Buying guide
Mail Order Golf Lake Ball Grades: Buying Guide
Compare the seller's five lake-ball grades, cosmetic expectations and mixed-year listings before choosing a recycled pack.
- 6min read
- Oct 16, 2026updated
Mail Order Golf's grade guide, lake-ball collection and Titleist Pro V1 Mixed Years listing were checked October 16, 2026. Grade descriptions are the seller's own definitions.
Mail Order Golf sells recovered lake balls in several grades. The useful first question is whether cosmetic condition matters to you more than lowering replacement cost. Its grading scale can help set that expectation, but each product listing still controls the model, year mix, pack size and current price. This is an unscored seller-catalog guide, not a comparative ball-performance test.
What the five grade labels mean
Mail Order Golf’s grading guide describes these conditions:
| Seller grade | Seller’s stated condition | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | Near-new appearance and feel; may have been used once and may carry a logo or ink mark. | “Mint” is still a recovered ball, not a sealed new ball. |
| Grade A / Premium | Light use, with possible minor marks, discoloration or logos; no cuts or creases. | Confirm whether the selected product uses the same label. |
| Very Good / Grade B | May show ink marks, scuffs or a slightly off-white surface; may include an occasional Practice stamp. | Decide whether cosmetic variation is acceptable for the round. |
| Practice | Seller describes playable balls with more noticeable scuffs or discoloration, but no cuts or creases. | Treat this as a cosmetic grade, not a performance promise. |
| Refinished | The seller says these balls have been resurfaced. | Read the exact listing and keep refinished products separate from lightly used grades. |
The labels are the retailer’s own grading system. They do not tell you whether every ball in a mixed pack has the same generation or prior use. For example, the retailer’s Titleist Pro V1 Mixed Years listing offers Premium / Grade A and Very Good / Grade B options and describes multiple generations. Check both variant selectors—grade and pack quantity—before comparing the total.
Match the grade to the purchase
If you want an identical ball for a fitting or repeatable on-course comparison, use the same named model and generation throughout, or choose a new boxed dozen. If you lose several balls during casual rounds and can accept visible wear, compare the seller’s Grade A and Very Good descriptions, then choose the exact pack that fits your budget. Use the product label rather than “lake ball” alone to decide.
The Mail Order Golf offers page links to the current store. No GolfTested coupon or fixed saving was supplied. The UK storefront displayed prices in GBP during this review; tax, shipping, available grades and stock may differ by destination and variant. Check the full order total before buying.
For beginner-friendly new-ball alternatives, see our golf balls for beginners guide. For other partner offers across the kit, use the GolfTested course-kit code guide.
Lake-ball grades
Mail Order Golf
Current merchant offers
No GolfTested coupon code or fixed saving was supplied. Check the merchant’s current offer and final order total.
Mail Order Golf sells lake balls by brand and model across five seller-defined grades. Its UK storefront and grading guide were checked October 16, 2026. Compare the grade, model-year mix, pack quantity and delivery terms before deciding.
Storefront: United Kingdom · listed prices in GBP.
GolfTested may earn a commission if you buy through this partner link. Affiliate disclosure.
Current price, availability and delivery terms are on the merchant site.
Frequently asked questions
What lake-ball grades does Mail Order Golf list?
The seller lists Mint, Grade A, Very Good, Practice and Refinished. Its descriptions set different expectations for marks and ball condition.
Are Mint lake balls new?
No. The seller says Mint balls may have been used once and may show a logo or ink mark; it describes their appearance and feel as close to new.
What is the seller's Grade A condition?
Mail Order Golf says Grade A balls are lightly used and may have minor marks, discoloration or logos, with no cuts or creases. It excludes refinished, X-Out and practice balls from this grade.
Can a Very Good pack contain practice balls?
The seller says Very Good / Grade B may include the odd ball stamped Practice, along with ink marks, scuffs or a slightly off-white appearance. Read the exact product listing before selecting it.
What does mixed years mean on a lake-ball listing?
The Titleist Pro V1 Mixed Years listing describes balls from multiple generations. If you need a specific generation or identical new balls for a comparison, choose a listing that explicitly states the model year or a boxed new-ball option.