Change Brand in Play

[qsKooLgrad]

I was reading a article in Golf Digest that said something about in q skool a guy changed brands in a middle of a round....and he was dq'd or something to that nature....

So if you start with a Titleist you have to finish with a titleist?

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by qsKooLgrad

I was reading a article in Golf Digest that said something about in q skool a guy changed brands in a middle of a round....and he was dq'd or something to that nature....

So if you start with a Titleist you have to finish with a titleist?

Depends on whether the tournament has the One ball local rule in effect. This is an optional condition of the competition, so it doesn't always apply. This is the Rule to use as recommended by the USGA (note that the recommended condition does not stipulate disqualification, although that would still be the result if the competitor returned an incorrect scorecard by not adding the necessary penalty strokes):

c. One Ball Condition

If it is desired to prohibit changing brands and types of golf balls during a stipulated round, the following condition is recommended:

“Limitation on Balls Used During Round: (Note to Rule 5-1)

(i) One Ball Condition
During a stipulated round,the balls a player plays must be of the same brand and type as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls.

Note: If a ball of a different brand and/or type is dropped or placed, it may be lifted, without penalty, and the player must then proceed by dropping or placing a proper ball (Rule 20-6).

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION:
Match Play — At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred; maximum deduction per round — Two holes.
Stroke Play— Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round — Four strokes.

(ii) Procedure When Breach Discovered
When a player discovers that he has played a ball in breach of this condition, he must abandon that ball before playing from the next teeing ground and complete the round using a proper ball; otherwise, the player is disqualified. If discovery is made during play of a hole and the player elects to substitute a proper ball before completing that hole, the player must place a proper ball on the spot where the ball used in breach of the condition lay.”

[Ty_Webb]

As Fourputt said, it's a local rule thing. Can't speak for the US, but in the UK, I've never seen this rule in place outside of professional events. I believe they use this rule on both tours and I know they use it in the Open Championship, so unless you're playing at a very high standard, I expect that you won't have to worry about it.

Presumably the intention is to stop players pulling a different ball by type of hole, so you get out a high spinning ball when you play a tight par three and a rock when you have a driveable par four or par five you can reach.

[300Yards]

I don't see the problem with changing balls, especially after your on the green. I don't want to drive with a distance ball, and then putt with it. I would rather use a feel ball. I have never seen this rule outside of pro level competitions.

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by 300Yards

I don't see the problem with changing balls, especially after your on the green. I don't want to drive with a distance ball, and then putt with it. I would rather use a feel ball. I have never seen this rule outside of pro level competitions.

WOAH WOAH WOAH.......you are talking about switching on the same hole...that is DEF not legal...ALSO you can NOT switch even the same brand ball during a hole...that is a HUUUUUUUGE NO NO as well....

They are talking about starting with a titleist, and then after 9 holes switching to a nike on the tee box of 10 or any hole...

[pick-it-up]

I have a driving ball, an irons ball and a special putting ball.

[atm_73]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

I have a driving ball, an irons ball and a special putting ball.

That was too much work!

[pick-it-up]

Originally Posted by atm_73

That was too much work!

Yeah...it sure was.

[300Yards]

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

WOAH WOAH WOAH.......you are talking about switching on the same hole...that is DEF not legal...ALSO you can NOT switch even the same brand ball during a hole...that is a HUUUUUUUGE NO NO as well....

They are talking about starting with a titleist, and then after 9 holes switching to a nike on the tee box of 10 or any hole...

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by 300Yards

I don't see the problem with changing balls, especially after your on the green. I don't want to drive with a distance ball, and then putt with it. I would rather use a feel ball. I have never seen this rule outside of pro level competitions.

The key point of Rule 15 is "A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground ". There are situations where another ball may be substituted, but only when you are following a specified procedure under the rules. It is NOT allowed just because you like ball "A" better for driving and ball "B" better for putting.

[300Yards]

Oh well, no ones perfect..What exactly is the reason behind that??

[pick-it-up]

It's amazing how many low-handicappers don't even know the rules of golf.

[Chubbsco]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

It's amazing how many low-handicappers don't even know the rules of golf.

I have a pretty good grasp of the rules becuase of playing in college, and also my typical Sunday group has two people on the rules committee from my club in it. I better know the rules, or otherwise I will be reminded very quickly about them!

[Leaguegolf]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

I have a driving ball, an irons ball and a special putting ball.

Like you, they are unique!

[Fileygolfer]

Originally Posted by 300Yards

Oh well, no ones perfect..What exactly is the reason behind that??

There are two areas where this Rule is aimed at:-

1. The Pro Tours.
This is to try and level the playing field and stop some players gaining an advantage. Before this rule appeared I used to play a 'Titleist 384 Tour' in normal conditions but get the old 'Pinnicle' out into wind.

2. Amateur Comps.
Simply makes it harder to cheat.
"You said you were playing a Nike on the first tee"
"I was but I changed it on the third tee"
How do you keep track of a guy who plays 15 differents Brands of ball in a single round? Its a lot easier if he can only play One Brand.

[300Yards]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

It's amazing how many low-handicappers don't even know the rules of golf.

I don't know everything, and I doubt you do either. That's why I'm here, to learn more about the things I don't know much about. I don't have a rules book to analyze..so I don't know every little detail in there. I'm not looking to turn pro, so I really have no need to learn every rule, but I am trying to learn as many as I can anyway.

There are two areas where this Rule is aimed at:-

1. The Pro Tours.
This is to try and level the playing field and stop some players gaining an advantage. Before this rule appeared I used to play a 'Titleist 384 Tour' in normal conditions but get the old 'Pinnicle' out into wind.

2. Amateur Comps.
Simply makes it harder to cheat.
"You said you were playing a Nike on the first tee"
"I was but I changed it on the third tee"
How do you keep track of a guy who plays 15 differents Brands of ball in a single round? Its a lot easier if he can only play One Brand.

Thanks, Fileygolfer! That makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to explain it, instead of throwing an insult.

[GolfSavage]

Originally Posted by 300Yards

I don't know everything, and I doubt you do either. That's why I'm here, to learn more about the things I don't know much about. I don't have a rules book to analyze..so I don't know every little detail in there. I'm not looking to turn pro, so I really have no need to learn every rule, but I am trying to learn as many as I can anyway.

Thanks, Fileygolfer! That makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to explain it, instead of throwing an insult.

Failure to know basic rules like these (yes, I consider knowing you can't change balls in the middle of a hole a basic rule) sure makes the validity of any posted handicap or score suspect. The rules are freely available for all to read online at USGA.org, and copies of the rule book can be had for a small price.

For the ethical golfer, whether pro, competitive amateur or weekend hacker, a knowledge of the rules and how to apply them can be extremely advantageous. It can save you from penalty strokes in competition, and protect you from other players to whom cheating is the strongest part of their game.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by 300Yards

Oh well, no ones perfect..What exactly is the reason behind that??

Even a more basic answer. This rule is so basic that it goes way back to the beginings of the game. The original rules of golf, first known to be documented in 1745, were quite specific. You play the ball from the tee to the hole. You play it as it lies. If it is necessary to touch the ball for any reason, you add a penalty stroke for the privilege of doing so, even in situations where today's rules would allow free relief. The stipulation is that since you can't touch the ball for any reason, you also wouldn't be able to substitute a different ball for the one you started with. So finishing a hole with the same ball you teed off with is just one of the most fundamental principles of the game.

I have been known to play an old used ball on the tee of a difficult hole where I have regularly lost balls. If I do so, I still finish the hole with that ball before switching back on the next hole, grateful that I still have it without having had to score a penalty.

Check out the following website if you want to see what our forefathers had to deal with in their rule book.

Original Rules of Golf 1744

[HackBlack]

Originally Posted by GolfSavage

Failure to know basic rules like these (yes, I consider knowing you can't change balls in the middle of a hole a basic rule) sure makes the validity of any posted handicap or score suspect. The rules are freely available for all to read online at USGA.org, and copies of the rule book can be had for a small price.

For the ethical golfer, whether pro, competitive amateur or weekend hacker, a knowledge of the rules and how to apply them can be extremely advantageous. It can save you from penalty strokes in competition, and protect you from other players to whom cheating is the strongest part of their game.

Could you list the BASIC RULES for us?

I played competive junior golf, high school golf and college golf. I've played in several amatuer events. But, I didn't know there were as set of BASIC RULES within the USGA RULES.

I don't understand what some of you gain by "taking shots" at another member . Instead of taking a cheapshot at someone's integrity, by making a reference to handicap/score, just offer the usga.org link and be done with it.

300Yards clearly stated that he doesn't know ALL of the rules. I doubt anybody does. That's why there is a USGA Rules of Golf book as well as a Decisions of the Rules of Golf. The USGA Rules of Golf is 100+ pages. The Decisions book is 600+pages.

Rule 15, which is being discussed in this thread has 27 Decisions related to it. Do you know all of the Decisions related to this BASIC RULE. I doubt it.

Rant over.

[300Yards]

Originally Posted by GolfSavage

Failure to know basic rules like these (yes, I consider knowing you can't change balls in the middle of a hole a basic rule) sure makes the validity of any posted handicap or score suspect. The rules are freely available for all to read online at USGA.org, and copies of the rule book can be had for a small price.

For the ethical golfer, whether pro, competitive amateur or weekend hacker, a knowledge of the rules and how to apply them can be extremely advantageous. It can save you from penalty strokes in competition, and protect you from other players to whom cheating is the strongest part of their game.

Yes well, where have I heard this before? Ity's not like I do this every time..I usually only use 1 ball. But when I don't have any Pro Vs, I have to comromise, as I don't feel 100% comfortable with other balls. It was really more of a hypothetical. Please don't respond to any more of my posts, unless you have something constructive to add. I really love that new emoticon..