This is a very good question and speaks to your mental game. I carry about a dozen golf balls, usually 2 sleeves of fresh balls and then 4-6 balls that have been used incase I am playing more aggressively or not playing well at all. Losing a ball every other hole would be an extremely bad day for me now so I would still have plenty of balls. Also, if you look I guarantee you can find a few more balls if you need them.