Titleist Practice Balls

[TheChamp]

Interesting discussion today on our round. One of the lads was playing a Titleist Prov1 ball with 'PRACTICE' stamped on it. One of the other lads brought it up that he would not be able to use a ball with 'PRACTICE' stamped on it in a competitive round. Can anyone confirm either way?

 

[bladeplayer]

was given some practice balls by a club pro for chipping & putting practice & he told me to make sure not to use them in competition rounds as they were illegal...not sure why they are but i didnt use them ,,

 

[daymond]

I think I'm right in saying that the balls conform. The 'practice' stamp indicates they have minor faults and are sold at a big discount to perfects.
All the major manufacturers do this but not often enough for my wallet!

 

[Imurg]

Perfectly legal.

We had a thread on this when they first appeared a couple of years ago. Lots of people say they're not but they can be used - no problem.

 

[timgolfy]

I believe the rules state that this is allowed.

Rule 5-1/4
"In most cases, 'practice' balls are simply listed, conforming 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."

 

[NWJocko]

I thought these were fine to use but the xxxx outs weren't..?

 

[timgolfy]

"'X-out' is the common name used for a golf ball that a manufacturer considers to be imperfect (usually for aesthetic reasons only, eg.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."

 

[bladeplayer]

was given some practice balls by a club pro for chipping & putting practice & he told me to make sure not to use them in competition rounds as they were illegal...not sure why they are but i didnt use them ,,

good to know that, guess he just wanted me to fork up for the real deal ha worst thing is .. i did .. ouch ...

 

[NWJocko]

"'X-out' is the common name used for a golf ball that a manufacturer considers to be imperfect (usually for aesthetic reasons only, eg.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."

Cheers for that, wasnt sure if i was blethering tosh!

 

[chris661]

Interesting discussion today on our round. One of the lads was playing a Titleist Prov1 ball with 'PRACTICE' stamped on it. One of the other lads brought it up that he would not be able to use a ball with 'PRACTICE' stamped on it in a competitive round. Can anyone confirm either way?

I seem to remember someone telling me that the titleist balls had infringed on a callaway patent and the outcome was that they could sell them with a chunk going back to callaway

 

[doubletripledouble]

I bought a couple of dozen of them last season and used them. This year the people selling them have advised on their websites that these balls are illegal to use in competition.... Is this a directive from Titleist or the R&A??

I think a little E-mail to Mr or Mrs R&A could be on the cards.. If it means being able to play a premium ball for the price of a middle range ball...

I think they've changed what i initially read...
'The Titleist Pro V1 Practice Golf Balls are a dozen brand new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, which are the genuine article in every way, but for the "PRACTICE" stamp on the side. They are ideal for Pro V1 golfers looking for practice golf balls or balls for casual play, though they may not be permitted for use in all competition.'

 

[SammmeBee]

Playing with a 'Practice' Pro V1 is no different to using a Pro V1 with a company or club logo on....as someone has already said Decision 5-1/4 applies....

 

[jammydodger]

As has been said previously these balls are perfectly legal to be played in comps. Another case of some people using hearsay and 2nd hand info without actually checking the facts.

These are the balls marked with 'practice' on them and are usually found in the white boxes in places like AG for about £20 dozen. A big discount on the full price cos they are usually given to the pros on the ranges at tourneys. Every now and then they want to get rid of a batch of older balls and pump them out with practice on at the reduced price.

Theyre probs the 2007/8 versions iirc

 

[Region3]

If you don't want to risk having anyone doubt them, just mark your ball over the top of the word PRACTICE

 

[TheChamp]

Cheers for the replies, lads. Very interesting. I can understand the confusion though as when one of the guys Googled it on the course at the time one of the first results that he hit upon was a link to a page stating that they were not able to be used in competition.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Tell them that is your new forum nickname as you put hours of work into your game and so your wife got them made up as a pressie with the nickname on