Losing golf balls, the mental game

[Tanner25]

Through many trials, I have really enjoyed honing in on the ball. However, there's a down side. When hitting a bad shot and losing that favorite ball, it kind of adds uneeded

activity and stress. There's a cost factor. But, I am more concerned about getting upset about it. I guess the ball hoarders don't care as they have plenty of ammo. It's making me think to use a lower cost ball or ones that I just don't care about it. Tanner

[mokedaddy]

Golf is such a mental game that if you are worried about losing balls, you aren't playing your best golf.

 

Of course that is easier said than done.

[Radeon962]

A lost ball is like a dog that bites... Once it bites odds are much higher that it will bite again.

 

I'll take a cursory look but do not spend minutes looking for any ball. There are plenty more to replace it.

 

I tee up whatever I grab out of my bag as it is usually a grab bag of ProV1x Practice, Nike RZN Platinum Practice, Srixon XV or Lethal balls. They all perform within a few yards and one spins a little more, another a little less.

 

If I was playing for money I would settle on one ball. Since I pay to play, I use whatever I find a deal on and with the ball.deals this year it works out to about $0.70/a ball on average so not something that will entice me to go digging through the weeds, trees, water, etc. to find a ball when I have plenty of other balls ready, willing and able to take their turn.

[golf_addict73]

I used to be concerned about losing balls and such...mainly from the financial side of things. Lately, I've been loading up on a ball I love when I find them at great prices (Easy lately with the 2016 TP)...but even before I found those deals, I was seeing a huge difference in my play when I was concerned about losing balls versus playing and swinging freely.

[atomheartmother]

Through many trials, I have really enjoyed honing in on the ball. However, there's a down side. When hitting a bad shot and losing that favorite ball, it kind of adds uneeded

activity. There's a cost factor. But, I am more concerned about getting upset about it. I guess the ball hoarders don't care as they have plenty of ammo. It's making me think

to use a lower cost ball or ones that I just don't care about it. Tanner

 

If you're losing more than a ball or two per round, I'd probably use a less expensive ball (sub-$30$). Then use the savings on something to correct losing balls. Unless money isn't an issue, in which case fire away.

[chippa13]

The rule of golf balls is to play the best match and quality ball that you can stomach losing.

[cwglum]

I don't lose many golf balls ... but when I do, they're brand new.

[VNutz]

It's best not to think about it. The more nervous and uptight you are over losing a $5 ball the more likely you'll put a bad swing on it. Just stand over your shot and tell yourself it's just a golf ball and swing freely. I started doing this years ago and you'd be surprised how well it works, or at least for me it does.

 

And if it continues to be an issue there are plenty of outlets for which to purchase balls on discount, either used or on sale/clearance. Stock up when you can.

[lil'mike]

Through many trials, I have really enjoyed honing in on the ball. However, there's a down side. When hitting a bad shot and losing that favorite ball, it kind of adds uneeded

activity. There's a cost factor. But, I am more concerned about getting upset about it. I guess the ball hoarders don't care as they have plenty of ammo. It's making me think

to use a lower cost ball or ones that I just don't care about it. Tanner

 

I have a buddy that does this. He will start out with a Pro V1 (never bought new, just used) and if he loses one he will reach in the bag and pull out some POS ball cause he is afraid of losing another one and I am sure he has like 4 dozen or so at home. This drives me nuts and I keep asking him "what are you saving the Pro V's for?" if you don't want to lose a couple during a round if your not hitting great then why have them.

 

Just yesterday I hooked him up with some different new balls to tryout so he could find a second ball to use if he doesn't want to lose the precious Pro V, very good balls like B330RX's, Nike RZN Plat's, Wilson FG Tour's and even some Wilson Duo's. I also told him to pick a ball and play it the whole round! Guess what, first tee with the FG Tour and he hooked it using an iron as it is a short par 4. Reached in his bag and pulled out a junk ball. When he starts hitting better, then he grabs a better ball to use, til he loses another one then back to the junk ones!

 

This drives me nuts and I am sure can't help his game at all. To me balls are cheap if you shop so losing is not worth worrying about during a round as I have enough to worry about! :)

 

This is also the guy that walks into the woods or tree line or tall grass and finds a Pro V1 all the time!!!

[chippa13]

There are times where I will start a round with a budget of 1 ProV. If/when I lose it then I'll dig into my stock of other budget purchased premium balls in my bag, or if I'm not hitting particularly well then I'll grab one of the mid-range gift balls my dad always gives me at holidays. Sometimes I never have to go into the stash but sometimes I do.

[North Butte]

There are times where I will start a round with a budget of 1 ProV. If/when I lose it then I'll dig into my stock of other budget purchased premium balls in my bag, or if I'm not hitting particularly well then I'll grab one of the mid-range gift balls my dad always gives me at holidays. Sometimes I never have to go into the stash but sometimes I do.

 

I do something similar. I keep a few brand-new ProV1x in my golf bag. Each round I start off with one I've never hit. If it makes it through the round (which happens about half the time) I put it in another pocket of the bag.

 

Whenever I lose that first one I switch to the ones I've used before, which are usually still in good condition. But yeah, budget is one brand-new one lost per round. It helps to play on a course with only a handful of water hazards and without a lot of OB and stuff in play off the tee.

[new2g0lf]

I want every shot to count so I prefer to use a less expensive ball (Vice, Snell, Cut) and use new golf balls the entire round than limit myself to one new Pro V1 and swapping in old ones after I lose the new one. It would seem to put more pressure on your shots that you're using the new ball with. Some guys I know will swap out their golf balls when a water hazard is involved. They usually put their tee shots into the water hazard so it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy for them.

[jpdx]

I carry a sleeve or so of brand new balls. Start with a new ball. if I lose those three then I'm having a bad day or an extremely unlucky one.

 

then it's on to the used urethane balls. if I lose more from that pocket (normally one to four from the previous round) then I goto the surlyn/found balls because I'm having an absolutely terrible day of striking and at that point I may have had (or will have) more beers than I normally do and aim to just enjoy the rest of the day.

[Pigems]

I play Wilson 50Elite balls, basically $1 a ball Brand New. That way if I do lose one I could care less, it's only a $1, you can't be out there worrying about losing balls. Funny part is I only tried them because they were cheap but they actually turned out to be a great ball.

[Tanner25]

Since, yellow is my chosen color. I think next time I am playing white. If I lose those, I don't care. I'm looking forward to a stress free round.

 

On a bright note, the days I lose a lot of balls, I take some extra time to look for balls in a water hazard or along the tree line. If you look, there's usually a few gems out there.

[super20dan]

this is why I only play with balls that I have found. I havnt bought a ball in years

[Break81]

This is the reason I never pay retail top dollar.

 

Usually I find a good urethane ball I like in the $20 range , either older model or some sore of promo or discount.

 

Even if I am buying newer models, I never pay more the $32-$36 even for ProV1(logo overruns)

 

My stock of the 2017 XV sample packs are slowly getting to the last couple dozen and I wish I could have scored more... best $20 deal ever and never worry about losing a $1.75 golf ball.

[Chomper]

I use new balls for special events. Usually I have used ProV1x balls in my bag, and I try to use one ball for as many holes in a row that I can. It isn't a cost thing, it's a "I prefer to lose a used ball" thing.

[third-times-a-charm]

I dont lose balls because my swing sucks and I slice every time, I lose balls because some clown decided to make leftward doglegs and put bunkers and other crap like water at 150-250yds.

 

Not my problem! Doesnt effect me because I know I'm awesome!

[Jmm96]

I do the same thing, but with an added twist. I start a round with my chosen top shelf urethane ball. I tell myself mentally that I need to concentrate on my mechanics so I don't lose this expensive ball. If I hit a bad shot resulting in unwanted strokes and lose this ball, then I pull something out of my bag that I refer to as my "demotion ball". It can be any brand, type and color in decent shape . . . usually a found ball. I use the demotion ball until I'm back on track and feel like I've played a couple holes well. Then I'll tee up a new ball as a reward for "righting the ship" so to speak.

 

I know, sounds sadistic and counter productive. But it actually works to keep me focused and try harder to avoid stupid mental mistakes. And it gives my playing partners a good laugh when I announce "time for a demotion!" One other guy has actually started doing this as well. Go figure.

[jmvargas]

losing balls is part of the game..

 

i just accept it and move on..

 

PS. i also never buy balls at full retail...

[morrisminor]

I haven't found an answer to this and I really struggle to get over the self loathing I feel when I lose a new ball. Still thinking about one last month that lasted 6 shots... my only new ball this year!. After 5 holes or a bunker shot, whichever happens first, I can settle down and stop worrying.

 

My favourite balls are the ones that have seen some action - usually found balls that I have played one or two rounds with. It is getting the ball to that point that is the problem.

 

None of this makes any sense as I have 5 dozen new balls and probably 400 good found balls to use, plus I really would like to buy some new balls... Not sure what this says about me! :crazy:

[Tanner25]

My son loses his Spongebob and Yankee balls frequently. He couldn't care less because I am paying for those. ugh.

[Radeon962]

losing balls is part of the game..

 

i just accept it and move on..

 

PS. i also never buy balls at full retail...

 

Well said.

 

Tee up whatever comes out of the bag and don't think about it.

 

Kind of like people that have a club in their bag that they don't like. Why keep it in your bag if you don't have confidence in it?

 

[DaVinciGolf]

Some years ago, I was playing with my brother-in-law. We get to the third hole (par 3 – 180 yards – with a creek that runs in front of the green). I put my tee shot in the creek. Drive the cart up to the creek, grab a ball from the bag and drop. Hit it 8” fat into the creek. Walk to the back of the cart and grab another ball. Topped it into the creek. Get another ball from the bag.

 

After three balls in the drink (about to hit a fourth), my brother in law (still sitting in the cart and laughing his Word not allowed off) says: “You dumb F***, how many balls are you going to put in the creek before you give up?”

 

I just smiled and said: “You dumb F***, It doesn’t matter. I’m getting these balls out of your bag!”

 

Just one way to overcome the concern about losing balls. :cheesy:

[Tanner25]

Some years ago, I was playing with my brother-in-law. We get to the third hole (par 3 – 180 yards – with a creek that runs in front of the green). I put my tee shot in the creek. Drive the cart up to the creek, grab a ball from the bag and drop. Hit it 8” fat into the creek. Walk to the back of the cart and grab another ball. Topped it into the creek. Get another ball from the bag.

 

After three balls in the drink (about to hit a fourth), my brother in law (still sitting in the cart and laughing his Word not allowed off) says: “You dumb F***, how many balls are you going to put in the creek before you give up?”

 

I just smiled and said: “You dumb F***, It doesn’t matter. I’m getting these balls out of your bag!”

 

Just one way to overcome the concern about losing balls. :cheesy:

 

lol that's a good one

[chilllwave]

I went through a period of time early this season where I couldn't stop losing balls. Heres a syetem I came up with.

-I carry three sleeves of my preferred gamer ball in my bag. 2 white, 1 yellow. Yellow ball goes into play in the event of a drop (a rule my weekend group agreed on)

-I also carry a dozen or so balls that I've retired/found but don't mind playing.

-If I lose two balls before the turn I permanently downgrade myself to the shag balls until my scores

I've found that switching to the shag balls takes my mind off the stress of losing balls and more often than not I turn it around and put my good balls back in play on hole 10.

[DivinDave]

My problem is a mental one too. I may loose 1 a round... but .... I have to play a certain brand/model of a golf ball, and to make matters worse, it must be blemish free. If it bounces off a tree, rock, or cart path or the PIN and gets a scuff or mark on it no matter how small, it's history. I have hundreds of premium golf balls in 5 gallon buckets that probably anyone would be happy to play with... except me. Its a problem which I just cannot get over.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Only two balls I've every been concerned of losing. Last I checked they were still in my bag.

 

So many quality golf balls available at reasonable prices. My score doesn't seem to vary much whether I'm putting a Noodle or Pro V into play. I often put two balls into play during practice rounds. If one goes really sideways I won't even bother walking to its location. Makes me feel like I'm still in control.

[North Butte]

My problem is a mental one too. I may loose 1 a round... but .... I have to play a certain brand/model of a golf ball, and to make matters worse, it must be blemish free. If it bounces off a tree, rock, or cart path or the PIN and gets a scuff or mark on it no matter how small, it's history. I have hundreds of premium golf balls in 5 gallon buckets that probably anyone would be happy to play with... except me. Its a problem which I just cannot get over.

 

I may not be quite as hard core as yourself about "no matter how small" but yeah, same thing for me. I just don't like using a damaged/scuffed/bruised/nicked golf ball if I'm actually playing and keeping score. If it's enough of a mark t notice without squinting and peering closely, it is discarded or put in my practice-ball bag.