This story is about a retired navy diver who now makes a living by retrieving and selling discarded golf balls from murky ponds in Malaysia’s golf courses.
After serving his country for 22 years as a navy frogman, 51-year-old Sumadi Ibrahim has traded shark-riddled seas for the tranquil yet murky ponds of Selangor’s golf courses. Once a protector of Malaysia’s waters, Sumadi now makes a living diving into suburban golf course water hazards to retrieve mis-hit golf balls and sell them back to players.
For Sumadi, diving is more than just a job—it’s a calling. “I’m used to being in the sea,” he shared, a nostalgic smile lighting up his face. Even though his new “dives” are only about two meters deep, the work brings back echoes of his time in the Royal Malaysian Navy, where he patrolled dangerous waters with steadfast determination.
Sumadi can get up to 600 gold balls per dive
Sumadi Ibrahim gathers golf balls he retrieved from a pond and places them into a net. Image source: Malay Mail
Sumadi first stumbled upon the idea of “golf ball diving” during a casual conversation with friends. Intrigued, he decided to give it a try. In 2012, he took his first plunge into this unusual line of work, and since retiring from the navy in 2014, it has become his main source of income.
Three nights a week, Sumadi dons a floral balaclava and heads to the golf courses under the cover of darkness. Without the aid of a flashlight, he relies solely on moonlight to guide him. “I don’t bring along a flashlight. Only the moonlight is my source of light,” he chuckled.
Using his finely honed diving instincts, he searches for golf balls in the cold, dark waters. “I use my hands as ‘wipers.’ When my hands and feet come into contact with a certain object, I’m able to tell whether it’s a ball or otherwise,” he explained to Malay Mail.
Sumadi collects the balls by stuffing them into his long-sleeve shirt, emerging from the water with hundreds of golf balls bunched around his midriff. Each dive yields between 500 and 600 balls, which he cleans and sells back to golfers.
The job has a high risk of injury
Sumadi Ibrahim’s wetsuit is filled with dozens of golf balls at the end of every dive. Image source: Malay Mail
While this job might seem peaceful compared to his military days, it comes with its own set of dangers. The ponds hide sharp debris like palm thorns, snail shells, and other hazards. “The water is dark, so I often step on them,” he said. He also faces the constant risk of cramps or getting stuck underwater.
To manage these risks, Sumadi hired a part-time assistant to keep watch while he dives. “If something happens, like I get stuck or injured, at least there’s someone to help me,” he explained.
Sumadi sells the golf balls for between RM 0.70 to RM 6
Every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., Sumadi sets up a humble stall near the golf course entrance. His collected golf balls are displayed on makeshift racks and in baskets, sold in bundles of 20. Standard balls go for as little as 70 sen each, while premium brands can fetch up to RM6.
Thanks to his niche business, Sumadi earns up to RM8,000 a month—nearly three times the median monthly salary in Malaysia. It’s a surprising yet rewarding income stream for someone who has turned a retirement hobby into a full-fledged career.
Buying recycled golf balls helps the environment
Recycled golf balls on display near a golf course in Shah Alam. Image source: Malay Mail
Golf, as a sport, has often been criticized for its environmental impact, from clearing natural habitats to maintaining lush lawns that require heavy watering. While Sumadi doesn’t claim to be an environmentalist, his work indirectly contributes to sustainability by removing thousands of golf balls—made of plastic and rubber—from the environment.
Among his customers is 30-year-old businessman Gilbert Tan, a regular at the golf course. “I have purchased used golf balls from him several times,” Tan said. “As you know, plastics are not really biodegradable. So with me purchasing recycled balls, I’m doing my part to help the environment.”
Although modest about his environmental impact, Sumadi takes pride in his unique role. “I treat the golf course as my own home,” he said.
Sumadi loves his current job
Diving has been the constant in Sumadi’s life, both during his navy career and now as a golf ball diver. His work is not just a way to make a living but also a reflection of his deep connection to the water. Even as he wades through chilly ponds in search of mis-hit balls, his dedication remains unwavering.
Looking ahead, Sumadi plans to continue diving for as long as he can. “I’ll keep diving as long as I can,” he said.
From protecting Malaysia’s seas to helping golfers recover their lost shots, Sumadi has carved out an unusual but fulfilling second career. His story is a testament to how passion, resilience, and creativity can turn even the quirkiest ideas into something meaningful.
This story was first published on Malay Mail.
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