Yes, in many cases, waterlogged golf balls can be dried out, but the success depends on how long they have been soaked and the degree of water absorption. While surface moisture is easy to remove, deep water penetration can be harder to reverse completely, potentially affecting performance over time.
Golf balls are complex items. They have a hard outer layer called the cover. Inside, there are core materials and sometimes layers of wrapping. If a ball sits in water for a long time, water can sneak in. This happens through tiny cracks or weak spots in the cover. Once inside, the water can change how the ball feels and flies. This guide will show you the best ways to try and dry wet golf balls and what you can expect.
Why Do Golf Balls Get Waterlogged?
Golf balls are designed to be tough. They handle rain and damp grass well. But they are not perfectly sealed containers.
The Anatomy of a Golf Ball
To grasp why water gets in, we need a quick look inside:
- Cover: This is the outer skin, usually made of Surlyn or Urethane. It protects the inside.
- Mantle/Casing Layers: These layers wrap around the core.
- Core: This is the center. It can be solid rubber or liquid-filled in older or special balls.
If the cover gets scratched or cracked, water finds a path. A deep cut from a sharp tree root or a hard hit against cart path concrete can make a tiny entry point.
How Water Enters the Core
Water does not just sit on the outside. It seeps inward. This process is slow but steady. The longer the ball stays submerged, the deeper the water goes.
- Capillary Action: Water moves into small openings, much like a sponge soaks up a spill.
- Pressure: If a ball is submerged deep, water pressure pushes the liquid into any opening.
When a ball soaks up water, it gets heavier. More importantly, the water can soften the core materials. This changes the ball’s intended springiness, or “restitution.”
Assessing the Damage: Can You Save Waterlogged Golf Balls?
The big question for golfers is: Can you save waterlogged golf balls? The answer is usually yes, to some extent, but performance might drop.
Signs of True Waterlogging
How do you know if your ball is truly waterlogged and not just damp?
- Weight Difference: A waterlogged ball will feel slightly heavier than a new one or a dry one of the same brand.
- Sound Test: Tapping a dry ball lightly on a hard surface gives a sharp, crisp sound. A soggy ball often sounds duller or muted.
- Visual Check: Look closely for hairline cracks or punctures in the cover.
If the ball feels heavy and sounds dead, it likely has significant internal moisture. These are the balls we need to focus on when trying to restore water damaged golf balls.
Impact on Playability
Water inside a ball changes the launch dynamics:
- Reduced Distance: Softened core materials absorb more energy. The ball launches lower and doesn’t spring back as much. You lose yardage.
- Inconsistent Spin: The altered weight distribution can lead to unpredictable spin rates.
- Feel: Many golfers report that waterlogged balls feel “mushy” or “dead” off the clubface.
For casual weekend players, a slightly dampened ball might be fine. For competitive players seeking maximum distance, drying them out is crucial.
Effective Methods for Drying Golf Balls
Once you confirm the balls are wet inside, the goal is to gently pull that moisture out. We need methods that use gentle heat or drawing agents. High, sudden heat is dangerous as it can warp the ball’s structure.
Method 1: Air Drying and Patience
This is the simplest, but slowest, method. It relies on natural evaporation.
Process:
- Wipe the balls clean with a dry towel.
- Place them in a single layer on a dry, breathable surface, like a mesh screen or an old cotton towel.
- Keep them in a warm, dry room, away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can bake the surface and cause cracking before the inside dries.
Pros: Very safe for the ball structure.
Cons: Takes a very long time, perhaps several weeks, to draw out deep moisture.
Method 2: The Rice Trick – Drying Golf Balls in Rice
Many people ask about drying golf balls in rice. Rice is excellent at absorbing ambient moisture. This is a classic, safe technique for small electronics and works well for golf balls too.
Steps for Using Rice:
- Find a large, sealable container (like a plastic tub).
- Pour a thick layer of dry, uncooked white rice into the bottom.
- Place the golf balls on top of the rice layer. Make sure they are not touching each other.
- Cover the balls completely with more rice, ensuring they are fully buried.
- Seal the container tightly.
- Leave the container sealed for 4 to 7 days.
Rice acts as a desiccant, slowly pulling moisture from the air surrounding the ball, which encourages water inside the ball to move out.
Note: Do not use instant rice, as it often has added starches that might leave residue.
Method 3: Utilizing a Food Dehydrator for Golf Balls
For those needing a faster approach, using a food dehydrator for golf balls is often recommended. Dehydrators provide controlled, low heat and excellent airflow, which speeds up evaporation without damaging the ball.
Dehydrator Settings:
- Temperature: This is vital. Set the temperature to the lowest setting possible, usually between 100°F and 120°F (38°C to 49°C). Never exceed 140°F (60°C).
- Time: Start with 6 to 8 hours. Check the balls afterward.
- Placement: Spread the balls out on the dehydrator trays so air can move around them freely.
This controlled heat helps the moisture vaporize gently, making it one of the best way to dry waterlogged golf balls.
Method 4: Exploring Dehumidifiers
Can you use a dehumidifier for golf balls? Yes, indirectly. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air in a room. If you place the golf balls in a small, enclosed space with a running dehumidifier, the extremely dry air will work to pull moisture from the balls over a long period.
This method is effective for drying a large batch slowly but requires a long time (weeks) and consistent use of the machine. It’s a good supplementary method for air drying.
Comparing Golf Ball Drying Methods
Choosing the right approach depends on how quickly you need the balls ready and how many you have.
| Method | Speed | Safety Level (Risk of Damage) | Effort Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Drying | Very Slow | Very High | Low | Small batches, casual use |
| Rice Submersion | Medium-Slow | High | Medium | Medium batches, hands-off approach |
| Food Dehydrator | Fast | Moderate (if temperature is too high) | Medium | Faster results when controlled |
| Dehumidifier Room | Slow | High | Low | Large quantities over a long time |
The Science Behind Drawing Out Moisture
When we try to dry out soggy golf balls, we are dealing with the physics of diffusion. Water moves from an area of high concentration (inside the ball) to an area of low concentration (the dry air outside).
Heat vs. Desiccants
- Heat (Dehydrator): Applying low heat increases the kinetic energy of the water molecules. This makes them move faster and encourages them to break free from the core material and escape through the cover. Too much heat, however, can cause the cover material to shrink unevenly or the internal layers to delaminate, ruining the ball permanently.
- Desiccants (Rice, Silica Gel): These materials have a stronger chemical attraction to water than the golf ball materials do. They pull the water vapor out of the air around the ball, lowering the moisture concentration outside and encouraging the ball to release its internal water.
How Long to Dry Out Wet Golf Balls?
This is highly variable. A ball that was only submerged for an hour might dry in a few days using rice. A ball soaked for a month after flooding might take two full weeks in a dehydrator running at a low temperature before showing significant weight reduction. A good benchmark for a moderately soaked ball using the dehydrator is how long to dry out wet golf balls—aim for 10 to 15 hours total, checking periodically.
What About Extremely Waterlogged or Old Balls?
Sometimes, balls have been sitting underwater for months or even years. Can you save waterlogged golf balls in this extreme case?
The odds decrease significantly. The water has had ample time to break down the polymers in the core. Even if you manage to remove the moisture, the structural integrity of the core might be permanently compromised. The ball may become too soft and will never fly correctly again.
Checking for Permanent Damage
After a thorough drying process, re-weigh the ball.
- Find the weight of a brand-new ball of the same model.
- Compare it to your dried ball.
If the weight is still noticeably higher, it means a substantial amount of water remains trapped, or the water has been replaced by mineral deposits from the soaking environment, which will not dry out. At this point, the ball should probably be recycled.
Dangers to Avoid When Drying Golf Balls
The goal is restorative, not destructive. Avoid any method that uses excessive force or uncontrolled heat.
Do Not Boil or Microwave
Never attempt to boil waterlogged balls or put them in a microwave.
- Boiling: The extreme heat will likely cause the internal gases or liquids to expand rapidly, leading to the ball cracking open or exploding.
- Microwaving: Microwaves heat water molecules very fast. This localized, intense heating creates pressure points that cause immediate structural failure. These methods make it impossible to dry wet golf balls safely.
Avoid Direct, Intense Sunlight
While a warm, sunny day seems like a good drying agent, direct UV rays and intense heat can damage the cover prematurely. This is especially true for premium urethane balls, which can yellow or degrade quickly under harsh sun exposure.
Proactive Steps: Preventing Waterlogging
The best way to deal with waterlogged balls is to prevent them from getting waterlogged in the first place.
Use Ball Shags Wisely Near Water Hazards
If you use a practice ball retriever (shag bag) near a lake or pond, empty the bag immediately after practice. Do not let wet balls sit in the bag for days.
Inspect Balls Regularly
When you clean your range balls or find old balls in your bag, give them a quick check:
- Tap them.
- Look for nicks that go deeper than the cover surface.
If you use high-end premium balls, be extra cautious about playing near deep water hazards, as their covers are often softer and more susceptible to small punctures.
Storing Balls After Rain
If you play a round in heavy rain:
- Take the balls out of your bag when you get home.
- Wipe off surface moisture.
- Store them in a breathable container or basket, not sealed plastic bags, for a few days before putting them back into long-term storage.
This simple step will help ensure you don’t accidentally store damp balls that become truly soggy later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will drying the ball completely restore its original distance?
A: It will likely restore most of the lost distance if the core was only slightly saturated. If the ball was soaked for a very long time, some minor performance loss might remain because the core materials have changed shape permanently.
Q: Can I use silica gel packets instead of rice to dry my balls?
A: Yes, silica gel packets are even better desiccants than rice. If you have many packets, place the golf balls in a sealed container surrounded by the packets. This speeds up the drying process significantly compared to rice.
Q: How long does it take for water to penetrate a new golf ball?
A: A brand-new, high-quality ball without any damage should resist water penetration for weeks, even months, in still water. However, once a crack appears, saturation can happen much faster—sometimes within 24 to 48 hours if the crack is large enough.
Q: Is it worth the effort to try and dry out old, scuffed golf balls?
A: If the balls are heavily scuffed and you are trying to dry wet golf balls that are already several years old, the effort might not be worth it, even if you succeed in drying them. Older balls naturally lose performance due to material aging. It is usually better to recycle them and buy new ones if you are seeking optimal performance.
Q: What is the ideal temperature for drying golf balls?
A: The ideal temperature range is low and controlled, typically between 100°F and 120°F (38°C to 49°C), as utilized in the food dehydrator method. This gently encourages evaporation without risking structural warping.
Q: Can I use an oven on its lowest setting to dry golf balls?
A: It is strongly advised against using a conventional oven, even on the lowest setting. Oven thermostats can fluctuate, and even 150°F can be too hot for the ball’s internal structure, leading to melting or cracking. The dehydrator is a much safer heat source.