Golf balls found around the course: What do you do?

[titaniummd]

My friend spends a lot of time searching for golf balls as he searches for his own...in the rough.

Now, when I started alongside him, I would take a couple of balls from him - especially in cases when I was hitting over water. I don't worry about that anymore.

At least from my standpoint, I try to play the same exact ball for consistency. If I played a hodge podge of balls (Titleist DT Solo, Pro V1, Nike Super Soft, Bridgestone, etc) from what I found, I wouldn't know how the ball would react.
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I collect the balls for a shag bag and occassionally practice chipping or putting with that random selection. However, even with that, I still feel better when I use a ball that I will actually play with.

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

My friend spends a lot of time searching for golf balls as he searches for his own...in the rough.

Now, when I started alongside him, I would take a couple of balls from him - especially in cases when I was hitting over water. I don't worry about that anymore.

At least from my standpoint, I try to play the same exact ball for consistency. If I played a hodge podge of balls (Titleist DT Solo, Pro V1, Nike Super Soft, Bridgestone, etc) from what I found, I wouldn't know how the ball would react.
--
I collect the balls for a shag bag and occassionally practice chipping or putting with that random selection. However, even with that, I still feel better when I use a ball that I will actually play with.

I give them to my mom or brother..I DEFINATELY don't chip with them...That is when I am trying to find a consistency on the reaction!

[pick-it-up]

I usually hit them into lakes or fields as I'm waiting on the tee box.

[Chip Shot]

I and my dad give them to the local driving range.

[tmtp]

I'll throw them in the range buckets for the memebers, they may find one that they like and want to try them out.

[300Yards]

Hit them around my house.

[Dormie]

I do not TOUCH a golf ball I find on the course...

One time, a few years back, I picked up a ball in the woods that couldn't possibly have been from another player on another hole. Wouldn't you know, along comes a guy in a cart, "Hey, did you just pick up a Titleist?"

I've never felt so dumb in my life. So from that point on, I don't touch ANYTHING. And there's really no need.

[jwaldrop]

If it's not a ball I would use, I usually just pitch it out on the edge of the fairway for some "lucky" soul to pick up.

[pick-it-up]

I never pick balls up that are not clearly "lost.

The 15th and 16th holes at Prairie Landing can yield up to 50 balls on any given day. When the course is slow or if I'm the first one out, I'll walk along the railroad and fill a towel up with golf balls.

It's usually about 90% Pro V1 balls.

[PA PLAYA]

If it's clearly a ball that has been abandoned that I find, and it's of good condition, I'll throw it in the bag.

Over the course of a year, I probably find 4-5 dozen good premium balls, of which I'll clean up and use for myself. The others (like Topflights, Pinnacles, etc.) I'll clean up and give them to the cart kids at the club. They enjoy getting free balls to play.

[pick-it-up]

At most courses, the old men (players and marshals) just scour the course for strays.

[300Yards]

That's what I do! I've found 35 Pro vs, of different kinds before! All were in playable condition! Oh, how I love that water hazzard...People always leave ball bahind to find.

[Shorty]

My buddies and I pick them up if we know they are abandoned and give them to my 11 yr old to chip around the yard. and for me to hit with the mower when he doesn't pick them all up.

[halk]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

At most courses, the old men (players and marshals) just scour the course for strays.

Hey I resemble that post (the old man part)

[drstroud]

I keel them and hit them on the range before I play. I take my two boys looking for balls at the nearby course and use them as well, if they are not the kind I play.

[BiggaAdams]

Originally Posted by Shorty

My buddies and I pick them up if we know they are abandoned and give them to my 11 yr old to chip around the yard. and for me to hit with the mower when he doesn't pick them all up.

LOL! Don't you love how fast your heart drops when the ball gets up in the mower and you have no idea what it is?

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by BiggaAdams

LOL! Don't you love how fast your heart drops when the ball gets up in the mower and you have no idea what it is?

That is the truth, sounds terrible when they are in the mower but man do they fly straight coming out

[on the hook]

My usual foursome does find balls! We usually play 4 rounds on a weekend, so have a lot of time(at times) to look for them. We have found over 300 on a given 2 rounds with a concerned effort. Only about 3 or 4 dozen premium though. We use them. Why not save $40 a dozen? Most are not water balls either. Lot of fragmites here, like bamboo, that we look in. FWIW, myself included, would not usually matter anyway what we hit, as we are not "that" consistant? JMHO Did play a coursein Pa, Glen Mills, said to be a real good course, that was mostly pro-v's! Was under par for 7 holes, so I didn't find a lot. Pa Player, you play there yet?

[frichissin]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

My friend spends a lot of time searching for golf balls as he searches for his own...in the rough.

Now, when I started alongside him, I would take a couple of balls from him - especially in cases when I was hitting over water. I don't worry about that anymore.

At least from my standpoint, I try to play the same exact ball for consistency. If I played a hodge podge of balls (Titleist DT Solo, Pro V1, Nike Super Soft, Bridgestone, etc) from what I found, I wouldn't know how the ball would react.
--
I collect the balls for a shag bag and occassionally practice chipping or putting with that random selection. However, even with that, I still feel better when I use a ball that I will actually play with.

Keep all the Callaway,Titleist and TaylorMade balls and throw all that other stuff back in the woods or better yet in the water.

[lwc]

I don't find many around here, the local varmints get them first. Photograph of Varmint

[tachus]

i either save them for hitting a few extra balls at the range, or i give them to my cousin and my step dad, but now i'll prolly save them for playing fetch with my dog. i take my wedge out to my yard with Rosie and i chip the ball across my yard and she picks it up and brings it back to me. shes so cute!!!

[viper1314]

I found about 200 this year, I just kept them in a bucket. Then I would go to this field and hit wedge shots to basket's and practice the 100 yards and in game.

[Corwin]

I get all the ole balls I find cant afford practicing with my callaways.