the only time a ball matters is if the persons under a 10 handicap maybe but if not the ball doesnt matter my instructor and i joke around alot about such things not to be rude but to comment on where people are over spending in charity events or scrambles i shoot just as well playing the ball we get wich might happen to be a pinnacle or for a *** cancer scramble i always buy pink balls brand name doesnt matter to which i still play at 70 or better level buying a certain ball doesnt matter untill you know exactly what that ball will do and how it will help with your game i.e. hitting a better approach shot or your chip shot releases more or less so ask your self what your looking for and if the ball will help even before deciding you need a certain ball

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE ANSWER TO THIS LIES WITH YOUR HANDICAP.

IF YOU A RE A WEEKEND WARRIOR THE RECYCLED BALL WILL DO FINE-NOTE--RECYCLED NOT REFURBISHED.I HAVE HAD SOME STRANGE RESULTS TRYING TO USE REFURBISHED (REPAINTED OR TOUCHED UP) BALL-OUT OF BALANCE,ETC.

IF YOUR HANDICAP IS SINGLE DIGET YOU WILL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE.

BEING ON A FIXED INCOME (RETIRED)  HAVING A 13 HANDICAP, AND PLAYING 4-5 TIMES A WEEK FORCES ME TO USE RECYCLED TITLEIST IN ALL BUT TOURNAMENT SITUATIONS.

WISH I COULD PLAY NEW ONES EVERY DAY, BUT JUST GLAD TO BE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PLAY THIS GREAT GAME.

We would not recommend recycled Titleist golf balls for anyone's game - regardless of a person's ability.  Arguably, the consistency of a new, pristine golf ball is more beneficial to a higher handicap as it provides a better opportunity to shoot lower scores.  If you are a golfer with mid to high handicap who plays with whatever golf ball you find in the pond or in your bag, you are not allowing yourself to shoot the best score possible.  Hitting more greens in regulation is game changing, and continuing to develop a more consistent short game will provide golfers with the best opportunity to lower their scores. If you are playing with different golf balls on every hole, it becomes very difficult to become consistent.  You should practice with the same golf ball as you have in play, and you should always play with the same golf ball brand and model on every hole of every round and for every round to have the best chance of lowering your score.

TEAM TITLEIST

I played a couple of holes with what I thought was a new ball.  I felt like I was hitting good, solid, shots, but I wasn't getting good results.  The flight seemed screwed up.  The ball didn't spin like a Pro V, and when I putted (I line up the line on the Pro V with my intended line) it felt like the ball was off center.  Similar to a tire with a big dent in the rim.  I took a big look at the ball and in the tiniest letters it said REFURBISHED.

I wouldn't advise these balls for anyone.  To echo Team Titleist, if you're ball is unpredictable you're already putting yourself at a disadvantage.  

I have to agree with team titleist here. while my handicap is not the lowest and I'm just a weekend hacker. if i happen to switch manufacturers because I shanked one into the woods you can definitely tell a difference. ESPECIALLY in the short iron/putting game. the more holes I can use one type of ball the more confident i feel in hitting the shot i need to hit because I know what to expect from the ball.

I have been wondering this very thing for some time.  I have been playing recycled balls this season, and I can't help but wonder if it is impacting my game.  I know that just like anything it else it is the player and not the equipment that hits the shots, but there has to be a breaking point.  I play the recycled balls when practicing and then play new balls during tournaments.  The balls I buy are AAAA, but they still look very different.  My ball always seems to be the darkest on the course.  Shouldn't the decoloration be an indication that the ball is worn and maybe impacting my shots?  I guess the true question is how much may it be impacting my game?

I love this brand, and I have Titleist everything from balls, bag, irons, driver and woods, wedges, and my hat.  However, when you play as often as I do, 4-5 times a week, I can't afford to play brand new balls all of the time.  Okay so now that I am done ranting, I would like to hear from TEAM TITLEIST how much of an impact playing a recycled ball can have vs playing a new ball, even one that may have a round already played on it.  Thank you in advance for your response.

Ryan:

There is ample evidence that exposure to water can dramatically degrade ball performance.  Below are excerpts of a Q&A from a Golf Digest study. This may help answer your question.



Is it true that balls that have been fished out of ponds are useless because of water damage?



GOLF DIGEST RESPONSE 
"Useless" may be a strong word, but yes, a ball that has been submerged in water for an extended period of time does lose some of its performance. How much depends on the amount of time the ball has been underwater and how fast you swing the club. If you have a slow swing speed, you probably won't see much of a difference in ball flight between an otherwise flawless "pond ball" and a new ball. However, players of all strengths will notice a difference in a ball that's scuffed or muddy. According to a Golf Digest study on ball performance, even a small nick or a thin layer of mud on a ball can send it off line and cost you more than five yards of carry off the tee.  The trouble with used golf balls is you don't know where they've been or how long they've been there. That can be a problem. 



WATER GAP


Yardage of drives of two-piece balls submerged in water, and the cosmetic difference between an untreated pond ball. 

New     8 days   3 months   6 months


250.7    244.9      241.6      242.5



* Golf Digest study 

Team Titleist