred balls at a time, you might consider retailing the used golf balls yourself.
How much does a golf ball diver make?
Over the past couple of decades, golf ball retrieval and recycling has become a multimillion-dollar industry, in which hardworking divers can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on the economy and a diver's stomach for harsh conditions. Still, the wealth does not come cheaply.
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.
Do golf balls get ruined in water?
They basically found that there was almost no difference in the performance of all of the golf balls. Using Trackman to trackball flight, carry distance, and roll distance, their testing revealed that golf balls that had been submerged for as long as 5 months performed just as well as brand new golf balls.
How long do golf drivers last?
How Long Do Golf Drivers Last? A driver has about a five-year lifespan. For those who play golf often, drivers will likely have less than a five-year lifespan. Sadly, the lifespan of drivers isn't quite as long as that of irons.
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 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.
How far does the average 70 year old hit a golf ball?
A 70-year-old man should be hitting a driver anywhere from 180 to 190 yards. This number has grown a bit in the last few years with the introduction of improved driver and shaft technology. At 70 years old, some golfers are having no trouble getting the ball to fly 200 yards or more.
Do golf balls really make a difference?
They can, but when we tested both types of balls at average-golfer swing speeds, the difference was almost negligible: six yards, usually less. The real advantage of urethane-cover balls is the extra spin, feel and control they offer on shots near the green.