The first shot. That is right, as soon as you tee up a brand new golf ball, take your backswing and follow through after hit the ball with your driver, it becomes used. Every golf ball becomes a used golf ball after the first shot. So when a neighborhood kid comes along and wants to sell you an egg carton full of pre-owned balls for your golf game, why should you buy from him?

Let's face it. There many different grades and conditions of used golf balls. Some have cuts, others scuffs, club marks, dings, discoloration or even water marks. Some are so dirty you can read the brand name. Never buy a dirty golf ball. You don't know what blemishes the dirt is hiding.

Here are the top five reasons people to buy high quality used golf balls:

1. If you are like most people, used balls offer you a good bargain. You can get name brand balls for less. For example, instead of paying $40 for a dozen Titleist, you can buy 12 high grade used Titleists for under $15. Bridgestone golf balls can cost up to $5.00 a ball when brand new. You can get nearly perfect used Bridgestone ones for as little as $2 each.

2. Used golf balls give you the chance to play a second ball, to try a shot over, without playing an expensive, brand new ball. So, when you know that you could have hit that first shot better, try another one -- as long as you keep the pace of play.

3. Used golf balls give you peace of mind when you are playing a water hole. It's a lot easier on your wallet if you hit a bad shot and lose a ball in the water, than if you hit a brand new one.

4. The same things goes for out-of-bound holes or ones with deep rough, thick trees or lots of gorse. If you tend to slice or hook your tee shot, playing a used golf ball saves you money instead of losing a new ball.

5. Used golf balls are excellent for practice rounds or even practicing in your back yard. Plastic practice balls do only so much. If you are chipping or using a wedge, you get a better feeling when you use a real ball. And if you practice with used balls, you don't have to worry about scuffing them up in practice.

You can buy used golf balls online to get the best deal, selection and value for your money. Just make sure that you can tell that you are getting excellent quality from a reputable seller.