How long do you play a ball before retiring it?

[ZJeb67]

14 hours ago, MichaelC_81 said:

@Splatt can relate to this... he could land in a glass of water off the tee 

 

8 hours ago, RoverRick said:

I don’t retire them. They either quit and hide out for someone else to use or commit suicidal by drowning. 

I too have a fatal attraction to water.

My league course is water free and miraculously went the whole season without losing a ball.

After seeing that scuffs limit distance, I'll be moving quite a few to practice status

[Joseph j Andreola]

I play them till I lose them, unless they’re really effed up, at the speed I swing scuffs  don’t really make a difference!!!

[Roomspimp]

I don't worry too much about cosmetic damage. A ball goes in the bin when it has been damaged in a way that will influence how it rolls on the green. My course has very firm and fast greens so any imperfection can negatively impact putting. Full swings compress the ball enough to negate surface scuffs for the most part. 

[VistaKing]

I play a 9 hole round everyday, and I usually retire a golf ball to water ball status after 30 days of use. That is, I will only use that ball on water holes. If it avoids the water for 30 days I donate it to the driving range. 

[Utah Golfer]

I play a ball (Pro V1x) until the cover is marred enough to feel. That could be several rounds - unless I’m hitting full Spin Milled wedge shots, in which case a ball might be replaced after one full swing. 

[tdc1]

31 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

 But I have days when I use a full sleeve.  

Only one sleeve?

I will usually keep a ball active for 36 holes barring any adventures with cart paths or trees.  If the cover loses a little paint it becomes a provisional ball or for high risk tee shots (e.g., long carry over water).  Any damage that alters the cover beyond cosmetics (e.g, cart path rash, little cover spikes) and ball is out of play. 

[Shankster]

Maybe Top Golf should read this post.

[MadisonGolfbum]

I replace whenever there is damage, no matter how slight. MGS studies have demonstrated that even small imperfections can lead to ugly ball flight problems.


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[xOldBenKenobiX]

I am playing mine until the golf gods claim it back to the course, usually it is the water to the right of the fairway.

[MDGolfHacker]

I play it until there is a very noticeable gouge or cut or the ball decides to leave in it's own . Everyone has a different threshold of when to retire a ball. Do what works best or is most comfortable for you.

[rdolendo]

When it gets scuffed then retire it.  Until then keep playing it.  Golf balls are not cheap.

[Chris Keramidopulos]

As long as the golf gods allow!! Or until a major scuff(cartpath).

[lyle]

My callaway jaws destroys golf balls but if I’m doing good with a ball I’ll continue using it until my luck runs out which sometimes is possibly 4-5 rounds. I know the scuffs are hard to look at but I honestly don’t see much difference in flight and control with a damaged ball so it’s totally up to you and your wallet 

[Southpawgolfclub]

Lately I’ve been fortunate enough to play the same ball for a whole round.  The first time I did that I kept the ball on my desk.  Each time I do it now, they go right in the practice bucket for backyard drills.  
 

short answer: 1 round or until lost whichever comes first 

[Senior Champ]

I retire a ball when: 1) scuff mark from hitting a cart path or tree that may affect the ball flight, 2) My Sharpie markings gets faded or ball cover is no longer shiny, which is around 18 to 27 Holes, or 3) Whenever I lose my ball . The ball that survives condition 1 or 2 above, gets used for practicing my pitching, chipping and bunker shots.

[Swing Dokter]

I will play one ball as long as their are no marks from cart path trees etc Also when I miss a shot then cant find the ball

[Knight017]

I plY it until i loose it. Its like a badge of honour to play one for 3 rounds

[Beakbryce]

6 hours ago, kikbuti said:

I play a ball until there is physical evidence that it has betrayed me.  That's why I don't play "found" balls.  They have already proven themselves to be unreliable.

To each their own. This is an existential debate.

Is it the archer or the bow? I figure they got lost because the wrong person was abusing them. They found me so I feel really lucky. I mean, lost balls have feelings to. They want to complete their mission. Just need the right owner. Someone who will treasure them, mark them with a USMC insignia so they feel special, wanted even.

I just used a found green Titleist for 11 rounds. Unfortunately I forgot to load the bow properly and set it off into some green shrubs that effectively hid it from me! Additionally, I may have  unfairly spoken to it quite sternly about the missed birdie putt on the last hole. So ya, hurt feelings are never good in a true and loyal partner. It's probably still sulking. I know I am.

No problem, reached in the bag for another ball I found as it's replacement. When one goes down another steps up. It's a team thing, a family thing.

I have played the same courses for 20 years+. Even if a ball is scuffed, if it goes where I am aiming it and close to the historical distance, than I keep playing it. Golf is very expensive without buying new balls and switching them out every nine holes! 

I will say I play for fun and no competitive rounds. If I was playing for money...

I would hope to find some of those balls from the people who use a new ball every 3 holes. Sounds "brand new" to me.

[Statuskuo02]

As long as my ball doesn't decide for me, I play the ball until i see a significant scuff on them, either from a wedge shot, cart path, a tree, etc.  Then it becomes a practice, scramble or bad day ball.

[MissionMan]

5 hours ago, StripeyGreenTV said:

Like the idea of adding a dot each round

You can also make it unique. As an example mine starts as a smile with one eye, then two eyes, then two eyes and a nose. 

[mackdaddy]

On 4/4/2024 at 2:55 PM, 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.

I do the exact same thing.

 

[19tholeAl]

I hit the ball pretty hard and drive it (carry) 240. I played 2 18's and a 9 with the same Pro V believe it or not, cause I can't...lol... Even tho the ball was good luck, not loosing it wise, I donated it to the cart guy after that.

[ShaunieBoy652]

27 holes is my number, maybe 36 if I'm playing really well and the ball isn't scuffed. A golf buddy says 100 hits (not putts) is the max. He plays Pinnacle's, had a ball break in half during a round after saying it was almost @ 100, guess he was right - for Pinnacle's anyway. 

[Jon Diggs]

Until it hits a cart path or a tree

[KenBender]

I’ll play a ball until it shows enough damage to affect the flight

[robert76401]

I usually play 2 rounds an they are usually pretty chewed up from wedges an what not 

[Joseph Riddle]

I read an article years ago that talked about the life of golf balls. Supposedly it takes 250 shots with a driver at tour speeds before you need to replace them. Obviously that means if you don't damage them with cart paths, rocks or something else abrasive you can play one about as long as you don't lose it. 

[HBaum]

As soon as I get comfortable with one, it up and leaves. Slice, fade, swimming, mud diving, zip lining, tree climbing.

The best one is when someone  takes it and it has been cursed!

[OU812DAY]

Usually can make 3 to 4 rounds unless it gets retired OB, as long as it not too blemished!! 

[Dweed]

I'll play a ball until a feelable blemish/rough spot develops. If it's a gouge in the trash it goes. Blemish/ rough spots go in the on bag water hole reserve.  Excess over those 6 reserves go into the practice shag bag. After a season, I rotate the shag bag balls out to the range ball donation bag for use the following spring and summer range sessions..