The five grades
Best first. Prices are the cheapest per ball in stock today.
| Grade | What it means | From |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl | As new. Sellers also call this Mint.Sellers say: Pearl, Mint, Like new, Near mint | £1.50 a ball82 packs · Pro V1 £2.33 |
| Pearl / A | The seller mixes its top two grades.Sellers say: Pearl/Grade A, Mint/Grade A | 40p a ball329 packs · Pro V1 £1.67 |
| Grade A | Light marks. Plays like new.Sellers say: Grade A, Premium, A grade rewashed | 24p a ball395 packs · Pro V1 £1.33 |
| Grade B | Visible wear, marks or fading.Sellers say: Grade B, Very good | 25p a ball411 packs · Pro V1 75p |
| Practice | Grade C and below. For practice.Sellers say: Practice, Grade C, Grade D, Budget | 14p a ball36 packs · Pro V1 33p |
Which grade should I buy?
- Pearl. Golfers who want balls that look new, or a gift.
- Pearl / A. Near-new balls for a little less than Pearl.
- Grade A. Most golfers. The best value for a ball you will play on the course.
- Grade B. Golfers who lose a few balls a round and want to pay less.
- Practice. The range, the garden or chipping practice.
Grade A is where most golfers land. The marks are light, the ball plays like new, and it costs much less than Pearl. See every grade side by side on the Pro V1 lake balls page.
Questions about lake ball grades
What are lake balls?
Golf balls lost in the water on golf courses. Divers recover them, then they are washed, sorted by brand and model, and graded on how they look.
Do lake balls lose distance?
A ball that sat in water for a long time can lose some distance. The longer it was in the water, the more it shows, which is one reason lower grades cost less. Most club golfers will not notice the difference in a Pearl or Grade A ball.
What is a Pearl/A pack?
A pack that mixes the seller's top two grades: some balls look new, the rest have light marks. It usually costs less than an all-Pearl pack.
What are refinished balls?
Balls that have been stripped of their paint and repainted to look new. They are not the same as a Pearl lake ball, and some golfers find they play differently from the original, so every refinished pack is marked on its card.
What is a mixed pack?
A pack of different models, or different brands, in the same grade. Mixed packs are often the cheapest way to buy, but you will not get a matching set of one ball.