Forget your putter, driver and irons, the most important piece of your equipment arsenal is your golf ball. And you need to keep them clean to get the best results.
Golf balls are the only thing in your golf bag that you need to use on every single shot. With all that use, balls pick up a ton of dirt and mud. While you’re not allowed to pick up your ball in the fairway and clean it off, there are times when cleaning them is OK under the rules.
And cleaning your balls is essential to maximize your performance. In light of that, here’s everything you need to know about how to clean your golf balls the right way.
When are you allowed to clean golf balls?
As previously mentioned, whatever process you use to clean balls, you can’t clean them at any point you want during your round. There are two instances when lifting and cleaning your golf balls is permitted by the rules.
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The first time, and arguably the most important, is when you’re on the green. As long as your ball is safely on the putting surface (and not in the collar or rough), you are allowed to mark your ball and lift it. This is the perfect time to clean the golf ball you’re using on that hole. Just be sure that when you’re done you place the ball back in the correct spot directly in front of your ball marker. Cleaning your ball before putting is especially important because just a little mud can have drastic effects on your putt.
The second instance when you can clean your golf ball on the course is in between holes. Once your final putt drops on any hole, you’re allowed to clean it as much as you want before teeing off on the next hole. Better yet, you can switch to a new, pristine golf ball in between holes. And unless the one-ball Local Rule is in place (as it is at pro events), the new ball doesn’t have to be the same type you previously used in that round. It can be of any make or model you like.
How to clean golf balls on the course
The traditional way to clean golf balls during the round is using a golf-ball washer. Most courses have ball-washers set up on the tees. Just place your ball in the slot, then move the washer up and down using the handle to clean your ball.
Inside the ball washer, a combination of stiff brushes, water and cleaning solution works away at the dirt and grime on your ball. After a few plunges, take your ball out, dry it off and you’re ready to go.
If you’re on the green or for some reason don’t like using ball washers, there’s another option. Attach a golf towel to your bag (one that you don’t mind getting dirty) and add water to dampen a portion of the towel. Then whenever you need to clean your ball, simply rub it around in the damp part of the towel to remove dirt and mud, then wipe it with the dry part of the towel.
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Best ways to clean balls at home
Unlike at the course, there are no rules regarding cleaning your golf balls at home. The best way by far is also the simplest: a bucket of hot, soapy water. As long as the soap is non-abrasive, this method will allow you to quickly clean all of your golf balls at the same time.
Less traditional methods for cleaning golf balls at home include using a dishwasher, nail polish remover for bad stains or ball marks made with Sharpie markers, or a washing machine.
If you go with the washing-machine method, it’s best to put your balls in a mesh bag and then into a pillowcase before putting them in the machine. This should help to prevent damage to the balls and the washing machine, but it’s still a risk. If you use a bucket instead, no expensive appliances will get damaged.
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