When asked to imagine the idyllic dive for sunken treasure, let's first picture the dive. Azure waters, silky sand, vibrant fish and flora. The treasure is glittering gold and rich-hued jewels. A real Disney treasure dive, that.
You might find this genuine treasure hunt a bit more nuanced. First off, the dive takes place at a hole. One of 18, to be exact. And the treasure is an enticing mix of synthetic rubbers and resin. We're all gonna be rich!
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Welcome to the surprisingly lucrative world of golf ball divers, folks who spend their free time squinting through silt to find a used Top Flite. Although it may sound absurd, please keep in mind that one diver who plunges into British water hazards estimates a $150,000 haul from his hobby.
The reward is actually pretty simple: Golfers are obsessed with the right ball, and they'll pay a pretty penny for their preferred brand. Titleist sells one of its brands for $62 per dozen, for instance. And some golfers wouldn't mind paying a drastically reduced price for a slightly used (or "experienced") ball. So wet-suited divers slip into water features on courses, collecting balls for cleaning and reselling. They might even find a broker who will sell them to larger outfits, like cruise ships, to make a pretty penny.
Just how many pretty pennies depends on the brand. The average ball can be sold from around 30 cents to 75 cents, but better brands — some Titleist for instance — can be $2 a ball. Although some courses might charge you a fee, some appreciate the service and tell divers to take what they like.
Just remember that waterlogged balls don't last forever. About a month or two in the water is the longest a ball can go without causing some damage.
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