Throw These Golf Balls Away!
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Throw These Golf Balls Away!

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Throw These Golf Balls Away!
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Q: What would you say to somebody who’s playing refurbished golf balls?

I get it. I get the concept. They’re cheaper. It’s appealing. Sounds legit because they’re out there in the store so you think if it’s in a store it’s got to be legit.

Don’t buy them, ever.

If you have them, I would suggest opening up your trash can immediately and dumping them in.

And you might be thinking I’m maybe overreacting to that. I think if you’ve seen what we’ve seen, you’d be appalled. Sometimes it will be a Bridgestone underneath the new paint job. That’s the equivalent of owning a Nissan Altima and getting a paint job and thinking it’s a Lexus.

Tat’s not the same. It’s trickery. It’s bullshit. It shouldn’t be done in the industry. In my opinion.

It’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get. And we all know that when we’ve bitten into those ones we don’t like. That’s pretty much what you’re gonna get in every ball in a box of recycled refurbished or Reload golf balls.

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Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor is MyGolfSpy's resident sneakerhead and the authority on all things golf shoe performance. He's tested over 150 different pairs (and counting). When he isn't scrolling Twitter to find his next golf shoe purchase, you can find him at the piano or trying a new dessert place with his wife and daughter. #Lefty

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman





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      Dean

      2 years ago

      Been playing used balls for years but not refurbished ball, there is a big difference. I have played 2 found refurbished balls in the last few years amd both were extremely disappointing!

      Reply

      Mike

      2 years ago

      I have zero issues with refurbished golf balls. I have found very little difference in distance or roll. Never will I spend $70.00 for new Prov1’s when I can get the same quality for $25.00

      Reply

      Lou

      2 years ago

      No one should be using Pro V 1 except pros and low single handicaps. Pro V 1 will not change any of our scores. I once found an old crappy ball in the woods. I used the ball because I wasn’t having a good round. Well guess what, I pared the next three holes with that old crappy ball. It’s always the Indian not the arrow.

      Reply

      Jay Nichols

      2 years ago

      Fortunately your opinion is completely insignificant, and it’s a fact even double digit handicap players will improve with quality balls, wedges, drivers, & irons. If you’re playing golf and practicing on a range 3-4 days per week and not improving, your ability is as poor as your cheap equipment.

      Matt

      2 years ago

      Do you buy refurbished or used? The refurbs aren’t usually very good but used balls imo are fine.

      Reply

      Byron Keith Fite

      2 years ago

      It depends on the quality of your game, and your knowledge of ball manufacturers. I have always loved the Titleist name.

      Reply

      Matt

      2 years ago

      But it isn’t the same golf ball. That’s the entire point. You’d be far better off buying Supersofts or Tour Softs for $30 and at lest having a consistent golf ball.

      Reply

      Mike O.

      2 years ago

      Look at who’s writing the article: “Connor is MyGolfSpy’s resident sneakerhead who believes that golf is more enjoyable with a fresh pair of kicks. When he isn’t scrolling Twitter to find his next golf shoe purchase, you can find him at the piano or trying a new dessert place with his wife.”

      No other experience with any golf equipment outside of shoes. He wrote an article about matte-finished golf balls and my comment on his article got denied by moderators for criticizing that his claim was moot with a link to a testing article to which no single matte-finished golf ball was tested.

      He makes these outlandish articles on golf balls with no data behind it and usually tags a clip of some random video with no source or who the person speaking actually is.

      Reply

      Chris

      2 years ago

      This site has really taken a deep dive to the bottom of the barrel over the past few months. From being data driven to just article after article of op-ed. The cherry on top was hiring Shipmuck, who hasn’t been able to identify any source for any article he’s ever written in the past two decades. Your new slogan should be “Mygolfspy, where opinions and clicks matter more than data and facts.” Except for John, his history articles are awesome.

      Reply

      CB

      2 years ago

      Agree that John writes some really interesting and informative pieces. I won’t throw any individuals under the bus, but I’d also agree that the content has been trending more and more away from insightful and helpful toward op-ed and click-bait, with link titles that aren’t helpful and simply try to get clicks, often to things that are just recycled summaries of previous work and don’t provide anything particularly meaningful.

      Reply

      JasonA

      2 years ago

      DATA anyone?

      Reply

      League Golfer

      2 years ago

      I too have had a couple of comments where I was a little critical of the site and they were deleted, or would not post them. It was strange because they were not that nasty. I’ve seen others’ comments that were far more critical that did get posted. Some of the articles are now saying at the end that the article was written in cooperation or conjunction or partnership or some similar term at the end of the article. I can read the box or the golf company’s website if that is all that I am looking for as far as “information (marketing words)”.

      Reply

      Michael Agishian

      2 years ago

      What you’re better off doing for even cheaper is taking the non range balls that end up in your range bucket and play with those. Cost less. Not something I do because I play the same ball all the time on course like a golfer who cares about my game. If anyone says I’m recommending stealing, when was the last time you got your money back for all the bald balls the range charges you for?

      Reply

      Matthew

      2 years ago

      Really? You are absolutely condoning stealing. Go to a better range if you want better balls.

      Reply

      Henry regnissik

      2 years ago

      Stealing range balls is absolutely wrong. If you start doing this where do you draw the line. Stealing the odd box from the pro shop when he’s not looking. Despicable behaviour.

      Reply

      birdieman

      2 years ago

      the money i save buying prov1x’s (water balls) at the flea market for $20 a dozen…. i spend on $100 shorts and $150 polo’s, at Marshalls for $20…

      Reply

      SV

      2 years ago

      I have said this before and will stand by my comments. I have purchased refinished balls for several years from LostGolfBalls.com. They state on their website that each refinished ball is what it says it is, i.e. a ProV1 is a ProV1. I have noticed no difference in performance. My only connection to LostGolfBalls is buying from them. Also, I am not a 25 handicap that wouldn’t know the difference between golf balls. I have been a single digit handicap for the last 35+ years.
      You can make your choice, pay between $18 to $22 for tour balls or $55.

      Reply

      BigDaddy

      2 years ago

      They sell found balls not refinished. Big difference

      Reply

      Jim

      2 years ago

      That’s spot on. I also buy from list alls.com and my refurbished Titleist Velocity mid-range balls fly just as fast and just as true as new.

      Reply

      Will

      2 years ago

      I don’t get it. Is Titleist “refurbishing” these balls themselves, or at least giving their blessing, or is this a counterfeiting operation? It seems like their lawyers should be all over anyone printing their flagship brand name on an inferior product.

      Reply

      Andy

      2 years ago

      Refurbished do suck. Recyled balls that are recovered from our ponds (by local company C & H Golf at showmeballs.com) are pristine. They get washed and repacked in 12 balls jars. They are absolutely perfect as new.

      Reply

      Brian

      2 years ago

      I know someone who works for a small company that handles refurbished balls. He says that they’ll only refurbished absolutely trashed balls. If they were any better, they would sell them as is. But the balls that they cant sell because its condition is so bad, they refurbish it. He said that they won’t ever refurbish a mint/near mint ball. Profits arent worth it. They are always the worse conditioned balls.

      Reply

      John Gilroy

      2 years ago

      I’ve been finding, cleaning, and selling golf balls for over 50 years. Sometimes, when cleaning a “refurb”, the letters and/or numbers will just wash right off. I consider all refurbs to be junk. I usually give my buyers a few of them for free when they order some of my “mint” balls. I’ve found that the age of these modern balls doesn’t affect their performance very much but their time in the waters does. Almost every refurb has been in the water for at least a year🤬

      Reply

      Dean

      2 years ago

      Hear, hear!

      Reply

      Steve Warner

      2 years ago

      I’ve bought Precept Laddie golf balls that run about $24 for two dozen . . so pretty cheap . . but I have shot some of my best rounds with them (I’m about a twelve handicap) . . rounds in the low to mid 70’s. I assume they are marketed as a “distance” ball and they are relative long but not way longer . . . I’m sure they lack the stopping power on the greens that a Pro V does but many greens the average player plays are not excessively firm or fast. Most golf balls made now are pretty good (as opposed to maybe 30-40 years ago) so it really comes to feel of the strike and confidence in a particular ball.

      Reply

      FakeRichGuy

      2 years ago

      I’ve found a few and they go in the junk bag. They always have that weird shiny plastic coating and never feel right. Fine for hitting into the practice net, but that’s about it.

      Reply

      WBN

      2 years ago

      Glad to see someone put this in print. I just don’t trust anything but a new ball. It’s just safer and you basically know what you’re getting.

      Reply

      Charlie Knipe

      2 years ago

      221

      Reply

      Ken

      2 years ago

      I’m retired.I’ve bought recycled balls.I’ve played found balls.
      Last new clubs were12ish years ago.My wife is eyeballing new clubs(I’m stalling).How about some reports of sensibly priced senior men’s and ladies equipment.
      Out of work,under-employed,large families,retired,I’m betting there are legions of us out there.let’s hear from you,don’t be shy.

      Reply

      Jay Nichols

      2 years ago

      Golf is not a poor man’s game, and if you believe higher prices are only paying for the name, you’re kidding yourself.

      Reply

      MO GOLF

      2 years ago

      This is a little off topic but…
      How many times have you been looking for your ball in the rough and think you have spotted it only to find it is the top half of a chopped-up ball or a ball you wouldn’t want given to you AND tossed it back down? I used too but anymore since I have it in hand I toss it in the cart for the cart crew to discard because it is TRASH and if you have it in hand and throw it back down you are littering. I figure that this is a course I am going to play again and again and it is a small gesture towards helping maintain it and it may help speed of play overall by preventing someone from wandering around to the wrong ball. I don’t go out of my way and slow the group down just when I can .

      Reply

      FakeRichGuy

      2 years ago

      Same goes with beer cans, chip bags, cigarette/cigar butts, disposable vapes, and half-eaten hotdogs. Clean up after yourselves.

      Reply

      Wes

      2 years ago

      Oh man, don’t get me started on the a-holes who drop their cigar and cigarette ashes on the green! 🤬

      Chris Dodds

      2 years ago

      A person I golf with regularly has played the AAAAA graded used balls (all ProV1’s) and swears by them. This guy is a 6 handicap so it’s not hurting his game. He only plays brand new ProV1’s for tournaments. However, due to the price of new balls he is now trying alternatives and says they are playing a club short.

      Reply

      Doug

      2 years ago

      I do occasionally buy used golf balls (lostgolfballs.com) but buy the “Mint” grade which may have company logos on them. I buy Bridgestone and ProV1s. They have been excellent. At $60 a dozen for the ProV1s this has been a good option for me and others.

      Reply

      Steve

      2 years ago

      Those are not the same as refurbished

      Reply

      Donbo

      2 years ago

      I played some prov1 and 1x’s that given to me by a guy who mows for a nearby course. He picks them up while mowing and he does not go in the water for balls. Who knows how long the balls were in the grass or mud. Most of the balls were consistently shorter in distance than the Maxfli Tour I usually play.
      I think that I was taking the performance of the Maxfli Tour for granted.

      Reply

      Craig Brown

      2 years ago

      Yes, my experience with refurbished is not good. I buy them for my garage “practice range”. I play my regular balls until they get lost … they cost too much to switch every 2-3 holes like on TV. 😂
      Nore: Some days my real balls get lost at that rate or sooner. 🙃

      Fairways and greens!

      Reply

      Mike

      2 years ago

      Conner, bravo!!! I would NEVER, EVER play (much less buy!) any refinished/refurbished crap. We’ve found thousands of balls over the years, some had been sitting in water for a long time. I laugh when I think some moron is playing that ball now & wondering why his shots aren’t performing as they should.

      Reply

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