Golf Ball Side Hustle

What follows here is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most enjoyable methods to obtain golf balls.  I will outline the step-by-step process that I have used many times with success.  You may be able add to your own spin on this to improve it.  It’s likely you will think of something I didn’t.  For this, and other methods I use, there is no need for you to be golfer.

Basic Premise:  Many golf courses are surrounded by houses.  Most golfers, including me, are not very good. My Dad used to tell me that if you get paid to golf you are good. If you have to pay to play golf, then you are not very good.  Golfers of all levels hit golf shots off target. Sometimes, way off target. Those golf balls that stray off target will land in people’s yards, if the course has houses on it. Golfers are not allowed to retrieve a ball that lands on private property.  

People who own homes on golf courses wake up every morning to an Easter egg hunt of sorts.  They have to clear the yard or those balls will wreck a mower blade. Keep in mind many of these home owners do not golf. My experience has shown that these homeowner’s have a large container of some kind in their garage where they deposit the balls they find daily.  Even if they do golf the of number balls that rain down on their property far exceeds what they can use.  They literally don’t know what to do,with them.  You can help! 

Step 1:  Open Google Maps and locate the golf courses that are in close proximity to you.  Be sure you are in satellite view mode. Go to golf courses near-by and zoom down on one that has houses on the course. 

Step 2: Write down the addresses of houses that are on the course. If you zoom down close enough it will show the house number and street. You may need to toggle between satellite and default mode to get the detail. Play with it. Focus on those houses most likely to get golf balls.  Homes near the greens are the best.  Houses on the fairway are good.  Forget about the addresses of homes right on the tee box. Those houses won’t get balls.  Make a list in a notebook that you will keep for future reference. 

Step 3: Write a letter that you can send to each address. I do not customize the letter because I don’t know who lives there, I only have an address. You may want to. My letter comprises of the following elements

1. Introduction – Who I am, that I sell used golf balls as a hobby.
2. The reason for my contacting them – that they likely have golf balls they don’t know what to do with – I can help. 
3. I tell them a little about the shared family activity aspect – that my grandsons help
4. I explain that I give balls free to anyone who serves in the US Armed forces. (I will explain in a later post how I do that)
5. I tell them I would be thrilled if they are open to selling or gifting the golf ball collection to me for my hobby. 
6. I close the letter by thanking them for their consideration and THAT IF THEY CHOOSE TO WORK WITH ME, I WILL NOT BOTHER OR CONTACT THEM, BUT THAT THEY CAN CONTACT ME ANYTIME IN THE FUTURE. 
7. Sincerely – Name, email address and phone number.  And I sign each letter with a pen.

Step 4:  Print the letters. Address the envelopes and mail them.  You can do this with as much frequency and volume that you need to or choose. I go for months, sometimes years not sending letters because I don’t need the balls. Sometime I would send one or two a day. Sometimes more. Letters I sent previous years are still paying off.  After you send the letters, wait.

Step 5: Your hit rate will be low. When do get a text or an email, it’s great!  This first contact is critical.  Be nice. Be accommodating.  Make arrangements to pick up the balls at their convenience.  If money comes up tell them you typically offer 10 cents a ball. Be ready to negotiate.  Don’t go higher than 20 cents a ball.  I have never had to negotiate with these folks. People who live on golf courses are financially well off. They are happy to get rid of the balls and you are thrilled to have them.  Win/Win.  Bring containers they can pour their balls into.

Step 6: CRITICAL.  Send a thankyou note. I like to send a thank you card in the mail.  Alternatively you can send a thankyou email.  Shower these contacts with kindness and gratitude.  It’s not only the right thing to do, it is an opportunity to reiterate that you want to have an on-going relationship.  Use phrases like, “call anytime”, “tell your neighbors”, “maybe see you in the late fall” , in addition to your thanks.

I have many, many people I have struck an on-going relationship with for years. A few now just send me an email that reads “Hi Phil, there is a 5 gallon bucket with balls on our doorstep – just pick them up when you want.”  Again, don’t ever ever forget the “thankyou”.  

BEST STORY EVER:  I got a call on my phone from a number I did not recognize. Because I do this I answer all calls.  The woman on the other end asked me if I still wanted golf balls. I said I did.  She explained her parents lived on a golf course in a nice home and that both parents have passed away.  The siblings had jointly sold the home. During the process of cleaning the house they found my letter in a kitchen drawer.  Her parents had saved it. It was dated 3 years ago.  

She went on to tell me that not only is the home sold, the closing is tomorrow.  The golf balls are there; however, if I want them I need to pick them up today. I said no problem.  She said the side door to the garage was open and to help myself, and to take the bin they are in.  My wonderful wife and I drove out to the house and sure enough the side door was open. There in the corner of the immaculately clean garage patiently waiting for me was a giant Tupperware bin filled with balls. So many balls we had to take them to the car in smaller containers. There were 1,500 balls. Sometimes I think about how that letter came to be saved.  Sweet people. 

Keep your notebook and record the dates of the letters sent.  You don’t want to send duplicate letters. Also, a year or two you may want to send another letter to a house you solicited previously. If you are a golfer, you will see a house (or two) that you know are dealing with golf balls like a plague from the Bible. Make a note to yourself and send them one of your letters. 

This works!  I have done this off and one for years. To a person, everyone I have I have met doing this has been a joy.  It is one of the really nice aspects to this whole side hustle. People are awesome. The golf balls are usually free and in great shape. Best of luck to you.