Whether you’ve got a knack for stumbling across lost golf balls, or you’re looking to become a dedicated golf ball hunter, you can easily make a nice bit of extra cash by selling used golf balls. In this guide, we’ll cover the four steps of peddling used golf balls: finding them, cleaning them, sorting them, and selling them in today’s market.
Step 1: How to Find Golf Balls
A good time to find used golf balls is when you are looking for your own ball in the roughs, weeds, trees, trenches, and bushes. I’ve often found that when I go looking for my own ball off the sides of the fairway, I can easily end up with an extra two or three balls. Another player’s loss is your gain.
The same goes for water hazards. It’s amazing how many balls you can find right at the edge of a lake or pond. In most cases, you can simply use your golf club to retrieve them from the water. You could also use a specialized golf ball retriever, which is an extendable pole with a scoop at the end.
However, the lion’s share of used golf balls is most likely going to be found away from the edges of the water, towards the center. In order to go looking there, you’ll first need to take a crucial step.
⚠️ Important: The Legality & Etiquette of Ball Hawking
You must seek permission from the golf course before large-scale retrieval, especially diving. Going onto private property after hours to take items can be considered trespassing and theft. While most major courses have exclusive contracts with professional divers, many smaller public or municipal courses may agree to a deal where you split the revenue (often around 25% to the course). Never shortchange them—you will be banned quickly. Always get permission first.
Diving for Golf Balls
One sure-fire way of collecting bag-loads of balls is to dive for them. The idea is to literally swim around the bottom of the lake, pick up the balls, and toss them into a mesh bag as you go.
However, if you’re not already qualified, and you don’t already have all of the equipment, this is going to incur a hefty expense. Securing a scuba qualification takes time and costs roughly $300-$500. Once you’ve purchased the gear, you could have easily spent upwards of $1,000. If that’s not an issue, then dive right in. If not, there are cheaper alternatives.
Wading in the Water
It might not be quite as effective as diving, but wading in the water can still net you a good haul. Grab a pair of fishing waders or tall rubber boots, heavy-duty rubber gloves, and a mesh bag, and wade your way into the shallow sections of ponds for some good old-fashioned retrieval. It’s much cheaper than diving, though always wade with caution and be mindful of deep sections or wildlife.
Rake / “Shag Bag”
Moving out of the water and into the deep fescue or woods, you may find success simply by running a rake through patches of long grass, gathering balls like leaves. A tube-style “shag bag” is also a great tool for quickly picking up multiple balls without constantly bending over.
Step 2: How to Clean Old Golf Balls
Since they’ve been plucked from mud and pond bottoms, your haul will be dirty. No one wants to buy muddy balls, and selling dirty ones will ruin your seller reputation.
The easiest and most effective way to clean golf balls in bulk is:
- Fill a large bucket or sink with warm water and a generous amount of dish soap.
- Let the balls soak for at least 30 minutes to loosen caked-on mud.
- Use a stiff scrub brush or an old toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt from the dimples.
- Rinse them thoroughly with clean water.
- Lay them out on a towel to air dry completely.
You could polish them for extra shine, but a thorough cleaning is usually sufficient.
Step 3: Sorting and Grading (The 2026 Pricing Guide)
Now that they’re clean, it’s time to sort them. Mixing premium balls with shag balls will hurt your profits. In 2026, buyers are savvy, so accurate grading is key. We recommend sorting into three main categories with updated pricing expectations:
- Grade A (Mint/Near Mint): These look brand new. They may have a tiny logo or a player mark, but no scuffs, cuts, or discoloration.
- Premium Brands (Pro V1, TP5, Chrome Soft): Can sell for $2.00 – $3.00 per ball.
- Mid-Range Brands (Q-Star, Tour Response): Can sell for $1.00 – $1.50 per ball.
- Grade B (Good/Playable): These have minor imperfections like small scuffs, slight discoloration, or larger player marks. They are perfectly playable but clearly used.
- Premium Brands: $1.00 – $1.50 per ball.
- Budget Brands: $0.50 – $0.75 per ball.
- Grade C (Practice/Shag): These have visible cuts, heavy scuffs, or significant discoloration. They are best sold in bulk for practice.
- Mixed Batch: $0.20 – $0.30 per ball (sold in large quantities like 50 or 100).
Once categorized, bag them in logical quantities. Dozen packs work well for Grade A, while Grade B and C are best sold in batches of 50 or 100.
Step 4: How to Sell Used Golf Balls in 2026
Finally, it’s time to reap the rewards. The landscape for selling has changed, providing more options than ever.
1. Offline Sales (Quick Cash)
- Driving Ranges: Smaller ranges often buy decent-condition balls to restock their supply. Expect to get paid on the lower end ($0.10 – $0.20 per ball), but it’s an instant sale for bulk. This is a good option if you have a decent number of golf balls.
- Course Pro Shops: Some shops buy higher-grade balls to sell in a “used bin.” They will pay more than a range but will be pickier about quality. Some might even offer store credit.
- Flea Markets / Garage Sales: A classic method. Clean them up, put them in buckets with clear pricing, and you might find local buyers who are willing to pay a great price for high quality, used balls.
2. Online Marketplaces (Maximum Profit)
This is where you will get the best prices, reaching a national audience.
- eBay: Still the king for reaching the widest audience. It’s perfect for selling specific dozens of Grade A Pro V1s or bulk lots of 500 practice balls. You control the pricing. Be sure to factor in shipping costs and seller fees.
- Mercari & OfferUp: These apps have grown significantly for second-hand goods. They are great alternatives to eBay, often with simpler listing processes and lower fees. OfferUp is particularly good for local sales where the buyer picks up, saving you shipping hassle.
- Facebook Marketplace & Golf Groups: Excellent for local sales without fees. For higher-end balls, join specific golf buy/sell/trade groups. Enthusiasts in these groups know the value of a mint Pro V1 and are willing to pay for it.
💡 Pro Tip: The Power of Presentation
In 2026, a good photo is everything. Don’t just dump balls in a dark bucket.
- Good Lighting: Use natural, bright light.
- Organization: For Grade A balls, arrange them neatly in rows so the buyer can see the brand and model clearly. Show that they are all the same quality.
- Honesty: Take close-up photos of any scuffs on Grade B balls. Transparency builds trust and prevents returns.
3. Bulk Used Ball Buyers
These companies buy huge quantities to clean, sort, and resell themselves.
- Lost Golf Balls / Golf Balls Direct: These are great options if you have enormous quantities (thousands) and just want them gone without the hassle of sorting or listing individually.
- The Trade-Off: The convenience is high, but the payout is low. You might only get $0.30 – $0.50 for a premium ball that you could sell for over $1.50 on eBay. They also often have high minimum quantities for shipping (e.g., 5,000+ balls), making them better for serious retrievers than casual hunters.
Final Thoughts
Selling used golf balls remains a viable and potentially lucrative side hustle in 2026. The key is effort. If you take the time to find them legally, clean them thoroughly, sort them accurately by brand and condition, and present them well online, you will find plenty of willing buyers.
For the average person, selling Grade A and B balls on eBay, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace will yield the highest return for your time. Happy hunting!
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
