Hey bro, I don't know either - this sister isn't rich by any means - broke as it gets. I am however woman ( do they think we don't play?) pushing 70 and this is fun - especially when playing with husband and brothers. I can afford the $20 or so every few weeks for new balls - but will stop buying them for a few weeks too. Looks like quite a few of us are in the same boat - and up that proberbial creek.