How long do you play the same golf ball?

[ArizonaLogan]

I lose a ball about every 27 holes (a round and a half). I have a ball (WS Triad) that I played for 45 holes (2 day match plus a 9 hole round) and it is super beat up. I almost stopped using it on the second day of the match because of the scuff marks, but I wanted to see how long I could use it.

[carter18]

For me, it is more about whether I lose a ball or not. Often I will play a ball for a majority of a round. If it hits path or tree, I will evaluate on a case by case basis. I typically go through my bag every few weeks and evaluate ball count as I don't like when the bag gets too heavy.  Balls with scuffs or clear wear go into the shag bag, while gently used balls go into the ball pocket to be recycled. I also generally have a 1 new ball per round policy. Sometimes this is extended to 1 new sleeve.  If I have lost 3 new balls and am still in the middle of the round, the remainder is most certainly from the used ball pocket for me.  

[JCruz]

Well if I keep the ball in play..   I will play the same ball until it has damages on it.

With my previous driver, (which I babied given the price), I noticed some scuffs on the face like I had hit it through the dirt or something. It was then that it occurred to me that a scuffed ball will ding the face of your driver/woods. So as long as the ball has no defects I'll keep driving it. After that I'll swap it for a new one.  

However it doesn't mean I toss the ball completely. A small ding in the ball or piece of the cover the size of a head of a tack sticking up I will just peel off and play on holes were I'd T up with an iron. But say it lands out of bounds, or hits a tree, it will usually be damaged to the point I wouldn't play it any more.  Thats how I determine when a ball is ready for the bin, or a very intimidating water hazard hole 

[Ryan M]

There is probably a direct correlation here as you improve as a golfer and the longevity of the ball going from "until I lose it" to "until it is scuffed".

I am still improving. Starting to shoot lower 80's and losing balls less regularly.

I think the question I have is when is a ball marred enough to replace? If there is a significant gash, I retire the ball to my wife's bag or the shag bag I take to the river. However, what about "minor" cover damage? What is "minor"? I know during the MyGolfSpy ball testing they also tested some balls with "minor" scuffs and saw significant performance impact.

 

I am also a "value oriented" person. I think the question I am trying to figure out is when is "minor" cover damage sufficient for my handicap to be enough to change the ball? Like when I hit a ball with an iron or wedge, I will sometimes notice cuts in the cover. Or a small nick in the cover. What kind of % impact does that have with regard to distance/speed, launch, dispersion, etc. If I tend to draw the ball will this result in a significantly stronger draw? I kind of want numbers and percentages so I can determine if it is a large enough impact for me to change the ball.

[Randall Robbins]

Usually 2 or 3 rounds - depends on scuffs, then it's in the "practice box".

[Ernie111]

18 holes is the most. If there is a scuff on the ball, I replace the ball after the hole is finished no matter what the numbered hole is. Never reuse a golf ball on the next round.

[richk9holes]

Very dependent on the course. There are courses I know going in OB will be part of the day. I bring 8-10 balls that already have tree marks to those courses and usually leave with 8-15, not the same ones.

When playing the courses I play most frequently I'll often have the same 2 rotating all day and I bring fresh if I have or the nicest looking used ones I have. 

I will consider a ball good to use in some capacity until it gets cut or the cover wears so much it feels weird.

The local driving range let's me bring my really old ones and cut balls to hit out on their range no charge when they get to the point I won't bring them on course.

[Wicki]

It all depends how the round is going.  The goal is to make it through at least one round and start off the next round with the same ball, if the previous round was a good one.  Sometimes would pull out a ball that has been to the war zone if the round is going BAD! This is to prevent from losing or using up a good ball.  if the balls get scuffed up, they are making there way to be used as underlay for a patio that I am going to try to put in soon.

[richk9holes]

7 minutes ago, Wicki said:

It all depends how the round is going.  The goal is to make it through at least one round and start off the next round with the same ball, if the previous round was a good one.  Sometimes would pull out a ball that has been to the war zone if the round is going BAD! This is to prevent from losing or using up a good ball.  if the balls get scuffed up, they are making there way to be used as underlay for a patio that I am going to try to put in soon.

That's cold. You dug their grave already and let them know where they're headed if they don't perform.

[CFreddie]

I'm with the general consensus here, although I've started a bucket of practice balls that consist of balls I've played during previous rounds that have any scuff / damage (but still playable) - usually just use those for chipping practice out back.  

[Chad Parmer]

16 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

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.

Uhhh. Til I hit it in the woods!!

[Bang60]

Till it’s lost  

 

[Wicki]

3 hours ago, richk9holes said:

That's cold. You dug their grave already and let them know where they're headed if they don't perform.

These are only golf balls that have seen their days or don't fit my golf game!

[Wicki]

1 hour ago, Chad Parmer said:

Uhhh. Til I hit it in the woods!!

I hear ya on that! Depends on the day and course attitude towards me!

[RoverRick]

We have OB on 8 holes. We have 2 island greens and 2 island tee boxes. We have water on 14 holes and forced carries over water on 3 holes. And woods opposite all the other hazards. We often have 20-30 mph winds. 

I have lost balls on every hole on the course, not in 1 round. I have played several rounds with the same ball also. I played the same ball for over 2 rounds, but I lost 3 balls today. 

[Golfizit]

I have gotten good enough with our courses here i play 4-6 rnds with the same ball i look for changes in distance and control. When that stats to change i change balls. Im 69 but still average driver carry over 240 yds. And thanks to lessons last yr much straighter so don’t normally loose balls. But yes it happens have water on every course i play and thats probably where i loose them the most. But also play with 20-30 winds so expect more lost balls.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Chad Parmer]

35 minutes ago, RoverRick said:

We have OB on 8 holes. We have 2 island greens and 2 island tee boxes. We have water on 14 holes and forced carries over water on 3 holes. And woods opposite all the other hazards. We often have 20-30 mph winds. 

I have lost balls on every hole on the course, not in 1 round. I have played several rounds with the same ball also. I played the same ball for over 2 rounds, but I lost 3 balls today. 

Golf is such a humbling sport!! Bad shots with a few good ones sprinkled in. My experience at least. Lol. Don’t keep me from coming back though!! Love the punishment I reckon!

[Tincuptim]

Usually multiple rounds with the same ball. Just had my first hole in one and I am almost embarrassed at how the ball looks in its display case. Almost. After 58 years of trying I was finally blessed and am off the snide. 

[cnosil]

7 hours ago, Tincuptim said:

Usually multiple rounds with the same ball. Just had my first hole in one and I am almost embarrassed at how the ball looks in its display case. Almost. After 58 years of trying I was finally blessed and am off the snide. 

Congrats on the hole in one.  

[BKervin]

I use the same ball until I lose it usually! Unless it gets badly scuffed.

Two different scenarios for me though -

In South Carolina in the winter there are lots of water hazards to get over that is where I lose them.  I keep oldish/scuffed balls to hit over (or into) the water.  (My brain just won't let me swing normal when it sees the water). Besides, I like my fingers so I prefer to feed the gator golf balls instead of fingers!

In Northwest Pennsylvania/Northwest New York there are more heavily wooded outlying areas and when I get that errant shot, that we all get, I can't sometimes find them.

Definitely go through more balls in South Carolina!!

[Grinder48]

I start with a new ball and play until I see any significant appearance deterioration.  On most models I use, that will usually be (unless I lose it) 1-1/2 to 2 rounds max.

[sabramFL]

 I'm a straight, short hitter off the tee which means I don't lose many balls. I'd say I lose about one ball per round. I keep a ball in play until I lose it. Yesterday on a cape hole with water down  the entire right side of the hole, I pushed my tee shot and lost the ball I had used for 30+holes. I re-teed and hit the exact same shot, so lost that one in one shot. I took a drop and used that ball for the rest of the round (12 holes). Hopefully, it has at least another round in it. I have shelves full of new balls, so I really don't know why I like to play a ball for so long or why it bugs me to lose one. My wife thinks I'm crazy for buying and trying out new golf balls and then leaving them on the shelf to try out a new model or brand

Edited April 20, 2023 by sabramFL
Correct typos

[Don Figgins]

During the summer, I’ll play the same ball until it gets scuffed, scratched and or have been played >2-3 rounds. During winter play, I’ll play balls that are imperfect until I loose them or get tired of them and put them in my used golf ball bucket.

[sporter]

I will play a ball until I lose it if it is just a relaxed round. If it is a tournament, I will go with a sleave of new balls. Most of the balls I take out of play are due to cuts on the cover from my wedges. The longest I ever played a ball was 22.5 rounds, I wore just about all of the logo and writing off the ball be for I hit an errant shot with it and put it in the water.

[FIRSTSHIRT]

I might get 27 holes in on average using the same ball.  Average drops on more difficult courses obviously.

Edited April 22, 2023 by FIRSTSHIRT
wrong word

[richk9holes]

(Rodney Dangerfield voice)

Gee I never knew I'd show so much interest in a conversation about someone's balls...

[Stevenhp]

I am currently using primarily one ball. During the time of the year that the temps.,drop I carry 2 balls and rotate each hole and stretch out the rounds as most of the time it’s just practice. When it warms up I change balls more often and depending upon the type of damage done but the odd cart path,trees or any other obstacles I might make contact with I will pull it. The game is hard enough so I will take any advantage possible.

[GPS111]

Great timing to go with this post.  On line today:

https://golf.com/gear/golf-balls/golf-ball-performance-issues-round/?amp=1

Addresses exactly what we've been talking about.  And one ball for all 72 holes on tour?  Bonkers.

[Fore67]

I'm pretty fortunate. I work on the grounds crew at one of the 3 public golf courses in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I find my share of pristine Pro V1's & V1X's, simply because I know where to look for them. 

I tee up a new found ball every round. Sometimes they last the round, sometimes not. There are 14 holes with water hazards on them, so a round without a penalty for one in the water is a good day! 

I find plenty of other pristine balls on the course, but thanks to the MGS ball findings, I will only play Titleist and Pro V1 & V1X. Mostly V1's! 

[PIJoe]

It obviously depends on the condition of the ball, but if I check up on concrete, I change it. If I can keep it clean and non-scuffed, I'll keep playing it until I can't. I just don't like the scuffs. I don't usually change to a junk ball on tight or water holes as I think the negative thoughts do more harm than good for me.