2020 BALL RETRIEVER BUYER’S GUIDE
MyGolfSpy is consumer first. We tell you which drivers work for your swing speed, the best irons to take your game to the next level and the best balls on the market. So if you’ve dialed in your game, why would we be content to let any of that equipment sit at the bottom of the lake or in some questionable rough? Protect your investment! Get yourself a ball retriever. They might have a stigma equivalent to being the pocket protectors of golf but you’ll be saving money.
Whether you’re in the market for a new model or just curious how many variations of golf ball retrievers exist, this guide is for you.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect golf ball retriever to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Ball retrievers are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating Golf Ball Retriever include Extension, Ball Security, Sturdiness, Handle, and Storage.
FEATURES THAT MATTER
Ball Security: You can’t retrieve it if you can’t secure it. Scoop designs work best for soft mud but the ball can fall out if the retriever turns upside down. Well-designed options like the I Gotcha excel at securing the ball but can struggle with softer ground.
Shaft Length: Size does matter! If you have a ball retriever that is too short, you won’t be able to reach balls deeper in penalty areas. Granted, you may never reach the one that’s in the middle of the lake but the longer the shaft, the greater your chance to retrieve your ball.
Handle: At full extension, some models get heavy and dig into your palms. Pick a retriever with a comfortable handle.
Stability: When extended to full length, does the ball retriever droop or even snap? Some models like the I Gotcha are made from sturdier materials and hold their rigidity. Products that are lightweight tend to bend more and are less durable.
EXPERT TIP - Ball Security
If you are worried about your golf ball falling out when transporting out of a hazard, look for a retriever that has a lock mechanism associated with it for added ball security.
The Best Ball Retriever - Features
| Product | Distance Covered | Weight | Retracted Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Callaway 15 FT Check Price | 15 FT | 1.5LB | 4 FT |
 | I GOTCHA 14 FT Check Price | 14 FT | 1.1 LB | 20.5 INCH |
 | I GOTCHA JAWZ Check Price | 14 FT | 1.2 LB | 21 INCH |
 | ORLIMAR 15 FT Check Price | 15 FT | 1.1 LB | 4 FT |
 | PRO ACTIVE SPORTS PLAYER SELECT Check Price | 9 FT | 0.4 LB | 19 INCH |
 | SEARCH N RESCUE BLUE RESCUE Check Price | 14 FT | 1.7 LB | 4 FT |
 | SIGNSTEK SCOOP PICK UP Check Price | 9 FT | 0.4 LB | 20 INCH |
More Tips
- To allow more room to get your clubs in and out of your bag, pick a ball retriever that is small and compact and fits in your side pocket.
- If you play a course with a lot of water, a ball retriever might be a must. Otherwise, skip it.
- To prevent bending, look for a model with high-quality aluminum to keep its rigidity.
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The Best Ball Retriever - Results
| Product | Extension | Ball Security | Sturdiness | Handle | Storage | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Gotcha 14 FT Check Price | 2nd | 1st | 4th | 1st | 3rd | 85 |
| I Gotcha Jaw Check Price | 2nd | 2nd | 4th | 1st | 3rd | 83 |
| Search N Rescue Blue Rescue Check Price | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 1st | 5th | 79 |
| Callaway 15 FT Check Price | 1st | 3rd | 7th | 5th | 5th | 78.5 |
| Orlimar 15 FT Check Price | 2nd | 6th | 1st | 5th | 5th | 78 |
| Pro Active Sports Player Select Check Price | 7th | 6th | 2nd | 7th | 1st | 74.5 |
| Signstek Scoop Pick Up Check Price | 8th | 8th | 8th | 1st | 1st | 70.5 |
What do I need to know about a ball retriever?
Q: Why do I need a ball retriever? They seem stupid!
A: There is definitely a stigma attached to ball retrievers but they will save you money. According to CNN and Golf.com, more than 300 Million balls are lost every year in America alone. The average premium ball costs around $4. The cost of lost balls adds up quickly. If you can retrieve a couple of dozen balls (or more) a year, it might be worth the sideways looks from your playing partners.
Q: Is a longer ball retriever better than a shorter retriever?
A: Almost always. It’s obvious enough: a longer ball retriever gives you more reach which means fewer lost balls and perhaps a few extras for the shag bag.
Q: Aren’t all golf ball retrievers the same?
A: Not all golf ball retrievers are the same. Some have a scooping device to collect the ball while others, like the I Gotcha, have a locking mechanism for easy collection and added ball security.
J Thorpe
3 months agoI have had a ProActive Sports Sports Hinged Cup Retractable Golf Ball Retriever 18 foot for several years. Several years ago my wife and I played Reflection Bay in Nevada. On one hole water came into play and I noticed many golf balls in the lake. As we were staying on property, I went to the hole early the next morning and pulled about 100 balls from the spot. As a result, my airline travel bag was darn near overweight for Southwest to haul back. I donated the balls to FirstTee and the local high school. How fun!!!!
Marq
3 months agoOk, OK, laugh if you must at ball retrievers. But I play premium balls and haven’t paid for one since 2007. Also paid for a lion’s share of my annual golf expenses. But even I do laugh when I read that a certain ball retriever it’s not good in “soft and muddy” conditions. If you’re complaining about that, you really need to find another hobby! And the only thing that would ever bother me about a ball retriever is if you have a headcover for it!
Steven
3 months agoI must have missed the news that nobody is making golf balls anymore?
Mike
3 months agoThey must still be making new golf balls, especially pro v1’s. Otherwise I wouldn’t keep finding so many new ones.
P.J.
3 months agoIt says 14 products considered, but only 7 are listed. I am curious about the orangish retriever with the four holes around the perimeter of the hole. I had a local pro shop rave about these being the best retriever’s they’ve ever seen. Would’ve like to have heard your thoughts on them..
As for the top retriever being $49.56??? Pass…..
Paulo
3 months ago$50 is a dozen brand new balls. Is it really worth it ? I still think this must be a joke article
Mike
3 months agoYou mean actually pay $50 for brand new premium balls? I guess it’s true, a fool and his money are soon parted.
scott
3 months agoAs a professional ball retriever GOTCHA JAW is best all round retriever on the market . In still water they all a can do the job but in running water like rivers or creeks is where it shines.. Pay the extra cost for the longest one they sell. . .
Tony
3 months agoExcept my “jawz” fell apart. It rusts and the way it connects between each section is not reliable
Simms
3 months agoMy ball retriever has a 6 prong rake head and works well during these COVID-19 days as a rake for the sand traps as well.. The poll extends to 16 feet and is as strong as any ball retriever poll on the market….was $19,95 last year at golf etail.
Bob Hitt
3 months agoAs a matter of information regarding the I Gotcha retriever. I purchased one about three years ago at a PGA Superstore in Myrtle Beach. I know at that time that a lifetime warranty was advertised. For those who mentioned that their I Gotcha broke, you may be able to contact the company to get either repair or replacement. Here is the web page with contact information: https://www.dynamicbrands.com/pages/contact-i-gotcha
Terry
3 months agoI have an IGotcha (second one as the first was stolen) and love it for balls in the water and occasionally in taller grass, weeds, and woods. With the possibility of venomous snakes hiding there, I use it to go where I won’t stick my hand.
Dave R
3 months agoBe careful with storing the I Gotcha in your golf bag. The plastic head breaks easily, mine lasted less than a month before breaking, and its an expensive unit. I replaced it with the model with the orange metal head (not reviewed?) and that’s worked fine. It looks like I Gotcha recognized the flimsiness – the Jaws model looks much stronger where the plastic head meats the metal pole.
Bob Hitt
3 months agoI have this model, and I kept all the paper work when I bought it a few years ago,as it was advertised as having a lifetime warranty. If you still have the parts, you may want to contact them, as they may work with you.
Dennis
1 month agoYou may laugh (looking at you, Marc), but I put an old glove on my retriever head. Protects my clubs, from scratches (especially if it’s metal) and mud/water.
Rob
3 months agoHow do you know if you’re a true hacker?
You get your ball retriever regripped 🙂
Jim Jaworski
3 months agoI liked this review and have learned a lot about the latest twists on the ball retriever.
The Search and rescue model reminds be very much of my old Golden Retriever model I bought in the late 70’s when i used to hawk balls at my local muni course. I actually wore one out. bought a second one.
I used to pay for my season pass with balls I sold. I liked the simplicity of it
Joel
3 months agoAs an I GOTHCA 14ft. owner, I’ve used it a few times when the ball was just out of reach. In water with thick mud, it has proven to be somewhat difficult to secure a ball, but I’m always mindful to take no more than a minute to look and save the ball. if at all possible. If it’s any longer, I cut my loses and move on… unless there’s no-one pushing from behind.
Scott Church
3 months agoJoel, you are mine kind of golfer. Respectful of others on the course, while still having fun and grabbing your ball when you can! Good Form!
Kurt Hiner
3 months agoDown South ball retriever is used all the time. You see your ball then look in the eyes of whats in that pond and decide not to go for it..
Michael Cahn
3 months agoHave been using the Callaway for about ten years and it has been a godsend for my friends to fetch their balls 🙂
Paulo
3 months agoThis is a joke right ? People are screaming for an update on the ball test , you generally ignore them but give them a ball retriever test instead ?
Luis Ramirez
3 months agoFollow Tony on Twitter and you’ll see his posts on the ball tests. Huge amount of models and new tests made the testing longer than the previous test. We all loved the ball report and want the update.
Marlin
3 months agoI have Igotcha and mine rusted and when I stretched it out it came apart. Also, the inner circle would release too easily. So, it did pay for its self, but cant anyone make products that last??
Jim F
3 months agoI have the I Gotcha 14’ ball retriever, and it is a fantastic ball retriever for virtually any hazard your ball may fall into. Since I’ve had mine, I have found many lost balls, to the extent that I now have 2 – 5 gallon buckets filled with shag balls. I have experienced the drawback of the difficulty of retrieving balls in muddy areas. However, I am able to overcome that by triggering the release so that it’s closed and place the ball in the gap of the closed retriever. The spring opens gently to allow me to retrieve the ball without having to push the ball deeper into the mud. In fact, I now use that approach for all lost balls regardless of where they lie. I find it much easier to retrieve balls using that approach.
Bob Hitt
3 months agoThat’s some incisive information. I have one of these, and one of my main complaints is that the end springs open too easily, sometimes before you can reach the ball. I’ll use your method more often. By the way, I see some comments on here about breaking, and having to buy new retrievers, but I know when I bought my IGotcha, it was advertised as having a lifetime warranty.
Juan Ayala
3 months agoI really thought this was an April Fool Joke about 4.5 months late but surprising a very good article. Perhaps one day when I give up on life and don’t care about irritating other golfer, I will purchase one … LOL 😉
Tim
3 months agoThe day MGS jumped the shark
Phill S.
3 months agoOne tip with the Igotcha retrievers (maybe applies to all) – Make sure to occasionally put WD-40 or similar lubricant on it. I learned the hard way twice after putting it away wet back into the bag rust starts forming and it will not fully collapse.