Putt with a different ball than you play the rest of the course?

[Curtis Atkinson 167]

As I've just started playing the last few months, I like playing with a brighter color ball (normally yellow) around most of the course but prefer the look of a traditional white ball while putting. Also have considered a sleeve of nicer balls for putting for better feel without the risk of losing them. Wondering if anybody else out there is weird like me or if I'm all alone on this one?

[PMookie 13,139]

I understand it, and enjoying a round is all that matters, but that’s one rule I’ve always followed: one ball in play, can’t have one for the full game, and one for putting.

If you’re just talking about color, I like the bright yellow for both. Certain colors actually have a calming effect, and once I started playing Pro V1X in yellow, I don’t like white as much. I really like putting with the yellow.

[RickyBobby_PR 5,925]

43 minutes ago, PMookie said:

, but that’s one rule I’ve always followed: one ball in play, can’t have one for the full game, and one for putting.

Same here. 
 

as for the op is you aren’t keeping score for a handicap and just playing to have fun have at it with different colored golf balls

[Curtis Atkinson 167]

I'll be honest, I had no idea this was a rule until just now so I appreciate that info! I prefer to putt with a ball with 3 lines on it to help with alignment but get a little distracted when playing that ball through the rest of the course and assumed since you can mark and replace on the green, using a different ball was fine. Probably saved me an embarrassing interaction in the future. Appreciate it!

[MNUte 102]

14 hours ago, Curtis Atkinson said:

I'll be honest, I had no idea this was a rule until just now so I appreciate that info! I prefer to putt with a ball with 3 lines on it to help with alignment but get a little distracted when playing that ball through the rest of the course and assumed since you can mark and replace on the green, using a different ball was fine. Probably saved me an embarrassing interaction in the future. Appreciate it!

So that's actually one of the biggest complaints I heard about the Callaway Triple Track Balls. People absolutely love the alignment off the tee and while putting, but in between the tee and the green the lines were distracting and off-putting. 

 

As for the OP, I'd think a different ball would be distracting and would throw me off a bit too much. I'd be so focused on adjusting to the new ball that I wouldn't be focusing on reading the green or getting my speed right. 

 

[DiscipleofPenick 2,199]

Yes this is actually a local rule, but one I've rarely seen enforced - even in amateur tournaments. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the only thing you were changing was the color. Like you played with a white Pro V, and putt with a yellow. I would not be ok with switching from a distance ball to something softer around the green. Here's the USGA link.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/topics/golf-ball.html

Take Dead Aim

[Middler 2,459]

I don’t because it’s against the rules unless the ball is clearly damaged, 6.3a&b IIRC...

[zrumble 550]

If you are trying to develop feel on the greens and not submitting the score for handicap purposes, go for it! Typically I’d recommend playing every shot with your “game ball” so you got used to the feel and how the ball reacts on the course; however, I can understand the pain of losing ProV1s. 
 

As far as the rules for an “official round”, you may change the ball to whatever you please when taking relief e.g. after hitting into a hazard or losing a ball. However, when you are just marking the spot of the ball (such as on the green) changing the ball is against the rules unless it is visibly damaged in the course of play. 

[Imp 34]

On 1/24/2021 at 3:32 PM, Tsmithjr9 said:

Yes this is actually a local rule, but one I've rarely seen enforced - even in amateur tournaments. Personally, I wouldn't mind if the only thing you were changing was the color. Like you played with a white Pro V, and putt with a yellow. I would not be ok with switching from a distance ball to something softer around the green. Here's the USGA link.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/topics/golf-ball.html

Take Dead Aim
 

It's not a local rule. It's a rule of golf across the board (substituting ball) during the play of a hole that you cannot do it (unless the rules specifically allow like a damaged ball).

Here's a link that USGA specifically addresses the "putting ball": https://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules_answer2019.asp?FAQidx=261&Rule=0&Topic=12

No rule saying you can't switch BETWEEN holes though ... just cannot do it after teeing off (unless a condition of competition has implemented the "one ball rule" then you have to play the same ball/brand... and I also believe color - trying to find link about color being also included)? 

Couple things. No handicap index? No care. Go for it! However, you may get better if you do only play the same ball throughout the round as you get used to it's characteristics and consistency.  Not all balls play the same to your swing/putting. Getting familiar with how certain golf balls react to your swing/putting helps build consistency and shoot lower knowing how a ball will react/fly.

--kC

Edited January 26 by Imp

[MaxEntropy 6,778]

I don't keep an "official" handicap, nor do I play in any comps. I used a different ball for putting. It was (almost) always the same as what I was playing, but it was clean, so I didn't have to worry about trying to clean my ball on the green and could wait until the ball washer at the next tee. I stopped doing it a couple seasons ago. No real reason that I recall, just got out of the habit, I suppose.