'Practice' Balls in competition play?

[jimbob.someroo]

I'm sorry, I know this has probably been brought up 12901203 times but can somebody just clarify for me the current ruling on using balls marked 'practice' in competition play.

I bought a dozen Lethals when I was in America with 'Practice' on them for $15(!!) and am almost 100% sure that the rule was changed not to long ago so that these are just counted as an identification (like putting your initials) but want to make sure I know the rule before I'm inevitably challenged on it the first time I use them ...

 

[fundy]

Practise balls are fine, you cant use XXX out usually

 

[rulefan]

[h=2]5-1/4[/h][h=4]Status of 'X-out,' 'Refurbished' and 'Practice' Balls[/h]Q.What is the status of 'X-out,' 'refurbished' and 'practice' balls?
A.'X-out' is the common name used for a golf ball that a manufacturer considers to be imperfect (usually for aesthetic reasons only, e.g., paint or printing errors) and, therefore, has crossed out the brand name. A 'refurbished' golf ball is a second-hand ball that has been cleaned and stamped as 'refurbished.'
In the absence of strong evidence to suggest that an 'X-out' or 'refurbished' 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 plays must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls (see Note to Rule 5-1), such a ball may not be used, even if the ball in question (without the X's or without the 'refurbished' stamp) does appear on the List.
In most cases, 'practice' balls are simply listed, conforming golf balls that have been stamped "Practice," in the same way that golf balls often feature a club or company logo. Such balls may be used even where the Committee has adopted the condition that the ball the player plays must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls.

 

[backwoodsman]

As an aside ...

Because practice balls are perfectly legit 'normal' balls, I've always wondered why they have 'practice' stamped on them in the first place?

 

[Lump]

As an aside ...

Because practice balls are perfectly legit 'normal' balls, I've always wondered why they have 'practice' stamped on them in the first place?

So someone couldn't re-box and sell at the full retail price for what is a technically "inferior" product.

 

[backwoodsman]

So someone couldn't re-box and sell at the full retail price for what is a technically "inferior" product.

But practice balls are not inferior. They are (mostly) normal quality balls with the word practice on them. X-out balls are the low quality ones.

 

[srixon 1]

If you ever get fitted at a Titleist centre they use pro v 1's or pro v 1 x' s. These are all marked with practice. The Titleist balls that are provided on the range at pro tournaments are all marked with practice. Balls are perfectly legit to use in comp' s.