IceIce Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 If the cover gets damaged it’s retired right away. If I don’t lose the ball, I’ll use the ball I played on Saturday or Sunday 2 to 3 rounds during the week. Then it’s off to the shag bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyF Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I'm more interested in cost savings than pure aerodynamics. While I agree that a scuff will have some effect, I don't think the quality of my game is such that I would ever notice. I don't have a standard rule for retirement, I'll usually lose the ball within 2-3 rounds, but if I don't I'll keep playing it until it looks like Frankenstein. aguybadatgolf, revkev and tdc1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILMgolfnut Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 1 hour ago, revkev said: Tournament or league play I’m opening a new sleeve and only play unblemished golf balls. I haven't played in a tournament in 30+ years so that's not a consideration. League play, even longer than that. I was supposed to play in one last October but it was canceled due to horrible weather; I played anyway. I plan to play in two or three tournaments in Scotland this summer though. I figure on those courses, though, the gorse will retire balls for me anyway. But yes I will open a new sleeve (or two) for tournaments. aguybadatgolf and revkev 2 Quote Obsessed with chasing the dimpled orb. More about me: WITB type stuff Fit For Golf tester 2024 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMikeOfficer Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Every 4-6 holes for regular play, maybe less depending on what happens to it. Cart path or tree? Gone immediately. Full wedge? Need to take a closer look -- usually they can last a couple solid wedge shots, but depends on the ball; if I blade that wedge, it's gone. Basically anything that scuffs the ball or marks it might make me toss it. Some of my friends rib me for how small of a scuff does it for me (and even pick the ball up and use it themselves), but I also have way too many new balls stashed in the basement, so I don't worry about it too much. I know that's basically the opposite of a lot of people -- some people (like my dad) pride themselves on keeping a ball going as long as possible; others love the rush of finding a top of the line golf ball and don't care about the small marks. So, any time I retire one, I either keep it for the shag bag (greenside/yard practice), or toss it into a visible place so someone else can pick it up. I do the same with found balls -- if I don't know the history, I just leave it for someone else (but normally in a spot they can find it, not back where I found it). tdc1 1 Quote Driver: Qi10 LS 8* w/Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 6X or Terra Forza Yellow+ (MGS Test in Progress!) Fairway: Stealth2 Plus, 15* (adjusted to 14.25*) w/ Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 7X Irons: U505 1 Iron (16*), T200 "Utility Build" 3 and 4 irons, all with Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 95 X Flex, T100S 5-9 with Nippon Pro Modus 120 X Flex (2021 MGS Test). These things are monsters. Wedges: SM9 46.10, 54.12, and 58.08, all with custom etchings & KBS Tour Masters-themed shafts, X-flex (CHA Post) Putter: Total headcase and Putter Ho. Down to two main options in the rotation (one mallet, one blade), but have 4-5 by the basement putting green that might make it in the bag at some point this year... Mallet: Mezz XL 36" Orange; Blade: Link.1 w/Accra White shaft & grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdroma98 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 6 hours ago, MissionMan said: I typically get rid of them after 3 rounds. I put a dot on a ball when I play it the first time, then a second dot for the second time. Small dot if it’s only 9 holes @MissionMan what a great idea with the dots. I tend to play one ball for 3-4 rounds. Using the dot system will confirm how many rounds actually played. Will start doing that! Thanks MissionMan! I'll give my used golf balls to a buddy, after about 2-3 round use. Any scuff marks I usually color in with a sharpie. MissionMan and tdc1 2 Quote Titleist T200 Irons - 5i thru Gap Wedge - Stiff AMT Black Callaway PARADYM X 9.0 with Hazrdous X Black 6.0 Stiff Shaft Fairway Woods: Callaway Maverick 3W & RazrX Black 5W - Stiff Flex Rescue: Apex 4 (22 degree )- Recoil 75H stiff flex Wedges: Titleist SM8 - 54 (D Grind) wedge flex; SM8 58(M grind) wedge flex Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5.5 Ball: Titleist ProV1 Handicap: 0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aguybadatgolf Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 (edited) 1 hour ago, Golfzilla70 said: Great topic. This is one of those things that is really just an issue for the lower handicappers out there, and it's actually something that's played into how i've shaped my own game (i'm about a 3 handicap that loves to play and practice, but knows his limitations). I've found that the really high-end urethane balls (such as the Pro V1 class) are absolutely awesome fresh out of the pack. Slick paint, flight through the air fast, and spinny as can be around the green. But after just 8 or 9 holes, you can start to see the wear. Now i assume this might be different for some folks, because if you're playing very-well-manicured courses that have lush fairways and actual grass where the fairways end and the rough begins, your ball's cover is going to last longer. I'm not so well-off that i can play such prestigious places, and here in northwest North Carolina we generally play all year round. Fairways go dormant, and the balls land in much harder spots - which just accrues the damage even more. The problem i see with the covers on those balls is primarily in the long game, like driver. They just don't fly as far, and i assume it's mainly to do with wind resistance since the cover is no longer slick. Add to that my confessed inability to regularly control my spin on approach shots (i really don't seem to be able to know when these things are going to sit or bounce forward or back up 30'), and i've just really quit trying. I'm sure with practice i'd get better at it, but in my 50's now i practice less and play more. The absolute most consistent balls i've played (and play right now for the past several years) are balls like the Titleist TruFeel and the Titleist Velocity. Other companies have similar offerings, i've just stuck with these. They're not urethane, and they don't spin like it. But the covers on those balls can take what anyone would consider massive damage (cart path scuffs, etc.) and STILL play just about the same as if new out of the box. And i'm talking MULTIPLE 18-hole rounds. You literally can't wear them out. I'm sure they would suffer noticeably if left laying outside, or in a pond, just like any other ball would. You won't see a one-hop-stop check on a chip around the green with these balls. But you'll NEVER hit a shot right at the flag and have it back up 30' on you. They always bounce forward just a little, or stay close to where they land, depending on club and distance. Now the MGS guys hate these balls, because they feel like the masses MUST hit a urethane ball because of the spin they have around the greens. And i don't dispute that chipping advantage. It's there and it's fun if you know how to do it (i do, but i can't reconcile the advantage the ionomer balls give me on approach shots). The "ionomer"-type balls fly higher, they also fly STRAIGHTER, and for a low-handicap golfer, that actually means FEWER chips are needed. I feel like you're probably unlikely to ever see anyone that has a clubhead speed of 110 mph ever hit one of these ionomer balls, because they'll just muscle a urethane ball right on through whatever cover defects it has. And also likely over-compress an ionomer ball. But for guys like me, with a clubhead speed around 100 mph with driver, these balls hit the sweet spot. They're cheaper, they absolutely WON'T wear out from play (assuming you play one you bought, and not one you found and don't know its history), and are much more forgiving for whatever swing faults you have due to their lower-spinning nature. Spin can be awesome around the greens, but what you never hear is the more a ball spins, the more curvature it'll have in flight (if you have any swing fault that will cause a hook or slice) and the more a headwind will just kill its distance. JMHO So to answer the original question, i'll play my ionomer balls until i lose them, or until they accrue enough damage that they undboutedly can't fly true or putt straight. I’m not quite a single digit handicap yet but it’s dropping fast. I play a lot of older city courses where the fairways are all right next to each other so the occasional hook doesn’t hurt me too much. I play the Vice Pro Plus which for me tends to be a low spinning ball. But as you noted the urethane cover gets chewed up fast after a few full swings with a wedge. Played 9 last night and tested out the chewed up balls next to a fresh one. I was 3 for 3 fairways with a fresh one. Then tried a chewed up one and hit a massive fade verging on a slice. Immediately retired all of the chewed up balls when I got home lol. I saw the MGS article on lost distance but didn’t realize how much it could effect spin as well. Edited April 5 by aguybadatgolf ILMgolfnut and tdc1 2 Quote Tester Opportunities 2024 Ping S159 Wedges 2023 Zebra AIT3 Putter The Bag Driver - Paradym Ai Smoke MAX Driver with Project X Denali - 6.5 3W - Paradym 15° with Kai'li™ White - X 3H - Gen5 0311 19° with Ventus Blue Velocore - X Driving Iron - 699 Pro 20° with UST PROFORCE V2 Hybrid White/Yellow - X Irons - 6-PW 699 Pro in black with Dynamic Gold X100 Wedges - S159 50, 54, 58 Dynamic Gold X100 (TESTER) Putter - KING 3D Printed Agera Armlock Putter , Zebra AIT 3 (On time out) Ball - Z-Star XV or Pro Plus Tester for 2024 Ping S159 Wedges 2023 Zebra AIT3 Putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul6057 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Personally, retiring balls isn't something I've had to worry about too often, but generally when I can see and feel scrapes or scuffs on them, then I replace them. MGS have a done some testing on the difference that mud or damage have on ball performance, so it really depends how serious you're taking that round. The net/net of that is that if your ball is particularly scuffed, you'll probably lose it shortly after because of how it impacts the ball flight. https://mygolfspy.com/labs/mygolfspy-lab-how-does-cover-damage-affect-golf-ball-flight/ tdc1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thulesgold Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Usually about 9 holes.....makes it even more important for me to find quality brand at a lower price point. Been playing Vice for years. The Vice Zeros this year. But yea 9 holes or sooner if I feel a defect in the cover. Quote Ping Driver, Irons, Wedges, Putter. Callway Wood. Vice Pro Zero golf balls. Vessel Pro IV golf bag. Sketches Go Golf Shoes. Body by Wisconsin Cheese Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StripeyGreenTV Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 7 hours ago, MissionMan said: I typically get rid of them after 3 rounds. I put a dot on a ball when I play it the first time, then a second dot for the second time. Small dot if it’s only 9 holes. After 3 rounds it’s relegated to the practice bag. i always use a new ball for comps. I do keep a couple of spare retired balls in my bag for the occasions I want to do something stupid like try drive over an out of bounds area on a par 5 to have a short second into the green. Sometimes I make it, sometimes the balls retires itself. Like the idea of adding a dot each round MissionMan 1 Quote WITB: Ping G430 Driver, G410 3-Wood, G410 5-Wood, G410 Hybrid, G410 Irons, Vokey SM8 Wedges & LAB Golf 2.1 Putter. HCAP 12.5 - Member at Flixton Golf Club - Manchester, UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krls032022 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 27 holes max by then it’s probably scuffed, those unforgiving traps & cart paths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J2theI Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 It’s difficult to retire a ball but definitely when it has damage or if it feels “used.” Perhaps every 18. Definitely prefer a fresh “roundy” when playing a match or a new course. Save the used ones for practice rounds. Quote J2theI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRCorb Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I have a golf simulator in my basement and I haven't lost a ball there yet! I was gifted with a bunch of Bridgestone e6 balls from Skycaddie. Nice soft ball for 90 to 95 mph swing speed. I found they last about 400 shots with various clubs before they start losing significant distance and shortly after (10-15 shots) crack on the surface. In comparison, the titleist pro v balls take about 700 shots to split open. If you are above 100 mph (hit bombs) they probably break down quicker. Of course, the surface wears before then (200 shots) but I really don't notice the distance and dispersion data change much as it wears. I assume you lose backspin as time goes on? I play 100 rounds a year so I definitely don't pull a new ball each round. A gouge from the Phoenix desert will cause me to reach for a new one. tdc1, TJ Hall and Shifty 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoRebound Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I normally park a ball when it develops a scuff or chip on the cover that I can feel. Aerodynamics are critical to a new golf ball so I don't push things after big contact with a cart path or a tree. Right now I have a yellow ProV1 that has made it through two rounds unscathed. That's unusual for me but it goes back on the first tee just as soon as it stops raining. TJ Hall and tdc1 2 Quote Driver; Callaway RAZR Fit Fairway and hybrids: Callaway X2 Pro Irons: Mizuno JPX 825 Wedges: Mizuno JPX 825 Pro Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shifty Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Any blemish, scratch or rub its gone. So even if its still in play after a few rounds rarely would it pass my inspection. TJ Hall 1 Quote Paradym 9 degree Driver DYNAPWR 3 wood Apex 21 PW-4 Iron CBX 50 degree CBX 54 degree CBX2 58 degree SM6 62 Degree ER2 Putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillCox Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I will play a ball until it’s shows significant wear. Usually that may happen from hitting a tree or concrete. I have played a ball for several rounds with no major blemishes but you could see the cover wear. Some balls also get scuffed up easier than others. TJ Hall and tdc1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybogey Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Good Topic!! Short Answer: Too Long or Lost it! Gotta Smart Up on this: 3 Rounds or Less!! Billy Bogey Edmonton Alberta tdc1 and TJ Hall 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjmk95 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Play maybe three rounds unless scuffed or wedges grate the cover, then the ball goes into the shag bag for late fall and early spring golf TJ Hall 1 Quote KJk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnderinAZ Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Until it is scuffed, cut, gouged, or I have pounded the paint off the label. I don't lose too many any longer so they will usually last four or five rounds. I am stunned to see so many golfers who put the ball in the shag bag after a single round. With no trees or cart paths struck one of my balls after a single round looks new. I guess I am too cheap to retire a ball that still looks and plays new after a single round. tdc1 and TJ Hall 2 Quote Driver Sim Max2 Hybrids G430 2, 3, 4 Irons ZX4 6-PW Wedges Hi-Toe 50, 54, 58 Putter 2Ball Ten ArmLock Golf cart MGI Zip Navigator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Tedeschi Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Play it until I lose it or gets “cut”, 2 small scuffs or a bad scuff. A bit subjective tdc1 1 Quote Ted Tedeschi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuyGolf Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 19 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said: For me: if a scuff or blemish is "feelable," I figure it is also going to influence the ball's aerodynamics, probably in an unpredictable way. That ball is ready for retirement to the garage, to be beat to its final death as a practice ball. Yep me too ! Into the Shag Bag. The only issue I have now at 75 is fewer are making it that far. tdc1 1 Quote OldGuyGolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flsw19 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I will play a ball until I lose it; but after reading the different ball testing information, including the effects of slight ball damage; I will relegate scuffed balls to the practice bag. So I could replace a ball after one hole. tdc1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henri-Martin HORN Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Generally, 1 round... unless it is scuffed. tdc1 1 Quote Driver: Titleist 95 D3 10.5, Aldila Rogue Wood: Callaway Epic Zub Zero, Project X Even Flow Hybrid: Ping Answer 20, TFC 800H Irons: Miura 57 3-PW - Mitsubishi OT 75 Wedges: Miura Forged 51, 55, 60 - Project X Putter: Valgrine - Phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG8 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I have hoarding tendencies so I will ise a ball until its destroyed with many scuffs or if it has a gash. tdc1 and VernL4 2 Quote WITB Driver: TSR4 9* - GD VF 5x FW/Hybrid: Stealth Plus 15* 3 wood | 18* 2 hybrid Irons: Mizuno MP225 4-GW - modus tour 120X Wedges: Edison 2.0 52* | 56* Putter: L.A.B. Link.1 Ball: Pro V1x Left Dash Tech: Foresight Sports GC3 Tests: The Edison Challenge featuring Edison 2.0 Wedges Callaway Whitebox Testing: Chrome Tour & Chrome Tour X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackbus75 Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 If they get scuffed I only use them for that round. But usually I lose them before they are retired. ZJeb67 and tdc1 1 1 Quote I'm 72 years old and I enjoy playing golf at least once a week. PXG 0211 Driver 10.5, with graphite senior shaft PXG 0211 3W, 5W and 7W, with graphite senior shaft Cobra F-Max Hybrid set 6,5,4 Hybrids, 7,8,9,PW,GW, graphite senior shaft (I'm old) C3i 59 degree Sand Wedge, steel shaft Odyssey DFX Double Wide 33" putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarce_torres Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Normally if I get a scuff mark, be it from a tree, cart path, or wedge... I will grab another. tdc1 and ZJeb67 2 Quote Titleist TSR2 10 degree with Ventus Blue 6S Callaway Super Hybrid 2H VA Slay 85 Stiff Callaway Super Hybrid 3H Srixon ZX 23* -4 driving iron - Aerotech Steelfiber I95 S Srixon MKII ZX5 (5-A) - Aerotech Steelfiber I95 S Bettinardi (54, 58) Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tei3rn Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 if it gets scuffed and damaged somehow, it goes in the shag bag... otherwise it stays in bag. I'm not near good enough to be able to tell when the ball's characteristics have changed due to being played too many rounds... tdc1 and VernL4 2 Quote Driver: 9° TM SIM2 | Ventus VeloCore Black 6S 3W: 15° Titleist TS3 | Ventus VeloCore TR Blue 8S 2H: 17° TM SIM DHY | Diamana HY75-S 3H: 19° TM SIM DHY | Diamana HY75-S Irons: TM M3 4-AW | TT XP100 S300 Wedge: Sub70 54° | TT DG S300 Putter(s): Cameron Futura 5S | TM Stingray Ghost ST-74 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Golfer Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I played this ball yesterday for 27 holes. To be honest it was fairly scuffed before I started playing it. I'm not one of the guys that can say that trees are 90% air. If there is a tree along the fairway or even a bit off the fairway it is in danger. Lol. I will probably keep playing this ball till I lose it or clean out my bag and retire it out in my field somewhere. I'm not good enough to determine whether or not the scuffs change ball flight. paul6057, VernL4, tdc1 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Mixed bag of goodies: Taylormade M2 driver, Titleist F15 3 wood, Nike 5 wood, Mizuno 923 Hmp irons, Cleveland zipcore wedges and Odyssey 3 ball putter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC Golf Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 If I am playing good golf and the ball has no real damage, I have gone 18 or longer, but I find I lose a ball once a round or hit a cart path, so on average, I used it probably10-12 holes. But I have days when I use a full sleeve. VernL4 and tdc1 2 Quote TSR 3 9.0 Autoflex 405x (MGS Tester ‘24) / GD Tour AD - DI 6S Stiff TSi 3 15.0 GD Tour AD - DI 6S Stiff Utility 2 Iron 18.0 - Nippon NS Pro 650GH Stiff / TS3 21 Hybrid Tensei AV Blue 65 HY Stiff 5 - 9 101T Irons - KBS Tour Lite Stiff - Official Tester 2023 Vokey SM9 46 F - 10 BV105 Vokey SM9 52 F - 12 Nippon NS Pro 950 Stiff Vokey Forged 56 M - 10 DG S200 MG3 60 - 12 - Nippon NS Modus3 Tour 105 Stiff Scotty Special Select - Squareback 2 - 35” / Super Stroke Slim 3.0 Z-Star Diamond Players 4 bag Official Tester - 2021 & Current MCC Plus 4 Sensor / Club Sensor User Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langstonha Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Usually a couple rounds unless it's to scuffed . Quote Titleist 718, scotty, PXG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 1 hour ago, ChiefMikeOfficer said: Every 4-6 holes for regular play, maybe less depending on what happens to it. Cart path or tree? Gone immediately. Full wedge? Need to take a closer look -- usually they can last a couple solid wedge shots, but depends on the ball; if I blade that wedge, it's gone. Basically anything that scuffs the ball or marks it might make me toss it. Some of my friends rib me for how small of a scuff does it for me (and even pick the ball up and use it themselves), but I also have way too many new balls stashed in the basement, so I don't worry about it too much. I know that's basically the opposite of a lot of people -- some people (like my dad) pride themselves on keeping a ball going as long as possible; others love the rush of finding a top of the line golf ball and don't care about the small marks. So, any time I retire one, I either keep it for the shag bag (greenside/yard practice), or toss it into a visible place so someone else can pick it up. I do the same with found balls -- if I don't know the history, I just leave it for someone else (but normally in a spot they can find it, not back where I found it). I give me retired ones to my adult sons or at this time of the year my golf team. I'm the same way with found balls unless I have a playing partner who uses what I've found or its a ball that I've wanted to try - I will put it in the bag for a casual round - ChiefMikeOfficer 1 Quote Driver: Taylor Made Xi10 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 R flex - 44.25 Fairways: Ping G410 5, 7, 9 wood Alta CB red 65 R flex Hybrid: Ping G410 26 degree Alta CB Red 70 R flex Irons: Ping G430 7-PW, 45, 50 Alta CB black 65 soft R flex Wedges: Ping 195 S54, E58 Wedges and irons are - 1/2” and one degree flat Putter: Sacks Parente Duke 32.5” Ball: Titleist Pro VI or Callaway Chrome Soft X ls While not at the same time I was fit for every club in my bag as well as the Pro VI ball. I use the chrome soft x ls on my league course. It has much softer softer greens than the club that I belong to. I’m on a mission to shoot my age - lifetime lowest round is 66 and I’m currently 67. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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