Switching balls during play?

[Redneck Golfer]

May be a dumb question...but can you switch balls during play? Specifically brand? Since I haven't cured the slice yet I still lose quite a few balls. Therefore I buy cheap ones to get off the tee. That said, if I'm using say, a Top Flite XL 3000 to get off the tee; and once in the fairway I want to switch too a PRO V1 or some other soft ball for better feel and chipping, can I do that? Regardless of a day with my dad, best ball tourney, or some amateur tourney. Anyone?

[Wi-Golfer]

It is against the rules, but unless you are playing in a tourney or for $$$ who cares? Plenty of people carry cheap balls for when they have to cross water hazards.

[FATC1TY]

Against the rules. To be strict, you have to play the same ball, brand/model for the round.

For money/handicap, ect.. You need to.

For a regular round with friends, use whatever and have fun.

[zaphod]

That would be breaking the rules. A sacred ritual involving adding a specified number to your "normal" personal best score must be performed. A Cathartic Confessional is advised.

Its a slippery slope---first switching balls, then mulligans, give mee putts, then finally improper touching of the ball.

I shall avert my eyes for the time being....but.....

[floggerrushmd]

Actually you only have to play the same brand and make for an entire round if you are in a tournament that specifically states this is the case. Outside of that you can change your ball on the tee of any hole. During a hole you are not allowed within the rules to change the ball you are playing. However, only the biggest rules Nazis will call you on it in a friendly round.

[FATC1TY]

I don't really care in a friendly "fun" round.. I have buddies who'll try and tank one from the tee, and use any old ball, and then they drop their "good" premium ball and play the hole out.

I just use the same damn ball, no way to get any consistency when you swap out a different ball every damn shot. Regardless if it's the rules or not.

[Louie_T07]

This question made me laugh, but only because I play with probably the worst offender out there!! And I play with him on a regular basis because the guy is a blast!!

As everyone has stated already, according to the rules you must play with the same ball for the round, unless of course you loose it in the woods or pond. But in a regular friendly game I don't think those rules apply. My playing partner is easily the worst at this by far. He has one ball that he hits with his driver, cause it goes straighter. He then switches mid-fairway to another ball for fairway woods and long irons. He will then switch again, when he uses his short irons and wedges. Sometimes he even changes again on the greens when putting!! Not only is this funny as hell, but also confusing because you just never know what ball he's playing with!

[FATC1TY]

I couldn't play with someone like that. Improving his lie, because you know you'll never get the same lie each time from picking and replacing your ball.

That, and I've played with jerks who "find" a ball that isn't the one they hit, and intend to play it and claim it to be theirs.

[limpalong]

I believe Rule 15-1 and 15-2 govern, if we are playing by the USGA Rules of Golf.

You must hole out with the ball you hit off the tee, unless a ball can be substituted under the conditions set forth in the Rules. If you can, legally, mark or pick up a ball during the play of the hole... another ball can be substituted. In his heyday, Lee Trevino played this Rule to its ultimate. He'd use a Top Flite... the long range rock of his day... on Par 4's and Par 5's. On Par 3's, he would use a Titleist Balata to get the advantage of the spin. The PGA enacted a rule for PGA Tour events that requires the use of the same brand/type ball for the entire round. That is a PGA rule... not one of the USGA Rules of Golf.

Whether we play our weekend round by the Rules of Golf or we play in tourneys that are governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, we should be able to use the Rules to our advantage. I should be able, for instance, to use a Titleist NXT Tour on Par 4's and Par 5's. Then, I should be able to use a ProV on Par 3's. Now, I can legally mark and pick the ball when the ball is on the green. At the point I can mark and pick the ball, I can substitute another ball that conforms with the USGA Rules. So, if I want consistency off the putter, I should be able to use a ProV on ALL holes for putting.

Are we confused yet? Most of us will find a ball we like... or will win a dozen balls in the local church auction... and will play those balls. We play what we purchase at WalMart or Target. We don't take the time to strategically change balls at Par 3's. Thank goodness!!!!!!!!

Note: Thursday, ran up behind a two-some on about 14. One of them was, evidently, lining up the ball logo/printing with the putt line. Then, he'd step back and plumb-bob. After plumb-bobbing, he'd squat and move the logo/printing incrementally. He would repeat this two or three times.... for EACH of the THREE OR FOUR putts he'd have!!!!!!!!!! Wore us out, waiting on this dork!!!!!

[N.V.M.]

yeah, we bet a lot and i can only see a lie getting better once a guy replaces his ball.


not to mention it just isn't fair to play a ball that can really fly off the tee then replace it with a spinny short game ball, even during our weekly non-PGA events.

[Fourputt]

Against the rules. To be strict, you have to play the same ball, brand/model for the round.

For money/handicap, ect.. You need to..

One ball is not required by the rules. You have to play the same ball you hit from the tee until you hole out, but you can change balls between holes as often as you like.

There is a condition of the competition that the tournament committee can put into effect that requires the player ot play one ball for the entire round, but that is typically only used in very high level tournaments like the US Open, PGA Tour, etc. I've never been involved in a tournament where the one ball rule was in effect.

[Fourputt]

If you can, legally, mark or pick up a ball during the play of the hole... another ball can be substituted.

Not true. That would allow you to change balls when you got to the green... not allowed. You can only substitute a ball when following a procedure where the Rules specifically say that you can.

In his heyday, Lee Trevino played this Rule to its ultimate. He'd use a Top Flite... the long range rock of his day... on Par 4's and Par 5's. On Par 3's, he would use a Titleist Balata to get the advantage of the spin. The PGA enacted a rule for PGA Tour events that requires the use of the same brand/type ball for the entire round. That is a PGA rule... not one of the USGA Rules of Golf.

As I said above... not specifically a PGA Tour rule, but a condition that they employ in their competitions. It is a condition that any tournament committee can put into effect if it so chooses. See the Rules of Golf - Appendix I, Section C, Item 1c.

[Redneck Golfer]

You guys are a trip! I wasn't trying to manipulate my play in case you were wondering. Well, not intentionally. I'm just working on my tee shot and lose a ball or 10 sometimes. You know they can get a little expensive. I try to play honest. I don't improve my lie, I play the ball I hit in the woods or I drop another and take the strokes. I just wondered if when I got past that point, if I could try to play a better ball. I love this forum. It sounds like you guys are on top of it all. Thanks for keeping me honest!

[Freet]

Legally, no, but most weekend hackers either won't know the rule or won't give a ****.

[wirehair]

Rules are more like guidelines.

I play in a Tuesday money game with 5 or 6 other old guys. 10 cents a hole, 25 cent greenies - big money!

We have our own rules:
1. Billy don't see so well, if he can't find his ball after our help, he drops one without penalty.
2. Harold is 5'3" tall & has a spine thing that makes him tilt. He tips up for his fairway woods.
3. Rudy wants to putt with a green ball, but he only has one.
4. Terry plays with a 52" putter, he likes it - it's illegal.
5. Jimmy has decided that it's not manly to hit driver off the tee on a par 3. You can't win a greenie if you use driver. You might win the hole, but Jimmy ain't paying.

We will split up if there are 6 or 7 of us that play, but the 18th plays $1 for birdie, 50 cent for par. We always play 18 together.