How Much Does a Golf Ball Weigh?

When out on a golf course, driving range, or putting green, you may have thought that your ball felt either slightly heavier or lighter than one you’ve used before. The weight difference is not imaginary as golf balls can vary somewhat in weight. So one may ask, how much does a golf ball weigh? 

Golf balls can vary slightly in weight, depending on the brand and style. Most popular balls range from 1.60 ounces (45.4 grams) to 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams). However, there is no limit on how light a golf ball can be, so some even go below 1.60 ounces (45.4 grams). 

This article will look at what the average golf ball weighs and the legal requirements on the weight of a golf ball. I will also explore what factors influence the weight of a golf ball. 

What Is the Heaviest Legal Golf Ball?

Even though the United States Golf Association (USGA) sets no limit on how light a golf ball can be, some rules determine how heavy they can get. As such, competitive golfers or those who want to stay within the law may ask, what is the heaviest legal golf ball? 

The heaviest legal golf ball cannot exceed 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams). This is the heaviest ball that the USGA qualifies as a conforming ball. Still, there are many golf balls available for purchase that fall below this threshold. 

Because the USGA sets this guideline, most well-known golf ball manufacturers keep it in mind. Therefore, almost all golf balls available for purchase online and in stores comply with the weight restriction of 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams). 

Can You Purchase Golf Balls Heavier Than the Legal Limit?

Some people may want to use a heavier golf ball when practicing or to gain longer distances on their swings. Thus, you may wonder whether you can purchase heavier balls than what the USGA allows.

You can purchase heavier balls than legally allowed, However, you will not be allowed to use them in any competitive matches that you may wish to partake in such as tournaments. There are some golf balls that are as much as five times heavier than the USGA permits. 

You can purchase heavier golf balls like the Eyeline Golf Weighted Ball of Steel on Amazon if you wish to have a ball weightier than the legal limit. Weighted balls from Eyeline are an excellent option for people who want extra weight on their ball, as it is five times heavier than a typical golf ball. 

Golfers may opt for a much heavier ball like this one to perfect their golf swing. You will need to strike the ball perfectly for it to move the way you want it to, so it makes a good learning tool for golfers. 

There are also golf balls that are just slightly above the legal weight. People would want a ball that is over the legal weight limit because it can travel a further distance than one that’s USGA compliant. 

Does a Golf Ball Weigh the Same All the Time?

Some golfers play with a brand new ball every time they go to a course. However, when most people go to the golf course, they often use balls they have played with before.  The age and condition of your golf ball thus leads to the question whether it will weigh the same as it did fresh out of the box after playing multiple rounds. 

Golf balls do not weigh the same throughout their lifetime. Factors such as how much they have been hit, the debris they collect in the dimples, and age can affect the weight. Golf balls generally lose weight with usage, so you should ensure your balls comply with USGA regulations even after use. 

The weight of a golf ball is significant because it changes flight when you swing. As such, you need to consider the essential factors that can affect the weight of your golf ball including: 

• Usage affects the weight of a golf ball. When you use a golf ball frequently, it will lose weight over time. The loss of weight is because some of the balls get chipped off, which causes it to lose mass and thus weight. 

• Age makes a difference with the weight of a golf ball. The older the ball gets can affect its weight. The longer someone owns a golf ball, the more weight it will lose from usage. 

• Debris can affect the weight of a golf ball. Debris that collects over time can affect the weight of a golf ball. The more debris it accumulates in the dimples, the more extra weight it carries. 

Do Different Golf Ball Brands Weigh Different Amounts?

Many reputable golf ball brands on the market are legal to use as per the regulations set by the  USGA. Still, avid golfers may ask: do different brands of golf balls weigh the same or not? 

Different golf ball brands do vary a little in weight from each other. No ball intended for legal use can exceed 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams), but some of them weigh less than 1.6 ounces (45.4 grams). So while there is a weight difference across brands, it is virtually unnoticeable to most golfers. 

There are plenty of golf balls that meet the USGA approval. That said, none of them can exceed 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams), and most of them are only slightly lighter than this. And because weight is important for the flight of a golf ball, most companies will try to get as close as possible to the maximum legal weight. 

Final Thoughts

To comply with USGA standards, a golf ball should not be heavier than 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams). While there is no minimum weight for a USGA golf ball, most balls do not weigh less than 1.6 ounces (45.4 grams). Also, most golf balls will remain in this small weight range without varying significantly. 

Certain factors like the age of a ball and how much it has been used can impact the ball’s overall weight, often making it weigh less with time.