I lose too many balls!

[alomar123]

I play Pro V1x balls and they are not cheap. I lose so many balls, but not in the woods, but just in some light rough.

I play on a very hilly course and I can never see where my ball lands. I walk down the fairway hoping to see it on their, but I usually miss by a bit and play in the rough a lot. I have pretty good eye sight but I just cant seem to find my ball a lot of the times.

Does this happen to you guys?

[kpaulhus]

Everything is flat here....but there is a lot of water. Do they keep the rough thick where you play? Maybe you should try the Srixon Z Star X yellow ball? It spins teh same as the ProV1x, but its yellow.

[martytilma]

Nothing is worse than losing a ball that you hit just off the fairway!! Wouldn't it be nice sometimes to have spotters like the pro's do!!

[Addicted2Golf]

Until I can make it through a round without losing a hand full of balls, I'll be using some good condition used balls. Most of them look like they've only been hit a few times, but you can find them for less than $1 per ball (I play the Callaway tour i series).
I lose them because my driver is really inconsistent. They either end up in the water, or across some other insurmountable obstruction. If its in the grass, I'll find it come hell or high water.

[wernerd46]

I lose mine all the time, even when I hit a good shot!

[sean_miller]

I play Pro V1x balls and they are not cheap. I lose so many balls, but not in the woods, but just in some light rough.

No, it doesn't. It used to "back in the day" but now that I play cheapo balls from Walmart, I play the same ball for a couple rounds. Irony or karma - pick your poison.

[Chief Broom]

I play Pro V1x balls and they are not cheap. I lose so many balls...

I'll play premium balls but only if I find them, win them (my league gives away balls for closest to the pin, longest putt and drive, on one hole each when we play), or buy them used. To me they are just too expensive otherwise. I also don't really see much of a difference between premium balls and other quality balls (NXT, Bridgestone's E series, etc.). My game has gotten to the point where I don't loose many balls, but it can still happen at any time, and I just don't see the advantage gained for me to play brand new premium balls out weighing the potential loss to my wallet.

[shades9323]

Maybe you go to far when you look for your ball. Try looking 20 yards back from where you are looking. They never go far as you think they go.

[Dubya D]

Yep...There is a 9 hole course I play where I have lost balls hitting the fairway! The course is lined and holes separated with cottowood trees. The tree shed leaves all year long that litter the fairways. If the ball gets under the leaves then, forget it.

I get used "5A" pro V1 from a friend of mine for $20 per dozen. If I lose a ball there it only hurts half as much. If you want to still hit pro v1 there, I suggest buying used balls as others have stated.

[Devo]

Do you watch the shot for as long as you can? I used to have this exact same problem, but it was usually because I wouldn't watch the shot finish. If you really pay attention to the entire shot and then try to find a point of reference to walk to I'm sure you will lose less balls. This is all based on that you can see the ball finish, if your course is really so hilly that you can't see ANY ball finish then get a gps ball you can track ;)

It's also a good idea (if you don't already know) to have a good idea of your yardages and then compare that with how you felt you hit the shot to get a good idea of the distance you should be looking. ex. Driver goes ~250 on a perfect swing, but it was a little thin so look @~210 - 230

[shortstop20]

Maybe you go to far when you look for your ball. Try looking 20 yards back from where you are looking. They never go far as you think they go.

I wouldn't say that's an absolute, I think it depends on the person.

When I'm looking for my ball, it's usually further up the than I think.

[CarlSpackler]

On the rare occasion (OK, maybe not so rare) that I hit one off the beaten path, I pick a landmark like a tree on the line that my ball was heading and walk directly towards that landmark. It seems to help me.

[Uncle Peter]

I play Pro V1x balls and they are not cheap. I lose so many balls, but not in the woods, but just in some light rough.

Occasionally happens to my on a few holes at my golf course. It's pretty rare for me though, because the holes aren't really hilly.

[groovezilla79]

A new pair of shades may help. Callaway and a few other companies make sunglasses that make the ball "pop out" when you're looking for it. I don't remember what it is called, but the lenses are usually yellow.

[bigoak]

I keep used balls for the spring or fall when finding a ball might be too difficult. I have practice balls and the good ones for league or tournaments.

[soloredd]

I started buying AAAA and AAAAA rated used balls because of this. I've had numerous times where I see where the ball lands, walk over there with a playing partner and ball is lost. Not only is losing the ball a pain but damn, the stroke penalty is worse. I frequently play a links-style course that has natural wildlife right off the first cut of rough. Sometimes you can find your ball, sometimes it's gone forever. The only time I play a brand new ball is on courses that I know really well - other than the links course hahaha.

[senorchipotle]

until i make it to the tour and get my balls for free, i'm going to buy recycled nike tour platinums for 8.99 a dozen used at target.

[williast06]

I know how you feel. I usually lose one to two Pro-V's a round and the additional cost hurts. I read the reviews on the new yellow Srixon Z-Star X and decided to give it a try. I was able to play the same balls for thirty three holes...It finally gave out on fifteen today when I pushed it into the water right. The yellow really stands out and the ball plays about the same as the ProV X.