What I do when playing with friends (non-competition obviously) is drive off the tee with lake balls which cost about 50p (70c) each (Nike one black/platinum). Then when I get close to the green, say within 100 yards I switch balls to my expensive Bridgestone ball (which I'll use in medals/competitions).

This helps me save money as the majority of lost balls come off the longer shots and also helps improve my short game for my competition rounds as I'll still be used to playing my nice soft ball around the greens.

Dazinkster wrote:

What I do when playing with friends (non-competition obviously) is drive off the tee with lake balls which cost about 50p (70c) each (Nike one black/platinum). Then when I get close to the green, say within 100 yards I switch balls to my expensive Bridgestone ball (which I'll use in medals/competitions).

While this saves you money, it is also not proper, per the Rules Of Golf, which state that you must use the same ball type (think brand and model) for all the holes and can only switch balls during a hole if you can show your playing partner(s) that the ball you were playing with is now unplayable, i.e. is breaking apart (a cart path or tree scratch mark is not enough). Maybe you don't care about that aspect, but it's worth mentioning...

sjduffers wrote:

Dazinkster wrote: What I do when playing with friends (non-competition obviously) is drive off the tee with lake balls which cost about 50p (70c) each (Nike one black/platinum). Then when I get close to the green, say within 100 yards I switch balls to my expensive Bridgestone ball (which I'll use in medals/competitions). While this saves you money, it is also not proper, per the Rules Of Golf, which state that you must use the same ball type (think brand and model) for all the holes and can only switch balls during a hole if you can show your playing partner(s) that the ball you were playing with is now unplayable, i.e. is breaking apart (a cart path or tree scratch mark is not enough). Maybe you don't care about that aspect, but it's worth mentioning...

Hence my initial comment of "non-competition only"

Not sure about the rules in the UK, but the USGA states you must play the same ball for the duration of the hole, but you can change between holes. I think the PGA tournaments require that you play with the same type of ball throughout the entire round.

The USGA rules apply to any scored posted for a handicap.

I have a freind that switches to a "Clean" ball Just for putting and even this if I am right is Against the rules.

I've played with a lot of people who have "putting balls". I tried using my CAESAR Dimpleless ball for putting but got ridiculed.

You could try using the smaller British ball for putting too (1.62" vs. 1.68"). Heck why not use a large marble for putting.

Anyone remember the TopFlite Magna (1.72") which was supposed to reduce hooks & slices?

From the Royal & Ancient Golf web site:

The first Rules pertaining to the form and make of golf clubs appeared in 1909 but there were no rules regarding the size and weight of the golf ball until 1920. That year the Club held its first formal Rules of Golf conference with the USGA. At that meeting, the two ruling bodies agreed that "the weight of the ball should be no greater than 1.62 ounces and the size not less than 1.62 inches in diameter. This uniformity on golf balls lasted until 1929, when the USGA changed its specification to a maximum weight of 1.55 ounces and a minimum size of 1.68 inches with effect from January 1, 1931 , thereby creating a fundamental difference in the rule concerning golf balls. The USGA changed the ball specification the following year to a maximum weight of 1.62 ounces with a minimum size of 1.68 inches. The difference in ball specification would persist in the Rules until 1988, when the Club increased the minimum size of the ball to 1.68 inches, the same as the USGA.

I can't see how the CAESAR golf ball company stays in business. The ball doesn't seem to putt any straighter than a regular ball, but it certainly can't be hit very far, maybe 75% of the distance of a ball with dimples. It's claim to fame is that it goes straight. It does that.

And I caught a lot of guff a few rounds ago when, on a tee box, I pulled a ball out of my pocket and teed it up before realizing that "oops...that's the one I just found in the bushes."

"YOU CAN'T CHANGE BALLS!!!"

Um...that's the reason why I put that one back in my OTHER pocket.

Like it matters to me anyway.

I played in a tournament and i had to anounce my ball change during a round from a callaway diablo to a precept ball.

I didn't know you couldn't change balls. I would normally use a clean ball to putt with. Guess I'll just have to use the dirty one.

666 Iron wrote:

Guess I'll just have to use the dirty one.

You may clean the ball when you pick it up from the green

Consistency would be my concern with this idea. If you are using a different brand/model ball to hit your drives and long irons during recreation play it could affect your consistency with these shots when you are playing the premium ball in competition. One thing that has made a difference in my game was playing the same ball every time I was on the course, either for recreation or competition. Find a ball you like in a price range that suits you and play it every time, your scorecard will thank you.