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Golfers these days are really, really enjoying it. Club technology has never been better. Launch monitors can provide immediate feedback. And speaking of feedback, there are data-tracking apps out there that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your game.
Another thing worth celebrating? Golf ball durability. During the days of slab granit, it was common to find a dime-sized scuff mark on the jacket after a graceful wedge putt—on the first hole. Synthetic cap technology has come a long way since those days. For example, in 2019 Alex Chiarella scored a win at the Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open (Mackenzie Tour) while using the same Titleist Pro V1x for all 72 holes.
Chiarella took 264 swings (and putts) with the ball that week – a number most weekend golfers didn’t even come close to due to an accidental errant putt that would permanently lose the ball. In 2009, a GOLF magazine study found that avid golfers lose 1.3 golf balls per round, which works out to 5.2 in 72 holes. Just holding the ball for too long won’t happen unless you’re a burning/pro golfer, chipping, taking some accidental bounces, or all of the above.
But let’s pretend for a moment that you’re in the area and you can’t lose a golf ball. how long could Do you play the same ball? And what are the signs that tell you it’s time to make a change before performance declines?
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Unless you’re seeing something erratically on a stock shot—like a big change of direction or a good shot—it’s safe to play the ball for as long as you want, even if the paint on the cover starts to come off.
What you have to worry about is when the paint loss starts to expand, most likely due to a scuff mark.
“Our rule of thumb for regular golfers is as long as paint loss, friction or distortion of a golf ball is less than the size of a dime, it should be good,” said a Titleist representative.
In other words, general wear and tear won’t affect the cap too much. It’s the shots that “kiss” the cart’s path or bounce off the tree that generally leads to more paint loss and ultimately lower performance.
Titleist confirmed in 2019 that they’ve heard from weekend golfers who’ve played more than 120 consecutive holes with the same ball, so it’s definitely possible to keep playing one ball without worrying about it affecting your game. Just remember to keep an eye on the cover as the round progresses.
And one more thing: make sure you have enough balls in the bag to make 18 holes. The average professional holds 7 to 12 balls and prefers to put a few fresh balls into play during the course. If you are on the higher end of the handicap spectrum, make sure you have a full dozen and are pre-scored on the first tee.