How long do you play the same golf ball?

[invee123]

I know there are so many different skill levels of golfers out there so I'm genuinely curious how long you guys play/don't lose golf balls while playing. Do you notice more lost balls on harder courses? Do most of you play the same ball when there's little to no hazard on the course? If you do play the same ball for multiple rounds, how many rounds do you end up keeping it? I am curious to know as I am doing the MGS OnCore X2 ball testing and I am curious to know how others value each individual ball not only from a performance perspective but a longevity one, since I assume most people aren't the most concerned with the durability of the ball after ~72+ holes of golf.

As for me, my local municipal courses provide just about 0 water and wide fairways, so I can usually get through 18 with 1 (maybe 2) balls. However, if I do make it a full 18 with the same ball it usually finds it's way in the shag bag after one round.

 

[Jared3]

It really depends on the durability of the ball and the kind of conditions I put it through (how many times does it hit a tree or cart path). Some I will play for a couple rounds before they are too worn and I start using them as practice balls. I don't think I'm too picky when it comes to the condition of the ball, I expect about 3 rounds from a ball assuming I don't lose it before then.

As far as playing certain balls around hazards, I don't let the thought of losing my ball determine which ball I use. If I think about the water hazard, I will hit into the water hazard.

[invee123]

6 minutes ago, Jared3 said:

If I think about the water hazard, I will hit into the water hazard.

As someone who is slowly getting better and gaining confidence to not lose balls, this becomes more and more true haha

[Paul Hedrick]

As i improve my game, I find I am loosing fewer balls than I used to. I will play a ball until I loose it, more and more rarely, or I notice some damage on it, like when I hit a cart path or rock, etc.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I am good for 1 lost Ball per round. Of course some rounds I am better or worse than others. 

It has become more common than a ball will end up staying all round, but usually after it's pretty beat up and I'll use it for a practice Ball or the first few holes behind it being required to be switched out.

[JohnFP]

I use a ball until it gets any scuff marks - I do not want to mark up my clubs (forged irons and modern painted woods get messed up really fast). Sometimes, 4 or 5 rounds and sometime less than one.

Square grooves used to wrinkle the covers, so at least that rarely happens anymore.

[davewr58]

I usually play the same ball until it is scuffed, even though I have many dozens of balls (I know, sounds crazy).

[Splatt]

Until I lose it..... so probably like 3 holes

[YamYam]

17 hours ago, invee123 said:

I know there are so many different skill levels of golfers out there so I'm genuinely curious how long you guys play/don't lose golf balls while playing. Do you notice more lost balls on harder courses? Do most of you play the same ball when there's little to no hazard on the course? If you do play the same ball for multiple rounds, how many rounds do you end up keeping it? I am curious to know as I am doing the MGS OnCore X2 ball testing and I am curious to know how others value each individual ball not only from a performance perspective but a longevity one, since I assume most people aren't the most concerned with the durability of the ball after ~72+ holes of golf.

As for me, my local municipal courses provide just about 0 water and wide fairways, so I can usually get through 18 with 1 (maybe 2) balls. However, if I do make it a full 18 with the same ball it usually finds it's way in the shag bag after one round.

The acid test is to tap it on your front teeth.  You can tell straight away if it's work hardened into a pebble. 

I changed from ProV1 to Kirkland Signature last year.  Certainly when they are new out of the box they play well but when you've had a couple of rounds out of them they lose their feel.  They tend to graze a lot more easily too

 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

If I do not lose one usually 2 rounds by then it’s too scuffed up and is tossed into “bad round” slot. I’ll have a case of the OBs here and there and there when I use uo the meh ones

[Bowmanmw12]

If it’s a casual round, I think it’s fun to see how long I can use the same ball. I’ll use the same ball until it looks like a beat up range ball. Typically, I lose about a half a golf ball a round.
 

For more competitive rounds, I’ll replace the balls once they’re scuffed. That’s normally 2-3 balls per round. Still carry 9 balls just in case. I can’t convince myself to have less than that in my bag. 

[tsheaffer23]

Usually put a new ball into play every 18-hole round. On occasion I'll put a used ball into play on a 9-hole round if it's still in very good condition. Usually carry 8-10 used balls in good condition in my bag with usually three brand new ones. 

[crimea_river]

I play with a golf ball until I lose it. Which varies from 2-3 rounds up to maybe 7-10. Oh and I never bought golf balls in my life, I’ll play with whichever balls I find on the golf courses. Golf is already too expensive as it is.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I will use a ball until either I lose it (high handicapper) or it has noticeable wear or damage that I feel like would affect flight and performance characteristics. 

[Placasse61]

I am good for at least 1 lost ball per round. In nice weather I use new balls, but when I am looking for or losing them more than keeping in play I switch to my over played balls (probably not smart but cost effective). Late fall (leaves on the course) through March I use slightly used because I have lost so many in plain sight on good shots. I am testing the OnCore Elixr ball soon, so I will watch the cover more closely compared to Callaway Super Soft which I usually use. 

[Big moose]

I play the same ball until I either hit a cart path and the scuff is really bad or I lose it.

[sipsong]

I play the same ball until lost or it becomes scuffed/cut which is about 3-4 rounds.   I keep about a dozen in the bag so not necessarily the exact same ball each time but just an average time before they are replaced.  I have a couple of brands in the bag but only play one brand on the day.  I like to use different brands to experiment around especially when not in a competition. 

[Jackbus75]

Until I lose it!  Or two rounds.

[Bassbeamer]

I will play my ball multiple rounds. Most likely 3-4 rounds.

[dabigkahuna]

Because I work at a golf course, I find balls of every make & model.  The mint ones go in one pocket, medium and water balls into two others.  I lose about four balls per round on some tight courses around Tampa Bay.  If by some miracle, I keep one an entire round, it'll be used as a back up the next time I go out.  The water balls are sacrificed for long carries over the drink all the time.  I'm trying to keep the same ball in play for more consistency and to mentally shake off how bad it feels at times to lose a $5 ball.

[Woody83]

I tend to play the ball until it becomes scuffed from the cart path, sand or hardpan.  SO if I am lucky, I have been able to get 2 to 3 rounds from one ball.

[Louis "John " Gavazza]

As a golfer who will play up to 4 times a week, I will play the same ball until it is damaged or cut. I will usually put a new ball into play if the round is a tournament for my club. I have been using OnCore Elixr 2022 for the pass 9 months and will be switching to the VeroX1 this summer. 

[elight]

On the rare occasion that a ball makes it through an 18-hole round, I will "retire" it out of respect. 

 

Otherwise, when it is lost or scuffed. 

[golfinnut]

I don't start a round with a ball I've previously used.  It's always a ball directly out of the sleeve, especially on courses that are fairly wide open.  

[Turdferg]

Until I lose it or it becomes damaged.

Edited April 19, 2023 by Turdferg

[Reed all about it]

I dont know that I have ever used a ball long enough to see it get worn just from play. I am also not a great compressor of the golf ball so i dont think im putting a whole lot of stress on them. Much like a lot of people, I have balls for days the swing is just not working, and balls for when im really feeling it. 

I dont really feel the subtle differences in balls anyways. So I play a ball until I lose it. If it takes a really bad scuff on the cart path i may replace it. 

Edited April 19, 2023 by Reed all about it

[tdc1]

Like many of y'all, I play a ball until it is damaged by cart path, rocks, etc.  If I'm playing well, that means 27 holes or so.  Living in a college town, we have a good market for previously-owned balls so they never stay around for long.

Now, lost balls are another thing entirely.  It may be three rounds between lost balls or three swings.

If playing an outing/event, I usually take out a sleeve of unused balls.

[Shiram]

My home course has water, woods, and OB legit in play on 9-10 holes. The other holes it’s there but not really in play. I was averaging one lost ball per 18. Some rounds you play the same ball and other rounds you lose 1-2. It ticked up this winter when I got a little wild off the tee…

I will play the same ball until it’s lost. At Pinehurst last year I played one ball all week - 5 full 18 rounds + 27 holes on the short course. Hard to lose balls at Pinehurst!

[John Marchetto]

Usually 18 holes, if it’s good shape I’ll keep in the bag and use it if I lose a ball late in a subsequent round to finish out.   

[US_Navy_Retired]

Until I lose it or it gets a nice cartpath/tree scuff....haha

The course I belong to in Kansas has medium sized fairways, about 10'ish yards of rough, and then the hated prairie grass which is absolutely brutal and unforgiving. Almost every member carries alignment sticks in there bag, so if you are lucky enough to find your ball, you use the stick to mark it while you go back and get your club, which is likely going to be a pitching wedge because that is about all you can use to hit out of that crap, lol