Top 10 Golf Ball Retrievers


Photo by Koto Images
Is there anything more annoying than losing a golf ball? Not only do you have to take a penalty stroke(s), but you lose the ball which is up to five dollars per!
Golf is not a cheap sport to begin with, and losing balls every time you tee it up only adds to the costs. Sometimes a golf ball retriever is just what you need to “save the day.” While you’ll still need to take the penalty stroke for hitting in a penalty area, it’s not as much insult to injury if you can find your golf ball.
When I first started playing golf more than two decades ago, there were only two options to save your water balls. Now, there are all kinds of retrievers for different budgets and in various sizes and extension lengths. I’ll review the top 10 to help you find the best for your golf bag.
10 Best Golf Ball Retrievers to Save the Day
When it comes to ball retrievers, you want to consider a few things:
- Price
- Type of material
- Size (extension length)
Obviously, you don’t want to break the bank, so price is a big factor. The material used will also determine its weight and how convenient it is to fit in your bag. If you have a small stand bag, this is important, as they don’t have nearly as much space as a hybrid or cart bag.
Lastly, don’t forget about the size, which refers to how far it extends into the water hazard (or past the out-of-bounds stakes) to get your balls. Most retrievers are six feet, but some extend up to 15 feet or even longer.
1. IGotcha Jawz Compact Retriever
Starting off my list is the iGotcha Jawz retriever, which is a great deal and one of the most popular ones I see on the golf course. It is uniquely designed to easily snatch up errant shots with its rubberized teeth, which help grip the ball securely without worrying about it dropping back into the water.
It has a stainless steel shaft and single headpiece design offered in three sizes (10-, 14-, and 18-ft reach). The 10-ft reach is the most common and convenient size and should fit in your bag without taking up much space. It’s 15.5in when retracted and only weighs 8oz.
Unlike others on this list, it does not come with a matching headcover, but it does come with a one-year warranty.
2. Champkey Premium Golf Ball Retriever
Champkey also makes a solid retriever that won’t break the bank. It also extends much longer than most retrievers to help you reach balls in tough spots on the course.
This retriever from Champkey is made of durable rubber and plastic material, so it won’t rust in your bag. It has a two-sided head that makes it easier to snag golf balls and extends to 15 or 18 feet.
The 15-foot version is the easiest one to carry and retracts to 3.64 feet so it can fit in your bag with ease. It has a matching leather headcover so it can blend in with your woods and hybrids, since it won’t fit in the apparel pocket of your bag.
3. JP Lann Golf Ball Retriever (Compact Edition)
Some retrievers fit in your bag like a club, while others can fit in your apparel pocket to save space. But this one from JP Lann is more compact than any I’ve seen and can fit in nearly any golf bag pocket. This is an excellent choice if you have a small carry bag without a ton of extra space.
It’s so compact that it’s only 19in when fully collapsed. When extended, it reaches a little more than 6ft. Additionally, it has an orange design, which makes it easier to spot in the water.
Other features include a comfort grip rubber handle, a black anodized shaft to prevent rusting, and an easy-to-grasp head. If you’re looking for something incredibly small, it’s hard to beat this retriever.
4. Callaway Golf Ball Retriever
Callaway makes some incredible equipment in the golf world, from woods to wedges. They also own Odyssey, which makes some of the most popular putters in golf (including the Odyssey 2-Ball). However, they also make a premium retriever.
It’s priced a lot higher than most on this list, but it’s got a compact design that can help you rescue golf balls without taking up much space in your bag. The Callaway retriever is offered in 6- or 15-ft sizes.
The 6-ft model will work best for most golfers and retracts to 24in, so it should fit in most apparel pockets. It has a stainless steel retriever mechanism and is made of premium aluminum alloy so it won’t bend when extended.
This retriever also has an ergonomic design handle and comes with a matching headcover.
5. Prowithlin Golf Ball Retriever
If you want a compact design and are looking for the most affordable option out there, it’s tough to beat this one. The Prowithlin retriever is under $20 and extends all the way up to 9ft, despite only weighing 8oz.
The stainless steel shaft provides a strong feel in a lightweight design. It also has an automatic locking mechanism scoop cup that makes it easy to snag your golf ball. You can stash this in the back of your golf cart or even in the smallest stand bags.
If you aren’t sure which retriever is right for you or have more questions about clubs, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.
6. Ram Golf 6Ft Extending Golf Ball Retriever
Ram is a popular name in the golf industry and makes some of the most budget-friendly clubs that are perfect for beginners. They made my list of best budget putters as most are under $100, which is an absolute steal.
They also make a good retriever too. The Ram Golf extending retriever is made of stainless steel and makes it easy to pick up your ball quickly. It has an aluminum alloy shaft that will not bend when fully extended.
The Ram retriever is 23.5in when retracted and extends up to 6ft. But it only weighs 0.85lb! They also make a 15-ft version as well.
Both models come with a matching headcover to disguise your retriever so they blend in with your woods.
7. Search ‘N Rescue Mini Hide Away Golf Ball Retriever
Another small retriever to consider is the Search ‘N’ Rescue Mini Hide Away, which is also convenient to store in your bag. When fully extended it’s a little over 6ft, and it collapses to fit in nearly any pocket. Its aluminum head prevents rust, and its design allows it to effortlessly pick up golf balls.
8. Izzo The Claw Retriever
If you want a retriever from a top brand in golf, Izzo, this is a fantastic option. It blends right in with one of your clubs and can fit in the inside pocket of most golf bags.
The orange cup design is easy to see underwater and hopefully can grab your ball in one scoop. This is constructed from ultra-lightweight materials and is only 18 inches when retracted (but extends up to 15 feet). It also has a locking mechanism to easily release your ball and not get your glove wet.
9. IGotcha Standard Aluminum Retriever
IGotcha also makes a standard-sized model that stores in your golf bag. It has the longest extension I could find at 21ft (they also offer an 18-ft model). But despite the impressive length, it’s at a good price too.
This retriever has a spring-release-ready head and sturdy aluminum shaft, and it comes with a one-year warranty. Since it doesn’t retract to a small length, make sure you have a big enough bag to fit this one. But it should fit next to your putter or can be used in a putter well if you have an oversized cart bag.
10. ProActive Sports Super Lite Golf Ball Retriever
The final retriever you might consider is the one from ProActive Sports. It has a fiberglass design (most are aluminum or stainless steel) making it one of the lightest options available. In fact, this retriever only weighs 7oz!
The head is green, which has high visibility, and the design makes it easy to snag your ball from the rocks, water, or other obstacles. It has a push button release so you can keep your hands dry as well.
Find the Best Golf Ball Retriever for You
Retrievers are a helpful accessory to help you save money by finding balls that are out of reach in the water or off the course. No more getting on your knees with a bunker rake trying to scoop your ball out of trouble. Since golf balls aren’t cheap, these accessories can help you save a few bucks each round after a bad shot.
However, I do not recommend fishing out other golf balls from the ponds. Waterlogged balls that have been in there for some time will negatively affect your performance from tee to green, and that can make a hard sport even more difficult.
Lastly, while they are helpful accessories, they can slow down the pace of play, so if you do own one, make sure to use it wisely. Do not hold up the groups behind as you “hawk” for golf balls and slow down the round for everyone else.
If you aren’t sure which retriever is right for you or have more questions about golf equipment, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.