How long do you play the same golf ball?

[BadAsp]

I typically keep a new ball until I have a pretty definitive scuff mark. I’ve played a whole round a few times with the same ball and shot in the high 70s low 80s. Sometimes I’ll switch the ball if I see it fly funny or act differently than how the shot felt. But in most cases I keep the lucky ball until I lose or it’s damaged.

[invee123]

Wow guys - definitely didn't expect so much participation in this thread! Thank you for all of those who responded and I really appreciate the wide range of handicap players AND range of locations. I was surprised to read how much fall came into play and am personally a little worried once that time comes around this season out here in Colorado. I have read all of your responses (at least from before I posted this message) and will definitely use the aggregate of your experiences towards my testing for the OnCore X2 balls.

Also, welcome to all of the newer members who commented! 

[TitleistMike]

In my balata days, 3 or 4 holes max. For Discussion later is why spell check on a golf forum wants to autocorrect to blatant.

 

Current, on a good, normal day, one ball, whole round.  Maybe 1/3 of rounds I lose a ball or two according to water hazards in play or how deep leaves are along tree line.

 

Yes, I find more (TM Cway Srixon) than AVX  lost. 

 

 

[BigJohnB78]

A ball last me maybe 3 or 4 holes if I’m lucky. Lol. 
 

In all seriousness when I do have a ball that makes it through a round I normally will keep using it. 

[Madden B]

I will use the ball until it gets some scuff or cut marks on it. It does affect the flight when the ball has some external damage to it and I need all the help I can get. But usually I can play a ball for most of a round before switching it out. 

[Gopokes14]

I think 3 rounds is about the most I can get out of a ball before it just gets too beat up looking and I donate it to the First Tee barrel we have a the club. It's either that or I lose it before that point. I primarily use Bridgestone B XRS or Vice Pro Balls. The Vice seem to be a bit more durable and last little longer but 3 rounds is about it on average for me. 

[Wakit300]

As far as lost balls are concerned, I don't keep track or fret over it.  Some rounds are better than others and when they're gone it's on to the next shot. I think it's inevitable that the difficulty and/or amount of hazards are definitely a factor but each course is different and each day I'm different so as they says "Que sera sera"

I never think about changing a ball due to a hole with a hazard, OB, etc., I just play them all the same.

Lastly, I will play the same ball as long as the cover is good.  If there are no scuffs or anything marring the cover it's in play till that happens or I lose it. Today's balls are not like the balata balls of old which would lose their shape after a certain number of shots or holes.

[JerryB]

I've gone through several balls on the same hole so durability has never been a concern for me.  I've gone about 30 holes with the same ball once and it was holding up well before I topped it straight into the water.

[William Gothard]

I’ll play the same ball until either I lose it, or it has visible damage (bad cut or scuffing).  That can be three or four rounds.  I’m playing OnCore balls as well and they are just as durable as the Titlist and Calloway balls that I was playing.  

[Mr. T]

I generally play the same ball until its  scuffed or lost. The longest a ball has ever lasted, was 99 holes (a noodle long & soft which I love). The shortest, one swing and it’s normally a brand new Titleist. 

[Richard D. Shows II]

I have used a ball for as many as 4 rounds, it all depends on the durability.  No cart path hit, no bunker shots or other damages.

I don't usually lose a ball, so that is not an issue.  Oklahoma does get very windy, so sometimes the elements play a part.

[HEL]

Depends on the make of ball. Titleist Tour and Callaway Chrome soft usually lasts 4/5 rounds, barring losing them but Srixon, cut-blue etc usually only 2/3 rounds.  Probably also helps that as a senior golfer I don't thrash the ball with every shot.

[WashedUpCollegeGolfer]

Sometimes I will end up using the same ball for 4-6 rounds, other times I am using 3 balls a hole multiple times in a round.

 

Consistency is not my strong suite. 

[Divescribe]

I don’t loose many balls. Some balls (pro v, and avx), chrome x, can last me 3-4 rounds unless I get a bad scuff. I am one of the that play Kirkland balls as well. However, they seem to degrade in playability after two rounds.

[flsw19]

Until I loose it. Since the courses I play the most - have water that must be carried on at least 3 holes, I often happy to get by with 2 balls in a round. Some of the more difficult courses I play do not have water that is in play so I may be able to get through with one ball. Generally my drives are in play - just not long, so I don't worry about running out of fairway.

[Baci123]

I usually play the same ball until it is too scuffed. This would typically be a couple of rounds or until I lose it. 

[MadisonGolfbum]

I change as soon as there is any sort of damage. Rarely use the same ball more than 2 rounds.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Willie T]

Typically 3-4 rounds, if not lost in the woods or dunked in the water.  Minor scuffs are not a major issue as my game is recreational by choice.  Most rounds the same two I pull from the bag are the same two I put back at the end of the round.  I experiment a lot with brands (found balls) and am currently trying some Kirkland Signatures.  

[higherplane]

Depends how scuffed a ball is, not that picky.  Where I live during Covid courses took out ball washers, so after rounds washing balls will decide if becomes practice ball.        

[Gunslinger4u]

Until I lose it, or it becomes too damaged, but I seem to average about 1 ball every 3 rounds.

[Dpersad]

This is tough to answer as it varies wildly from one day to the next. Some days my game is on and I would say I lose 1.5 balls a round. 

Some days my game is off and I use lose 4 balls meaning I put 5 into play that round. Difficulty of course also comes into play. 

It doesn't happen often that I am removing a ball from play due to wear and tear. I usually lose them before that happens. But I would say last year I had maybe 3-4 balls ALL SEASON that lasted long enough to have to be discarded due to gouges and scuffs. 

Great question though.

[Swood1994]

My answer to this would be based under the assumption that I don’t lose any balls throughout the round, which is rare. But I usually try and use a fresh ball after 18-27 holes given there are no major scuffs from the bunkers, cart paths, or trees.

[funkyjudge]

23 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.

 

As long as the ball does not become damaged by a tree, cart path, etc., I will play it as long as I have it in my bag. That could be 2 or 3 rounds, 2 weeks, or in some cases a month or two.

[BMDubya]

3 rounds is my limit, unless I lose it of course! I think with the amount of shots a ball takes, within in your round, it could vary. Of course, if it gets nicked/scuffed, then I replace it, no matter the time. I’ve noticed while practicing into my net, a new ball will last around 270-280 shots. Of course it will last longer, but cosmetically I can notice a difference in it. I hit 10 shots, with every iron in my bag when practicing. So that’s 90 shots each session. That’s how I came up with my numbers. On days that I play, I typically try to hit the amount I think I might take on the course. (Play it out in my head) Now, when you’re playing, it could last longer. You may not have many wedge shots a round, fewer wedge shots is probably going to extend the life of your ball. Also, take into account that you’re probably taking anywhere from  25-34 putts per round. That stress free on a ball. Guess it really depends on your skill level/HC. If you’re a high cap, that averages 95+, you may want to change it more often. But then again, you may not be able to tell a difference?! 

[Beakbryce]

Play the same ball until it doesn't fly right or I lose it. I play desert courses so not a lot of water and we can usually find them in the desert terrain. I haven't bought balls with my own money in years. Without even trying, I have 2 shoe boxes of found Pro V and Vice balls that we find while looking for our balls. One in three out is a good ratio for us. We catch and release all other balls back to the wild. Well, not Kirkland or Srixons that our buddy hits. But everything else. It is not unusual for me to play the same ball for 6-10 rounds. I lost a ball to a lake trying to stretch a shot yesterday that you couldn't see the number on one side, because it had been hit so much. Ball still played just fine, well, until it went in the water. I don't feel bad chancing a shot with a found ball that I have more than 4 or 5 rounds on.

[Merlin1313]

Till I lose it or 3 rounds (whichever comes first)

[Geno 220]

Until it disappears 

[golfnfool01]

I usually play the same ball for as many rounds as I can till the marks get to the point that I feel it effects my game!

[Bill Hendry]

Until I lose it. I find that scuffs and marks make no difference to ball flight, and balls are too expensive to be ditching them to the shag bag if there is a minor imperfection.

Exception - hitting a tree at speed (off the tee at fairly close range) or the cart path, which can put quite a scar on a ball; otherwise I will use it for the round and if I am lucky, more rounds.

[RonW]

I play courses here in SE Queensland (AUS), slope rated from 123 to 135, so yes, plenty of water and other "penalty areas". Generally it's considered a good round if you can finish with the same ball as you started with. Playing close to 200 rounds a year, I estimate to go through approximately 20 dozen balls. I would love to play top-tier models regularly, but it's just price prohibitive, so 2nd tier models it is. (TM Tour Response, Titleist Tour Speed, etc)