6 Best Golf Ball Retrievers 2024 – Never Lose a Ball Again

A golfer using a ball retriever to get a ball from the water

Erik Schjolberg

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Jan 2, 2024

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Key Takeaways – Best Golf Ball Retriever Winners

  • Retriever will help cut down on golf ball expenses
  • Consider optimal length for your needs
  • Some retract and fit inside your apparel pocket
  • Flex while extended can be an issue (be sure to test!)
  • Expense. The goal is to save money!

Losing golf balls is a part of the game, but a poor round can cause your golf equipment expenses to skyrocket. In this post, I found the best golf ball retriever for 2024 to help you recover more balls than you donate to the golfing gods.

This list features a range of medium and longer retrievers to help you recoup golf balls from the water, trees, and deep in the bush. You will also learn a retriever is the most affordable as golf equipment gets, and can help you reduce your ball expenditure.


My Experience and Rankings of the Best Golf Ball Retrievers

#1. IGotcha JAWZ 14-Foot Ball Retriever

🏆 Best Overall 🥇

IGotcha JAWZ 14-Foot Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 5.0/5.0
Length (extended): 14 ft
Length (retracted): 20 inches

Pros:

  • Can pick up golf balls with both sides
  • The grip promotes optimal stability
  • Rubberized head surface keeps the ball secure while retrieving

Cons:

  • Expensive for a ball retriever
  • Not the longest golf ball retriever
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My Experience (with pictures):

The IGotcha JAWZ Ball Retriever gets its name from the co-molded rubberized contraption, which resembles a set of teeth. This design helps the retriever secure your ball as you reel the shaft in.

The new IGotcha Jawz Golf Ball Retriever on my kitchen counter

I feel the JAWZ simplifies lifting a ball out of the pond or bushes as you push the head over your dimples to secure it. In addition, JAWZ equipped this retriever with a multi-directional headpiece, enabling you to pick up a golf ball on either side.

I got a new IGotcha Jawz Golf Ball Retriever for testing

This golf ball retriever reached 14 feet at its peak, and while not as much as other products, it made it too hard to get to golf balls. I also appreciated the thicker handle because it restricted movement in my wrist to boost stability.

The Bottom Line

The IGotcha ball retriever features a robust handle that encourages limited wrist movement to keep the rod stable while fishing balls. I find golfers with shaky hands operate better with these grips and reclaim a higher percentage of golf balls. Finally, it’s an easy pick-up thanks to the multi-directional headpiece and the 14-foot extendable rod.

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#2. Callaway 15th Club Golf Ball Retriever

🏆 Best Premium 🥇

Callaway 15th Club Ball Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 5.0/5.0
Length (extended): 15 ft
Length (retracted): 45 inches

Pros:

  • Ergonomic handle
  • Easy grabbing action
  • Retracts to 45-inches to store in your golf bag

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to other golf ball retrievers
  • The durability of the latch is questionable
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My Experience (with pictures):

I enjoyed the reach offered by this Callaway golf ball retriever. Despite a 15-foot extension, I managed to rescue golf balls up to 18 feet away. It reaches a fair distance into the pond and shrubs to reduce your lost ball count every round.

Best premium Callaway 15th Club Golf Ball Retriever on my deck

I also appreciated the design of its ergonomic handle, which made it easier to control the rod at full extension. In addition, it offered superb traction for a steady hand during the recovery process.

The Callaway 15th Club carries a stainless steel ball retrieval mechanism designed to scoop your ball in a snap. On the downside, I found that the latch failed to activate when I did not apply sufficient pressure.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Callaway 15th Club ball retriever offers golfers ample reach to recover golf balls from the drink or bushes. On top of its impressive extension, this retriever features a comfortable grip, making it easier to guide toward your ball. A steel retrieval mechanism also simplifies the entire process of scooping up your golf ball.

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#3. ToVii Telescopic Golf Ball Retriever

🏆 Longest (18ft!) 🥇

ToVii Telescopic Ball Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5.0
Length (extended): 18 ft
Length (retracted): 44 inches

Pros:

  • Comfortable rubber grip handle
  • Easy press and turn technique prevents the ball from falling out

Cons:

  • The rod is flexible when fully extended
  • The locking rings that extend the retriever are a little loose
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My Experience (with pictures):

The ToVii golf ball retriever is an affordable option for golfers looking for a budget solution for recovering dimples on the golf course. In my experience, this no-frills, affordable, retractable golf ball retriever is exceptionally long and can reach more areas than its competitors.

Showing a good quality ToVii Telescopic Golf Ball Retriever at the golf course

The retriever is 44-inches when collapsed and can extend to an impressive 18 feet. I find this allows me to carry it in my golf bag, but it adds an extra 1.5 pounds to the total weight.

The longest ToVii Telescopic Golf Ball Retriever for testing

I felt the rubber grip handle was comfortable and helped me steady my hand when retrieving. The only gripe I have with this retriever is that the locking rings seem loose, and the extension does not always stay in place, reducing your control.

The Bottom Line

I found the ToVii 18-inch golf ball retriever provided exceptional reach thanks to its 18-foot extension capability. In addition, I appreciated not needing to bend to collect my ball once I hauled it in, which seniors may enjoy.

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#4. Prowithlin Golf Ball Retriever

🏆 Longest (18ft!) 🥇

Prowithlin Golf Ball Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5.0
Length (extended): 18 ft
Length (retracted): 45.6 inches

Pros:

  • Rustproof design
  • Collapses to 3.8-feet to fit in your bag

Cons:

  • The cup does not appear to be highly durable
  • The technique to capture and lift the ball takes some practice
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My Experience (with pictures):

The Prowithlin golf ball retriever offers golfers exceptional value for money, maximum reach, and is rust and waterproof. The 18-foot extension impressed me and allowed me to reach golf balls deep in the drink and high in the trees. In total, I could retrieve golf balls over 20 feet away.

I got a Prowithlin Golf Ball Retriever at the golf course for testing

Naturally, the extended length of the retriever means it does not collapse to the level of its competitors. However, at 3.8-feet that it can fit in the back slots of your golf bag. Prowithlin equipped the retriever with a comfortable midsize handle to boost your control.

Lastly, I found it easy to zero in on a ball and lift it thanks to a basic telescopic design. I just pushed down on the ball and turned the retriever’s head to secure the dimples as I reeled it in.

The Bottom Line

The Prowithlin golf ball retriever stood out for its length and affordability. The extra feet that it offered allowed me to rescue balls from out-of-the-way places, and its comfortable handle provided increased control. The Prowithlin golf ball retriever is affordable, efficient, and long.

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#5. Champkey Two-Sided 12-Foot Ball Retriever

🏆 Best Value 🥇

Champkey Two-Sided 12 Foot Ball Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5.0
Length (extended): 12 ft
Length (retracted): 17.4 inches

Pros:

  • Comfortable polyurethane grip
  • Two-sided retriever design
  • Compact size

Cons:

  • Shorter maximum length than other retrievers
  • The shaft is slightly flexible when fully extended
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My Experience (with pictures):

This Champkey golf ball retriever features a genius, two-sided design, enabling you to recover errant golf balls with the closest side. I could see Champkey transferred their grip expertise to this product, as the polyurethane handle provided optimal comfort and traction.

This telescopic retriever does not offer the length found in other options on this list, maxing out at 12 feet. However, I still managed to add a few extra feet to boost the golf ball retriever count.

I found the Champkey retriever surprisingly affordable compared to its peers and faired well against branches, debris, and rocks. Finally, these retrievers are constructed to save you from bending over to collect your golf ball. Reel in the shaft until the retriever is close enough for you to grab your ball.

The Bottom Line

The Champkey Two-Sided telescopic golf ball retriever is a suitable option for golfers on a budget. However, the reduced price leads to a shorter reach when compared to other constructions, but 12 feet offer adequate assistance in your quest to grab golf balls.

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#6. IGotcha Executive Golf Ball Retriever

🏆 Honorable Mention 🥇

IGotcha Executive Golf Ball Retriever

My Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5.0
Length (extended): 10 ft
Length (retracted): 17.5 inches

Pros:

  • Thick handle to optimize control
  • Spring release system makes it easy to trap ball
  • Fits into your apparel pocket when retracted
  • Only weighs 10 ounces

Cons:

  • The shaft is flexible, making it somewhat difficult to control at full extension
  • Shorter maximum length than competitor products
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My Experience (with pictures):

The first IGotcha ball retriever to grace our list in 2024 is the Executive construction created with a hassle-free spring release. Align the head over your golf ball and press down to activate the release and secure your urethane.

A hassle-free spring release of IGotcha Executive Golf Ball Retriever

In addition to a painless recovery process, the telescopic ball retriever sports a thick handle to limit wrist movement while recovering lost balls. The principle is the same as the grips on golf clubs such as your putter, where you must restrict wrist action for optimal stability and control.

The biggest downside of this model is that its maximum length is 10 feet, significantly less than other products on this list. I feel the silver lining in this scenario is its 17.5-inch collapsible length, short enough to fit in your golf bag apparel pocket.

The Bottom Line

The IGotcha Executive Ball Retriever stood out for its wider grip and easy trapping action, which secured the ball with a press. The negatives show that it provides less length than other golf ball retrievers, and the shaft was too flexible for my liking when fully extended. However, if you struggle with a steady hand, you will appreciate the jumbo grip that offers you more surface area.

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And The Winner for the Best Golf Ball Retriever of 2024 Is…

In my quest to find the best ball retriever, I focused on the maximum length of each product, the ease of pick up, the handle, and durability. Our finalists excelled in one or more categories however, the following mentions are in a class of their own.

A golfer trying to use a golf ball retriever in a pond

Best Overall

The best overall retriever in my opinion is the IGotCha Jawz 14 foot. It’s 2 sided, compact, sturdy when fully extended, and the rubberized grip holds onto balls really well. It’s also a little bit cheaper than the Callaway option.

Best Premium

The Callaway 15th Club Golf Ball Retriever is the best premium selection in 2024 for its length, comfortable handle, and easy-grabbing action. I found the 15-foot telescopic design was easy to control and allowed me to reach out-of-the-way places. Overall, it is durable and essential to help you recoup more balls than you lose.

Longest

My research and testing proved that the ToVii Telescopic Golf Ball Retriever offered the farthest reach. This moderately affordable construction extends up to 18 feet, reaching balls its competitors can only dream of.

Best Value/Budget

The Champkey Telescopic Golf Ball Picker won the prize of the best budget ball retriever for 2024. It does not offer the reach of its competitors, but the two-side retriever and comfortable grip make up for it. Plus, I feel this construction suits seniors who wish to avoid bending down to collect their balls.


What to Look for In Golf Ball Retrievers?

#1 Length

Your first step is considering the optimal length for your desired ball retriever. Think about the areas at your home course where balls are likely to land out of reach. How many feet do you need to reach these areas?

A guy retrieving a golf ball from a creek

Golfers looking for maximum length should focus their eyes on extendable golf ball retrievers that reach 18 feet. However, if you are lucky to have limited trouble at your golf course, you may find a 10-foot retriever sufficient.

#2 Retriever Head Piece

The best golf ball retrievers carry head designs which assist in securing your golf ball and returning it to you. If you are clumsy like me, you’ll want a head with a snap closure that traps your ball once you push down on it.

Alternatively, you can consider a single-piece design without a snap closure. These designs give you the luxury of a multi-directional headpiece enabling you to pick up the ball with either side. In addition, I find that single-piece construction lasts longer, as there is no spring to wear away.

#3 Firm Pole

Retrievers with firm poles are easier to control and guide toward your ball. As you extend a longer ball retriever, you require stability to execute an accurate recovery mission. However, if your pole flexes excessively, it is challenging to zero in on the ball and scoop it up.

#4 Ergonomic Handle

I also suggest acquiring a retriever with an ergonomic handle to provide optimal comfort and traction for superior control during the recovery process. If you struggle with shaky hands and need support to stabilize the retriever, think about a thicker grip to reduce wrist movement.


FAQ

Do you need a golf ball retriever?

You do not NEED a golf ball retriever, but it can reduce your expenses on ionomer construction (expensive) balls. With a retriever, you can reach deep into a water hazard, the bushes, or the high tree tops. It is a small investment that will pay dividends as you recoup the lost golf balls of other unfortunate players and of course, your own.

How do you get your golf balls out of a pond?

In my experience, there are three simple ways to get your golf balls out of the pond. The first and most effective is to use a golf ball retriever. However, if your ball is sitting close to the edge of the drink, you can guide it towards you using a golf club.

I have also heard some players suggest using a bunker rake, which can work, but only if a sand trap is nearby. Otherwise, it slows down play and holds up the players behind you.

Of course, golf balls CAN get waterlogged – so try not to use anything that’s been in water for more than a couple days.

Who makes the longest golf ball retriever?

Several golf ball retriever manufacturers produce constructions that extend to 18 feet. Our top, longest designs in 2024 are the ToVii Telescope and Prowithlin golf ball retrievers which lengthened to 18 feet and provided a few additional feet to minimize lost golf balls.

What is a good length for a golf ball retriever?

I find that 14 feet is a suitable length for a ball retriever, as it provides adequate reach and they are easier to control than the behemoth 18-foot constructions.

About the Author

Erik Schjolberg

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Last Updated Jan 2, 2024

Expertise:            

                  

Coach Erik actively coaches several PGA Tour Professionals. He’s the head golf instructor and writer here at Swing Yard, was voted the “#1 Golf Coach in Scottsdale, Arizona”, and has been coaching for over 20+ years. Erik also owns and operates his own online golf school, EJS Golf Academy. His other credentials include: Active PGA Coaches Membership, Titleist TPI Level 1 and 2, Trackman Certified Level 1, Dr. Kwon’s Biomechanics Level I and II, Scott Cowx Certified Level I Advanced, BodiTrack and V1 Sports Pressure Mat Certified, Titleist Club Fitting and Ball Fitting Certified, PGA Hope, and Sportsbox AI. Check out Erik’s full bio and certifications for more info.