Ant,
I have to say I've not lashed out on a Sharpie for that specific purpose!
Never had a hole in one so I've never had a ball I've been sentimental about.
Can't think I've had a ball last more than three rounds so not a problem I've ever had to deal with....

In serious play, I change my TourSoft or AVX if it looks scuffed, has tapped one too many trees or has lost its sense of direction.
In bounce games I'll use up Old Stock and I'm quite fickle - I'll change if the ball sounds funny...

JT

Use a new ball every comp / match / day out round. All used balls that are in good condition are kept in the bag for a casual few holes, short game warm ups before a round or to be used as a provisional! Anything thats a big more worn or scuffed make it to the practice bag.

Haha, love it! The course I play has water hazards on all 18 holes, so it's honestly a 'problem' I've never had to face :o)

Do you buy brand new balls or pick up pearl A balls etc

Brand new, usually do the 4 for 3 deal and that keeps me going for the season (always seem to pick up a sleeve or two here and there in prizes or other things)

The most I’ve done is 7 rounds with the one ball a couple of years ago.
Now a days it’s how many holes I can go till I lose it or it’s damaged, then goes into the practice bag. ️‍♂️

Ideally for a comp it’s a new ball but if it’s just 9 holes or a friendly knock maybe 3/4 rounds until I notice the chips or marks on the ball.

Good Question! Ill let you know one day, only just started going whole rounds without loosing a ball ;D

I always let the ball decide. If it starts to look worn and scrappy (kind of like me) then it goes into the shag bag. Before then, if it gets tired, it seems to find a way to hide in the brush or cool off in the pond. No set schedule, just as needed. I once played 72 holes at Bandon with the same golf ball. No real water hazards there so I just had to keep it out of the gorse.

Normally a fresh ball every comp round, bounce games ill use what ever i have in the bag that has some wedge marks etc

I use a new ball for competitions which (if I haven’t lost it mid round) is then recycled in the bag and used for provisionals or a few holes practice in the week. When it starts to look worn it goes in the practice bag.

Only use new balls each round I play, if I still have that ball at the end it will be put into the practice bag

I use a new ball every comp. They get used for bounce games after that and retired after about 8 games when the sharpie marks are fading. Don’t lose a ball very often so got a bag full for short game practice.

Generally a new ball starts a new comp but sadly doesnt always join me throughout the round….

If we part company early, it will likely be replaced by a good condition used ball - often a pristine one found in the heather whilst I’m looking for my own!

Well, normally I will play with a ball until its worn out or I lose it . Unless it's a comp then a new ones comes out.

I played the same ball for 4 rounds and it finally cracked before the 5 so had to bin it. All bunkers were GUR which helped with the life span!

If I got them free it would be a new one each round.