Do Lake Golf Balls Lose Distance? What Golfers Actually Need to Know

You've just hit what felt like a perfect drive.

Straight out the middle. Great flight. You're already reaching for the tee before the ball has even landed.

Then you get down the fairway and think...

"That definitely should've gone further."

If you're playing a lake golf ball, it's easy to blame the ball.

One of the biggest questions surrounding lake golf balls is whether spending time underwater affects their performance – particularly when it comes to distance.

So, do lake golf balls actually lose distance?

The short answer is: they can, but it's nowhere near as simple as saying every lake ball flies shorter than a new golf ball.

Let's get into it.

What Is a Lake Golf Ball?

A lake golf ball is exactly what it sounds like: a golf ball that has been lost on a golf course, recovered – often from a lake or another water hazard – then cleaned, inspected and graded so it can be played again.

And there are a lot of them out there.

Think about how many balls disappear into water hazards every weekend across UK golf courses. Plenty have only been played for a handful of holes before somebody sends them swimming.

Recovering those balls gives them another life instead of leaving perfectly usable golf balls sitting at the bottom of a lake.

But that's where the obvious question comes in.

What has sitting underwater actually done to the ball?

Can Golf Balls Absorb Water?

Modern golf balls might look completely solid, but they're made from multiple materials and layers.

The outer cover is designed to protect the internal construction, but that doesn't necessarily mean a golf ball is completely immune to the effects of being submerged for a long period.

Over time, moisture can potentially penetrate the ball and affect its internal materials.

The important bit is time.

A premium golf ball that's been sitting underwater for a short period isn't automatically ruined.

Equally, a ball that's spent years at the bottom of a lake shouldn't necessarily be treated the same as one recovered much sooner.

That's one reason the quality and grading of recovered golf balls matters.

So, Do Lake Golf Balls Lose Distance?

Potentially, yes.

But the difference depends heavily on the condition of the individual ball.

Older research into submerged golf balls has suggested that prolonged exposure to water can eventually reduce performance. The longer a golf ball remains submerged, the greater the potential for its internal construction to be affected.

However, that doesn't mean you'll suddenly lose 30 yards because you've put a lake ball on the tee.

For many amateur golfers, any difference between a good-quality recovered ball and a new equivalent may be difficult to notice during a normal round.

And there's another fairly large problem when golfers try to judge this themselves.

We're not robots.

Your clubhead speed changes.

Strike location changes.

Launch changes.

Spin changes.

The wind changes.

You hit one drive out of the middle and the next one slightly off the toe.

A golfer hitting one ball 240 yards and another 233 yards doesn't necessarily mean the first ball is seven yards longer.

It could simply mean they hit it better.

Condition Matters More Than the Label "Lake Ball"

This is probably the most important point.

Not all lake golf balls are the same.

Imagine two Titleist Pro V1s.

One was hit into a lake relatively recently, recovered, professionally cleaned and inspected, and has little more than some cosmetic marking.

The other has been underwater for years, has heavy discolouration, damaged dimples and obvious cover wear.

Technically, they're both lake golf balls.

Clearly, they're not the same quality.

That's why buying properly graded lake golf balls is completely different from pulling a random ball out of a pond and putting it straight into play.

Higher-grade recovered golf balls are selected based on their condition, giving golfers a much better idea of what they're actually buying.

What About Scuffs and Cover Damage?

Water isn't the only thing that can affect distance.

The physical condition of the cover matters too.

Golf ball dimples aren't there for decoration. They play a huge role in how the ball travels through the air.

Significant cuts, scuffs or damage can affect aerodynamics and potentially change the ball's flight.

That's why we'd be more concerned about playing a heavily damaged golf ball than obsessing over whether a good-condition ball has previously spent some time in water.

If you're buying lake golf balls, look at the grade and condition rather than simply asking whether they're recovered.

Would an Amateur Golfer Actually Notice?

For most club golfers?

Probably not as much as you'd think.

If you're a scratch golfer with extremely consistent ball striking and you're trying to optimise every element of your equipment, playing brand-new balls makes sense.

But that's not most golfers.

If you're playing off 18, losing a couple of balls per round and occasionally sending a drive onto the neighbouring fairway, the tiny potential performance difference of a quality lake ball probably isn't what's costing you shots.

We hate to break it to you.

It's probably not the ball's fault.

For a lot of golfers, the bigger advantage is being able to play the golf ball they actually want without feeling physically sick every time one heads towards the trees.

Premium Golf Balls Without the Premium Pain

This is where lake golf balls start making a lot of sense.

Let's say you prefer playing a premium ball such as a Pro V1.

Buying them brand new isn't cheap.

And losing a brand-new premium golf ball on the second hole is one of golf's more painful experiences.

Quality recovered golf balls give you another option.

Instead of moving to a completely different budget ball, you can potentially continue playing the model you like at a considerably lower cost.

That can be particularly useful for:

• Higher-handicap golfers who lose several balls
• Beginners who are still finding consistency
• Casual golfers who don't want to spend a fortune
• Practice rounds
• Winter golf
• Anyone who simply thinks golf balls have become ridiculously expensive

Basically, most of us.

Are New Golf Balls Still Better?

If we're comparing two identical golf balls under perfect conditions – one completely brand new and another that has previously spent time underwater – we'd take the new one if maximum performance was the only consideration.

That's not really controversial.

A brand-new golf ball gives you the greatest certainty around its condition and history.

But golfers don't make purchasing decisions based purely on laboratory performance.

There's also price, ability, how frequently you play and how many balls you tend to lose.

The real question therefore isn't:

"Is a lake golf ball technically identical to a brand-new golf ball?"

It's:

"Will I notice enough difference to justify paying considerably more?"

For a lot of golfers, the answer to that second question is no.

Who Should Play Lake Golf Balls?

Lake golf balls make the most sense for golfers who want to reduce what they're spending without necessarily dropping down to cheaper golf ball models.

If you're regularly losing balls, they're particularly worth considering.

There's not much point spending premium-ball money if three of them are going to disappear before you reach the back nine.

On the other hand, if you're playing competitive golf at a high level and want complete consistency from every piece of equipment in your bag, buying new is still the safest option.

Neither choice is "right".

It depends on your golf.

The ReTee Take

At ReTee Golf, the whole idea is pretty simple.

Good golf balls deserve more than one round.

Huge numbers of premium golf balls are lost on courses despite having plenty of golf left in them. Recovering, sorting and grading those balls allows golfers to play quality models again rather than automatically buying another brand-new dozen.

It saves golfers money, gives existing golf balls another life and makes losing one slightly less painful.

We can't promise it'll stop you finding the lake.

That's still on you.

But at least the next one doesn't have to cost quite as much.

FAQs

Do lake golf balls lose distance?

Lake golf balls can potentially lose some performance after prolonged exposure to water, but the amount depends on factors including how long the ball was submerged and its overall condition. With good-quality graded lake balls, many amateur golfers may struggle to notice a meaningful difference during normal play.

Do golf balls become waterlogged?

Golf balls aren't like sponges, but prolonged exposure to water can potentially affect their internal materials over time. This doesn't mean every golf ball that enters a lake immediately becomes waterlogged or unusable.

How much distance do you lose with lake golf balls?

There isn't one fixed number that applies to every lake golf ball. The age, construction, time spent underwater, condition and quality of the individual ball can all affect performance.

Are lake golf balls good for beginners?

Yes. Lake golf balls can be particularly useful for beginners because they allow golfers to use good-quality balls without paying full new-ball prices while they're still likely to lose balls regularly.

Are lake golf balls worth buying?

For many recreational golfers, yes. Properly graded lake golf balls can provide a much cheaper way to play premium and popular golf ball models. More accomplished competitive golfers who want maximum consistency may still prefer brand-new balls.

Are recycled and lake golf balls the same thing?

The terms are often used interchangeably, although recovered or recycled golf balls can come from different areas of a golf course rather than exclusively from lakes. The important distinction is usually how the balls have been processed and graded before resale.