How Sam Harrison Turned Diving for Lost Golf Balls Into a Six-Figure Side Hustle
Sam Harrison is not your typical treasure hunter, but his story proves that sometimes opportunity is hiding in the most unexpected places. At 30 years old, he spends his days slipping beneath the surface of murky ponds, lakes, and water hazards that dot golf courses. It’s not buried treasure or ancient relics he’s after—it’s golf balls. The same ones that weekend players slice into the water, never to be seen again. For Harrison, and a handful of others like him, those lost balls have become a surprisingly steady stream of income.
Every year, golfers in the United States lose an estimated 300 million balls. That staggering number represents not only frustration for players but also a gold mine for divers who are willing to go after them. While the idea might sound a little unusual, the business behind it is very real. Recovered golf balls can be cleaned, sorted, and resold, either directly back to players, to driving ranges, or even through online marketplaces. Adjusted for today’s demand and pricing, professionals in this niche report making upwards of $200,000 a year. For Harrison, this work has grown from a quirky side hustle into a full-fledged career.
The job, however, is far from glamorous. Diving into golf course ponds means dealing with cold, dark, and muddy water where visibility is often close to zero. Divers have to feel their way along the bottom, scooping up balls by touch alone. The water is murky, the smell can be overpowering, and the hazards are real. In parts of the U.S., divers have reported encounters with snapping turtles, snakes, and even alligators. For Harrison, every dive comes with a mix of risk and reward, but he says the challenge is part of what makes the work worthwhile.
Once collected, the balls go through a process of cleaning and grading. Some are in near-perfect condition and can be resold almost like new. Others may show wear and tear but are still perfectly usable for practice sessions. The resale market for golf balls is bigger than most people realize. Golfers love a bargain, and being able to buy quality balls at a fraction of retail price keeps demand strong. Harrison has built a network of customers ranging from individual golfers to golf shops and training centers. Over time, that network has grown large enough to keep him busy year-round.
What makes his story so fascinating is the way he turned what most people would ignore into a serious business. Lost golf balls are everywhere, and while most players grumble and move on when they lose one, Harrison saw the value in what was left behind. With enough persistence and a willingness to get dirty, he carved out a niche that pays him better than many traditional careers.
It’s not a path for everyone. The physical demands are intense, and the work requires a mix of diving skill, endurance, and a tolerance for uncomfortable conditions. But for those like Harrison who can handle it, the payoff is significant. His story is a reminder that sometimes success doesn’t come from following the obvious path but from spotting an overlooked opportunity and chasing it without hesitation.
In the end, Harrison has proven that one person’s mistake on the golf course can become another person’s paycheck. A ball hooked into the water might be the end of a golfer’s round, but for him, it’s just the beginning of another day’s work. And when that work adds up to six figures a year, it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t found a winning formula.