Does anyone know if the pros change their golf ball everytime they get even the slightest nick or scuff on it?

Question

What I mean is normally for me during a typical round of 18 I try to start off with a ball that is close to new and has no nicks or damage at all. But as the round goes on my short irons beat up the ball a bit. I don't normally change it unless its a bad cut or scuff. Now money is an object for me but for the pros its not so do they play with minor scuffs on their balls? Anyone know? Never heard anyone talk about it!

Answer 1

they are only allowed so many balls to play the tournament per day...

Answer 2

Dead right^^

Answer 3

they usually change after 2 to 3 holes depending on preferences etc but definately if it has a nick or scuff

Answer 4

Looks like minor scuffs are ok for play.  Heres what it says in the usga rules.  5-3. Ball Unfit for Play

A ball is unfit for play if it is visibly cut, cracked or out of

shape. A ball is not unfit for play solely because mud or other

materials adhere to it, its surface is scratched or scraped or its

paint is damaged or discolored.

If a player has reason to believe his ball has become unfit for

play during play of the hole being played, he may lift the ball,

without penalty, to determine whether it is unfit.

Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention

to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor

in stroke play and mark the position of the ball. He may

then lift and examine it, provided that he gives his opponent,

marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to examine the ball

and observe the lifting and replacement. The ball must not be

cleaned when lifted under Rule 5-3.

If the player fails to comply with all or any part of this procedure

or if he lifts the ball without having reason to believe

that it has become unfit for play during play of the hole being

played, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

If it is determined that the ball has become unfit for play during

play of the hole being played, the player may substitute

another ball, placing it on the spot where the original ball

lay. Otherwise, the original ball must be replaced. If a player

substitutes a ball when not permitted and makes a stroke at the

wrongly substituted ball, he incurs the general penalty for a

breach of Rule 5-3, but there is no additional penalty under

this Rule or Rule 15-2.

If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is

canceled and the player must play a ball, without penalty, as

nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was

played (see Rule 20-5).

Answer 5

A professional golfer has a ball sponsor as well as other equipment sponsors so that they can and do get all the balls they may need.. If there is the slightest mark, the ball is taken out of play after a hole has been completed. When you see the pro tossing the ball to his caddy after the hole is completed the caddy will put a new ball in play if there is a scuff mark. Or he will wipe the ball and return it to the player.

Answer 6

They take them out of play after about three holes even if they don't have a nick or scuff on them, and always take them out of play if they do have a nick or scuff.  When you are playing for the $$$ they play for and get balls for free from the manufacturer - no point in playing with a damaged ball.  You and I don't hit it that pure to begin with, so a minor scuff isn't going to hurt our score.