Can you not use used balls in amateur tournaments?

[rosskoss]

I've been playing with inexpensive, new balls in tournaments. But recently, I managed to acquire some very nice but used condition ProV1s.

 

Are these balls considered acceptable for tournament play?

[emc]

yeah, I use them the whole time. No differnece in performance until you really gouge them

[tpariff]

You can't use balls marked "Practice" or "X Out", but there's no rule stating you have to tee up a brand new ball.

[Azurelimits]

You can't use balls marked "Practice" or "X Out", but there's no rule stating you have to tee up a brand new ball.

 

I have read that you can use balls marked Practice but not X out. I believe practice balls are conforming but have a printing blemish or something so they cant be sold as reg balls.

[tpariff]

You can't use balls marked "Practice" or "X Out", but there's no rule stating you have to tee up a brand new ball.

 

I have read that you can use balls marked Practice but not X out. I believe practice balls are conforming but have a printing blemish or something so they cant be sold as reg balls.

 

I've never seen a "Practice" ball on the conforming ball list. If in doubt, contact your local golf association. X-outs are typically marked that way for the same reasons you mentioned, a slight blemish in the paint or printing, so I don't really see a difference.

[Lefty44]

5-1/4 Status of an ‘X-out’ Ball

 

 

Q. ‘ X-out’ is the common name used for a golf ball which a manufacturer considers to be imperfect and has, therefore, crossed out the brand name on the golf ball. What is the status of an ‘X-out’ ball?

 

A. The vast majority of ‘X-out’ balls are rejected for aesthetic reasons only, i.e., paint or printing errors. In the absence of strong evidence to suggest that an ‘X-out’ ball does not conform to the Rules, it is permissible for such a ball to be used. However, in a competition where the Committee has adopted the condition that the ball the player uses must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls (see Note to Rule 5-1), an ‘X-out’ ball may not be used, even if the ball in question (without the X’s) does appear on the List.

[tpariff]

5-1/4 Status of an ‘X-out’ Ball

 

 

Q. ‘ X-out’ is the common name used for a golf ball which a manufacturer considers to be imperfect and has, therefore, crossed out the brand name on the golf ball. What is the status of an ‘X-out’ ball?

 

A. The vast majority of ‘X-out’ balls are rejected for aesthetic reasons only, i.e., paint or printing errors. In the absence of strong evidence to suggest that an ‘X-out’ ball does not conform to the Rules, it is permissible for such a ball to be used. However, in a competition where the Committee has adopted the condition that the ball the player uses must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls (see Note to Rule 5-1), an ‘X-out’ ball may not be used, even if the ball in question (without the X’s) does appear on the List.

 

Well, there it is. The Florida State Golf Association has never allowed X-outs or practice balls because they go strictly off the USGA conforming ball list.

 

There were two different times I had to get on OK to use a specific ball. When the Maxfli A10 came out years ago, I had some prototypes that had just been put on the list. Same thing with the HX Tour 56 a couple of years ago. They weren't in stores, but were on the USGA list.

 

If in doubt, check with a tournament official.

[Jameson]

It says on titleist website the practice versions are USGA approved.

 

If I was playing in competition, I would suggest springing the $45 for a dozen to be safe and confident, but if I didnt have it check with the tourney host/official first (if using practice marked ball) and show him the SLEEVE that it comes in, which clearly states it is USGA conforming.

 

JC

[rosskoss]

If you can't use practise or X-out balls, how can you use used balls which probably even deviate further from original manufacturing specs?

[raidernut1234]

because they are on the approved list. it's your choice to play a used ball that may be out of round, or have a suspect cover.

it goes to the letter of the rule. you have to make sure you play the same type of proV if it's a one ball tournament.

[Rockfish]

If you can't use practise or X-out balls, how can you use used balls which probably even deviate further from original manufacturing specs?

 

If you start with a BRAND NEW ball, once you hit your first tee ball of the round, you are then hitting a used ball, no ??? :russian_roulette:

[jpalm]

If you can't use practise or X-out balls, how can you use used balls which probably even deviate further from original manufacturing specs?

 

If you start with a BRAND NEW ball, once you hit your first tee ball of the round, you are then hitting a used ball, no ??? :russian_roulette:

 

 

Well, yes. Actually, if you think about, it would be next to impossible to finish

a round, or a hole for that matter, with any but a used ball. :beruo: