Golf balls come in many shapes and sizes. They are different in terms of grades and rankings as well. Some balls cost a lot more than others; for instance, Dixon Fire or AVX Golf Balls will set you back $70 for a pack of a dozen. However, some balls cost less than $2 per piece. What makes them so different? What are these golf ball rankings based on? How to make sense of the seemingly complicated golf ball grading system?
Well, we’re here to help. In this brief article (because it’s less than 1,500 words), we’ll explain the ins and outs of golf ball grades for you. If you want to invest in a refurbished ball then it’s very important to ask what the labels 5A (written as “AAAAA”), 4A (written as “AAAA”), and others mean. What do these alphabets stand for? We’ll explain everything here. Just keep on reading before you invest in a ball from a shady website.
Explaining The Golf Ball Grading System
Decoding Golf Ball Grades
Whether you’re a golf ball collector or just looking for the best spheres out there in the market, it is important to know how to grade these orbs properly. Golf ball rankings are vital for all golfers. You gotta understand that just 5% of all recycled balls are pristine i.e., 5A. So, recycled golf ball grades shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let’s understand what “5A” or “4A” means.
Pearl Grade
This one’s known as “Mint”, “Perfect”, or “AAAAA”. Pearl-grade golf balls represent the pinnacle of recycled excellence, offering consistent coloring, glossy shine, and zero marks or scratches. So, these balls are perfect for golfers looking for premium quality without breaking their budget. They go on top of our golf ball rankings.
A Grade
Also known as “Almost Mint”, “Excellent”, or “Near Perfect”, these balls are polished, perfectly playable orbs featuring minor imperfections that don’t compromise distance, trajectory, or feel. Similar to the balls played for only several holes at most courses, 4A golf balls provide the ideal blend of quality and affordability.
B Grade
B Grade golf balls may contain surface imperfections such as slight to moderate ink marks that don’t influence performance, providing cost-effective options for gentlemen less concerned with aesthetics. That’s why they come third on a list of golf ball rankings. They’re not the best of the best but perform better than the worst options out there.
C Grade
C Grade golf balls offer the best value for money. They are designed specifically to withstand practice rounds and offer moderate cosmetic flaws, such as surface marks or discolorations; nevertheless, their integrity remains undiminished, making them suitable for both newcomers and budget-minded players.
Refinished
Refinished/refurbished golf balls undergo an in-depth process that involves cleaning, stripping, repainting, and stamping to produce Grade A quality at significantly discounted prices without compromising performance or the environment. Refurbishments offer an eco-friendly alternative without compromising performance.
Rejects
At the bottom of the barrel, we find the rejects. All golf ball rankings put them at the bottom. You should realize that rejects, unlike their more premium counterparts, fail to pass stringent quality controls and therefore should not be suitable for play. They offer the perfect way to practice over hazards without fear of losing premium balls. We’ve written an entire article on X Out golf balls (another name for these rejects).
You should check out this amazing golf ball ratings chart to better understand this shit.
Benefits of Buying Used & Recycled Golf Balls
So, now you know what these different, complex golf ball rankings entail. So, should you invest in these recycled golf balls? What do experts say? Well, a study by SwingU Clubhouse found that refurbished balls lose nearly 3 MPH of ball speed with the same swing speed, costing you around 13 yards (as per one estimate). However, these balls have benefits as well. So, consider the following advantages of indulging in refurbished spheres:
Cost-Effective
Used and recycled golf balls offer superior quality at a fraction of the cost, making this option suitable for both experienced as well as amateur golfers alike.
Peace of Mind
For beginners or those seeking to improve their game, recycled golf balls offer much-needed peace of mind when starting or improving. No need to fret over losing expensive balls in lakes or hazards.
Environmental Impact
By recycling golf balls, you are helping reduce demand for newly manufactured balls, leading to less pollution for our planet. Read our article on how golf balls can be damaging to the world’s climate (not gonna link it here, do some digging).
California Golf Balls Grading Scale
Golf ball rankings can differ from board to board. So, here is how Californians differentiate one dimpled sphere from another:
5A / AAAAA / 1st Quality / Mint
Ideal for serious golfers, these orbs exhibit minimal signs of wear and tear while still looking shiny, usually referred to as Mint or Perfect. They represent recycled excellence at their finest.
4A / AAAA / 2nd Quality / Grade A
Competition golf balls may contain minor markings or surface scratches; nonetheless, these balls offer top-quality playability despite any minor differences.
3A / AAA / 3rd Quality / Grade B
Scuff marks and discoloration make these balls ideal for golfers who prioritize value over performance. Their affordable performance strikes a balance between economy and performance.
Grading Golf Balls to Buy
If you’re looking for some amazing golf balls to purchase online then do it right. Don’t just go blindly by golf ball rankings on random websites (like this one). We’ve compiled a brief list of all kinds of golf balls here, 5A ones, 3A ones, simply refurbished ones, and even rejected ones. So, pick your poison based on these findings. Compare the pros and cons of these products before buying one:
| Wilson Grade A Mint Condition Recycled Golf Balls | More Information |
| Taylormade B/C Grade Recycled Used Golf Balls | More Information |
| Kirkland 96 Signature – Value (AAA) Grade – Recycled (Used) Golf Balls | More Information |
| Kirkland 50 Signature – Mint (AAAAA) Grade Golf Balls | More Information |
| Titleist Tour Model, Mint Quality Used Golf Balls | More Information |
| Recycled Used Golf Balls in Good Condition | More Information |
| Titleist Pro V1 Mint Refinished Official Golf Balls | More Information |
| Trick Exploding & Unputtable Golf Ball, Rejected | More Information |
Conclusion
So, what do we now know about refurbished golf ball grades? This article explains what these terms mean and how to determine a product’s quality by using the golf ball grading system. In short, mint-grade balls (“AAAAA”) have been used only a few times. Near-mint golf balls (often called “AAAA”) have a few minor imperfections. That’s how the grading system goes. You can guess that a ball with the grade “A” is the lowest in terms of quality. However, in this article, we have given a four-tier golf ball ratings chart, ranking the balls from 5A to the worst quality.
FAQs – Golf Ball Rankings
Are Refurbished Golf Balls Good?
Refurbished golf balls offer golfers an attractive cost-cutting solution, offering cost-conscious golfers an ideal way to practice rounds while staying within budget. Refurbished balls typically undergo cleaning and repainting processes before becoming cost-effective alternatives to new balls. They provide you with great playability at reduced costs for practice rounds for a budget-conscious golfer.
What Do the Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 Mean on Golf Balls?
Golf balls often carry numbers between 1 and 4, representing their construction and intended performance characteristics. Lower-numbered balls (e.g., 1 or 2) often cater to players seeking high spin and control while higher-numbered ones (e.g., 3 and 4) typically offer longer distances with reduced spin rates.
What Are C-Grade Golf Balls?
C-grade golf balls are pre-used balls that often feature cosmetic defects like scuffs, blemishes, discoloration, or smudged prints. Nevertheless, their integrity and flight characteristics remain undamaged, providing good value for money in practice rounds, driving range sessions, or for beginners.
What Are Grade B Golf Balls?
Grade B golf balls are pre-owned balls with minor surface markings or imperfections that won’t interfere with play e.g., surface blemishes or discolorations that won’t significantly hinder their playability. Also referred to as “Near Mint”, “Excellent”, or “Near Perfect”, Grade B balls provide high handicappers with quality playability without incurring premium prices for premium quality balls.
What Is a AAA Grade Golf Ball?
AAA-grade golf balls are often mistakenly confused with Grade A balls; these clean, playable golf balls feature minor scuffs or marks that won’t adversely impact distance, trajectory, feel, or playability. Sometimes known as “Mint”, “Perfect”, “Pearl”, or AAA”, these spheres are ideal for serious golfers looking for high-performance performance balls.
What Is a 3A Golf Ball?
3A golf balls offer similar performance to Grade B with less emphasis placed on their cosmetic imperfections e.g., scuff marks or slight discolorations, making it suitable for amateur golfers less concerned with cosmetic flaws. Also referred to as “Good”, “Third Grade”, or AAA, these balls provide an affordable balance of performance and affordability.
