A golf ball retriever comprising a pivotally-attached cradle for retrieving golf balls. The cradle is pivotally attached to a forked end. The cradle is comprised of two cradle arms and a catchment member, all of which are curved to receive and engage the curvature of a golf ball. At a point proximate to the cradle catchment member, the cradle arms are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball. The cradle arms diverge from this point until they become connected to the cradle catchment member, causing the retrieved golf ball to be continuously guided into the cradle, where it is securely engaged at three locations. The retriever may have a handle having a forked end. The handle may be attachable to an elongated rod or a golf club, for example by a tube attached to the handle, for reaching distant golf balls. The handle may also hinge together to compact the retriever for storage. In an alternative embodiment, the cradle arms are connected to a transverse bar, which is pivotally attached to a shaft.
