Is there a limit to the number of golf balls a pro can carry?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 20, 2026
On the PGA Tour, change happens far more often. There's no limit to how many golf balls a player can carry in his or her bag, so long as they comply with the One Ball Rule, which dictates the same model and manufacturer. Rich Beem used to play with a new ball on every hole.
How many golf balls can pros carry?
How many balls can a pro golfer carry in his bag? Essentially, they can carry nine golf balls at a single time, but this isn't some crazy rule. In truth, they can carry around as many as they want, or as many as their caddies are willing to carry.
What happens if a pro golfer runs out of balls?
If you happen to run out of balls, you can borrow one from any other player, including a practice or X-Out ball (which are generally conforming balls). If you play a wrong ball, you lose the hole in match play or get a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
How many balls can a PGA player have?
Under the Rules of Golf, a golfer can carry as many golf balls as they want in their bag. Really, they can carry as many golf balls as they're willing to carry around themselves or their caddie is willing to lug around for them. Most PGA Tour golfers carry in the area of nine golf balls in their bag per round.
Can a pro golfer run out of balls?
If a golfer does run out of golf balls, then he/she is allowed to ask their playing partner to borrow a ball or two under Rule 4.2a(1). However, the other player is under no obligation to lend them one. The same incident has previously happened with Eddie Pepperell...
24 related questions foundHow many balls do pros hit before a round?
The ideal number of golf balls to hit at the driving range before your round is 30 balls. This allows you to warm up the body by hitting each club twice, but won't be enough to tire yourself out before you tee-off. I also asked a few golf coaches about this and none of them said to hit more than 30 balls at the range.
How many golf balls do pros hit a day?
How Many Golf Balls Do Pros Hit Every Day. On average, a pro golfer hits about 500 shots a day, but only about 50-100 of those are on a driving range. Most of them are hit from around the greens and on the course itself. But, hitting golf balls is a tiny part of a pro golfers' training day.
How many golf balls are on the moon?
There are two golf balls on the moon. They were taken there by Alan Shepard in 1971, during the Apollo 14 mission. Shepard was the first American into space, and the fifth person to ever walk on the moon… but most impressively, he was the first (and only) person to ever play golf outside of the earth's atmosphere!
How many balls can you carry at the Masters?
There's no limit to how many golf balls a player can carry in his or her bag, so long as they comply with the One Ball Rule, which dictates the same model and manufacturer.
How often do pros change golf balls?
Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.
Do soft golf balls make a difference?
Lower compression balls tend to be softer and compress more to create more distance. Higher compression balls offer more control and are used by better players who can produce faster swing speeds to compress the ball. For more on softness and compression, please read our Guide To Soft Golf Balls.
How many golf balls does the average golfer lose per round?
According to some digging in an article from GOLF's own Dylan Dethier, avid golfers lose 1.3 balls per round. If you're playing frequently, that can add up quick. But you don't have to lose balls each and every time you get out to the course.
How many golf balls should I bring for 18 holes?
Most amateur golfers will be fine bringing nine golf balls with them for a rough of 18 holes. Some will like to keep a dozen balls in the bag, and that is fine, although it is rarely necessary.
How many golf balls can you put in a 5 gallon bucket?
The volume of a US five-gallon bucket is 18927cm3 divide by 40.68cm3 the volume of a standard golf ball. When you divide your answer will be 465, which means a 5-gallon bucket will contain 465 golf balls.
What is the one ball rule in golf?
The PGA Tour uses a one-ball rule, which means players can only use one specific brand and model of ball during a round. The penalty for using a different model is two strokes per hole that the ball is used, maximum of eight strokes.
Do pro golfers use a new ball on each hole?
If you're a PGA Tour pro, you might swap out every few holes because, well, you get your pellets for free. But what about for those of us that pay for our spheres? According to Frederick Waddell, Titleist's senior manager of golf ball product management, play it until you lose it.
How many golf balls does it take to make a pound?
Here's another fun fact for you. One pound is 454 grams. That means 10 golf balls weigh almost exactly one pound.
Can you use a different golf ball on the green?
You cannot switch out your golf ball on the putting green. Once a player has teed off on a hole, they must complete the hole before they are allowed to switch out their golf ball. You can mark and replace your ball when on then green, but you cannot switch it with another golf ball.
What golf ball do most pros use?
The most used golf ball by PGA tour professionals is the Titleist Pro V1 range, which in my research was used by over half of the pro golfers on this tour. The Callaway Chrome Soft X came in a fairly distant second place.
Why don t pro golfers use colored balls?
As a whole pros don't use coloured golf balls because white balls are easier to see. Since pros depend on the game for their living it's vital they maximise their ability to see the flight and where their ball goes. Bubba Watson and Hale Irwin are examples of major champions who have used coloured golf balls at times.
What is the farthest a golf ball has been hit?
The world record recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest drive in a competition is 515 yards (471 m) by 64-year-old Mike Austin in 1974 at the US Senior National Open Qualifier with a 43.5" steel shafted persimmon wood driver.
How many dimples are on a golf ball?
Most golf balls have between 300 and 500 dimples, which have an average depth of about 0.010 inch. The lift and drag forces on a golf ball are very sensitive to dimple depth: a depth change of 0.001 inch can produce a radical change to the ball's trajectory and the overall distance it can fly.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
A standard amateur golfer can hit a 7 iron from 128 yards to 158 yards. The lower range will be for women and senior golfers. To hit the ball over 150 yards in total distance with a 7 iron club, an amateur golfer will have to have a good swing and be physically fit.
How many hours a week do pro golfers practice?
In our opinion and based on our extensive experience and empirical evidence you need to invest a minimum of 1,728 hours per year to give yourself the best chance possible of becoming a successful professional golfer. This works out at least 6 hours of practice per day for 6 days per week for 48 weeks per year.
How far does Tiger Woods hit a 7 iron?
Club Averages
His long irons (2- to 4-iron) range from 250 to 200 yards. His middle irons (5, 6, 7) range from 208 to 172 yards. His 8-iron travels 158 yards, and 9-iron flies 142.