True? Pros can't change ball compression during round.

Just read this news to me that during a round a pro is forbidden to use balls of varying compression. One type of ball only during a round is the rule, i guess. I did read this concerning match play so maybe those rules aren't the same as stroke play. Normal folks can do as they like but of course, not during any one hole, except if ball injured.

Well, i must say to the Committee 'so what if i want to change ball compression'. I am permitted to change drivers or putters depending on my whim, provided i not carry more than 14 total, so why this  rule on  balls?  Ha, ha. Could  you imagine Keegan Bradley pulling out a 6 inch mini-putter to hole a 3 inch putt? Rub some rules makers the wrong way for sure.

Not really because he would know it was an illegal club.

And Rulesman, just why is such a short club illegal?  I recall from years past Johnny Miller, of considerable fame, was penalized for having a child's club in his bag which his very young son had dropped in days before. In Miller's case perhaps the kid's club was the fifteenth club in the bag but was still considered a golf club.  In Bradley's case I do not refer to any club beyond the maximum 14 in the bag. Whether Keegan would be foolish to carry such a club is not at issue only his right to carry and use. Like a handgun.  Do you know of a length limit on club shafts except for drivers? Is there a minimum/maximum on shaft length for putters?

All clubs except putters are limited to 48". There is no upper limit for putters.

Johnny Millers child's club was I believe over 18" long.

I suspect that the low limit was introduced to ensure that a player 'fairly strikes' rather than pushes the ball. But that's just a guess.

No prohibition on gripping the shaft or even the head itself for that matter.

I have seen a high ranked amateur gripping at about 15" for any putt under about 2'.

He said it stopped the yips he got for very short ones.

I should have looked but my rules book says in Appendix II para 2 that clubs must be at least 18 inches long and not exceed 48 in, except putters, where as Rulesman says there is no stated upper limit. So the 6 inch putter is forbidden. Case closed.

Yes you can carry more than one driver, up to 14 clubs in total. But I do not really see the comparison between switching ball type, to switching the club depending on situation. But I guess this makes nice conversation on slow day.

This one ball rule should be dispensed with altogether. In the old days balls were very different from each other varying not only by compression but also radius, weight and material. Different balls were used against the wind (smaller in diameter) and larger in tail wind, and so on.

However, today the pros do not have such wide array of options so the benefit of changing a ball to a different type between holes is vastly overridden by difference in close play, that is putting and chipping. Putting is such a delicate thing to the pros of today that it is hard to believe they would sacrifice a good touch on the green for a couple of yards more in their drive or better spin on their approach.

As far as I know PGA America already gave up with this CoC and I'm pretty sure more organisations will follow quickly enough.

As at 2011, the USGA and the European Tour still use it but I haven't got a recent hardcard for the PGA. The R&A; & Masters don't.

Are you sure? If so, I have been misinformed.

From the web page of PGA of America:

'The "one ball rule" is in effect on The PGA Tour. The PGA of America does not have the "one ball rule" in effect at the events it oversees (PGA Champioship, PGA Senior Championship, all PGA Professional National Championships etc. '

The suggested COC was introduced in 1996.

My apologies. I misread the hardcard. The COC is used at the Masters.