How Many Golf Balls Fit in a 5 Gallon Bucket?
John Miller
Every year, golf equipment manufacturers produce around 840 million golf balls. Out of this number, 300,000 balls are lost annually in the US alone.
These numbers seem huge, but they’re hardly surprising considering how many people play golf and how many balls they go through.
Pro golf players commonly finish the game using 9-10 balls, while the average golfer commonly carries 12 balls per day.
At the driving range, these numbers are likely even higher.
Of course, all these balls have to be stored somehow. Finding the right container to keep your balls in will make your life much easier.
However, to do so, you should know how many balls each can carry.
Below, I’ll look at how many golf balls fit in a 5 gallon bucket, one of the most common golf ball containers, and also, go through some of the other usual ways of packaging and storing golf balls.
So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Size of the Golf Ball
Before moving on to figuring out how many golf balls fit in a 5 gallon bucket, we should first look into the size and design of the golf ball as that is, besides the size of the bucket, the key factor here.
The standard golf ball has a diameter of 1.68 inches and weighs around 1.62 ounces.
As with everything else in golf, at least in the US, the size and shape of the ball are standardized by the rules prescribed by the United States Golf Association.
Of course, as we all know, the ball is round-shaped, which means that its volume with a 1.68-inches diameter is around 2.5 cubic inches.
This is most of the information we need, so there’s no need to dig deeper into the math formulas.
How Many Golf Balls Fit in a 5 Gallon Bucket?
Of course, the sure way to find out the number of golf balls that can fit into a 5-gallon bucket is to fill the bucket with balls and count them as you put them down one by one.
However, that would be rather boring and time-consuming, not to mention that the shape of the bucket can also influence how many balls it can carry.
In general, the spherical bucket will fit more golfs than the one shaped like a cylinder.It’s also worth noting that people rarely fill up the entire bucket.
In most cases, they carry the minimum number of balls needed to get them through the holes planned for that day.
How to Calculate the Number of Golf Balls that Can Fit in a 5 Gallon Bucket?
Still, this leaves the question of the number of balls in the bucket when fully filled.
The science of sphere packing, or the arrangement of non-overlapping spheres within a container, says that even when it’s densest, the packaging occupies only about 74% of the bucket’s volume.
Knowing this, all we have to do is a bit of math.
We already have all the other data we need. The volume of the ball is 2.5 cubic inches, while the volume of the bucket is 5 gallons.
All that’s left is to divide the bucket’s volume (5 gallons) by the volume of the ball (2.5 cubic inches).
The formula would look something like this: .74 * 5 gallons / 2.5 in^3.
So, the answer is that a 5-gallon bucket can hold approximately 340 golf balls.
We have to allow for some variation, as the bucket shape will determine the exact number of balls.
Other Types of Golf Ball Containers
Often, golfers won’t even need a large, 5-gallon bucket and will use smaller, more practical containers.
Even though they can carry fewer balls, their smaller size makes them more practical, especially if you’re using them on the golf course instead of storing balls at home.
How Many Golf Balls Are There in a Sleeve?
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In golf terms, a sleeve is a type of packaging that is used for storing golf balls.
While you may have imagined something different due to its name, the sleeve is commonly in the shape of a long rectangular box or a cylindrical tube.
Most golf ball sleeves can hold three balls, in rare cases four golf balls.
Usually, golf sleeves are sold in a box containing three 4-ball sleeves or four 3-ball sleeves.
This way with the purchase of each box you’re practically getting a dozen golf balls.
Depending on the quality of the material and design of golf balls, you can expect to pay between $15 and $60 for one box.
In general, 1 or 2-piece golf balls are more expensive than 3 or 5-piece versions.
Of course, people who don’t play golf that often and don’t need that many balls can purchase individual sleeves.
How Many Golf Balls Are There in a Box?
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I already explained that a box of golf balls will, in most cases, contain one dozen or 12 balls.
This is the most common practice, although some golf equipment retailers may sell packs (which is a different name for a box) containing 15 balls.
Still, most established brands, such as Wilson, Nitro, Callaway, or Titleist sell 12-ball boxes.
The size of the box is usually around 6 inches in width, 7 inches in height, and 2 inches in depth.
One golf ball box weighs approximately 1.4 pounds.
The number of balls is a part of the tradition established decades ago but also has a practical purpose.
A 12-pack contains four sleeves with three golf balls each, which is the number of balls that should have you covered for one round, especially if you have some experience playing golf.
Beginners, of course, may need more than three balls to complete the round.
How Many Golf Balls Are There in a Case?
A case of golf balls is an excellent option for those looking to purchase more balls at once and for those who generally go through more balls over a year.
Usually, a case will contain six dozen or 72 golf balls. Some brands also offer cases containing 2 or 3 dozen golf balls.
On the other hand, certain types of cases, such as Callaway Hex Diablo, come with 144 golf balls or 12 dozen.
Just like boxes, golf ball cases vary in price depending on the quality of the balls and the build of the case itself, but you should be able to find a decent case for under $200.
How Many Golf Balls Fit in a Standard-Size Bucket?
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We already explored the capacity of 5-gallon golf ball buckets, but most buckets used on golf courses are smaller in size.
The standard golf ball bucket can usually hold approximately 40-50 balls. This is the type of bucket most commonly offered at golf courses.
At the course, you will be handed a bucket with the number of balls that depends on the range you’re playing at.
Of course, in most cases, you’ll have to pay for the golf ball bucket. Because of this, you should be aware of how many balls you may need.
Carrying a standard-size bucket of golf balls with you from hole to hole is not a bad idea, as it allows you to practice multiple swings from the same spot.
Plus, it’s rather convenient and easy to carry with you. One bucket of golf balls should be more than enough for 18 holes.
Should You Buy a Larger Number of Golf Balls at Once?
If you’re serious about your game and spend a lot of time on the golf course and driving ranges, then it’s definitely a good idea to buy as many golf balls at the same time as you can fit into your budget.
Golf balls don’t have an expiry date and don’t lose their properties when stored properly.
So, you can use your 5-gallon bucket to store your balls in a safe and dry place and use smaller containers to carry the golf balls as you move from hole to hole.
Also, there’s a matter of finances, as buying golf balls in bulk is commonly cheaper than purchasing smaller quantities.
A lot of retailers even offer “buy one – get one free” promotions on golf ball sleeves, boxes, or cases.
Plus, there’s often free shipping involved for larger quantities.
Conclusion
A 5-gallon golf ball bucket comes pretty handy when it comes to storing and transporting your golf balls.
Knowing how many balls you can fit into a bucket of this size will only help you plan your day on the course and schedule future golf ball purchases.
Even though you’ll rarely have the opportunity to use the 5-gallon bucket to its full capacity, it’s still good to know that, if needed, it can hold approximately 340 golf balls.
You should also be aware of other types of golf ball containers and learn how many balls they can fit as they all have a role for someone who plays golf on a regular basis.
Just make sure to organize your storage of golf balls and schedule upcoming purchases in accordance with your golf-playing habits.
