Pro's ???? Clarify

[ZAhacker]

Hey guys i have 2 things which i saw on a PGA match that i dont get. Maybe you guys can help.

First i saw a player playing on the Honda Classic with a yellow ball ? Is this allowed.

Second, Why do Pro's not have the chance to pick up there ball when it is in the fairway. For example if he lands in a divot and doesn't get a club length relief? Or is that only for casual play. Then again I saw a player pick up his ball 3 m from the green and clean mud off then place it?

Regards

[TourSpoon]

1. Yellow balls are legal.

2. The only time you will most likely see a pro pick the ball off the fairway to clean it is if the local committee has established "Lift, clean and place" due to unusually wet/muddy conditions. I am sure someone more astute in the rules can give you rule #s and decisions on this topic.

[Zeph]

There are no rules on ball color. You can play a black, red or blue ball if you like. Some pros use a yellow ball. There are no rules that give you relief from a divot. You can do it if local rules says you can, or if a "lift, clean and place" rule is in effect. This rule is sometimes used in professional tournaments when the fairways are wet and soft, often causing mud balls.

[ZAhacker]

Ahh thanks.

Why don't more pro's use color balls?

[LuciusWooding]

Originally Posted by ZAhacker

Ahh thanks.

Why don't more pro's use color balls?

It's really ea'sy to lo'se them if they're not yellow or white, plu's it's traditional to u'se a white ball 'so few companie's make them in other color's.

[TourSpoon]

If it were cool to use an orange ball, Rickie would be all over it along with Boo (hunting vest allure). On the coolness scale, a colored ball for a Tour Pro (Paula Creamer excluded) has to in the negative points category along with ball retrievers and iron covers. *ducks for cover*

[WWBDD]

But ball retriever covers are cool, right ... right?!?!?!?!?!?

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by WWBDD

But ball retriever covers are cool, right ... right?!?!?!?!?!?

That is the only exception...ball retriever cover contracts are a highly sought after endorsement. I think that is the real reason why Rory and Chubby split.

[x129]

Pros don't  play colored balls because the ProV1 only comes in white. Ok it is probably more the herd effect. Personally I think it would have been awesome if a guy put the pink 330RX in use. After all then you wouldn't have to worry about playing someone else's ball.

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

If it were cool to use an orange ball, Rickie would be all over it along with Boo (hunting vest allure). On the coolness scale, a colored ball for a Tour Pro (Paula Creamer excluded) has to in the negative points category along with ball retrievers and iron covers. *ducks for cover*

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by x129

Pros don't  play colored balls because the ProV1 only comes in white. Ok it is probably more the herd effect. Personally I think it would have been awesome if a guy put the pink 330RX in use. After all then you wouldn't have to worry about playing someone else's ball.

Someone get Bubba's agent on the phone...he (and probably Poulter) may be the only male player to pull off a pink ball.

[zipazoid]

I've also noticed colored balls are harder to pick up on camera. Not that that would make any difference to the pro, but maybe they're also harder for the player to track while in flight?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

If it were cool to use an orange ball, Rickie would be all over it along with Boo (hunting vest allure). On the coolness scale, a colored ball for a Tour Pro (Paula Creamer excluded) has to in the negative points category along with ball retrievers and iron covers. *ducks for cover*

Is it actually considered "cool" to wear slightly different shades of orange head to toe?

[colin007]

Originally Posted by LuciusWooding

It's really ea'sy to lo'se them if they're not yellow or white, plu's it's traditional to u'se a white ball 'so few companie's make them in other color's.

hahahaha!  im not a stickler for grammar, but i do know the rules...

[colin007]

Originally Posted by Zeph

There are no rules on ball color. You can play a black, red or blue ball if you like.

my wife makes me play with blue balls sometimes...

[Shindig]

Personally I think it would have been awesome if a guy put the pink 330RX in use. After all then you wouldn't have to worry about playing someone else's ball.

Well, I know what I'm using this season! [quote name="zipazoid" url="/t/56183/pros-clarify#post_686751"]

I've also noticed colored balls are harder to pick up on camera. Not that that would make any difference to the pro, but maybe they're also harder for the player to track while in flight?

[/quote] More of a concern for someone not on the PGA Tour, such as me. Lost balls are so rare, and the stories about them are legendary (Greg Norman's missing shot at Augusta that was found easily after the round). When a good number of people are gathered around to watch you play and you have officials in the general landing vicinity, it's tough to lose one.

[Zeph]

Is it actually considered "cool" to wear slightly different shades of orange head to toe?

In the kids' world, probably. In the slightly more grown up world, not so much. If Ricky attracts a younger audience, great. If you first look like a traffic cone, I don't believe using an orange ball would make a whole lot of difference. It's kinda fun though, the only difference between Ricky and Gary Player is the color. :-D Wearing all orange is a bit louder though.

[Paradox]

I actually track the yellow srixon balls much better than a white one.  They look extremely cool in a grey sky, as well.

[bwdial]

Originally Posted by colin007

my wife makes me play with blue balls sometimes...

I can't believe we got all the way to post 14 for that joke.