Golf-ball diving: The lakes lined with $150K of 'white gold'

    Sheena McKenzie, for CNN

    Updated 1445 GMT (2245 HKT) May 19, 2015

    They're real-life treasure hunters. And in this case, the treasure is golf balls. Divers like Sam Harrison (pictured) can find 5,000 balls in just one lake and sell them secondhand at 75 cents apiece.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Treasure hunters – They're real-life treasure hunters. And in this case, the treasure is golf balls. Divers like Sam Harrison (pictured) can find 5,000 balls in just one lake and sell them secondhand at 75 cents apiece.
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    One of the most fearsome holes in golf is TPC Sawgrass' "Island Green" (pictured.)As the name suggests, the notorious 17th hole is surrounded by water and has claimed many a victim over the years.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Fearsome "Island Green" – One of the most fearsome holes in golf is TPC Sawgrass' "Island Green" (pictured.)As the name suggests, the notorious 17th hole is surrounded by water and has claimed many a victim over the years.
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    But golf balls aren't the only thing divers come across in the water. Here, a diver retrieves John Daly's putter and ball at the 2002 Australian PGA Championship in Queensland.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Search and rescue – But golf balls aren't the only thing divers come across in the water. Here, a diver retrieves John Daly's putter and ball at the 2002 Australian PGA Championship in Queensland.
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    But even before they even hit the water, there are significant outlay costs. In both the U.S. and UK, golf courses usually charge divers between 7-10c per ball they find.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Taking the plunge – But even before they even hit the water, there are significant outlay costs. In both the U.S. and UK, golf courses usually charge divers between 7-10c per ball they find.
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    Golf-ball divers can make a thriving business from other people's misfortune. Here, U.S. player Woody Austin falls while hitting his ball out of the water at the four-ball matches of the 2007 Presidents Cup in Montreal, Canada.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Waterfall – Golf-ball divers can make a thriving business from other people's misfortune. Here, U.S. player Woody Austin falls while hitting his ball out of the water at the four-ball matches of the 2007 Presidents Cup in Montreal, Canada.
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    Two days later Austin returned better prepared, wearing a diving mask.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Aquaman – Two days later Austin returned better prepared, wearing a diving mask.
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    Players hunt for a wayward golf ball during the 2006 Players Championship of Europe. The visibility isn't much better underwater. "The balls are on the bottom, so as you start picking them up you're stirring up all the silt. If you could see before you started, you can't see while you're working," says diver Paul Lovelace.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Lost cause – Players hunt for a wayward golf ball during the 2006 Players Championship of Europe. The visibility isn't much better underwater. "The balls are on the bottom, so as you start picking them up you're stirring up all the silt. If you could see before you started, you can't see while you're working," says diver Paul Lovelace.
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    Lovelace admits he looks like a creature from the black lagoon emerging from the water. "One time I was coming up to the surface, and I could see someone on the edge," the American says. "And I thought, 'I'm going to come up and scare them a little bit.' I had weeds all over me and I just stood out of the water real quick and kind of moaned and groaned -- and there were these little old ladies. I thought I was going to give them a heart attack right there and then! I felt terrible about it afterward."
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    A sight to behold – Lovelace admits he looks like a creature from the black lagoon emerging from the water. "One time I was coming up to the surface, and I could see someone on the edge," the American says. "And I thought, 'I'm going to come up and scare them a little bit.' I had weeds all over me and I just stood out of the water real quick and kind of moaned and groaned -- and there were these little old ladies. I thought I was going to give them a heart attack right there and then! I felt terrible about it afterward."
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    On the golf course, there's a fine line between skipping towards glory and falling flat. Here, former British Open champion Darren Clarke skips the ball over the water during a practice round prior to 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta.
    Photos: Intrepid divers can make thousands from others' misfortune
    Hop, skip, jump – On the golf course, there's a fine line between skipping towards glory and falling flat. Here, former British Open champion Darren Clarke skips the ball over the water during a practice round prior to 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta.
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