Golf balls are an investment. When you have a beautiful selection of golf balls available for your game, it only makes sense to store and look after them properly. Surprisingly, golf ball storage can have a huge impact on the effectiveness of your golf ball performance, and therefore, your entire game.
Here's how to store golf balls using some of our top golf ball storage tips...
Can golf balls go 'bad'?
Interestingly, golf balls do have some sort of shelf life. An old golf ball, depending on how much it has been used, can lose its round shape which will alter the aerodynamics of the ball. When a golf ball passes its 'expiry date', it will start to degrade which will affect its appearance and performance.
Despite this, you can improve your golf ball's shelf life by storing it properly.
When do golf balls expire?
Golf balls expire depending on their structure and anatomy. The general rule is that the more pieces there are in a golf ball, the less longevity it has.
Two-piece golf balls tend to have urethane or ionomer covers, which generally last the longest (5-7 years) in comparison to 3-piece balata covered golf balls. It is important to note, though, that golf balls with urethane covers can damage quickly if not stored in the correct environment as they are extremely thin.
Also, golf balls with an elastic windings core tend to undergo 'relaxation' where the windings diminish over time, resulting in a 2-5 year shelf life.
Does storage affect golf ball performance?
Storage directly affects golf ball performance due to a change in temperature and climate. Heat exposure can have a huge effect on the way your golf balls perform during a game.
For instance, micro cracks can form on the cover of your golf ball throughout play, and heat changes can expand these cracks creating surface damage, ruining the integrity of your golf ball.
For example, if you store your golf balls in a hot car, the molecules of your golf ball will expand and the chemical makeup of your golf ball will change. This can cause damage to the protective golf ball cover, and reduce the rubber elasticity of your golf ball's inner core.
Where should I store my golf balls?
As mentioned above, where you store your golf balls depends on the type of golf ball you have.
If you have a golf ball with a rubber core, do not store it in a freezing or cold environment as the rubber can undergo permanent chemical changes, affecting your golf ball's performance. Warm weather works well for golf balls with rubber cores, as the rubber responds positively by increasing distance due to a bouncy energy transfer. You'll also get improved lift!
If you have a golf ball with a more durable polymer core, it will be able to endure lower and higher temperatures without affecting anything.
Golf balls with urethane or ionomer covers are most effective when stored at moderate temperatures.
If your golf ball has a plastic cover, then it can withstand more extreme conditions below 10 degrees Celsius, for example.
The most ideal temperature to store your golf ball in is in an area of 20-25 degrees Celsius. This provides a solid and manageable middle ground to ensure that your golf ball will not be damaged by any temperature changes.
If you store your golf balls at their ideal temperature consistently in a dry and moisture-free area, they can last for years until their effectiveness is impacted. We recommend storing them in a golf bag, or in a golf ball sleeve.
Can I store my golf ball in a freezer?
If you store your golf ball in too cold of an environment such as in a freezer (yes, some people do it!), it will not preserve the compression or the 'fresh feel' of your golf ball. Instead, it will change your performance as your golf ball will require more energy to gain distance and lift.
Can I store my golf balls in the car?
Of course, you may have to store your golf balls in your car at some point. It's okay to do, as long as you don't keep them in there for more than a day. If you keep golf balls in a car for too long, such as for more than a few days, then the molecules of the golf ball will expand, reducing the elasticity of your golf ball.
Find golf balls that last with gimmeballs
At gimmeballs, we provide a variety of personalised golf balls that are made to last. We hope this blog has answered your question on how to store golf balls, but if you have any other questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.
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