Anyone tried the pristine condition golf balls on lost golf balls or other similar sites?

[grochol17]

As the title says, anyone played the pristine condition golf balls from any of the used golf ball sites?  The descriptions all make it sound like pristine quality golf balls are indistinguishable from new, but I'd love to hear some feedback from anyone that has actually bought and used those.

[st1800e]

Bought some twice….the first and the last time….😉

48 balls, iirc 20 were substandard, color and or marks.   They replaced the 20, better but not all 5A.

Even if they look ok, who knows where they’ve been or for how long?

Wont do it again.

 

[DiscoStu35]

I've bought the pristine (not 5A) condition from both lostgolfballs.com and foundgolfballs.com. I got 24 AVX's last year from LGB and yeah, outside off one ball having the smallest imperfection (I was nitpicking) they looked brand new. No weird paint discoloration, markings/logos or other signs of use. 

 

I bought 24 yellow Bridgestone Tour B RX and 24 TaylorMade 2024 TP5x from FGB in the fall and split the order with a friend. We were both pretty blown away with how perfect the balls looked. We each looked at every ball and there wasn't a speck of paint out of place. They were perfect.

 

I know this is a controversial topic as far as whether or not you loose distance, durability or can have other issues. I'm well aware that there aren't fairies plucking these things from the forests of golf courses around the world. They get caught by a net dragging the ponds. I get it.  I personally have never had an issue using pristine level golf balls. Just my experience.

[596]

My wife actually purchased 24 Callaway Chrome Soft X LS off of Amazon thinking they were new and a great deal.  Well, they came in a plastic bag.  After checking her order from Amazon, they were listed as used 5A condition.  After using them against my known new of the same model, I couldn't tell a difference.  They all looked new and a few had a logo of some sort.  At better then half price of brand new, it's worth the savings.

[gioreeko]

1 hour ago, DiscoStu35 said:

I've bought the pristine (not 5A) condition from both lostgolfballs.com and foundgolfballs.com. I got 24 AVX's last year from LGB and yeah, outside off one ball having the smallest imperfection (I was nitpicking) they looked brand new. No weird paint discoloration, markings/logos or other signs of use. 

 

I bought 24 yellow Bridgestone Tour B RX and 24 TaylorMade 2024 TP5x from FGB in the fall and split the order with a friend. We were both pretty blown away with how perfect the balls looked. We each looked at every ball and there wasn't a speck of paint out of place. They were perfect.

 

I know this is a controversial topic as far as whether or not you loose distance, durability or can have other issues. I'm well aware that there aren't fairies plucking these things from the forests of golf courses around the world. They get caught by a net dragging the ponds. I get it.  I personally have never had an issue using pristine level golf balls. Just my experience.

*lose distance

[ahenderX]

I prefer Golf Ball Hero and golfballs.net when I buy used balls. Quit using lostgolfballs and foundgolfballs years ago. 

[DiscoStu35]

8 minutes ago, ahenderX said:

I prefer Golf Ball Hero and golfballs.net when I buy used balls. Quit using lostgolfballs and foundgolfballs years ago. 

I'll have to check out those two sites. I used to use LGB more but recently been using FGB exclusively. I feel like their selection is much better and I've been very happy with the quality.

[ahenderX]

3 minutes ago, DiscoStu35 said:

I'll have to check out those two sites. I used to use LGB more but recently been using FGB exclusively. I feel like their selection is much better and I've been very happy with the quality.

Golf Ball Hero has the smallest selection. My last two purchased were from golfballs.net.

Edited January 20 by ahenderX

[Yakhandicap]

I use lostgolfballs—it’s been useful as I’m learning to not have price per ball be a stressor. So far they look pretty much new at the 5a level. When I’ve gone down in quality it’s more evident, but you get what you pay for. There was a single round where I thought my success was due to the new sleeve of Bridgestones my friend gave me and I bought a dozen…and sucked the same as with the cheapies. I’ll check some of those others out. 

[weems]

I normally order 48 5A balls at a time and I typically have to send them an email about 5-10 of them.  Not so much for discoloration but visible nicks.

[Greenie]

I bought twice from LGB last year. 48 5A Vice and 48 5A Chrome Soft and with both orders there were 5-10 balls in each purchase I wasn't happy with. You could definitely tell they were water balls. I wont try them again.

 

I have had better luck buying from some of the smaller sellers on Ebay. Their prices are cheaper than LGB and I have never found fault with one ball when buying in lots of 48. The issue with them is they don't have a large selection and they have limited quantities. If they have what you are looking for they sell out fast. 

[mikey6866]

Ive always tried to warn everybody i can in regards to used balls.  

 

The 5A balls will generally look perfect. The issue is they usually were sitting in water for months and they do not perform like a normal ball.  You may save money but when you play a par 3 and you come up 10 yards short on a well struck ball its because you cheaped out and bought the used balls.  I already learned this lesson.

[bluedot]

17 hours ago, mikey6866 said:

Ive always tried to warn everybody i can in regards to used balls.  

 

The 5A balls will generally look perfect. The issue is they usually were sitting in water for months and they do not perform like a normal ball.  You may save money but when you play a par 3 and you come up 10 yards short on a well struck ball its because you cheaped out and bought the used balls.  I already learned this lesson.

Same here.  I tried it once, and everything was fine with the first few balls I used.  Then I hit a drive that acted like it was a nerf ball.  Never again.

 

I get the idea of trying to make an expensive sport a little bit more affordable.  But there are better ways than using golf balls that got fished out of a pond, especially now that there are so many good DTC options, not to mention Maxfli or Vice, now that Vice has gone retail.

[IndyArcher]

For people in the USA, why would you gamble with used golf balls when there are so many other options among DTC companies? Even more, with the current reviews seemingly showing that the latest v.3 balls from Costco to be much improved and likely similar to top-tier balls, you can get them for < $1.25/ball. Even if you don't have a Costco near you, if you can find someone with a membership, you can have them shipped for approx $1.50/ball. I just don't get the used ball business when you really don't know what you are going to end up with. Not saying you shouldn't; just that I don't get the benefit. 

[weems]

14 minutes ago, IndyArcher said:

For people in the USA, why would you gamble with used golf balls when there are so many other options among DTC companies? Even more, with the current reviews seemingly showing that the latest v.3 balls from Costco to be much improved and likely similar to top-tier balls, you can get them for < $1.25/ball. Even if you don't have a Costco near you, if you can find someone with a membership, you can have them shipped for approx $1.50/ball. I just don't get the used ball business when you really don't know what you are going to end up with. Not saying you shouldn't; just that I don't get the benefit. 

My thought process (for my game) since I am a hacker, I can't justify playing a new ball for the cost.  Maybe once I get dialed in more ill switch.  I play a chrome soft x LS and I bought basically all of the remaining sleeves my club had when they were on sale, and a bunch from lost golf balls and I can't tell a difference.

[IndyArcher]

1 hour ago, weems said:

My thought process (for my game) since I am a hacker, I can't justify playing a new ball for the cost.  Maybe once I get dialed in more ill switch.  I play a chrome soft x LS and I bought basically all of the remaining sleeves my club had when they were on sale, and a bunch from lost golf balls and I can't tell a difference.

 

How much does a used ball cost? I only ask because when I typically see them around here, they are still a buck a ball or so. 

[weems]

8 minutes ago, IndyArcher said:

 

How much does a used ball cost? I only ask because when I typically see them around here, they are still a buck a ball or so. 

The Chrome Soft X LS came out to be about $2 a ball after taxes.

[grochol17]

For those of you talking about not knowing about the history of the ball, that's why I asked about people's actual experience with "pristine" condition balls.  Lost golf balls says this:

 

"Pristine

The appearance and feel of this golf ball will feel Like-New. This golf ball will show NO wear. Player pen markings and logos will NOT be present. Exclusively available for Titleist models only. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee & Free Returns."

 

Since that condition is only for Titleist, I thought maybe these were basically a clearance sale on new balls or hit only a few times on the range at a tour event.  Or it could just be a way for them to justify charging a bit more for Titleist.

 

I also found some other places, like the Golf Ball Company (who seems to be the same company as found golf balls), have a pristine rating which they list as "top 5%" of balls or some version of that, but are not a Titleist only thing.

 

The pristine condition Pro Vs at LGB with their current sale are not much cheaper than the price if you wait for the 4-for-3 deal from Titleist, so not necessarily worth taking a chance on balls of unknown provenance, but the ones I see on GBC with the current sale are a good bit cheaper and would be worth it if you could trust the quality of the balls.

[bluedot]

I don’t think there is any data that shows that modern urethane cover premium golf balls degrade in distance or dispersion after being submerged in water for even long periods of time.  
 

BUT what is not knowable about a given used golf ball is how it was stored before that; there IS data showing that storing golf balls in extreme temperatures negatively impacts the materials in the ball.  Way, way, too many people store their clubs and golf balls in the trunk of their car; I don’t want to buy those golf balls at ANY price.  (And it’s even possible that golf balls that have been stored in extreme temperatures are at least a little bit more likely to end up in a water hazard, and therefore to end up in the hands of someone buying used golf balls…)
 

There  are just way too many options now for getting really good golf balls at affordable prices to take a chance on used balls. In my total golf budget, the yearly price difference between a used ball and one of those options doesn’t even pay for a couple of greens fees.

Edited January 23 by bluedot

[grochol17]

2 hours ago, bluedot said:

I don’t think there is any data that shows that modern urethane cover premium golf balls degrade in distance or dispersion after being submerged in water for even long periods of time.  
 

BUT what is not knowable about a given used golf ball is how it was stored before that; there IS data showing that storing golf balls in extreme temperatures negatively impacts the materials in the ball.  Way, way, too many people store their clubs and golf balls in the trunk of their car; I don’t want to buy those golf balls at ANY price.  (And it’s even possible that golf balls that have been stored in extreme temperatures are at least a little bit more likely to end up in a water hazard, and therefore to end up in the hands of someone buying used golf balls…)
 

There  are just way too many options now for getting really good golf balls at affordable prices to take a chance on used balls. In my total golf budget, the yearly price difference between a used ball and one of those options doesn’t even pay for a couple of greens fees.

 

Good points about the unknown storage of golf balls by the previous owner.

 

As for price, what caught my eye is that one of the sites had pristine Left Dash balls on sale for basically half price.  So, every 2 dozen balls saves $55, which is the greens fee for some of the courses I play.  Though I think the better solution than buying used balls is to play better golf, win more money off my friends, and use the 4-for-3 deal from Titleist or, if they run it this year, the 3-for-2 deal from Wilson.

[Ghostwedge]

per Dean Snell \ former ball designer for Titleist and TM...

" Water can seep into the core, and that costs  you distance and speed. Velocity slows after 48 hours in the water, but the ball really loses speed after two to three weeks in the water." @ GD 3-2017

I doubt most used golf balls are recovered within 48 hours after finding the pond or lake. 

[Greenie]

On 1/23/2025 at 7:42 AM, bluedot said:

I don’t think there is any data that shows that modern urethane cover premium golf balls degrade in distance or dispersion after being submerged in water for even long periods of time.  
 

BUT what is not knowable about a given used golf ball is how it was stored before that; there IS data showing that storing golf balls in extreme temperatures negatively impacts the materials in the ball.  Way, way, too many people store their clubs and golf balls in the trunk of their car; I don’t want to buy those golf balls at ANY price.  (And it’s even possible that golf balls that have been stored in extreme temperatures are at least a little bit more likely to end up in a water hazard, and therefore to end up in the hands of someone buying used golf balls…)
 

There  are just way too many options now for getting really good golf balls at affordable prices to take a chance on used balls. In my total golf budget, the yearly price difference between a used ball and one of those options doesn’t even pay for a couple of greens fees.

 

I hate to tell you that if you are worried about how a USED golf ball is stored and extreme temperatures affecting them you should be equally worried when you buy those NEW golf balls. 

 

I worked in distribution for two different major retailers totaling 35 years. Golf balls are not considered a perishable product so they are not delivered in controlled temperature trailers. To start with depending on origin they most likely were shipped on container ships in metal containers that reach extreme high and low temperatures depending on the time of year. I have received and offloaded golf balls in containers and also in regular trailers and I can assure you in the summer months the temps in those containers and trailers are extreme and in the winter the temps are cold. 

 

If you are worried about a used golf ball and the possibility of someone storing their golf bag and balls in the truck of their car before losing their ball picture a container of NEW golf balls traveling to the US baking in the hot sun on a cargo ship from another country. That's not even considering how the product was stored in a US warehouse before distribution.

[awtryau89]

I’ve used the pristine versions from LGB on Left Dash and AVX. Here’s what I’ve noticed. These are new balls, never played but some have defects. I’ve gotten balls that don’t have numbers on one side or the alignment aide is not straight. I’ve also seen balls with bad areas of clear coat but to be fair, I just had a brand new sleeve of ProV1 with bad clear coat too. Sent to Titleist and they gave me a brand new dz. I never noticed any performance issues with the LD but I’ve gotten some bad balls that were just duds in the AVX. All of this together got me questioning these balls and my pro sent an email to his rep. LGB probably won’t confirm this but these are new balls that just don’t pass QC. Not sure if they are making XOuts any longer but I believe this is what you are dealing with as Titleist is off loading them in bulk. For what you pay, I don’t mind some bad balls but I would never use these balls in a tournament or in a serious gambling game. 

[NorthTexasGlfr]

Seems as if some people really don't want you buying these recycled "pristine" golf balls, lol. 

 

Have been doing it for the better part of ten years and I can count on one hand how many golf balls I have received that did not perform just like a new one. And................I will have more fingers left over than I used. 

[grochol17]

16 hours ago, awtryau89 said:

I’ve used the pristine versions from LGB on Left Dash and AVX. Here’s what I’ve noticed. These are new balls, never played but some have defects. I’ve gotten balls that don’t have numbers on one side or the alignment aide is not straight. I’ve also seen balls with bad areas of clear coat but to be fair, I just had a brand new sleeve of ProV1 with bad clear coat too. Sent to Titleist and they gave me a brand new dz. I never noticed any performance issues with the LD but I’ve gotten some bad balls that were just duds in the AVX. All of this together got me questioning these balls and my pro sent an email to his rep. LGB probably won’t confirm this but these are new balls that just don’t pass QC. Not sure if they are making XOuts any longer but I believe this is what you are dealing with as Titleist is off loading them in bulk. For what you pay, I don’t mind some bad balls but I would never use these balls in a tournament or in a serious gambling game. 

 

I haven't seen XOUTs on the shelves anywhere in a long time, so I was wondering if that might be what the pristine balls really are.

 

[Urechis]

On 1/22/2025 at 7:13 AM, IndyArcher said:

For people in the USA, why would you gamble with used golf balls when there are so many other options among DTC companies? Even more, with the current reviews seemingly showing that the latest v.3 balls from Costco to be much improved and likely similar to top-tier balls, you can get them for < $1.25/ball. Even if you don't have a Costco near you, if you can find someone with a membership, you can have them shipped for approx $1.50/ball. I just don't get the used ball business when you really don't know what you are going to end up with. Not saying you shouldn't; just that I don't get the benefit. 

The difference between a 5A LGB Titleist pro V1 will be much bigger vs. a brand new pro V1x than it will be with a brand new pro V1. Another brand golf ball will perform significantly differently than a LGB counterpart of the same ball.

[bluedot]

On 1/24/2025 at 7:55 PM, Greenie said:

 

I hate to tell you that if you are worried about how a USED golf ball is stored and extreme temperatures affecting them you should be equally worried when you buy those NEW golf balls. 

 

I worked in distribution for two different major retailers totaling 35 years. Golf balls are not considered a perishable product so they are not delivered in controlled temperature trailers. To start with depending on origin they most likely were shipped on container ships in metal containers that reach extreme high and low temperatures depending on the time of year. I have received and offloaded golf balls in containers and also in regular trailers and I can assure you in the summer months the temps in those containers and trailers are extreme and in the winter the temps are cold. 

 

If you are worried about a used golf ball and the possibility of someone storing their golf bag and balls in the truck of their car before losing their ball picture a container of NEW golf balls traveling to the US baking in the hot sun on a cargo ship from another country. That's not even considering how the product was stored in a US warehouse before distribution.

I take your point, but I can’t do anything about how new golf balls are shipped and stored.   I CAN, however, control whether or not I buy used balls.

[borker]

On 1/21/2025 at 11:39 AM, mikey6866 said:

Ive always tried to warn everybody i can in regards to used balls.  

 

The 5A balls will generally look perfect. The issue is they usually were sitting in water for months and they do not perform like a normal ball.  You may save money but when you play a par 3 and you come up 10 yards short on a well struck ball its because you cheaped out and bought the used balls.  I already learned this lesson.

 

Used balls make perfect sense for beginners. When I first took up golf I was losing a dozen balls a round at times. At .25-.50c a ball for a better ball than Nitro's at Walmart, it didn't bother me. Even the Pinnacle Rush and Noodles are over $1.25/ball now new and that starts to make a dramatic difference in an expensive sport as it is. Beginners and 40 handicappers will not notice the one shot well struck that came up 10y short.

 

It wasn't until I got down to around a 20 handicap and only losing a ball a round or less that I also started to notice the odd goofy "flyer" or "wtf that was short? I nutted that" and started to swear off used unless I found them myself in the woods.

 

 

[mikey6866]

1 hour ago, borker said:

 

Used balls make perfect sense for beginners. When I first took up golf I was losing a dozen balls a round at times. At .25-.50c a ball for a better ball than Nitro's at Walmart, it didn't bother me. Even the Pinnacle Rush and Noodles are over $1.25/ball now new and that starts to make a dramatic difference in an expensive sport as it is. Beginners and 40 handicappers will not notice the one shot well struck that came up 10y short.

 

It wasn't until I got down to around a 20 handicap and only losing a ball a round or less that I also started to notice the odd goofy "flyer" or "wtf that was short? I nutted that" and started to swear off used unless I found them myself in the woods.

 

 

 

You can get quality urethane new balls for 25 bucks a dozen if you buy in small bulk.

 

A majority of used ball market is water balls.  Alot of them have performance defects.  Why buy them when you can get brand new maxfli or vice or even srixon balls sometimes for around 25 a dozen.  I just recently bought 6 dozen srixon zstar xvs for 165$.  i also just got 4 dozen maxfli tour x's for 89$.  Tour quality balls for 23-27$ a dozen brand new.  Id never recommend any golfer play used balls.  You can get great brand new urethane balls at similar prices.

[puttingmatt]

I have used lostgolfballs.com for years.

Been very satisfied.  Fast delivery and 

always true to stated  condition.