You've pulled a stray ball out of a pond, and it's a brand and model you like. Is it worth putting it in your bag for future play? Or is it only worthy of your shag bag (or the trash bin)?
Here's how to tell:
Are there cuts or cracks? This alone might suggest it's shag-bag bound. If the damage is minor and you found it on dry land, perhaps it's worth playing. But such a ball pulled from H20? Probably not.
Is there discoloration? This is not a good sign for a ball pulled from the water. If the ball is otherwise good-looking and the discoloration is minor, it might be worth keeping. But probably not.
Are there scuff marks? This isn't a water issue. The ball likely hit a tree or bounced on a cart path. If the scuff is minor, the ball might be OK.
Are the dimples worn down? This is likely the sign of an over-used and old ball, rather than its time spend submerged. Ball flight may be affected, so it's probably shag-bag worthy only.
How's the surface texture? If you have a same-model ball in your bag that's new or in good shape, feel its surface and compare it to the feel of the found ball. If they're similar, you may have a keeper.
Is there mud or dirt on the ball? This shouldn't matter if you clean it up and it looks great and passes all the other tests.
Has its previous owner put marks on the ball? This won't make any difference if the ball is otherwise in good condition. It's personal preference whether you care enough to use it or you deem it shag-bag worthy only.
How does it sound? Drop the ball on a concrete cart path and note how it sounds. Now pull out a good ball of the same make/model from your bag and drop it. If the found ball sounds similar and bounces the same height as the good ball, you're probably good to use it.
Hit a test shot. Next time you're on a par 3 or have a wedge shot into a green, hit the found ball as a practice shot and compare its performance with your first shot (preferably the same model/brand). Is the distance similar? That's a good sign. Does the ball flight wobble? Not good.
Weight test. It might be difficult to tell, but if the water ball feels heavier than a matching good ball, it's not a keeper. You can always check using a sensitive kitchen scale at home.
Other considerations
What's the pond's water condition? A golf-course pond with lots of algae or sediment might cause waterlogged balls to degrade faster than a clear, pristine pond. Likewise if the course adds chemicals to a pond.
What are your personal standards? If you're a low-handicap golfer who's meticulous about your equipment, perhaps no found ball is good enough. If you're a mid or high handicapper, you may not think a good vs. OK ball will make much difference to your play. Ultimately, the decision of playability depends on your comfort level and desired performance.
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