How often to change your ball

[gbour4]

I’ve been playing the same ball for the last year or so (vice pro plus). I like it the most based on feel and metrics (I have the Rapsodo mlm2pro). But I’ve recently gotten to the point where I don’t lose a ball in a round or two, even though I still suck, and I was wondering how often everybody changes their balls? I have a couple of balls that have gone 18 holes with no scuffs and am wondering if performance changes. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

MGS has done some good research and testing on performance with damaged or scuffed golf balls. It is pretty clear there is a significant drop off, so with that when a ball is marked I set it aside to use as a practice ball.

Now that said the courses we okay are lined with hazards so it's somewhat frequent to lose golf balls.

[Cfhandyman]

The answer is, it depends. If it has a durable cover, e.g. Srixon and has no visible scuffs or damage, it stays in service. The most rounds I’ve played with the same ball is 6 rounds before it decided it had enough. If the ball has noticeable scuffing, wear or damage, the performance drops off significantly, so it gets the appropriate burial at sea. Mind you that’s provided I can keep it in play. Some balls have a mind of their own, particularly if it a bad swing on my part  

[TJ Hall]

This is not a problem I’ve had to worry about!

I generally decide based on the cover, if it’s torn up I will switch to a new ball…but that’s assuming my swing hadn’t already decided a switch was necessary.

[Preeway]

It’s true that any scuff will impact performance. Must testing is done with significant scuffing such bouncing off a cart path or hitting a tree. I typically swap out after 9 holes because I have enough wear, even if mostly minor, from my irons that I worry about how it will impact my putting. I think ultimately it depends on the player and what kind of results they are seeking. As a player who tries hard to break par, I’m a little more picky. Many of the people I caddy for are high handicap players and will play any ball in their bag regardless and only use a new ball on the first hole or after losing a one in a hazard. Bottom line, ball condition matters but you have to determine form yourself what exactly matters most to you. 

[Josh Parker]

I will prob get some $h!+ for this but I play a ball way longer than I probably should unless I'm playing for money.

When I start to see a change in flight or performance (drastically) then I switch it out.  I know that scuffs will change the performance of it, but damn $4-6 dollars a ball adds up quick.  And yes, I know I tinker with clubs often, but I generally buy those used and get some of the money back on them unlike a golf ball.  

And who am I kidding, everyone has seen some of the gloves I have used at the range.  ha

[BallsLeon]

I try to keep the same ball for as long as my driver allows

[Sam C]

I game the Vice Pro Plus too and I think its great but its weird I can only get it at Target right now. I use the same ball until I can really start to feel some bad scuffs. I just cant afford to be replacing balls all the time. I usually start the round out with two sleeves of those and I always keep two sleeves of Kirklands. If I get to the Kirklands I know Im not having a great day.

[Billy Mike]

I , along with Josh Parker, play with my balls a little longer than most. If not scuff and still getting the distance average for my swing, I will continue to play. It’s not about money, as I said I walk my dog on the course in the morning and I have found more balls than I will play in my life time.    Now in another feed someone mention hitting the ball in the same spot, would that wear down that point or have an affect on the ball. (Never thought of that). lol  if you are reading this and I lost ya, what they were getting at was you tee your ball up with your alinemant/mark tool facing down the fairway. Your swing will making contact on the same spot every time. Will that have an affect?

[unccross]

I play it until lost usually or bad scuff. Usually I lose it before I notice any wear unless it his cart path or something 

[NotQuite70s]

Yes, hitting a ball in the same spot time after time will have an adverse effect.  I use a Mevo launch monitor and the radar likes a metallic dot on the ball pointing downrange.  After hitting balls about 50-100 times on the spot opposite that dot, they will show a visible crack.  Before the crack becomes visible in the cover, they can start to sound strange and often show poor results on the Mevo.  I hit mostly 6 irons into the net with swing speed at 87 mph or so.

 

 

[Rob Person]

Not going to repeat the same answers regarding damaged balls.

9 hours ago, gbour4 said:

I was wondering how often everybody changes their balls? I have a couple of balls that have gone 18 holes with no scuffs and am wondering if performance changes. 

Personally, I think performance with an undamaged ball doesn't change enough for us to notice it. (Launch Monitor software might see the differences. )

However, if you are questioning its viability,  you will probably add doubts in your mind, which could affect your game.

One thing to note, while you don't necessarily SEE the damage, the dimples do wear down and can become uneven over use. This can affect Performance.

Other than that, play them until you feel you need to swap em!

Congratulations on keeping your ball through rounds!

[funkyjudge]

10 hours ago, gbour4 said:

I’ve been playing the same ball for the last year or so (vice pro plus). I like it the most based on feel and metrics (I have the Rapsodo mlm2pro). But I’ve recently gotten to the point where I don’t lose a ball in a round or two, even though I still suck, and I was wondering how often everybody changes their balls? I have a couple of balls that have gone 18 holes with no scuffs and am wondering if performance changes. 

If I don't do any damage to the ball, and have had a good round using it, I will sometimes use the same ball for more than one round. 18 holes is common for me, as long as I hit no trees, cart paths, etc, and don't scuff it up with the wedges.

[William P]

Not something I usually have to think about as I tend to experience a swing malfunction somewhere during the round. My loving supportive bride tells me from time to time that it isn't my swing, She believes the ball has had enough of my game and commits suicide by drowning...

As long as the cover doesn't have heavy damage and the ball isn't performing flight maneuvers to compete with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, I will keep it in play. Like @Josh Parker commented earlier, a good ball isn't cheap.

Edited March 30 by William P

[Wayne Kivi]

I tend to use a ball for a couple of rounds unless, as many have said, it shows any cart path or tree damage. I don't like to use balls that scuff easily from normal use. My shag bag is getting heavier and heavier every season. 

[Dead Solid Bogey]

Like @William P I play ultra sensitive golf balls that just cannot seem to handle the stress of my game.
    Unlike @Josh Parker in that in a very short timeframe; my ultra sensitive balls, which are also illegal and  are here without a visa will tend to head towards the ocean or the border without any notice very early in our relationship while we are on the course.  

[cnosil]

I am a terrible representative for MGS;  I play a ball until it is lost.  

[hoppman]

Longest I have ever gone is 28 holes, usually I lose it before it gets too damaged. Sometimes I play a scuffed ball because it's seems like I can't lose it. 

[Rob Person]

1 hour ago, hoppman said:

Longest I have ever gone is 28 holes, usually I lose it before it gets too damaged. Sometimes I play a scuffed ball because it's seems like I can't lose it. 

I sometimes use a less favorable or found ball for shooting over water.  That way I don't feel bad when I dunk it!  

[chisag]

7 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

I know that scuffs will change the performance of it, but damn $4-6 dollars a ball adds up quick. 

 

5 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Personally, I think performance with an undamaged ball doesn't change enough for us to notice it. (Launch Monitor software might see the differences. )

 

4 hours ago, cnosil said:

I am a terrible representative for MGS;  I play a ball until it is lost.  

 

 

... Maxfli Tour balls cost $2.50 a ball. Considering the cost of equipment and Greens Fees, that is almost an insignificant number.

... And Rob because you don't notice it, doesn't mean it isn't happening. I don't wanna end up in a bunker guarding the front of a green because that slight scuff of some dimples changed my flight and distance. That said, I understand someone without a repeatable swing and distance just looking to make good contact will have much more variance in the swing and ball striking than any scuff could influence. 

... Like you cnosil I have played with really good golfers using a ball I can't believe they have in play.   But if you are happy with your scuffed ball that's all that counts. 

... Back in soft Midwest conditions, if I didn't find a bunker I would use a ball for 36 holes if it looked brand new after 18 holes. But on the desert hard fast sand based fairways, sandy spots and rocks or an occasional bush or tree contact and I replace my ball the next hole. So I normally start every round with a new ball, unless I replaced a ball on the back 9 my last round and it looks unblemished, I will start my 18 with a ball used for 9 holes or less. And I play 4-5 times a week so I go through balls pretty quickly. 

[Northern Monkey]

29 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I sometimes use a less favorable or found ball for shooting over water.  That way I don't feel bad when I dunk it!  

You and me both!!!!

[gin]

Play until ball is lost or scruffed up too much

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

 

 

 

... Maxfli Tour balls cost $2.50 a ball. Considering the cost of equipment and Greens Fees, that is almost an insignificant number.
. 

My rounds only cost me about 5 dollars or so at this point. Haha. I play the Maxfli and still play'em

[RoverRick]

While there is lots of posts about how damaged the cover has become, the metrics I use to determine when it’s time to change is water depth.

Okay, if there is a scuff on it, I will change to a different ball, but I will put it back in play on certain holes where loss of a ball is likely. 

[sman3115]

Usually after a tree or cart path scuff or lost ball. I don't lose a ton so I'll play it until it's time. You just know when you know? It's a feeling.

 

Then it goes in with all found balls to supplement range sessions and there just isn't enough in the bucket 

[Billy Mike]

10 hours ago, NotQuite70s said:

Yes, hitting a ball in the same spot time after time will have an adverse effect.  I use a Mevo launch monitor and the radar likes a metallic dot on the ball pointing downrange.  After hitting balls about 50-100 times on the spot opposite that dot, they will show a visible crack.  Before the crack becomes visible in the cover, they can start to sound strange and often show poor results on the Mevo.  I hit mostly 6 irons into the net with swing speed at 87 mph or so.

 

 

Thanks

[GregGarner]

For me, it depends. I kind of have a mental hierarchy/flow-chart for my decision-making, always starting on #1 tee.

1. How many holes am I playing? (I'm much more likely to use an old ball for 9 holes vs 18)
2. Will I be posting my score? (I play a lot of solo 9's and sometimes solo 18's if I don't get paired up. If I'm not posting the score, I'm pretty unlikely to put a new ball in play.)
3. Does this round 'matter'? (Am I prepping for an upcoming tournament? Am I working on something specific like wedges inside of 100 yards? Am I playing in the men's game or just practicing? If the round matters to me, it's a fresh ball from a new sleeve, otherwise I just start with whatever ball is in the best shape from a previous round.)

Once I'm out playing, I'm looking at two things: can I physically feel anything different on the cover? and am I seeing any performance differences as I play?

I have a tendency to hit the ball very high, so I'm pretty sensitive to my flight windows. As the ball gets older and the dimples wear down, the flight will get progressively higher. If I start noticing that my driver (my biggest 'tell') starts getting stratospheric, I'll switch to a new (or newer) ball with deeper dimples to bring the flight back down. I typically need to swap out a ball after 2-3 rounds because I'm starting to wear the cover down enough to see noticeable changes in performance.

[Bradka13]

OK, everyone that says they will keep their ball for multiple rounds must be playing a different game than me.  Last time I used one ball for multiple rounds I'm pretty sure there were clowns and windmills involved!  If I am fortunate enough to have a ball stick around long enough for me to have to make a decision, minor scuffs are usually OK.  If there is a hunk of ball hanging off, the ball gets sent into the water to appease the golf gods.

[Rob Person]

Today was a good day to be my ball! Well, almost...

Played 27 holes Today, but was only supposed to be 18...

I held onto that ball through 23 holes!!! First water hole of the last 9, caught a low ground burner of a hook, that took it to the edge and rolled into the splash zone.  Next ball lost was on a par 3, over shot the pin to the backside, took one good bounce off the back and kerplunk.

Playing the srixon Qstar tours.

[Billy Mike]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Today was a good day to be my ball! Well, almost...

Played 27 holes Today, but was only supposed to be 18...

I held onto that ball through 23 holes!!! First water hole of the last 9, caught a low ground burner of a hook, that took it to the edge and rolled into the splash zone.  Next ball lost was on a par 3, over shot the pin to the backside, took one good bounce off the back and kerplunk.

Playing the srixon Qstar tours.

lol…. Isn’t funny how you could do so well then out of nowhere “time to change balls”