In golf, you’re only as good as the tools you’re using on the course. If your golf ball has a chunk of mud sticking off of it or is coated with grime, it could be affecting you ball’s flight path. As a player, you want to make sure that your golf balls are sparkling new so that you can be confident in your game.
If you watch the pros, you’ll see caddies wiping off golf balls and polishing them before every tee shot. A clean golf ball can fly farther and smoother.
If you’re looking for some easy ways to clean your golf balls, we’ve got you covered.
How to Clean Golf Balls at Home
Cleaning golf balls is relatively easy. It just takes the right materials and a little bit of time to make sure you’re doing a good job. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to clean golf balls at home.
1. Gather Your Materials
The first thing you’ll want to do is gather the right materials for cleaning:
- Plastic container (large enough to store the amount the golf balls you’re going to clean)
- Dish soap
- Towel
You should be able to find most of these items already lying around the house. If not, you can make a quick trip to the store and get what you need.
2. Mix Soap and Water
Fill your plastic container with warm water. You should fill it high enough so that it can easily hold the golf balls you intend to wash. Then add a little bit of dish soap so that the water gets slightly sudsy.
3. Do a Preliminary Clean
It’s best to be as thorough as possible when cleaning golf balls. Take a look at your dirty golf balls before you start cleaning — are there any that have chunks of mud on them or are overly dirty? Set these to the side and give them a preliminary hosedown to rid of the major dirt.
3. Let Golf Balls Soak
Next, you’ll want to add all of the golf balls you intend to clean into the plastic container. You can leave these to soak for around twenty minutes. Avoid letting your golf balls soak for an extended period of time, as this could start to harm their quality.
4. Remove Each Ball Individually to Hand-Wash
After the allotted time, remove each ball individually to hand-wash them with a towel. You should be able to get rid of any lingering grime with this last step. If you still have some pesky dirt remaining, you can consider using nail polish remover. Be sure to dry golf balls completely.
If you’re looking to save time or are cleaning golf balls in bulk, you can lay down a set of towels and put a bundle of golf balls in the center. Then use the surrounding towels to rub down the golf balls.
5. Let Golf Balls Dry
Once they’re clean, go ahead and let the golf balls sit to dry. Again, don’t let them sit too long to bake in the sun, as this can harm their outer shell. Thirty to forty-five minutes should do, then you can put your golf balls in your golf bag or wherever you plan to store them.
Additional Options
In nearly every case, this traditional method will work. If you find that it just isn’t doing the trick, there are some other options you can try out:
Dishwasher
That’s right — a dishwasher. It turns out you can place golf balls into the lower and upper rack of your dishwasher and run it through the cycle. It should be just the thing to get your golf balls shining new. Double-check that your golf balls aren’t too dirty before putting them in the washer.
Golf Ball Washer
If you go to a golf range, you’ll probably find some sort of heavy-duty golf ball washer that can run through hundreds of golf balls in minutes. While this probably isn’t the new addition you’re looking for for your garage, there are other more portable options you can consider.
Today, they make small portable washers you can use at home or on the course. They’re easy to use and get the job done quickly and effectively.
Hose
You can use a hose when you’re looking to cut time or again if you’re cleaning them in bulk. Simply spread out your golf balls in a clear spot and spray off the dirt. This is a great way to get off big chunks of dirt or give a preliminary clean to golf balls before a deeper soak.
How to Clean Golf Balls on the Course
Cleaning golf balls at home is relatively easy, since you’ll likely have all the items on hand to get the job done. When you’re out on the course, however, circumstances can change. Here’s how you can still keep your golf balls in great shape.
Golf Ball Washers
In some cases, golf courses may have ball washers set up on various holes to clean your golf ball. These are very easy to use and get the job done. You could also invest in your own portable washer to carry around the course.
Dry Cotton Balls
Pack your golf bag with some cotton balls before you hit the links. These are great for removing dirt from your golf balls and are easy to carry in your bag.
Towel
Most golfers will already have a towel with them during a golf round. This is likely the best and most effective way to clean your golf balls on the course. You can use some water to get your ball wet and then rub away any dirt from your ball. Good as new.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Golf Balls
Some helpful tips for cleaning your golf balls will help you get the job done the right way. Sometimes, it’s also good to keep in mind some things you should avoid when cleaning golf balls.
Harsh Cleaning Agents
Avoid overly-harsh cleaning agents for golf balls. Even though most of the time you’re pounding them with your clubhead over and over again, that outer shell may be more fragile than you think when it comes to certain cleaning methods. Be sure to use milder soaps and only use harder cleanings when it’s absolutely necessary.
Over-Soaking
Leaving your golf balls in water too long can also start to wear on their outer shell. If you want to get the most out of your golf balls, avoid leaving them to soak for hours at a time. Twenty to thirty minutes should do the trick.
Over-Drying in the Sun
The same goes for drying, which, if not done properly, can also harm your golf balls. Be sure to try your golf balls with a towel and leave them to sit out for no more than an hour in the sun — any more may do damage to your golf balls.
Stiff Brushes
While a toothbrush may be okay to use to get rid of harsh dirt on your golf ball, avoid using anything with stiff bristles. This could leave scuff marks on your golf ball.
The Advantages of Cleaning Golf Balls
Cleaning your golf balls can take a little bit of effort, so it’s important to remind ourselves of some of the benefits of exerting that time and effort.
Improve Your Game
A clean golf ball gives you the best chance of shooting low scores out on the course. Even a little bit of dirt can make your golf ball go off-target or put a weird spin on the ball. Taking pride in the tools you use on the course — like your golf balls — will ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward every time you step up to hit the ball.
Gain Confidence
When you’re standing over your shot, ready to hit, and you look down and see a bunch of scuffs and dirt on your golf ball, it likely will interfere with your shot, even if it’s subconscious. Having that clean ball whenever you hit will give you confidence and clear your head before you hit.
Look Good
A part of golf is looking the part — look good, feel good. This goes all the way down to the humble golf ball, which, if cleaned properly, can add to your clout on the course.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to clean golf balls.
How Often Should You Clean Your Golf Balls?
It’s best practice to clean your balls about as often as you can. Obviously, this doesn’t mean you have to put them through a full soak after every shot. But a simple wipedown with a towel every so often will help your golf balls stay sparkling. If you notice that your golf balls are getting particularly grimy, it may be time for a longer soak with soap and water.
Can You Use Bleach to Wash Golf Balls?
You can use bleach on golf balls if you’re really determined to get dirt out. However, only use a small amount and be very careful doing this, as too much could harm your golf balls.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Golf Balls?
The traditional method for washing golf balls — soap, water and a towell — has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It works without fail nearly every time and doesn’t harm your golf balls, either.
Cleaning Golf Balls: The Bottom Line
Cleaning golf balls is fairly straightforward once you learn how to do it. It just takes a bit of patience and the right tools to get the job done right.