When is a ball "done?"

I tend to stop using a ball when it gets a good scuff (thus becoming a fabled "water ball"), but I know several guys who will play any old rat ball they find in the weeds, some of which are older than me.

I would guess that a ball with a heavy scuff (like a cart-path tee shot) would have some different aerodynamics than a clean ball, but is it enough to really matter?

And do balls wear out after getting hit over and over? I can't imagine they wouldn't, as the materials must break down eventually after a certain number of hits, but how long does that take?

Besides personal bias (e.g., "I just like setting up to a bright white ball") and superstition (e.g., "I won't play a ball if it's been in the water"), any information/opinions on when to move a ball into the shag bag?

I'm done with a ball when it gets thirsty and goes to get a drink.

I like to play with scuffed balls. They cannot be lost. Set up 90° right in the tee box and try to hit it OB sideways. Sure enough, you'll duck hook it into the middle of the fairway. Uncanny.

Just a couple of days ago I started with a scuffed ball and it lasted through #18...hit 12 fairways. Had the best round of the year so far. GHIN said, "Are you sure you want to post that score?". It should have added,"You can't score like that! Look at your other 19 scores on the list!"

Yeah I use a ball until it gets lost.

If a ball gets really scuffed from hitting trees and cartpaths I usually keep it in my back pocket for the rest of the round as a second ball, and then keep it as a spare for another day. Quite frankly I typically lose a ball or 2 a round of 18, especially this time of year when my game is hardly in shape. I also cannot imagine today's balls wearing out very quickly and would not worry about playing multiple rounds with the same ball if the cover holds up.

I'll take a scuffed ball out of play because I don't want to putt with it. As for when a ball is "done", I have actually played 36 holes with the same ball just for the heck of it and couldn't tell any differences from the first hole to the last. As long as a ball is decent to putt with I see no need to take it out of play unless the cover has been cut.

Guy in my group yesterday was playing a Hogan Apex Tour. Don't think they've made those since 2005. It was sort of a "Munster grey" color.

So I guess the answer for some is....never. Unless lost or in multiple pieces.

I usually start with a new ball every round, but I am happy to hit scuffed balls after that. I usually only keep.a couple of old balls in the bag as I lose a lot of practice balls at the park where I practice, but to answer the question imo unless the cover has been completely breached a ball will still perform as good as ever. Some people change up balls during a round cause they just don't feel comfortable seeing scuff marks and that's understandable, but not necessary imo.

When I lose it, then it is done.

Two words: [i]KRO[/i]-[i]FLITE[/i]

It depends....if it is badly scuffed it goes in the practice bag. If it has 3+ rounds and still ok it heads to the Winter ammo bag. If it is a bit rough but still playable then I pass them on to our junior section. However if I try a new ball and don't like it after a few holes, no matter what condition, it is also passed to the juniors.

I've played a ball for 4 rounds til I put it OB.
I usually play them til I lose them, scuff marks dont matter to me. It just has more character.

I will play a ball until I lose it. And like you if it gets a decent scuff on it from a tree or path it will go in the practise bag.

I usually consider it done after this [attachment=2218005:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1399759729.106769.jpg]

[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1399759740' post='9269951']I usually consider it done after this [attachment=2218005:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1399759729.106769.jpg][/quote]
Wtf?

I will put a new ball in play if there is any kind of a scuff mark on the ball. I figure that these companies have spent millions of dollars on making sure the aerodynamics on the balls are just right that any scuff has the potential to change the dynamics of the ball in the air. This would be especially true if it's windy, and it's usually windy at the course I play at.

I've wondered about this lately though. Has there been any kind of testing done on this before? Do scuffs on the ball change it's flight? Will wind effect it more? I'm assuming it will based on the technology of it all and that any deviation from the true original ball surface can cause issues, but I have no actual proof to back it up.

I usually play a ball till I lose it. I don't think scuffs ever really affected the performance because the longest I've gone was 4 rounds before I lost it in the water on the 9th hole on the 5th round.
However I have thrown away 3 balls. 1st was a balata that got cut open. 2nd was the first generation ProV1x and the 3rd was a RBZ U last year.
Physically, both the ProV1x and RBZ U had no blemishes. But what happened to both those balls was my drive hit a light pole, which came back into the fairway. When I hit the ball again, it swerved in the air in an "S" shape like a snake slithering around. I think it was damaged internally, like it had lost its compression or something. I remember I was 110 yards away, hit a PW, and the ball would swerve from 1 edge of the green to the other, back to the other edge, before it came down.

I basically play a ball until its lost. If it gets a bad scuff it goes in a separate box at home for use in the Fall when all the leaves are out.

When I say it is!!!!!

I will use a scruffed up ball until I lose it (which as a beginner happens often), but if it is too bad I replace it with a new ball on the green to putt with.

I only use ProV's that are in perfect shape, and only been hit for about 3 holes. My SS is 127 mph and I drives carry 320, so the ball probably isn't a true round after I hit it. I usually go through a half dozen balls per 18.

Normal practice/casual round, I'll play a ball for two rounds then give it a rest in my shag bag.
Tournament round it's a new ball when I tee it up.

I play the 2014 B330 and they hold up pretty well over 36 holes.

[quote name='pluggs111' timestamp='1399852840' post='9275755']
I will use a scruffed up ball until I lose it (which as a beginner happens often), but if it is too bad I replace it with a new ball on the green to putt with.
[/quote]

Tsk tsk tsk. Rules

[quote name='Michael z' timestamp='1399854931' post='9275989']
I only use ProV's that are in perfect shape, and only been hit for about 3 holes. My SS is 127 mph and I drives carry 320, so the ball probably isn't a true round after I hit it. I usually go through a half dozen balls per 18.
[/quote]


At roughly $24 in balls per round I hope your on the PGA Tour and get them for free!
If not, I guess your kids are going to community college?

[quote name='Michael z' timestamp='1399854931' post='9275989']
I only use ProV's that are in perfect shape, and only been hit for about 3 holes. My SS is 127 mph and I drives carry 320, so the ball probably isn't a true round after I hit it. I usually go through a half dozen balls per 18.
[/quote]LOL I hope you get your balls for free! I nominate this for the best passive-brag post of all time.

I will use a ball till it's got some major scuff on it. But I always like to start a round with a new fresh ball.

[quote name='Michael z' timestamp='1399854931' post='9275989']I only use ProV's that are in perfect shape, and only been hit for about 3 holes. My SS is 127 mph and I drives carry 320, so the ball probably isn't a true round after I hit it. I usually go through a half dozen balls per 18.[/quote]

Trust me they will last longer than 3 holes. That is a lot of money in balls to go through for am average round. If they're free that's a different story

I'll keep playing a ball with some scratches but once I feel that the scrape may change the aerodynamics of the ball I'll replace it. I was lucky enough to get in on the nike deal for last years 20xi so I defiantly have enough that I can be a bit picky.

It really depends. Deep in the woods or deep in the water. Not much help there. Severe scuffs and abrasions will have it go in to the dark corners of the bag. I try to play a couple of rounds with a sleeve of balls. I have a tendency to rotate the balls during the round. Just my quirky motion.

New ball every round.
They only have one chance to do the right thing.

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1399855422' post='9276031'] [quote name='Michael z' timestamp='1399854931' post='9275989'] I only use ProV's that are in perfect shape, and only been hit for about 3 holes. My SS is 127 mph and I drives carry 320, so the ball probably isn't a true round after I hit it. I usually go through a half dozen balls per 18. [/quote]LOL I hope you get your balls for free! I nominate this for the best passive-brag post of all time. I will use a ball till it's got some major scuff on it. But I always like to start a round with a new fresh ball. [/quote]

LOLOL.. thats not a passive brag at all.

If I am playing competitively I use it until it gets a noticeable mark then I change. When I am not, I use balls until they get a huge scuff or until they are lost. You need all that upper hand in competition lol