What Does X-Out Mean on a Golf Ball?

You’ve picked up a stray golf ball or maybe found a sleeve of them for a great price online, but there’s a strange black X-Out stamped across the side, almost hiding the original brand name. It's a common sight for golfers, but one that sparks a lot of questions. An X-Out golf ball is simply a brand-new, premium ball that failed the factory's final quality inspection due to a minor cosmetic flaw - not a performance one. This article will explain exactly what X-out balls are, how they compare to other types of discounted balls, whether you can use them in tournaments, and ultimately, if they are the right choice for your game.

What Exactly Is an X-Out Golf Ball?

Think of the major golf ball manufacturers like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, and Bridgestone. They operate on massive production lines, churning out thousands of balls every single day. Their goal is perfection. Every ball that goes into a regular retail box needs to look flawless.

However, minor mistakes are inevitable in any manufacturing process. An X-Out is a ball that has a tiny, purely cosmetic imperfection. It could be:

• A slight paint blemish or discoloration.
• A smudged or off-center logo or side stamp.
• An incomplete or slightly misshapen dimple (very rare, and only if it doesn't affect aerodynamics).

Because these balls don't meet the sky-high visual standards of the brand, they can't be sold as "first-quality." Instead of throwing away perfectly good golf balls, the manufacturers stamp them with "X-Out" (or sometimes a series of 'X's) over the brand name and sell them at a significant discount. The important takeaway is that the core, mantle, and cover - the engine of the golf ball - are identical to the full-price version. The underlying ball, like a Pro V1, Chrome Soft, or TP5, has not been compromised in a way that affects flight, distance, or feel.

Unpacking the "Blemish": Does It Matter?

For 99% of golfers, the answer is a resounding no. The flaws that designate a ball as an "X-Out" are almost always impossible to notice unless you are inspecting the ball from a few inches away. They are superficial marks that will have zero noticeable impact on its performance when you strike it with a club moving at over 80 MPH.

The only time a blemish might matter is in the rare case of a dimple malformation. Dimples are engineered for precise aerodynamics. However, the quality control processes are so strict that any ball with a truly performance-altering dimple issue would likely be destroyed rather than sold as an X-Out. The balls you find in an X-Out box have been deemed cosmetically imperfect but playably perfect.

X-Outs vs. Refurbished vs. Used: A Huge Difference

This is where many golfers get confused, and it’s a critical distinction to understand. Golfers looking for a deal often lump these categories together, but they are vastly different products. Buying the wrong type thinking you are getting a deal can actively hurt your game.

1. X-Out Golf Balls

• Condition: Brand New, Unused
• Origin: Directly from the original manufacturer's factory.
• Flaw: Minor cosmetic blemish (e.g., paint, logo stamp).
• Performance: Practically identical to the first-quality, non-blemished version.The takeaway: You are getting a new, premium ball with a tiny beauty mark at a fraction of the price. The integrity of the ball is intact.2. Refurbished / Refinished Golf Balls
  • Condition: Highly used and then artificially restored.
  • Origin: Recovered from water hazards, woods, etc.
  • The Process: These balls are chemically stripped of their original cover and paint. They're often sanded, then repainted and recoated with a new clear coat, and stamped with a logo (like "Refurbished Titleist Pro V1").
  • Performance: Unpredictable and most likely compromised. This aggressive process can change the ball’s weight, balance, and dimple depth. That new slick layer of paint anoints its original dimple pattern, changing the ball aerodynamics and making flight erratic. They might look shiny and new, but their performance is a complete gamble.The takeaway: Steer clear of refurbished balls for any serious golf. They look pretty, but the process ruins the ball's original engineering. You never know what you're actually getting.3. Used / Recycled Golf Balls
    • Condition: Used, from varying degrees of wear.
    • Origin: Collected from golf courses.
    • The Process: These balls are simply washed, cleaned, and sorted into grades based on their condition (e.g., Mint/AAAAA, Near Mint/AAAA, Good/AAA).
    • Performance: Varies by grade. A Mint/AAAAA grade used ball is one that was likely lost after only a hit or two. It has no scuffs and its performance is identical to a new ball. Lower grades might have minor scuffs or discoloration from sitting in the sun or a pond, which could have a very slight impact on performance.
      • Casual Weekend Foursome: Absolutely, go for it.
      • Weekly League Play or Charity Scramble: Most likely fine. Nobody will care.
      • Official Club Championship or Stroke Play Event: Do not use them. Stick to the first-quality, non-blemished version of your ball. It removes all doubt and gives you one less thing to worry about.
      
      
      • Practice Rounds: Testing out new shots or playing aggressively on a tough Par-5 without risking a $5 ball.
      • Short Game Practice: Chipping and putting with the same model ball you play in tournaments is hugely beneficial for consistency. Using X-Outs of your preferred model gives you that consistent feel without burning through dozens of premium balls around the practice green.
      • Casual Rounds: When you're just out with friends to have a good time, there’s no reason to spend top dollar.
    • The takeaway: High-grade used balls are a fantastic alternative. Unlike refurbished balls, their original construction is unchanged. You are simply playing a ball that someone else hit a few times. For price-conscious golfers, Mint used balls often present a better value and more reliable performance than even X-Outs.
    • Can I Use X-Out Golf Balls in a Tournament?
    • This is a common question and the answer is, "it depends on the tournament." The USGA governs the official Rules of Golf, and they have a specific stance on this.
    • According to the interpretation under Rule 4.2a, for an X-Out ball to be allowed, it must appear on the USGA's List of Conforming Golf Balls. If, for example, you have a Titleist Pro V1 X-Out, and the Titleist Pro V1 is currently on the conforming list, the ball is legal for play in a stipulated round. The X-Out markings are not considered to change the ball’s playing characteristics.
    • However, there’s a major catch. The Committee in charge of any competition always has the final say. For a high-stakes event like a club championship, a state amateur, or a professional tournament, using an X-Out ball is generally frowned upon and likely prohibited as a "local rule." Why? Mainly for optical reasons and due to a very small chance that the X-Out model somehow differs from the submitted conforming model. You don't want any doubt during a competitive round.
    • Here's a simple guide:
    • When in doubt, always ask a member of the tournament committee before you tee off. The simple solution is to carry first-quality balls for designated competition rounds and use X-Outs for everything else.
    • Are X-Out Balls a Good Choice for You?
    • Whether X-Outs are your best play depends entirely on your skill level, goals, and budget. Let’s break it down by player type:
    • For the Beginner or High-Handicap Golfer (20+ Handicap)
    • Yes, X-Outs are an excellent choice. At this stage, your main challenge is making consistent contact and keeping the ball in play. The microscopic difference between an X-Out Pro V1 and a perfect Pro V1 will have no bearing on your score. Bad shots will be a result of your swing, not a paint smudge on the bal.. Since losing balls is a part of learning the game, using affordable X-Outs saves you a ton of money and reduces the sting of sending a brand new ball into a lake. You still get the benefit of playing a high-quality, brand-new golf ball, instead of a waterlogged range ball.
    • For the Improving Mid-Handicap Golfer (8-18 Handicap)
    • X-Outs are a fantastic tool, especially for practice. As a mid-handicapper, you're starting to develop a feel for the game and understand a course strategy. X-Outs are perfect for:
    • For your most important tournaments, you might want to switch to first-quality balls for mental confidence, but X-Outs should absolutely have a place in your practice bag.
    • For the Avid Low-Handicap Golfer (0-7 Handicap)
    • You rely on predictability and consistency above all else. For any competitive round, you will and should use first-quality balls. That said, even scratch players can benefit from X-Outs. They are an incredibly cost-effective tool for dialing in your short game. If your gamer is a Pro V1, practicing chipping, pitching, and bunker shots with Pro V1 X-Outs gives you the exact same feel and spin characteristics for a fraction of the cost, making extended practice sessions much more economical.
    • Final Thoughts
    • X-Out golf balls are one of the best deals in golf, offering the performance of a brand-new, premium ball at a price that's much easier to swallow. They are not damaged or old, they are simply balls with minor cosmetic flaws that keep them from gracing a high-end retail shelf. For the vast majority of rounds of golf played, they are a fantastic and intelligent choice.
    • Making smarter choices about equipment is a simple way to improve your confidence on the course, but so is getting guidance when you're stuck. That's why we built Caddie AI. It's designed to give you instant, on-demand advice for any golfing question you have - whether you need a strategy for a tough par-4, help reading a tricky green, or are just curious about the different types of golf balls. We provide that simple, expert coaching right in your pocket, taking the guesswork out of the game so you can play with more confidence and enjoyment.