Know The Rules

One Ball Rule

     Several people have asked about having to play the same make of golf ball during a round of golf.  The USGA rules allow you to use any ball on it's approved ball list whenever substitution is allowed (between holes, when ball is damaged, etc).  Some events, like PGA Tour events, use what is called "The One Ball Rule".  This rule does NOT apply unless the tournament committee imposes this one ball rule in it's local rules or conditions of the competition.

     In the back of the USGA Rule Book, in Appendix I, the USGA suggests and writes that during a stipulated round, the balls a player plays must be of the same brand and model as detailed by a single entry on the List of Conforming Golf Balls. (Here is the link to the List of Conforming Golf Balls.  It changes occasionally.)  That means if you play a PRO V1x for your first shot, you must play a PRO V1x for every shot of your stipulated round. 

     This "One Ball Rule" is usually just used for competitions with advanced players but the committee could do it for any event.  It must be listed in the local rules for the competition.  Otherwise, if you start with a Titleist, you could switch to a Callaway, Nike or any ball of your choice when the rules allow you to substitute a ball (like between holes).

Change to Rule 12-2: Identifying Ball

Amended to allow a player to lift his ball for identification in a hazard (see corresponding change to Rule 15-3, removing the exemption from penalty for playing a wrong ball in a hazard).

Read more: Change to Rule 12-2: Identifying Ball...

2008 Rules Changes - Defnitions

Advice - Amended to allow the exchange of information on distance, as it is not considered to be "advice."

Lost Ball - Amended to clarify substituted ball issues and to include the concept of "stroke-and-distance" (see corresponding changes to Rules 18-1, 24-3, 25-1c, 26 and 27-1).

Matches - Definition withdrawn and replaced by two new definitions, "Forms of Match Play" and "Forms of Stroke Play."