Dirt and mud on golf balls can negatively affect their flight. That's why most golf courses have a few ball washers dotted around. However, there are often only a few washers available, which can be a bit of a pain.
Here are some quick and easy ways to clean golf balls on the course and at home (without having to rely on an on-course ball washer).
How to clean your golf balls
Simple method: warm water and vinegar
This is a pretty quick method that will get rid of most of the dirt that's accumulated on your golf balls.
- Fill a bowl with warm water.
- Mix 100ml of vinegar into the water.
- Place your golf balls into the bowl and the dirt should quickly start fizzing off them.
- Leave the balls to soak for around 10 minutes. Don't leave the balls in for too long.
- Take each ball out of the water (we recommend wearing gloves for this) and dry it off with a towel for a shiny finish.
Soapy water and a toothbrush
Here's another easy way to clean your golf balls: simply pop them in a bowl of warm, soapy water and gently scrub each ball with a toothbrush.
This may require a bit of persistence depending on how caked-on the dirt is, but it should give you a great result. We do not recommend leaving the balls to soak for more than 30 mins.
Can I put my golf balls in the dishwasher?
You can put golf balls in the dishwasher but we don't recommend this, especially if you've bought personalised golf balls - there's a small chance that the print will come off in the wash.
If you are going to run your golf balls through the dishwasher, make sure you secure them in the cutlery rack or top drawer. Basically, you need to make sure that the balls aren't going to be bouncing around inside the machine while it's running.
You should also take extra precaution not to damage the balls by ensuring that the 'heated dry' setting on your dishwasher is turned off.
How to clean golf balls on the course without an on-course ball washer
Here are a few different options for keeping your balls clean while you're on the golf course...
- Use a towel. You can clean most forms of dirt and debris off your golf balls by simply rubbing them with your bag towel. If you act fast, the dirt should just brush off very easily.
- Get a mobile ball cleaner. If you appreciate the results a ball washer can provide but don't want to waste your time waiting in a queue, you can buy a mobile ball cleaner that clips right onto your golf bag. Just fill it with soap and water and you're good to go. Don't forget to bring a towel to dry your ball off.
Of course, if your golf balls are truly beyond saving, you can always just buy some new ones!
Buy Personalised Golf Balls
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