Scrub away any leftover dirt or grime from your equipment with a toothbrush or bristle brush, and then dry off the equipment with a towel. [3] X Research source A wet sponge or towel can also work if your golf balls aren’t caked in dirt. [4] X Research source A bleach solution can also give your golf balls a thorough clean—just dilute the bleach in a large bucket and soak the balls for a few minutes. Then, rinse everything off with plain water and air-dry them in an open, ventilated space. [5] X Research source If your golf balls are covered in stubborn patches of dirt, submerge them in a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. [6] X Research source
Feel free to stick some of your golf balls in the dishwasher’s silverware basket, too. [8] X Research source You can also stick your golf balls in a mesh container along the top rack of the dishwasher. [9] X Research source If some of your golf balls are still dirty, hand-wash them with a bristle brush or toothbrush. [10] X Research source
Acetone can also get the job done. [12] X Research source Many players draw on their golf balls with a permanent marker so they can identify them later on. [13] X Research source
If you don’t have a hose handy, douse the golf balls with several pitchers of clean water.
To be safe, bring a little bit of dish soap with you to the golf course so your towel doesn’t dry out. Keep in mind that on-the-go cleaning isn’t allowed in an official USGA match. If you’re playing in a tournament, make sure your golf balls are squeaky clean ahead of time. [16] X Research source
Toss out and replace the old cotton balls once they start looking a bit dirty.
