This topic is dear to my heart and I have discussed at great length with Amateur members at my golf club regarding the type of golf ball they are using. The answer is nearly always the same. They use different golf balls from day to day, sometimes using different types and makes in the course of a single round. Just bear with me for a moment while I explain how this can affect your scores and handicap in a big way.
Allow me to explain further and imagine if you will - David has just hit his tee shot out of bounds on the 16th using a Top Flite XL, he reaches into his bag and pulls out another golf ball this time it's a Titleist ProV1 which he plays to the front of the green, at this point David is lying about twenty yards from the cup, he then uses his 8 iron to chip on to the green, it comes up about 4 yards short. He thought he had hit a perfect chip as his judgement is usually pretty good from that range; he shaves the hole with his putt, taps in then carries on with his round of golf as if nothing untoward had happened
Ok let's back up a bit here and analyse that scenario. I am sure by now a few of you have guessed the problem, its common enough and happens thousands of times a day on golf links around the world.
When David changed his ball to a ProV1 he created the problem with his subsequent chip from in front of the green. The top Flite XL would have jumped off the face of the club with his chip and probably have gone close to the hole saving him a shot, but because he changed to the softer ProV1 (which you need to hit firmer) his chip ended up 4 yards from the hole with the subsequent missed putt costing him a valuable stroke.
All golf balls can vary in the distance they travel, the spin they create and the control you have, that is why it is no good using a different golf ball on a regular basis, especially with putting where consistency is paramount. Feel is a very important factor in golf and should not be overlooked.
The simple fact is you should use the same type and make of golf ball all the time. That doesnt mean you shouldn't try different Golf balls but you should get used to a Golf ball and not change them on a regular basis. Especially during the course of a round. Get used to the ball you use so you can be more consistent. I cannot stress strongly enough to you how important this will be to your future scores. Like I said earlier this is a common mistake that most of us at some time have been guilty of.
Next time you go to play check the golf balls you have in your golf bag and make sure the ones you take out onto the course with you are all the same type and make.
Above all else enjoy this great game of golf.
