How often should you change your golf ball?

The research says you can get seven rounds out of a golf ball before seeing a drop off in performance but obviously that will vary depending on what happens to it. If it catches a tree or path and gets scuffed, that number is going to go down.

If you get a mark on your ball that’s large or that changes the texture of the surface, the ball needs replacing. But that’s not to say you then can’t use that ball for practicing afterwards.

If you are going to change your ball mid-round make sure you do it after you have finished that hole. Changing balls mid-hole would result in a two-shot penalty in stroke play.

You also want to think carefully about where you are storing your golf balls. Keeping them in excessive heat or cold will affect performance over time. As a general rule storing them at room temperature will keep them fine for five to 10 years.