Modern golf balls are much more durable than the products of the past, but even so we see players at the top of the game put numerous balls in play for every round on tour. But how long does a golf ball last and should we, as club players, be following suit?
Gary Woodland changes his golf ball every time he makes a bogey – I’m not sure how many of us mere mortals could afford to do that – while Ernie Els believes there is only one birdie in each ball and swaps it out after each one.
So just how long can you get away with teeing up the same Pro V1 at your club without seeing a drop off in performance? Let’s take a closer look.
How long does a golf ball last?
The research says you can get seven rounds out of a golf ball before seeing a drop off in performance but obviously that will vary depending on what happens to it. If it catches a tree or path and gets scuffed, that number is going to go down.
If you get a mark on your ball that’s bigger than a 5p piece, or that changes the texture of the surface, the ball needs replacing. But that’s not to say you then can’t use that ball for practising afterwards.
If you are going to change your ball mid-round make sure you do it after you have finished that hole. Changing balls mid-hole would result in a two-shot penalty in stroke play.
You also want to think carefully about where you are storing your golf balls. Keeping them in excessive heat or cold will affect performance over time. As a general rule storing them at room temperature will keep them fine for five to 10 years.