Stupid ball question

[harpo_72]

So do you have to play the same type of ball all round?
Or could some one make a decision to play a ball that gives certain characteristics for a certain hole e.g. A high spin ball off the irons for a par three that needs a bit of drop and stop, and then change for a low driver spin ball for the par 5 next etc..

 

[Ethan]

So do you have to play the same type of ball all round?
Or could some one make a decision to play a ball that gives certain characteristics for a certain hole e.g. A high spin ball off the irons for a par three that needs a bit of drop and stop, and then change for a low driver spin ball for the par 5 next etc..

You can switch your ball between holes, but Tour pros can't.

 

[harpo_72]

Oh dear now I am going to question the pro s they could use different numbers to identify different qualities.. but the reality is their ball is bespoke and they should have the ability to ramp up or dump spin

 

[harpo_72]

There are certain tournaments that use the "one ball rule", ie exact same make and model must be used for the whole round.

I don’t normally change myself unless I have lost the 5 reserves ?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

So do you have to play the same type of ball all round?
Or could some one make a decision to play a ball that gives certain characteristics for a certain hole e.g. A high spin ball off the irons for a par three that needs a bit of drop and stop, and then change for a low driver spin ball for the par 5 next etc..

During the Winter once preffered lies are in place you can drive with one type of ball (eg: distance) and swap it for another type (eg: Spinning) for your shot in to the green.

Not sure any one on here has the ability to maximise that use, but still ok.

 

[NearHull]

During the Winter once preffered lies are in place you can drive with one type of ball (eg: distance) and swap it for another type (eg: Spinning) for your shot in to the green.

Not sure any one on here has the ability to maximise that use, but still ok.

I had thought that you had to complete a hole with the same ball unless it was damaged, or has the latest rules changed that?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I had thought that you had to complete a hole with the same ball unless it was damaged, or has the latest rules changed that?

Model Local Rule E-3

"When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less [or identify a specific area such as 'on the fairway of the 6th hole'], the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

 

[backwoodsman]

I had thought that you had to complete a hole with the same ball unless it was damaged, or has the latest rules changed that?

Under the pre-2019 rules, yes you were correct. But pauldj42 has highlighted above, the bit of the new model local rules that now allow changing ball partway through a hole. I'm not sure I'm 100% correct, but I think this (ball changing, that is) applies to any occasion where the rules allow the ball in play to be lifted and it says "a ball" (rather than "the ball" ) must be dropped or replaced.

 

[Colin L]

If a lifted ball is to be replaced, you must use the same ball but any time you take relief you may substitute another ball [Rule 14.3a]. Preferred lies is a form of relief.

 

[NearHull]

Thanks for the info. I now remember reading it in a summary of the new rules, I think I must have dismissed in my mind as it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense really.

 

[jim8flog]

So do you have to play the same type of ball all round?
Or could some one make a decision to play a ball that gives certain characteristics for a certain hole e.g. A high spin ball off the irons for a par three that needs a bit of drop and stop, and then change for a low driver spin ball for the par 5 next etc..

No. The same make and type of ball for all strokes is a rule for professional competitions and elite amateur events such as the English Amateur Open.

 

[rulefan]

No. The same make and type of ball for all strokes is a rule for professional competitions and elite amateur events such as the English Amateur Open.

This is no longer on the England Golf Hard Card.