Typically, golf ball divers earn money for each ball they recover. Buyers include the golf course, retailers, and golf ball companies. Anecdotal information suggests that divers earn about $200 a day.

How much does the average golf ball diver make?

Over the past couple of decades, golf ball retrieval and recycling has become a multimillion-dollar industry, in which hardworking divers can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on the economy and a diver's stomach for harsh conditions. Still, the wealth does not come cheaply.

What does a golf ball retriever do?

A golf ball retriever is used by golfers in order to retrieve lost or misplaced balls. They allow one to retrieve balls from water hazards, deep rough or even the occasional sand trap, where they would not otherwise be able to reach them.