63 replies to this topic

[dbdors]

My game is getting better and I'm actually finishing rounds with 2 or 3 played balls.  I would normally loose so many balls that I didn't have to worry about wearing out a ball.

But now I wonder how long should I play a ball.  Are a few scuffs okay?  When should a ball be retired.  And how have you disposed of old balls?  I hate to just throw them in the trash.

[Badger_Golfer]

A few scuffs are fine.  If it really bothers you, just take a utility knife and shave the frayed parts of the cover off.  Ive never noticed a difference in performance from new balls to ones that are scuffed up anyways.

[feedlotdoc]

I've never noticed a big issue with scuffs.  I usually lose them before they get to bad.  If not, they go in a shag bag for practice balls.  If they are really bad, I will usually jack them across the road into an empty field.

[Rockminer]

I usually use the balls, that last for a round or two, as potential give away balls for shots. An island green par 3 is an example. A drive over water, etc.

[mckennwa]

I game them until they have 3 or 4 scuffs or one bad one.  If I still have them they go into my shag bag or I play with them late in the season when leaves cause frequent ball losses.  Occasionally I'll try to skip one across a pond if waiting.

Edited by mckennwa, 25 November 2012 - 04:22 PM.

[viperstudio]

I used new balls every round, 1 in the front and 1 in the back. after the round it goes to my used balls bucket at home and give away to my golf buddies when they come over.

[MountainKing]

For tournaments I'll bring out a new ball every few holes.  If it's a practice round or I'm out screwing around I'll just keep playing the same ball..I think I've currently got 6 rounds on the current ball.

[hi voltage]

I intentionally played a Hex Chrome for as long as I could. Made it 61 holes before I snapped hooked it across some train tracks. It looked decent for the amount of abuse it took. Typically 18 holes or one cart path with one ball is enough. After that I will put it in the shag bag or give them to my son.

[Imp]

I play a ball until it's lost or no longer fit for play scuffs/scratches/cuts. Never thought about switching them out during rounds.

Could someone explain the benefit to switching to a new ball every 4-9 holes? Is there a breakdown in the compression? Durability? The polymers no longer as elastic? Something more fact driven other than 'because'?

--kC

[tembolo1284]

I play a ball until I lose them.

[TNReb]

I play it until it's scuffed or damaged enough to possibly affect performance.  I then toss it in the bottom of my bag.. which eventually finds it's way in a bucket in my garage.  I keep them for shag balls or throw them in my wife's bag (she doesn't really play and can easily loose a half doezen balls every time I take her out).

[TJCDAS]

Imp, on 27 November 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

I play a ball until it's lost or no longer fit for play scuffs/scratches/cuts. Never thought about switching them out during rounds.

Could someone explain the benefit to switching to a new ball every 4-9 holes? Is there a breakdown in the compression? Durability? The polymers no longer as elastic? Something more fact driven other than 'because'?

--kC

Because that's what tour players do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unless it gets a chart path scuff it stays in play, my game has never allowed me to make it two rounds with the same ball.  I am pleased and my score is usually very good for me if the same ball stays in play for 18.

I would assume that golfers that have played wound golf balls DT or balata have a different idea of what  constitutes a playable balls versus a damaged ball.

Edited by TJCDAS, 27 November 2012 - 09:44 AM.

[BullDurham6]

I usually get rid of a ball as soon as i make a bogey or it has a cut or scuff.....Just really picky about the ball...I usually hit bad balls into the woods or throw them in the water.

[morebeerbettergolf]

I play mine for 7 holes clean them throughly and give them a proper burial under the big tree next to my childhood cat, Furbles.

[cmherrbach]

500 holes. Then it's off to the shag bag.

[Pepperturbo]

How long depends on each persons resources.  I typically play a ball 3-5 rds, unless scuffing appears detrimental; then they go in my shag bag or Jr golf collection barrel.

[blink3665]

I generally lose balls faster than they need to be replaced.  However if they hit a cart path or get a large cut or scuff I will retire them.  I save them for my annual "friends that don't golf" tournament comes around.  My wife and friends can generally lose 1-2 dozen balls within 9 holes (and yes, that is between 3 people)   Until then they sit in a Gallon paint bucket from Lowes to use for chipping in my yard.

[RRFireblade]

I always start with a new sleeve.

After each round they go in my 'in bag' shag pocket and after that they spill over into my typical shag/chip bag/tube.

As for changing out balls , once it's cut or deeply scuffed it gets bagged usually.

I don't like looking down at smiley faces.....last thing iI need is my ball mocking me.

[SketchyBFC]

tembolo1284, on 27 November 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

I play a ball until I lose them.

+1

[inmens]

This i hate: i play a used ball for about 5 rounds in a row. Then pick up a new one, intact, beautiful one. Shot. Water or OB. Ball lost..Really hate that!

[ssp]

I start every round with 1 new ball.  When I lose it ... I dig in my bag for a previously used one.

[bullie76]

tembolo1284, on 27 November 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

I play a ball until I lose them.

Same here and it usually doesn't take too long.

[LONG&STR8]

I play a ball until it just doesn't look good any longer. As for the disposal I hit them on the range with my driver so I can actually see the correct (or close to) trajectory, spin and distance compared to range balls.

[dpark]

I'll play a ball until it gets scruffy looking from 36+ holes or a really bad ding from a cart path. Then I just put them in a flat rate USPS box in my garage, when it gets full, I send them to my brother who is an 18hdcp and loves to play ProVs but loses several balls per round. I think I get around 4 dozen in a box.

[dbdors]

LONG&STR8, on 29 November 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

... As for the disposal I hit them on the range with my driver so I can actually see the correct (or close to) trajectory, spin and distance compared to range balls.

I think that's the best idea so far.  I have hit some balls that I didn't think i liked on the range to see if they go further than the range ball.  I could do the same for the really scuffed ones.  I guess it would benefit the range.  Although I rarely see non-range balls in my basket.

[Imp]

I brought a bag of found/scuffed balls to my range and started hitting them without buying a bucket and I got tossed.

--kC

[sirukuma]

LONG&STR8, on 29 November 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

I play a ball until it just doesn't look good any longer. As for the disposal I hit them on the range with my driver so I can actually see the correct (or close to) trajectory, spin and distance compared to range balls.

Bingo.  I only work on swing mechanics using range balls. I save up real balls I want to retire and when I have enough, I pull'em out of the bag at the end of a range session and work on things like distance control with wedges.

[Johnny Biarritz]

I typically go until I lose a ball. Sometimes that might be 3 or 4 rounds, sometimes might be 3 or 4 holes. New golf balls don't really get damaged from play unless you hit a cart path really hard or something strange. Slight scuffs don't count. Old Balata balls used to get out of round, look at a ball and see a rather large pimple on one side of the ball. But even in competition, I would not hesitate to play a single ball for the entire round.

[arlingtonz]

I find scuffed balls don't really play worse, in fact there is one ProV that I think I will never lose. However I always like to start with a fresh ball. Usually I'll make the entire round with it, if not I go into the shag bag and pull out an older one.

I found the Hex Chromes to be the softest cover, I shredded that ball by the 3rd wedge shot. Recently switched to Srixons Z-Stars and I can't cut them if I tried.

[jhscott1]

For a tournament round I usually play a ball for about 9 holes. These balls then go in to my bag for casual play. After I have played my casual balls a couple rounds they get sent to the shag bag. That gives me a chance to practice with what I play with.