Course Rule regarding golf balls

[JYB]

Okay, so theoretically, let's say i'm using a Callaway ball. I decide to tee off with an HX Hot, a very long distance type ball. Now, let's say I hit it onto the green. Can i then mark my ball, pick up, and replace it with a softer, let's say, Tour i, and put with that?

[golf_junkie27]

You can do whatever you want if it's not a tournament and you're just practicing. However, at any other time, it's against the rules. You cannot replace the existing ball with another and you cannot switch ball types. If you're playing with a Titleist Pro V, you cannot switch to a NXT or Pro VX.

[Scratch-Hopeful]

Absolutely not. At least I've never seen anyone do it. But if it was legal, people would do it because it makes sense, but it isn't.

[QWKDTSN]

Rules of Golf.

15-1. General
A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground unless the ball is lost, out of bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2). If a player plays a wrong ball, see Rule 15-3.

15-3 states that a stroke taken at a wrong ball carries a penalty of two strokes.

So by the rules of golf, no, you can't change balls mid-hole. You could if you are just practicing, but why not get used to how one ball plays from tee to hole?

[907golfer12]

I agree with QWKDTSN

but would like to add one thing:

In a tournament if you lose a ball or out of bounds there are two different scenarios depending on the tournament rules

1. You can use a completely different ball or...
2. In some tournaments they have a "one ball" rule, where if you play a Pro V1 then even if you lose the ball or what ever, you MUST replace it with a Pro V1

[popey]

It is indeed against the rules. Does anyone remember when Ian Poulter marked his ball on the 17th at Sawgrass and then threw his ball to the caddy who missed in and it landed in the water. He had to finish the hole with the same ball or would be penalized with a stroke penalty. This meant that his swing coach had to go into the water to find the ball.

Some how the first one that he picked up was Poulter's ball.

[martin00015]

.... you cannot switch ball types. If you're playing with a Titleist Pro V, you cannot switch to a NXT or Pro VX.

This is only true if the Conditions of Competition say so.

Usually only seen in elite-standard tournaments.

[iacas]

This is only true if the Conditions of Competition say so. Usually only seen in elite-standard tournaments.

The guy asked about switching balls mid-hole. That is indeed against the basic Rules of Golf.

Please read the question before you correct someone's answer.

[martin00015]

The guy asked about switching balls mid-hole. That is indeed against the basic Rules of Golf.

I addressed the comment regarding not being able to switch ball types:

To quote, "If you're playing with a Titleist Pro V, you cannot switch to a NXT or Pro VX". Switching ball types is not something that will concern the vast majority of players.

[iacas]

I addressed the comment regarding not being able to switch ball types:

Exactly, and switching balls - even with one of the same type (Pro V1 for Pro V1) - during the play of a hole is

against the rules (except in rare cases where substitution is allowed). Not just "conditions of competition" but the general old, always-applies, no exceptions Rules of Golf. The original question asked about switching balls during the play of a hole. That question was answered (properly). You quoted that answer, and basically said "nope, wrong, only when it's a condition of competition."

[JKilgore44]

Although it is against the rules, I do this quite often. Whenever I am trying new things off the tee-box, I will use an old "doo-doo" ball rather than a new Titleist. I do this so that I won't lose a $4 ball when I'm trying to hit a huge hook or a power fade. In the event that I do hit the hook or fade perfect, I will switch it out for my normal ball to hit into the green.

I know that it is against the rule and I would never do so in a tournament, however, when practicing, I see no harm in doing so.

Another instance when you could switch your ball up "legally" would be in a scramble. That's actually the only time you can do so in competetion I believe.

[iacas]

Another instance when you could switch your ball up "legally" would be in a scramble. That's actually the only time you can do so in competetion I believe.

Yeah, well, a scramble isn't played under the Rules of Golf anyway, so... yeah.

And when you're practicing, you're already not playing under the rules, so do whatever you want. I don't switch balls because I want to use the same ball, but my practice rounds have me dropping several in the fairway or on the tee, hitting short shots around the greens, not necessarily holing out, etc. I'm just using the course as a giant range, so yeah, the Rules of Golf don't matter much then. I'm not playing golf; I'm practicing golf.