How long do you play a ball before retiring it?

[aguybadatgolf]

Historically I loose balls before they need to be retired. I’m finally getting lessons and think I’ve amassed enough playing time that I can go a round or 2 without loosing a ball. I noticed they are getting pretty chewed up from wedges and are missing some paint. At what point do you no longer game it? I have about 6 balls in that category at this point.  

[GolfSpy MPR]

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.

[golfinnut]

Until it retires itself either in the woods or in the water.  HA!  

[aguybadatgolf]

15 minutes 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.

Thanks for the feedback. That was my thought as well. If I can see the groove marks it’s probably going to spin differently. Looks like it’s time for retirement. 

[Grip]

Golf balls for me retire when...

• The outer layer shows any damage
• A full round of 18 or two 9 rounds
• Submersion and lost balls

Their retirement home is the local driving range where they already use found balls from their golf course...a win win for everyone. 

 

[ILMgolfnut]

5 minutes ago, aguybadatgolf said:

If I can see the groove marks it’s probably going to spin differently.

"Differently" might mean "better". Just a thought...

I've been getting better about not sending balls to a watery grave or to a new fate as Fido's chew toy at the condo along the 15th fairway. So I may have to rethink this. But historically I've never kept a ball in play long enough to be concerned about surface damage, except for the occasional cart path scuff or the violent collision with a pine tree. That violent collision usually sent me OB anyway. Might be time to review the current batch of gamers and see if any of them are ready for the practice bag. I did notice that the markings on one ball on Tuesday looked a bit worn, but I think that was the ball with which I narrowly missed the hole in one, so maybe it's not ready for retirement.

[Wheelieb]

It depends for me. I once had a ball last me 17 holes just to be lost in the only drain on the side of the fairway that should probably have had at least a cover on it. Most of the time it's about 4-5 holes and ball is lost.

[VernL4]

I've never had to concern myself with such trivial matters... They often decide when they no longer want to be with me. 

[JFore99]

One round max per ball for me.  While they might be able to go longer, a scuffed/chipped ball bothers me so I eliminate that from my mindset as much as possible... even if that means going through more balls than needed.  Thus I have a ton of used balls so I'll either give them to my kid to play or I take them to practice chipping and bunker shots.   

[TJ Hall]

2 hours ago, golfinnut said:

Until it retires itself either in the woods or in the water.  HA!  

I’m with you on this one!

[quod erat]

I have been unlucky with mine. They all enjoy scuba diving or forest adventures so much that they choose early retirement. 

[MichaelC_81]

I'd say until the longest drive Par 5, when all of a sudden it decides to take a right hand turn at Albuquerque... HOWEVER, I've been managing to get at least a full 18-22 holes out of a ball before it gets to scuffed or goes bush walking...

[MichaelC_81]

2 hours ago, quod erat said:

I have been unlucky with mine. They all enjoy scuba diving or forest adventures so much that they choose early retirement. 

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

[GolfSpy_APH]

It is actually rare that I have a ball last more than 20 or so holes. Just the nature of the courses we play. Lots of hazards and areas that cause grief and lost balls. 

[MissionMan]

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.

Edited April 5 by MissionMan

[RoverRick]

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

[Mark Hindle]

In the winter till its lost, otherwise 2-3 rounds.

[Rugbymick]

Can't remember the last time I decided. They usually leave me first 

[StripeyGreenTV]

I dream of being able to retire a ball!

On the rare occasion I manage to keep hold of it for longer than 9 holes it likely wouldn’t be too much longer before I change it, but it does very much depend on the conditions and number of visits into bunkers.

as soon as a ball has a noticeable scuff I would usually change it. Likely I’ll then use it as a provisional ball.

[gross18]

I will generally play a ball until I lose it.  Could be 4/5 rounds  could be first hole. I'm not a good enough golfer to worry about whether it's affecting the flight or performance.

[faiz khan]

For me normal 3/4 rounds or if the ball is scuffed up

[Ivanh2907]

If it lasts long enough I usually retire them to the putting green after 4 rounds 

[gingerbeast87]

I normally don't need to retire them. They tend to run free into the wild.

[Green4Spinach]

This past week I played a round where one hole had a stream flowing on the right side of the fairway. Two of the three of us hit reasonably straight and the third has a fair slice on his drive. All three of us aimed left and all three of us ended up in the water on the right. hard to explain unless it turns out water is magnetic for golf balls. Clearly, our balls had had enough of our feeble play. 

[OldSchoolFlusher]

For a tournament - new ball every 9 holes… note - a major scuff / launch OOB makes it costly lol… not worried about discolouration (e.g. off a tree which is common for me ) though… 

Non-tournament - use the balls from above, for practice / casual rounds / and finally into the practice ball bag for short game work etc…. 

I try to buy in bulk to reduce costs, e.g. in UK Titliest just about to launch there buy 3 get 4 dozen promotion… that makes life easier… 

[duckman]

I wish I could retire golf balls.

Sadly, I don't have old balls, as I am constantly losing them, so I only have new balls.

Generally, I might be lucky & have the same ball for say, three 18 hole rounds.

But, as I'm generally into trouble off the tee, as in, into the trees, I get scuffed balls a lot too, so three rounds is good for me

[BogeySteve]

I generally wait until I start seeing scuff marks and then I’ll switch out. I got a brand called Cut golf balls and I had to switch them out because they cracked and eventually split apart. But now I use Vice balls and they’re great and take a while to scuff up unless you hit the cart path a couple times. 

[THE GOLF GUY]

I have played 2-3 rounds with one not unless I get a blemish  on it , sometimes I change just because I’m not playing well and just for spite . But ,on average one ball per round, especially with the weather warming up .

 

[fozcycle]

Lately I have been getting 3 - 4 rounds before “retiring” a ball. Love my Maxfli Tour/Tour S/Tour X balls.

[proffire]

Best I've done is about 3 1/2 rounds on a single ball but if I can feel a  blemish of any sort I'll retire it then to my range bag. Remember the MGS testing last year where a blemish can cost up to 40 yds. After reading that I now retire then sooner !