changing balls on the tee

[Jaydog]

kinda lazy and wondered if anyone knew the answer offhand.

can the pros switch to a different type of ball during a round? a friend of mine says that they can change and use any ball from the tee but has to finish with that one for the hole. my gut feeling is no but i've been wrong before. ;)

my example was more along the lines of: if a player starts the round with prov1 and switches to prov1x for the next hole. is it legal?

thanks to any/all who respond.

[noback]

kinda lazy and wondered if anyone knew the answer offhand.

can the pros switch to a different type of ball during a round? a friend of mine says that they can change and use any ball from the tee but has to finish with that one for the hole. my gut feeling is no but i've been wrong before. ;)

my example was more along the lines of: if a player starts the round with prov1 and switches to prov1x for the next hole. is it legal?

thanks to any/all who respond.I beleive you are right and he is wrong:cool:

- The Committe (PGA Tour) may include this Local Rule in the conditions of competition.
"One Ball Condition"
During a stipulated round, the balls a player uses must be of the same brand and type as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls. Most pro events use this Local Rule including all the major Tours. Ottawa Zone CPGA events use this Local Rule. Hope this helps.:D

[Jaydog]

thanks noback....now i can rub it in his face. :rofl:

maybe i'll hold off :hush:, until he brings up one that i goofed up on.

[Mok]

haah so playing with balls that i find is outta the question then :hush:

[noback]

Not if you change them on the tee and finish off the hole with it. This is only a "local rule" for the pro tours and is up to their committees.:cool:

[boss of the moss]

I have a friend who uses multiple brands of balls in one round so I hope he sees this.

[noback]

I have a friend who uses multiple brands of balls in one round so I hope he sees this.He still can unless the committee of a tournament says you cant in their "local rules":rolleyes:

[Grass Roots Tour]

If the tour uses this rule then I think they're stupid. Who cares if you switch balls as long as you finish the hole you're on first.

[Jaydog]

If the tour uses this rule then I think they're stupid. Who cares if you switch balls as long as you finish the hole you're on first.

that's what i would think. but i recall something about a team match play tourney with tiger and someone and the partner agreed to use tiger's ball bc it mattered more for eldrick.

[Grass Roots Tour]

that's what i would think. but i recall something about a team match play tourney with tiger and someone and the partner agreed to use tiger's ball bc it mattered more for eldrick.
Yeah... I'm not disputing someone's research I'm just saying its a dumb rule. :hush:

[boss of the moss]

He still can unless the committee of a tournament says you cant in their "local rules":rolleyes:
One ball rule should always be in play. in tourneys it is. well any serious tournies. Top players don't change their ball brand.

[noback]

One ball rule should always be in play. in tourneys it is. well any serious tournies. Top players don't change their ball brand.I was only saying his friend can because the rule only applies to the tours that make it so by deeming it a local rule. :)

[Grass Roots Tour]

One ball rule should always be in play. in tourneys it is. well any serious tournies. Top players don't change their ball brand.

Top players where? You mean players who get all they're equipement and balls for free and are paid to use them? Cause if you think any of the tours in Ontario give a rats backside what ball you put in play on each hole you're sadly mistaken.

I do agree that good players probably will play the same ball type and model all day in any tournament but the fact is no one really cares. How could changing balls possibly be an advantage? Unless you hit tee shots with a rock for distance then switch in the fairway for softness on the approach (which would be an obvious cheat) I just don't see how anything can be gained.

[Focker Singh]

that's what i would think. but i recall something about a team match play tourney with tiger and someone and the partner agreed to use tiger's ball bc it mattered more for eldrick.
The reason for that ruling is each hole can have different characteristics. ie: one hole might be wide open fairway, down wind, down hill, so you might pull out a distance ball for that hole, while afterwards, you might be on a par 3 and might want a spin ball instead, so thats why the rule states that you have to use the one brand and type for your entire round. As for Match play, they have very different rules than Stroke Play so for the "better ball" format, they had to choose one type of ball for both players.
Personally, I use different brands and types throughout my round as well, but for no particular reason. Usually its because one might be scuffed and the other not.

[Grass Roots Tour]

How many guys in your club championship do you think change balls on a given tee due to wear on the origonal or a lost ball .. whatever, and they don't even HAVE another one the same in the bag?

Anyone contending to win low gross will have a sleeve or two of the same ball, most likely, but the choppers fighting over low net (with inflated handicaps) won't have two balls the same.

Do you honestly think anyone will notice or care?

[boss of the moss]

Top players where? You mean players who get all they're equipement and balls for free and are paid to use them? Cause if you think any of the tours in Ontario give a rats backside what ball you put in play on each hole you're sadly mistaken.

I do agree that good players probably will play the same ball type and model all day in any tournament but the fact is no one really cares. How could changing balls possibly be an advantage? Unless you hit tee shots with a rock for distance then switch in the fairway for softness on the approach (which would be an obvious cheat) I just don't see how anything can be gained.
What tours are you referring to? Obviously not very reputable ones if they can't invoke that simple rule. There are many top players around who are not paid to play or use the gear that follow the one ball rule religously. Not in your foursome bye the sounds of it. Is not nice to know when a guy stands on the first tee and says I'm using a Titleist, when on the eighth hole he hits it in the crap and now your looking for a Top-Flite? Doesn't sound like golf to me. There is no advantage, but nobody said the rules of golf make sense or we have to agree with them. Let's face it nine out of ten people who play this game don't even know the rules. Well, they may know how to penelize themselves, but they definetly don't use them to their advantage.

[962B]

Can't you kids try and get along......:rofl:

[el tigre]

What tours are you referring to? Obviously not very reputable ones if they can't invoke that simple rule. There are many top players around who are not paid to play or use the gear that follow the one ball rule religously. Not in your foursome bye the sounds of it. Yeah, you can always tell that someone is a top player (or a pretentious wannabe) if he religiously follows the one-ball rule regardless of whether it is in effect or not. Personally, I refuse to enter any tournament that does not have it as a local rule because of the damage that might do to my reputation.:rolleyes:

Is not nice to know when a guy stands on the first tee and says I'm using a Titleist, when on the eighth hole he hits it in the crap and now your looking for a Top-Flite? Doesn't sound like golf to me. Lets see now, the guy's hitting a golf ball on a golf course and sometimes he hits the golf ball into crap. Yep, sounds like golf to me! Gee boss, please explain to us poor, ignorant, struggling hackers how playing a different brand of golf ball during a round somehow *******izes the game.

There is no advantage, but nobody said the rules of golf make sense or we have to agree with them. Let's face it nine out of ten people who play this game don't even know the rules. Well, they may know how to penelize themselves, but they definetly don't use them to their advantage. There are 34 Rules of Golf, and the so-called "one-ball" rule is not one of them. But then you knew that, right? Cuz I'm sure you're in the top 10% of golfers who really know how to use the rules to their advantage.;)

[boss of the moss]

Hey Tiger. The one ball rule isn't one of the thirty four rules of golf? Thank you. lol. No kidding it's a local rule. Think back to this next time your playing for a bit of $ out there and the guy whose wallet your trying to get into gives you the old " No I swicthed balls I'm not using a Titleist DT Solo anymore, I'm now using a Strata Tour Soft" oh really. Not strange? And yes I do know the rules. It's a fact that most players do not use the rules to their advantage.

[noback]

Hey Tiger. The one ball rule isn't one of the thirty four rules of golf? Thank you. lol. No kidding it's a local rule. Think back to this next time your playing for a bit of $ out there and the guy whose wallet your trying to get into gives you the old " No I swicthed balls I'm not using a Titleist DT Solo anymore, I'm now using a Strata Tour Soft" oh really. Not strange? And yes I do know the rules. It's a fact that most players do not use the rules to their advantage.Seems to me you guys are talking about the same thing but differently.
1- On the PGA they have this rule, and they play it.
2- On mini tours they have it as well, and they play it.
3- On other tours that make it a local rule and they play it.
4- At most local tournaments (including OVGA and GAO) they dont make it a local rule they dont play it.
5- At club championships (and I've played many over the years) they dont have it and dont play it.
6- On a regular golf outing no one plays it.

It is NOT a rule of golf. It is only a local rule.:D

As for the "No I swicthed balls I'm not using a Titleist DT Solo anymore, I'm now using a Strata Tour Soft" comment.......this guy is just cheating. If you do change balls most people I know and play with just call it on the tee that they changed balls. Even changing brands is allowed. :cool:

[el tigre]

As for the "No I swicthed balls I'm not using a Titleist DT Solo anymore, I'm now using a Strata Tour Soft" comment.......this guy is just cheating. If it is not against the rules of golf and there is no local rule prohibiting it, then how is this cheating? Please explain how forgetting to tell a fellow-competitor that I am now playing a different brand of ball somehow gives me an advantage?

Unless of course, you believe that golf is NOT an honourable game and that everyone else is out to cheat and lie every chance they get. But then if you think your fellow-competitors would deliberately lie about what ball they are playing, then why are you playing with these guys for money?

[boss of the moss]

too much time and effort spent on this

[noback]

If it is not against the rules of golf and there is no local rule prohibiting it, then how is this cheating? Please explain how forgetting to tell a fellow-competitor that I am now playing a different brand of ball somehow gives me an advantage?

Unless of course, you believe that golf is NOT an honourable game and that everyone else is out to cheat and lie every chance they get. But then if you think your fellow-competitors would deliberately lie about what ball they are playing, then why are you playing with these guys for money?Well maybe not cheating, but MOST golfers will tell you when they are changing balls. And it's done before they do not after the fact. I wouldnt call anyone on it, but it's always nice to know before hand. And of course the ball should have his mark on it as well.:D

[boss of the moss]

thanks noback hard to get through to this guy

[el tigre]

Well maybe not cheating, but MOST golfers will tell you when they are changing balls. And it's done before they do not after the fact. I wouldnt call anyone on it, but it's always nice to know before hand. And of course the ball should have his mark on it as well.:D Noback, you have a bunch of guys that you regularly play with, and most of the rounds you play have a few $$ on the line. So it doesn't surprise me that most of the guys you play with tell you when they are changing balls (but I'm sure you don't DQ them if they forget either!). But I think it is fair to say that the majority of golfers do not play in tournaments or even wager a few $$ when they play.

As you noted, the one-ball rule is not used in most local tournaments, club championships or regular golf outings. In fact, I don't think I have EVER been told by someone what ball they are playing or when they are changing balls, and that includes playing on the OG Tour.

But then like most golfers, I only play for fun. If you're playing for a few $$ then I think it is a courtesy to tell your fellow competitors what ball you are playing and inform them if you change.

But when some guy who calls himself the "boss" arrogantly proclaims that "the one-ball rule should always be in play", that a tournament is "not reputable" if they don't have it, that someone else is obviously not a "top player" because they don't follow it religiously, and insinuates that anyone who does not play the same brand of ball during the entire round is "not playing golf" - well, that guy needs to be brought down a peg or two.

[noback]

But then like most golfers, I only play for fun. If you're playing for a few $$ then I think it is a courtesy to tell your fellow competitors what ball you are playing and inform them if you change.. You are 100 % correct here. No one cares when nothing is on the line except having fun and playing your best. When in tournaments and for $$ it is just that, a courtesy and that's why we do it so as not to confuse the issue when a ball does go astray.;)

But when some guy who calls himself the "boss" arrogantly proclaims that "the one-ball rule should always be in play", that a tournament is "not reputable" if they don't have it, that someone else is obviously not a "top player" because they don't follow it religiously, and insinuates that anyone who does not play the same brand of ball during the entire round is "not playing golf" - well, that guy needs to be brought down a peg or two.Again I agree with you here, unless he is one of those who play with that local rule in effect or his FC are that strict on their weekend matches, it should have no bearing on what ball I or you or anyone else plays.:nono: btw I am not saying it's wrong or right it's just not a rule most of us will play.

:)

[boss of the moss]

Noback, you have a bunch of guys that you regularly play with, and most of the rounds you play have a few $$ on the line. So it doesn't surprise me that most of the guys you play with tell you when they are changing balls (but I'm sure you don't DQ them if they forget either!). But I think it is fair to say that the majority of golfers do not play in tournaments or even wager a few $$ when they play.

As you noted, the one-ball rule is not used in most local tournaments, club championships or regular golf outings. In fact, I don't think I have EVER been told by someone what ball they are playing or when they are changing balls, and that includes playing on the OG Tour.

But then like most golfers, I only play for fun. If you're playing for a few $$ then I think it is a courtesy to tell your fellow competitors what ball you are playing and inform them if you change.

But when some guy who calls himself the "boss" arrogantly proclaims that "the one-ball rule should always be in play", that a tournament is "not reputable" if they don't have it, that someone else is obviously not a "top player" because they don't follow it religiously, and insinuates that anyone who does not play the same brand of ball during the entire round is "not playing golf" - well, that guy needs to be brought down a peg or two.
You like to read deep into things don't you? I still think you be hard pressed to find a reputable tour that doesn't follow the one ball rule. For most it's even understood, player's that is. Not following, doesn't make you not a golfer, but I,m going to guess your not competitive in the gross play part of your club championship, if you lose a Titleist and replace it with a Top-Flite. Oh your definitely still playing golf, just a different brand of golf. You admitted you don't wager or play in tournies, so we are in fact talking on two different levels as Noback referred to in a previous reply. I need to be brought down a peg or two? It's my opinion don't get your back up in the air. If you don't tell your playing partners when you make a ball switch on the course maybe consider a name change form "Eltigre" to "Elclown".

[noback]

I,m going to guess your not competitive in the gross play part of your club championship, if you lose a Titleist and replace it with a Top-Flite. Oh your definitely still playing golf, just a different brand of golf. ".I guess I'm in that group too. I have played in many club championships for the low gross and never has there been that local rule. I've also played in many city and district events and never have they had that local rule either. I would imagine if you are playing in CPGA tour or other pro tours, then maybe you have a point. But in any GAO and OVGA they DONT use that local rule. If it's not a rule then there is no breach of the rules and therefore we are still playing by the rules.:)

boss, can I ask which tour you play on? Obviously from your posts this is a local rule on your tour or it wouldnt be such a big thing.:confused:

[boss of the moss]

You did briefly touch on what level I play at, but that is not important. It's an issue when guys start criticizing and taking offence based on their own level of play. It's an opinion, nobody's level of play is being questioned here. People don't have to take offence to this local rule or committee rule because it is not a part of their game. You do putt better with the same feeling ball coming off the putter face all the time. Or is that just an obvious observation?

[McBogey]

this is only a professional tour rule, does not apply to a freindly game of golf or even your local skins, nassau games on the weekend. They applied this rule to protect the sponsors, like Callaway, Titleist etc....
But if you plan to change your ball during any amatuer tourny, you must notify your playing partners, that you are switching balls.

[noback]

They applied this rule to protect the sponsors, like Callaway, Titleist etc....
.I would imagine they apply this rule to protect THE FIELD and not the sponsors. It would help someone to use different balls on different holes. You need distance so you use the titleist "nxt" for a par 5 because it's longer than a pro v1. And then on a par 3 where you need to hit past the flag and suck it back, you would use a prov1. This is why there is a one ball rule on those pro tours, and some major amateur events.:cool:

[hammer]

I have also heard that pros are only allowed to carry 10 balls and when there gone thats it. I also though that they have to play a ball until its lost or until they have a marshall deem it unplayable. This would prevent them from switching to different ball types for different types of holes at least. I also thought that pros declare what type of ball they are playing before the round or is it just something TV stations show for information.

I cleaned out my bag yesterday and found 53 balls with at least 10 brands and 35 models. I had 8 locos left that I normally play and the rest were found balls. I'm no pro but I always start out with locos until ( if ) I run out then tell my partners what I am then hitting. I think we make sure to declare it to help us find each others balls not for the intergrity of the game though.

[noback]

I have also heard that pros are only allowed to carry 10 balls and when there gone thats it. I'm not sure about this
I also though that they have to play a ball until its lost or until they have a marshall deem it unplayable. Not true, you can swithch balls on any tee / you can declare a ball damaged without the officials anywhere as long as you inform your fellow competitor
This would prevent them from switching to different ball types for different types of holes at least. This is why only the pros have a 1 ball type "local rule", which is not in the "rules of golf".
I also thought that pros declare what type of ball they are playing before the round or is it just something TV stations show for information. Anytime you change balls, you should give the curtousy of telling your fellow competitors.

I cleaned out my bag yesterday and found 53 balls.I hope you dont carry your bag:rofl:

[boo1]

I believe PGA players can switch balls ona tee but must use the same make, model etc. He may deem a ball unplayable during a hole and replace it ONLY if his playing partner/marker agrees that it is unplayable, which for those guys is almost any little scuff mark.

[PPAULEY]

I guess it depends how serious your foursome is.Even if you are playing for a few bucks,who really cares if you change your ball.It is not going to make that much of a differance at the 18th green.If one of your players looses his ball and throws one out of his pocket,he has to live with that.Most players are honest and you know what".Win or loose the beer taste the same"

PPauley

[noback]

I guess it depends how serious your foursome is.Even if you are playing for a few bucks,who really cares if you change your ball.It is not going to make that much of a differance at the 18th green.If one of your players looses his ball and throws one out of his pocket,he has to live with that.Most players are honest and you know what".Win or loose the beer taste the same"

PPauleyIn any round I play, for money or for no money, I always call the ball when I change it. It makes it easier if you did hit one off the fairway and now looking for a Prov1 number 4 rather than a no.1 of which I was playing for 7 holes. Just a curteousy but a rather good one.:D