When to replace your ball?

[the_saint_siwa]

Good morning,

Assuming you do not hit it into the woods, just say you can play with just 1 ball for the whole 18 holes, when do you change or replace your ball? Do you replace it when it has some scuff in it?

The ball got crush pretty bad every single time, except on chipping and putting and I wonder how much "damage" to the inner core that affecting the ball flight? I figure the Pros use a brand new ball every single hole?

I've tried to look for a post similar to this but haven't find it so far.

What do you think anyone?

[klaymon]

I change my ball if it get's really caked up with dirt/grass that I can't get off that may affect flight or roll. I also don't play more than one round with a ball. That's more of a mental thing. New round, new ball.

[mrobbie]

If I survive 18 holes with a single ball - it must be a lucky ball so it stays for the next round. I generally replace a ball when I stick it in water or generally lose it.

[EliteE]

If you’re talking about tournament play I know professionals will change their ball whenever there is the smallest imperfection made to their ball. Playing out during the week for fun, I agree with Klaymon on only changing your ball if there is some huge scratch or imperfection that will mess up your ball flight.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The same with me, especially since ive switched to the harder nxt tour. But i find myself often during the summer not going more than 3 rounds with one ball. Its not that I cant, its just a mental thing. Other than that i will play a ball until there is a significant burn or scuff mark on it.

[lefttoright]

This time of the year, when my fairways and greens have been punched sanded and such, I play with one ball until I loose it. The course is too rough to be too critical about your ball. When things green up more, I replace after a cart path scuff, imbedded sand grains, or a rip caused by my spin-milled grooves.

[larlev]

This is a funny thread....I am never so lucky to have a ball more than 9 holes,
sometimes less. Where I play, if it goes right or left there is canyons....

[kafka01]

I play V1 or B330s - under no tournament conditions i play them for about 2 rounds but that doesnt happen too often since you are gonna try out things during these rounds which obv. increase the risk of losing the ball. After that i´m using them to practice chipping/pitching with them - better than range balls after all.
I dont care so much about scratches from normal play - just when they hit a rock or cart path its up to a "closer investigation"...

[SubPar]

I've read some pros change balls every three holes or so. The idea being that a ball is not perfect anymore after you whack it hard a few times. That's easy to do when you get all you want for free. I know Els says "there is only one birdie in each ball"; he gets a new one after each birdie.

I have an inherent desire to play every ball till I can't read the logo anymore, but that is just my petty bourgeoisie nature. I can feel the difference and see the results improve when I switch to a new ball.

A serious golfer probably would not use the same ball for more than 9 holes.


SubPar

[Wormburner]

In the last issue of Golf Digest on the In My Bag section, that golfer (can't remember who and to lazy to go check) said he only uses on ball per round. Personally, I use it till I lose it.

[thumper07]

personally i replace the ball after one round. I have an awesome streak going right now of 9 rounds in a row without losing a golf ball. coincidentally that was the same time i pulled the driver out of my bag and have been using woods or irons off the tee.

-matt