Warming Your Golf Balls During A Round

Hey Golf Nut, I have what may seem like a strange rules question for you. Is carrying an extra golf ball in your pocket during a round considered illegal for artificially warming the golf ball?

Well this question brings a couple of different thoughts to mind. The first one is addressing the issue of artificially warming your golf balls. There is not a specific rule about warming your golf balls. Rule 14-2 deals with artificial devices and unusual equipment. It states that

The player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner:

a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:
(i) plain gloves may be worn;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.

Now decision 14-3/13.5 does talk specifically golf balls artificially warmed. It says “Use of a ball that has been purposely warmed during a stipulated round with an artificial device constitutes a breach of Rule 14-3.” Now interestingly it also says that it is not a breach to use a ball that has been artificially warmed prior to the round.

Nothing that I saw or read says that keeping a golf ball in your pocket during a round would be considered “artificially warming the ball”.

Now the second thought that came to mind had to do with using the golf ball that you have been keeping in your pocket. You need to bear in mind the rules require you to finish a hole with the ball that you started the hole with unless the ball is lost or becomes unfit for play. And you must play the entire round with the same type of golf ball. Just be careful not to get yourself in trouble when substituting a ball during a round.

Good golfing to all you golf nuts out there!