2nd hand balls sold on the course

[Slab]

Thought this was a joke at first! cannot believe this actually happens.

My place sells 2nd hand pro v1s for £2.50 -RIP OFF!

Actually thought it was a more common practice than suggested by the feedback

Here its actually a form of unofficial income for the guys but back in Scotland it was mostly kids doing it for pocket money

 

[Piece]

From memory, dog walkers on Guildford Golf club used to flog lost balls to unsuspecting junior golfers (me) in the 1980s...

 

[evahakool]

At our course we have around 50 to 100 balls behind the bar which are fished out of water hazards, generally good balls for £1, so it's a bit of money for the club and a good way of purchasing some balls at low cost.

 

[gdunc79]

More in fuel than the balls cost?

Did you miss the bit where I said I tied it in with a visit to my sister?

 

[garyinderry]

seen it loads of places. its win win. I always have a duke to see if there is a deal to be had.


one day back in Ireland, there was a load of kids working as a team along our 14th which has ob all up the right. I went over and got talking to one of them and they were in branded teams. when I asked for titleist and srixon then sent for john and paul who were the titleist and srixon guys.

efficient wee men they were too.

 

[Sir Scoop-A-Lot]

I know many are loyal to their ball choice and stick to that alone...

But for those of us who play with most things... does your course have guys selling bags of 2nd hand balls from the hedgerows and bushes?

• If so do you buy them?
• Does the club chase the sellers/advise players not to buy?
• What do you personally think about the practice?

Asking because I normally take the opportunity to buy a bag of 20/30 if they look decent enough and the price is right (the savvy sellers have already sorted out the Pro V's etc so they can be bagged together & sold at higher rate)

When playing last weekend my mate bought 140 balls off a lad in one go!

Only ever seen this in Spain. Didn't know that it happened here. I'd buy them if in gold order. I lose around 2-3 a round so would save a few quid.

 

[Odvan]

I did this when I was a kid (11/12/13) to top up my spends, used to spend all day one one particular course. Always sold em and always made a bit of cash. I'd have no hesitation in purchasing off someone on the course if the balls were good enough and what I like.

 

[Scrindle]

I can't believe this happens haha! Quality. I'd buy some - always on the look out for cheap balls! Surprised the clubs don't chase them off though to be honest.

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

Only seen it once - I think it was Bull Bay on Anglesey. A guy sitting on a bank on the dogleg of a longish hole. I drove my ball into the rough on the bank reasonably near him. He didn't move - or offer to help look for it. Couldn't find it so carried on. Was very windy and had a bad day and lost a lot of balls. So when I was offered some balls in the car park I bought some. Only realised it was the same guy when I realised he'd sold me my own ball back. (Although to be fair to him, I had abandoned it)

Spoke to a member from there today who confirmed that there is a bloke in his sixties who regularly walks the course with his dogs and finds hundreds of balls. He is not a popular person and is suspected of pouring diesel on the 18th green following a dispute. At a recent AGM a member stood up to complain about him but this info found its way back to the ball collector who then threatened to smash the members windscreen.

 

[Oddsocks]

There's a guy local who walks a top100 course, finding all the balls. He then bags them into brands /models and when he has enough runs a garage sale from his driveway. He lives about 3 doors down from the course boundary and makes a small fortune.

 

[6inchcup]

i thought this was only done at dodgy muni courses in the 80's,who in their right mind wants strangers lurking about on the course selling balls they have found,it could be i have been spoiled at only being a member of private members clubs but even so encouraging people to find/nick balls isnt a good idea.

 

[c1973]

i thought this was only done at dodgy muni courses in the 80's,who in their right mind wants strangers lurking about on the course selling balls they have found,it could be i have been spoiled at only being a member of private members clubs but even so encouraging people to find/nick balls isnt a good idea.

I concur, any rapscallions found to be pilfering from my 'pick up supplies' shall receive a damned good thrashing on the 13th tee!

 

[palindromicbob]

I did this when I was a kid (11/12/13) to top up my spends, used to spend all day one one particular course. Always sold em and always made a bit of cash. I'd have no hesitation in purchasing off someone on the course if the balls were good enough and what I like.

I used to do it as well but got chased when trying to sell them on the course. Had a technique of falling face first in long grass and searching the area of the imprint thoroughly. Best day ever turned up 200 golf balls in 2 areas of the course. We used to go crazy when a rare orange or yellow ball was found. Strangest ever was a blue one. Used to give them to my dad.

We did show courtesy though. Stayed quiet and kept a close eye on the tee. We took cover and stayed still when people were playing. If a ball came into the forest(OOB)on the 18th and we saw it we would get it and take it over to the guys coming down the fairway so they could have it back.

Buying is discouraged at my course and always has been but the guys I see trying it now aren't innocent little kids trying to get a few pence together for sweets like we were.

 

[Odvan]

Buying is discouraged at my course and always has been but the guys I see trying it now aren't innocent little kids trying to get a few pence together for cider and rag mags like we were.

:whoo: