What Are Reload Golf Balls?

As golf balls get lost to water hazards, rough, and out-of-bounds during typical play, price-conscious golfers look for ways to reduce expenses on continually buying new balls.

One option relies on “reloading” – utilizing used, recycled, refinished, or refurbished balls to stretch your golf ball dollar.

But what exactly are reloaded golf balls? In this guide, we’ll examine the concept of reloaded balls, their origins and processes, quality considerations, and the pros and cons of using them.

You’ll finish with a full understanding of reloaded golf balls, helping make an informed choice on whether incorporating them makes financial sense for your golf game.

Defining Reloaded Golf Balls

In simplest terms, a reloaded golf ball refers to any previously played ball that gets collected, cleaned, and resold for continued use:

• This includes used balls found, recycled balls recovered, and refurbished balls reprocessed.
• Reloading provides second life to balls otherwise discarded after initial play.
• Reloaded balls offer cost savings versus new balls, often at a fraction of retail pricing.

Reusing balls provides an environmentally friendly way to reduce golf waste while spending less on quality balls.

Where Do Reload Balls Come From?

Previously played golf balls reloaded for reuse originate from a few primary sources:

• Water balls – Balls recovered from course water hazards, ponds, and lakes using collection divers and equipment.
• Range balls – Lightly worn balls picked from driving range ball fields.
• Played balls – Used balls found and collected from played courses.
• Recycled inventory – Older unsold retail stock recycled into the reload market.
• Company overruns – Production overages and discontinued models redirected to reloading.

Reputable reloaders carefully hand-select among these sources to pick balls viable for restoration and reuse.

How Are Golf Balls Reloaded?

Once used golf balls get collected, reloaders use a specialized process to recondition them:

• Cleaning – Thorough scrubbing and washing to remove dirt, mud, and debris.
• Inspection – Each ball gets individually examined and graded on its condition.
• Testing – Balls checked for proper compression and shot performance.
• Repainting/Refinishing – Adding a fresh glossy coat of paint or urethane as needed.
• Packaging – Final cleaned and inspected reload balls get packaged for reselling.

This careful, labor-intensive process ensures that well-refurbished balls are ready for play.

Reloaded Golf Ball Grades and Quality

Not all reloaded balls are equivalent in their condition and quality levels after refurbishment:

• Grade A (Mint) – Flawless or like-new with minimal signs of use.
• Grade B (Very Good) – Normal use marks but no cuts, scuffs, or paint loss.
• Grade C (Good) – Light surface scuffs and blemishes but no deep defects.
• Recycled (Poor) – Excessive cover damage relegating balls to only practice use.

Reputable reloaders carefully grade each ball during processing to inform buyers on precise quality.

Benefits of Using Reloaded Golf Balls

Reloaded golf balls offer recreational players clear advantages:

Cost Savings – Reloads sold at discounts of 50% or more compared to new balls.

Environmental Benefit – Reloading extends useful life reducing discarded balls.

Performance Value – Good reload processing yields balls indistinguishable from new.

Practice Consistency – Using the same model reload balls ingrains more uniformity.

Soft Feel Retention – Water-recovered balls haven’t lost softness on impact.

For cost, sustainability, and playability, reload presents a strong option.

Potential Downsides of Reloaded Balls

However, reloaded balls also come with some inherent drawbacks to consider:

• Limited Supply – Reloaders can’t replenish stocks of brands/models after discontinuation.
• No Manufacturer Warranty – Ball defects pass through the reloading process.
• Durability Variability – Impossible to assess interior flaws or material fatigue.
• Altered Feel/Flight – New coatings and paints may change ball properties slightly.

While minimal, these factors deserve acknowledgment when deciding on reloaded balls.

Most Common Brands and Models Reloaded

Some highly popular golf ball brands and models commonly found as reloaded options include:

• Callaway Chrome Soft, Supersoft
• Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x
• TaylorMade TP5, TP5x
• Srixon Z-Star, Q-Star Tour
• Bridgestone e6, e12
• Mizuno RB Tour Premium urethane balls hold up well enough through processing to merit reloading.

Reloaded Ball Retailers and Resellers

Several leading reloaded golf ball sellers online include:

• LostGolfBalls.com
• 50Balls.com
• RockBottomGolf.com
• Golf Balls Direct
• Reclaimed Golf Balls

These trusted sites inspect, grade, and guarantee reload quality. Supporting their reloading helps expand sustainability.

Maximizing Value Purchasing Reloads

To gain the most savings and satisfaction buying reloaded balls, follow this guidance:

• Focus purchases on premium 2, 3, or 4-piece models retaining playability.
• Inspect balls firsthand upon arrival to verify grades match claimed quality.
• Target fresh batches soon after release for optimal selection.
• Avoid the cheapest grade for actual play; use only for practice.
• Compare pricing across multiple sites to find the best available deals.

With smart buying, reloads provide quality performance at used pricing.

The Takeaway on Reloaded Golf Balls

In conclusion, selectively incorporating carefully reloaded golf balls matching your game can provide excellent cost savings.

But approach with realistic expectations around variability and supply. Verify quality firsthand and focus on established models known for retaining durability.

With an environmentally friendly perspective and sensible precautions, reloaded balls present a viable option for stretching your golf ball budget.

Take advantage of reuse savings without compromising on ball model preferences and performance needs.