Ever wondered why golf ranges have so many balls and even after a full range they still have many of them stored. This is because most of the golf ball ranges use refurbished and recycled golf balls. Now many of you have been thinking about what these balls are. So quickly refurbished balls are the balls who are picked and restored by the dealers and recycled are the ones you lose on the course.
Understanding the difference between them can set you apart from other golfers. So, in this article we will do a complete test of recycled vs refurbished golf balls with their performance analysis and should you use them or not?
What are Recycled Golf Balls?
In a nutshell, recycled balls are the ones that many golfers like you and me lose at the course. We often forget them and don't even try to find but there are some people who are there to find those balls and collect them.
Most of the golf balls that are lost are in the water or in long bushes or trees where you don't go because either you are too lazy or you have a lot of money. These balls get collected in bulk and are then cleaned.
They usually clean these golf ball by using soapy water or any of the methods mentioned in this article. Those cleaned balls are graded based on the condition and are sold to you as Mint, Grade A, Grade B etc.
What are Refurbished or Refinished Golf Balls?
Refurbished or refinished golf balls on the other hand are completely different. Many of the balls that are collected go through a process and after it they look like new but are not.
At first, most of the balls collected are sent to the refurbishment factory where they sandblast these to remove the thin upper layer of the ball where there are scratches and scuffs. Then these balls are repainted and the desired brand logo is put on the ball with a glossy finish and the desired colour. The refurbished golf balls are completely different from recycled ones because they take a long process and time.
What are Used golf balls?
In addition to those recycled or refurbished golf balls there is another type called used golf balls. The performance and condition is similar to recycled ones but these are collected in a different way. Most of the golfers who are looking to throw their golf balls sell their used golf balls to the sellers who then sell these balls at a higher rate. An advantage of using these is that most of them are in great condition.
Key Differences in Recycled vs Refurbished Golf Balls
Condition and Appearance
Recycled golf balls have the condition and appearance based on how they were lost. Maybe someone lost it on the first round or someone lost it on his last drive. The grading of recycled balls is also based on the condition of it. A mint ball will have near to perfect color while a grade C ball would have a yellowish color and a dull appearance. Many golfers complain that recycled golf balls have markings left on them but trust me at the price you get these balls you can't complain.
While refurbished golf balls look like new at first glance because they are completely repainted and cleaned. These balls will have a new look but will have many disabilities in alignment.
Performance Characteristics
Recycled balls usually last based on the condition but a good refurbished ball can last very long if properly refurbished. The refurbished golf balls are generally more durable than the recycled ones.
In the test, recycled golf balls have advantage because they are not as modified as refurbished ones so they generally perform similar or lower than refurbished balls. It also depends what ball you are getting. A recycled callaway warbird will have more distance than a recycled srixon soft feel.
Recycled Balls
Pros
Cost effectiveness
Availability
Environmental benefits
Decent performance
Cons
Variable quality
Less control
Potential for damage
Refurbished Balls
Pros
Improved performance
Like new appearance
Cost savings
Cons
Quality concerns
Inconsistent performance
Potential for misleading branding.
Performance Review
To give the best output possible we did a complete performance review playing one round from each balls.
Distance
We played one round with both refurbished and recycled golf balls during our performance review. In terms of distance, refurbished balls were in a league of their own, often matching or even going beyond the length of new premium balls. Better aerodynamics and enhanced core technology helped players increase the average carry by 5-10 yards with refurbished balls.
Testimonials from different golfers prove that refurnished balls travel distance, making this choice very viable for those looking to get good performance without having to pay a premium price for it.
Spin and Control
In terms of spin and control, refurbished balls were definitely better than their recycled options. The refurbished balls imparted a higher spin rate on the approaches, which translated into more stopping power when the ball hit the green. Meanwhile, the recycled balls flew less spin—something that badly influenced the short game of some players trying to pull off soft chips and pitches.
Feel and Feedback
Subjectively, some players mentioned that refurbished balls feel a bit firmer than the other type of ball and provide a feeling very near to a new ball, which most of the respondents liked. The recycled balls felt a little softer, less responsive, and were still quite playable. Some players prefer this softer feel for casual playing, but the refurbished ball provides consistent feedback and performance that others liked when playing competitively.
Environmental Impact
There are significant ecological advantages to using recycled golf balls. Through the recycling process, balls that would otherwise be land-filled or water-filled are re purposed to minimize waste and lessen the impact the game has on the environment. An estimated 420 million balls get lost annually, which amounts to some 19,000 tons of plastic waste taking hundreds of years to decompose. In giving such materials a second life, recycled golf balls promote sustainability in the sport of golf.
Whereas refurbished golf balls go through restoration, entailing cleaning and repainting, thus helping in high performance with reduced usage of new raw materials. Even though the recycled and refurbished balls reduce waste, the former has a direct impact on environmental waste by keeping the product in use longer.
Therefore, choosing recycled or refurbished golf balls will not only support your play but also contribute to a cleaner environment.
Market Availability and Pricing
While the market of new golf balls are increasing, the recycled and refurbished golf ball market is also increasing a a rapid rate. Many dealers in today's world are now selling recycled or refurbished golf balls.
Many reputed dealers like lost golf balls sell these golf balls at a really great price. A callaway supersoft mint can cost you $18 and a titleist pro v1 can cost around $40.
Who Should Use Each Type?
Recycled Golf Balls: Ideal for the beginning golfer, casual player, and 'green'-conscious players. The former will appreciate its reasonable cost that will allow them to practice without worrying about losing pricey balls. Casual players enjoy a more economical way to get in an occasional round, while the 'green'-conscious golfer likes the idea of material reuse.
Refurbished Golf Balls: appeal to all players chasing high-performance excellence without the high sticker price. This means more intermediate to advanced players who get similar performance to premium balls at a more pocket-friendly price. This makes refurbished balls a no-brainer for competitive play while keeping pace with quality and reliability.
Conclusion
Based on all the information you read previously and all the testing, refurbished golf balls are better than recycled golf balls. Refurbished golf balls give a better performance and are great value to money.
Another point to consider is your playing style and budget. These golf balls are great for golfers on a budget but if you are a pro or your every shot will not cost you thousands of dollars then you are good to go.
