Have you ever watched the pros during a tournament?  They spend a tremendous amount of time looking at their golf ball for blemishes, scuffs, dents and deformities – especially when they miss a sort putt!  It makes one ponder if there is something to their obsession with the slightest mark or are they just obsessed.

To check out my bag and found that have my golf balls have scuff, mark, or something.  For the past few years, I used Pro V1 seconds from Walmart.  But, this year, I decided to change to Srixon Q Star.  I know they are completely different balls, but I need a drastic change because …. well just because.  If my experiment does not work, I can always change back.

Back to the topic.  My experience is that a golf ball is really only good for about two rounds tops.  By then, you will hit the ball between 140 – 200+ times.  Not to mention the ground even more times.  I have used balls with all kinds of blemishes and normally did not care, but this year it is going to be different.  For the first part of the season, my rule will be two rounds max….it should make a difference – I think.

I have read that distance, the ability to shape the ball, and accuracy will be affected.  It has to do with aerodynamics of the ball and the science behind an object in motion etc, etc, etc.  I have never really notice the difference, but I am not at the same skill as the pros so, I never worried about it that much.

One place I have noticed a difference is on the greens.  A blemish, scuff or dent will effect the putting line.  Additionally, it has the potential not the leave the putter head square…this is similar to dirt on the ball.

On a side note, Rule 15-1 state that a player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground, unless the ball is lost or out-of-bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2).   Amateurs can change to any type of ball, but the pros use the one ball rule and they must use the same type of ball for the entire round.

The pros are smart about when to change their golf ball, but what degree of damage prompts the change only they know for sure.  I guess it boils down to preference.

When do you change your golf ball that has a scuff or damage?

I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!