Nitro Reused Golf Balls: a Threat to National Security?
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 10.24.05
Stumbled upon these on Amazon. Four dozen reused golf balls for $15 USD. The come in a reusable mesh bag and may have cosmetic flaws like “off colour” and abrasion scuffs. Would seem like the perfect afterlife for the estimated 2.5 million balls lost on American courses annually. But was staggered to discover that this was an issue of such vital importance to the welfare of the country, that it had been investigated by no lesser an authority than the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Whom, it appears, studied balls submerged in water and determined (for the defence of the nation, presumably) that they did indeed absorb moisture, which brought on ‘permanent change’. But such research has not dampened, so to speak, demand for reused golf balls. Sales are such that, as an industry, it does almost a third as much business as new ball sales. This has prompted other research. Like a chemical that can introduced to balls that is “activated after the ball has been in water for a period of time, causing it to discolor” thus making reuse sales less attractive. See the balls on Amazon and read about the controvery, in a bulletin from last year, at the ::Global Forum for Sports and Environment
If you're really wondering about the Army's role in Golf studies: The Army research labs conducted the tests because the army maintains a golf course on just about every major installation. The courses are for soldiers to use for moral and recreation purposes in their much deserved off time. The Army, being a federal agency with one of the most (if not the most) complex land management requirements, constantly struggles with a number of environmental issues and its golf courses are one of those issues. If you're interested in the Army's land use management, you should google USAEC or US Army ITAM. Those soldiers and civilians are doing a great job managing the federal lands that soldiers need to use to maintain readiness for national defence.
Wait, you never said what's wrong with reusing golf balls.. So they suck up a tiny amount of water, I don't get what the problem is. Wouldn't re-use be a good thing because less balls would have to be MADE?
I just figured it out. I didn't realize the original companies put the chemicals in the balls to discourage resale.
By the way, Google ads is advertizing new golf balls on your website.