I try to get 2 rounds out of a ball before it goes to the shag bag.

Unfortunately not many balls have survived 2 rounds this year. This season my play has been a roller coaster.

I keep 6 in the main pocket of the Staff bag, all 1's and 2's. I don't even keep track of how many holes they've played, long as they don't hit a cart path, they're in the rotation. I get Loyalty Program package every year, usually have a dozen and a half left. All the new 3's/4's go in the shag bag. I guess I'm slightly superstitious, been working for 30 years. Life is about change though....

1 or 2 rounds tops then in the shag bag. If it hits a path, cuts or hits trees then sooner.

In uk winters I will use the older shag bag balls if the weather is rubbish as I can’t face the loss of a new ball in the fairway if it plugs or it hides under a leaf!!

I will replace anytime I get a scuff or cuts from my wedges. Otherwise, I don’t really think about replacing it. I clean every club with a wet cloth after every shot and carry that cloth onto the green with me. As I clean my ball I inspect it before putting it back in play, or if I’m away first after I’ve holed out and waiting for the rest of the group to finish. At the beginning of each season (here in Canada that means April), I take advantage of the 4 for3 Titleist offering. I play about 90 rounds a year and I usually have around a dozen balls left from the current year’s order. So, like many here, I guess that equates to around 3 rounds.

For me it depends on the kind of round. For regular play or practice I won’t use a brand new ball normally. If it is qualifying or a tournament then I’ll use a brand new ball each round. If at any point there is cover damage that’s not just cosmetic I’ll throw it in a shag bag or give it away to someone.