Golf ball storage............

DelB

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Whilst out playing a round yesterday, the subject of what balls we use was brought up. I happened to remark that I had loads of different balls in the garage at home - some crappy ones for practice and winter bounce games and better ones for use in Medals etc. My playing partner was horrified that I keep balls in the garage, as he reckons that keeping them warm makes them perform better. Have never heard such a thing. I know that balls fly further in warmer conditions, but does the actual temperature of the ball make a difference?? :D

I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

Cheers.
 

Tommo21

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I dont get it. Lets say you start with a warm ball, smack it 250 in freezing conditions and by the time you get there you've got the same ball that was in the garage. I think it's more to do with the temp of the air at winter time, the air is more dense and the resistance is higher.
 

USER1999

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A golf ball is a lump of plastic. However, if it is stored at extremes of temperature, it will degenerate slightly, leading to a loss of performance. Storage in a garage, at minus 5 is not a good idea. If your garage is within the house, and heated, then no problem, if it is detached, and not heated, not a good idea.

Everything in life has a shelf life, and it is prolonged by careful storage.
 

CliveW

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If you watch the pros playing in cold conditions they always put the ball in their pockets wenever possible. They also use a new ball on every tee that has been in the caddy's pocket to keep it warm.
 

Parmo

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I tend to leave them with the rest of my gear and thats in the hallway as we don't have much space, there is a double rad next to it, well a couple of feet away.

I did the saddest thing today... I washed my practice balls :eek:
 

HomerJSimpson

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I'm sure it has something to do with the cold particularly minus temperatures breaking down the plastic coating and making the ball perform less well. There is a world of difference between hitting a ball during a round in minus temperatures where a lot of the time the ball will actually be in your hand or pocket to storing a box of balls in the same temperature and exposed for many hours and days with peaks and troughs in warmth and cold.
 

SammmeBee

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I'm sure it has something to do with the cold particularly minus temperatures breaking down the plastic coating and making the ball perform less well. There is a world of difference between hitting a ball during a round in minus temperatures where a lot of the time the ball will actually be in your hand or pocket to storing a box of balls in the same temperature and exposed for many hours and days with peaks and troughs in warmth and cold.

Homer....I actually think it's the complete opposite.....
 

Herbie

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I tend to use mine as frequently as poss, then when they are worn I dont care if they freeze or keep nice and warm, as for new balls, I keep them in my bag, my garrage,my car,my pockets, I really dont care that much. if I still used expensive balls I might care a little more about them but not much, I think the day I start worrying about the care Ive given to my balls is the day I start to worry about big brother contestants. :D

Where exactly do you all think ball manufacturers store their balls between factory and shop? A heated warehouse followed by a heated lorry then a heated store (including overnight), perhaps they should sell them in little heated boxes :D
 

USER1999

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Herb, it is about how long they are stored. A month or so, between manufacture and retail, not a prob, stored two years in a garage, minus five in the winter, 35 plus in summer, not good. Even the average winter day (recently) minus 5 in the night, plus 5 in the day, for any length of time is going to stress the plastic. Sensible storage is the way to keep any goods. Other wise you are shortening the life.
Ok, so a lot of golfers don't have a huge store of balls, but some of us are hoarders, and do, and there is no point in having a hoard if they are going to go past their shelf life, might as well buy lake balls and have done with it.
 

Herbie

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Herb, it is about how long they are stored. A month or so, between manufacture and retail, not a prob, stored two years in a garage, minus five in the winter, 35 plus in summer, not good. Even the average winter day (recently) minus 5 in the night, plus 5 in the day, for any length of time is going to stress the plastic. Sensible storage is the way to keep any goods. Other wise you are shortening the life.
Ok, so a lot of golfers don't have a huge store of balls, but some of us are hoarders, and do, and there is no point in having a hoard if they are going to go past their shelf life, might as well buy lake balls and have done with it.

That may well be true but if you are going to keep balls for this length of time without use, you either own too many new balls or you dont play enough golf :D and in reality unless its a brand new make of ball very few will know how old the regular balls used actually are or where they have been stored or how. I think the deterioration issue is very very minimal anyway. If it could be tested I doubt if anyone would know if during one summer they played two balls, one stored in a garrage for two yrs and one stored elsewhere for the same time, I dont know if conclusive testing has been carried out to prove this either way, though as with all things, deterioration is acknowledged. ;)
 

Sam

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From Wilson Staff Site:

Even when properly stored (avoiding extreme heat or cold), a golf ball changes with age. Solid core and multilayer golf balls gain compression as the core gets harder with age. After approximately two years, a golf ball will have changed appreciably from its original design.
 

DelB

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Wow! I appear to have started quite a debate here!

It's very interesting to read all of the views posted. The general consensus seems to be not to buy too many balls in advance and to store them 'properly', making sure that they are used (read lost!!) within a year or so?? It certainly makes lake balls a no-no!
 
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