This topic is dear to my heart and I have had many a discussion with members at Winterfield Golf club regarding what type of golf ball they are using. The answer is usually 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.

Picture the scene if you will - David has just hit his second shot out of bounds on the 5th 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, he is now about 15 yards from the pin and takes his trusty wedge out and proceeds to chip the ball to the hole, 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 misses the putt then carries on with his round of golf none the wiser

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 courses 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 short costing him a valuable stroke.

Different golf balls react differently for a variety of full shots as well, not to mention putting which makes distance control very difficult if you chop and change your golf balls all the time. 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. I am not saying you shouldn't try different Golf balls but you should get used to a Golf ball and not chop and change too often. 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 are carrying 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.

Kevin Phillips

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