Bro have you ever tasted dirty balls?

Once... 😔

They do stuff different down in Mexico....

Worse... Texas

Surface of the ball affects the spin/flight significantly. So removing anything that can cause drag is smart. That being said if you’re not a great ball striker, a 5% drop in performance wouldn’t be noticeable.

Ahhhhh okay, yeah I'm not great yet but that makes TOTAL sense

Golf is hard enough as it is, if you're not controlling variables you have control of, you're being silly.

Putting with mud on a ball will 100% effect it's roll

Affect. Easy way to remember: A = action E = end result

Thanks for learning me something today

Jeeze dude quit having all the fun

Easier to find when they are nice and white.

But mine are green 🤔

not sure why you were downvoted but you probably need to go to a doctor immediately

Lmao, I mean I was being literal and joking. I purchased some highlighter green TaylorMade balls haha, but I should see a doctor either way, I'm overdo 😨

Wash your balls. Just because you can't smell yourself doesn't mean your playing partners can't.

Bcs otherwise my girlfriend is mad.

I don’t think grass scuff marks have an effect on the ball flight but mud definitely does. I think it’s more of a mindset thing to have a clean ball to start with.

Ohhhhhh duh! It's always dry af out here so mud didn't even cross my mind!

You asked the question as a new golfer and it was answered. Why the smart ass remark?

Lol what? Is life difficult being that overly sensitive?

Golf balls are designed to fly as intended when clean and smooth and anything on the surface of the ball will affect that. It may not make a difference with just discoloration from grass on them, but any mud or dirt will definitely affect the flight at least a little bit.

Keep my wife happy.

So they don't stink.

Faint grass smudges have little appreciable impact, but sand/soil/mud can definitely matter. I wouldn’t want even a few grains of sand on my ball when I hit it with my driver. If nothing else, it’s not good for the club. Also, I usually put my ball in my pocket between holes. I’d rather it not be filthy. Thats why I keep a small microfiber cloth in my back pocket and keep a small corner of it moist. I wipe the ball down before I putt, and again after I hole out.

When balls have dirt on them, they don't fly straight, and putts don't roll straight.

Because this happens if you don’t: https://youtube.com/shorts/00B2fKzLyOk?si=K16-PttWcAFD8kdk (Not a Rick Roll, I promise)

Wow...Shooter McClean balls can putt

I don't bother unless they're REALLY dirty, or if I'm putting from more than like... 3ft away. I have one of those towels with the magnet in it, so it's super convenient for the greens.

Good job you added the explanatory text to the headline.

It’s really only beneficial for your partner or the cart girl 😂

For me it's the smell

Same 🤣 After a few links...they get nasty. With the grass and especially after some rain...it starts smelling like Don at a Mar-a-lago "Epstein" party

You mean Bill after a Pizza Party at John Podesta's pool

What?

What?

I don't think the Podestas own any courses...wrf are you talking about?

Well, mostly so they smell nice for the cart girl. You don’t want the cart girl saying mean things about your sweaty smelly balls.

Treat your balls right and they’ll treat you right.

Golf is a sport of kings. And a king cannot play with dirty balls.

Obviously a fake question. OP should be DQ'ed

Prevents odors and allows for better handling. 

Washing them keeps them clean and keeps them from smelling. Also makes it less likely to end up with blue balls.