A method for retrieving a golf ball employs a gripper with a magnetic coupling. The coupling has a cavity containing a magnet. The magnet has a field strength adequate to hold onto a vertical surface of an unmagnetized metal object while a golf ball is held in the gripper. The magnetic coupling is magnetically attached a non-magnetized head of a golf club. In operation, downward force is applied through the golf club to depress the magnetic coupling in order to encompass and grip the golf ball with the gripper. The head of the club is lifted and the golf ball removed from the gripper. The device can be stored by clipping it to an object.