How Often Should You Change Your Golf Ball?

For some it’s a regular routine, for others it’s a simple case of only letting go once the ball is lost. But how often should you change your golf ball? What should you be looking out for and how badly do scuffs and cut marks affect performance? We take a look…

The most simple answer to the question of how often should you change your golf ball is that there are no set rules. Some Tour players change their ball after a certain number of holes, but the truth is, this is more based on superstition than the diminishing quality of the ball itself. 

The chances are that an amateur doesn’t do this and instead will keep their golf ball in play for longer than the players on Tour. Partly because they aren't too focused on the brand of the golf ball, but also because of the cost of changing your ball frequently. 

In recent years, equipment manufacturers have made major strides to improve durability, with the best golf balls lasting significantly longer. The days of catching an approach shot slightly thin and seeing a smiley face on your Balata are well and truly gone. 

Nowadays, golf balls can withstand a multitude of different strikes and environments. Better paint finishes and more robust construction make modern golf balls far more resilient. However, there are some unavoidable marks to look out for…

How do scuff marks affect the performance of a golf ball?

More often than not these occur when the ball comes into contact with a tree or road. However, golf balls can scuff when they come into contact with wedges during pitch or bunker shots. The sharp grooves, combined with the length of time the ball stays on the face, can roughen the surface of the ball.

Either way, a scuff mark is not necessarily a sign the ball needs to be removed from play. Our advice would be to clean the ball and then see how bad it looks. 

Play with it for a hole or two and you are likely to find the scuff mark does not affect the performance of the ball. Take a close look at it and, of course, if the ball is out of shape, swap it, otherwise a scuffed ball is not necessarily a reason to change it.

Do cut marks affect the performance of a golf ball?

Cut marks, usually caused by thinned iron shots, are more problematic. The good news is, these are very rare. Thinned chip or pitch shots usually come away unscathed. Again, the damage might not be as bad as it first seems. 

Clean the ball and then give it a very close look. Has the smooth, rounded surface of the ball changed? The place where you will notice it most is on the green. Any sign that the ball is rolling strangely, wiggling off line, and you should think about using a new ball.

The truth is, most of the damage that can occur during a round of golf makes no real difference to the performance of the ball. We all like to use a fresh ball that’s come straight from the pack, but golf is played on a natural landscape and the look of your ball will change during the round. 

If you manage to keep the same one in play from start to finish, only then would we think about retiring it and adding it to the practice bag!

How many golf balls should I carry in my bag?

The answer to this will depend on a couple of things. Firstly, ability. Those with less control over the golf ball are more likely to lose them and as such should consider carrying more to avoid the embarrassment of running out! 

Secondly, the difficulty of the course you are playing should also be considered. A venue with lots of thick rough and water will likely necessitate more golf balls than a wide open course with minimal trouble. 

Does a golf ball deaden or lose compression?

The answer to this will depend on your clubhead speed at impact but for most players this should not be a concern. A premium golf ball should stand up to at least 100 driver impacts, even up to 120mph without any noticeable degradation.

A golf ball will almost certainly need replacing based on damage and wear and tear well before a loss of compression becomes any kind of issue.