08/24/2026
10 things you should be doing with your golf ball
Play a fresh, undamaged ball each round, and retire it after 2-3 rounds (or when you lose it of course)
A modern golf ball can withstand ~100+ full speed strikes (roughly seven rounds for the longest hitters), but amateurs should retire a ball after two or three rounds even if it looks fine because it has absorbed hundreds of impacts.
Mark your ball with a unique, repeatable pattern.
If you’re playing in tournaments, it’s important to mark your ball to easily identify it on the golf course. USGA Rule 6.3a encourages an identification mark. There are no limits on what or how many marks you use, so get creative and let your personality shine on your golf ball.
Use alignment aids, such as BOLD TRACK, when putting.
Reports show that alignment aids can reduce variability by almost 40%, and over 60% of tour players use some form of alignment when putting. It’s there to help you make more putts, so use it!
Replace a scuffed or cut ball immediately, and know when the rules allow you to swap.
Scuffed or cut balls can seriously impact your performance, so it’s important to change to a fresh one as soon as you feel it’s been compromised. You may substitute a ball whenever you take relief, and may switch to a new ball on the next tee box. On the green, you must replace the same ball you lifted.
Clean your golf ball at every legal opportunity.
You may clean your ball before teeing off and after marking on a green. A clean golf ball flies farther and rolls truer. Use a wet towel or on-course ball ball washers to maximize the performance of your ball.
Still following along? These tips will help you hit more golf shots like this 😎
Store golf balls at room temperature, never in a hot car.
Golf balls kept at 70°-80°F can last up to a decade. Heat is the number one enemy of shelf life, degrading the polymer layers and core and costing ball speed and distance. Don’t put them in the freezer, extreme cold hurts too.
Play ONE model all season for consistency.
The smartest move most golfers never make it to pick one ball and play it for an entire season. Switching models changes distances in your bag, and by