How many balls do you keep in your bag and how many balls do you use a round?

[bste]

I'll have 4 new balls to play with and carry about a dozen really bad balls, that way if my playing partners need to borrow one.

[MrFlipper]

Why do you keep it in your pocket?

I probably hit a provisional once every 3 months.

I figure carrying a provisional in your pocket is like keeping a ball retriever in your bag. Too many self-fulfilling negative possibilities. Bad karma

[phan52]

Why do you keep it in your pocket? I probably hit a provisional once every 3 months.

It's for provisionals, OB, hazards, whatever. If I hit a shot OB I just reach in my pocket. And if the caddie happens to be forecaddying, I have a ball handy,

[RandyBobbitt]

The course I usually play has few opportunities to lose balls, so I typically start with four -- two odd and two even. I play an odd-numbered ball on holes 1, 3, 5, etc. and even-numbered ball on 2, 4, 6, etc. But when I play an unfamiliar course I start with 6.

I usually play balls for two rounds or so (Bridgestone B330-RXS, fairly durable) and then donate them to junior golf.

[dkolo]

Why do you keep it in your pocket?

I probably hit a provisional once every 3 months.

I hit like 3 or 4 a round. Lots of trees and leaves off the fairways where I play.

[dfreuter415]

I have a sleeve of Bridgestone B330's, a sleeve of Titleist Pro V1''s, and a sleeve of Callaway Hex Black or SR1's, then a couple of water balls, and a few of balls from my last round or two. So, all-in-all 12-15 balls. I probably use an average of 1-3 balls per round, depending on the course I am playing.

Years ago I was caddying in a Monday shotgun and was assigned my bag. I met my player and he showed me his old leather bag that was bulging at the seems. The golfer said that he normally took a cart, but since there were caddies he was going to walk. In my most diplomatic mode, I told the guy that the most balls he would need would be around 6, and asked if he would be kind enough to take more balls than that out of the bag. I got a merchandise bag out of the pro shop and proceeded to take 63 balls out of his golf bag. I wonder if anyone reading this thread would admit to having some ungodly number of balls in their bag?

[Spitfisher]

One sleeve can last me a 3-5 rounds. In my bag maybe a dozen balls, 2 sleeves and the rest loose. Taylor-made TP is my preferred ball to play with.

[Zeph]

Too many.

I can play entire rounds without losing a single ball and I can play rounds where I lose four in two holes. Especially the driver is notorious for sending my balls in woods, tall grass and water.

I probably got around 20 in the bag most of the time. I use a pushcart, so the weight doesn't mean much.

[bubble]

I play one ball for 2-3 rounds about but then it's gets so scatted by wedging that it picks up dirt constantly and it's a pain to clean for putting.

Nevertheless I may loose 3 balls in one round as well. générally I have 3 balls at least plus 3 new ones only for putting (I love to train with new balls I never hit)..

At worst I'll take one of those if needed.

Then I also have 6 balls for short game practice but they are very used. some show the yellow second layer. once or twice a year about I change them.

That make 12 balls in a carry bag.

[Harp stein]

~12 / 0-3

[GolfMaineiac26]

I'm a bit OCD when it comes to being prepared so I usually take a dozen or so, Though it also depends on how much golfing I plan on doing sometimes it'll be a single 9 hole round other times I'll play two 9 hole rounds and half a 9 hole round.

[newtogolf]

Why do you keep it in your pocket?

I probably hit a provisional once every 3 months.

Must be nice, some days I feel like I hit one every 3 holes.

[Tgb02]

I have made a decision to only keep 6 Titleist pro v1 balls in my bag and like 1-2 water balls. Today I played a pretty difficult course and I didn't trust myself and bought some pinnacles before the round. The front nine I lost 3 balls, played passive and bad, and just overall sucked. I shot a 59 on the front nine so the back nine I pulled out a pro v1 and changed my mind set and shot a 42 and didn't lose one ball. I think about the game way too much but 2 sleeves of pro v1's and 1-2 pinnacles for now on in my bag, no more.

[dfreuter415]

I have made a decision to only keep 6 Titleist pro v1 balls in my bag and like 1-2 water balls. Today I played a pretty difficult course and I didn't trust myself and bought some pinnacles before the round. The front nine I lost 3 balls, played passive and bad, and just overall sucked. I shot a 59 on the front nine so the back nine I pulled out a pro v1 and changed my mind set and shot a 42 and didn't lose one ball. I think about the game way too much but 2 sleeves of pro v1's and 1-2 pinnacles for now on in my bag, no more.

Great lesson. On the third hole of my home course the approach shot is over water and can be anywhere from 170-200 yards to clear the hazard. If I change out balls on my approach shot, inevitably it ends up in the water, but when I play my normal Pro V1, it usually clears with no problems.

[Zeph]

Must be nice, some days I feel like I hit one every 3 holes.

At least we get to hit more shots in a round than those that never hit provisionals.

[Natural Patrick]

I will keep 12 new balls in my bag and around 7 used balls that would be considered almost new. I start every round with a new ball. If I lose one I won't get a new ball out until the back 9 or front 9 depending on which side I start. I really just don't lose that many balls for some lucky reason. I have has my days where I might lose 1 or 2 but not that often. I think the most I have ever lost in a round was 4.

[joekelly]

@dfreuter415 . What do you mean 'change out balls on my approach shot'?  Ah, maybe you lost the first ball into the canyon, and now must play another ball.  Or, ...?

[RussUK]

No more than a dozen. I plan on carrying this year so may go for less. Like many of you i have a couple of sleeves of new and some random used balls.

Course i play at, in the event  i do lose one or two balls i can normally find a PRO V1 or similar in the rough. Always a good excuse to shout "I think my ball may have gone into these trees" despite it landing nowhere near them!