Golf balls get knocked around a lot, through sand traps and water hazards and sometimes muddy greens. Dirt can make the ball tougher to see on the fairway, and enough dirt could even affect the flight of the ball. When Golf Digest tested clean and dirty golf balls in 2006, it found a muddy ball flew 6.2 yards less than a new ball. Some courses feature ball washers at the tees; if you use these regularly, you can keep your golf balls in good shape. But if you purchase used golf balls or find them on courses, you may need to clean them at home.
Step 1
Rinse the balls in cool water. This will remove any loose dirt or grass.
Step 2
Remove any handwriting on the balls with nail polish remover on a cotton ball. People sometimes use markers to write their name or initials on balls and the nail polish remover will erase these marks.
Step 3
Fill a bucket with warm water. Add 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent to the bucket and stir to dissolve. Drop in your dirty golf balls. Let the balls soak for several hours or overnight.
Step 4
Fish a ball out of the bucket and scrub any soiled areas with the toothbrush. Repeat this with each ball until all the balls are clean.
Step 5
Rinse the golf balls and allow to dry.
Tips and Warnings
- If the golf balls have been submerged and are coated with green mold or fungus, add 1/4 cup bleach to the dish liquid and water solution. The bleach will kill the mold and fungus. Instead of a toothbrush, you can use a small wire brush.
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