Recoat, Refurbish, Reuse.
Golf balls don’t have to be one-and-done. Two creative Protech Group clients are bringing new life to old golf balls, giving them a fresh start, all without sacrificing performance. With permission from major golf brands, these companies specialize in refurbishing golf balls that would otherwise end up in landfills. But this isn’t just a story about recycling and reusing— it’s about advanced materials, precision customization, and impressive durability.
From the Bottom of a Lake Back to the Golf Course
The process begins with dedicated suppliers— often individuals who recover golf balls from golf-course lakes— providing the companies with hundreds of thousands of used balls. Once collected, each ball is stripped down using a specialized medium that removes any existing paint or coating, exposing the original surface.
Then starts the recoating process.
The Coating Challenge
Refurbishing a golf ball isn’t as simple as slapping on a new coat of paint. The balls must be recoated quickly and consistently, especially when they’re dropped into drying pools in bulk. If the coating takes too long to cure, the balls risk sticking together, damaging the finish and rendering them unsellable.
To meet this challenge, our team developed a custom liquid polyurethane coating system that dries almost instantly, while maintaining critical flexibility and durability. This two-coat system— a white base coat followed by a clear protective topcoat— adheres flawlessly to the surface and withstands rigorous testing.
How rigorous? Each ball is shot from a cannon at a brick wall to simulate extreme impact. The results? Our coating holds up with no chipping or cracking.
Custom Coatings for Each Client
The two companies that work with Protech to recoat golf balls have very different needs. Each has its own unique equipment and processes, from hand mixing and small-batch application to high-speed automated systems. That’s why we’ve tailored a distinct formula for each client. Since client 1 uses a manual process, we created a formula that is optimized for slower, smaller batches and allows more working time. Client 2, on the other hand, operates a high-speed, automated line, and therefore their formula cures much faster, matching the pace of their industrial system.
Both formulas are meticulously adjusted to account for different machinery, oven temperatures, and application environments. It’s not just about creating a coating— it’s about formulating a complete solution.
A Win for Performance and the Planet
This is more than a manufacturing story— it’s a sustainability success. Millions of golf balls are lost each year, and many end up in landfills or polluting ecosystems. By recovering and refurbishing them, we’re reducing waste, conserving materials, and giving golf players access to affordable, high-quality golf balls.
Innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new. Sometimes, it’s about reimagining what’s already out there, and doing it better, cleaner, and smarter.
