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Changing balls during a round

• Strongleftside 14 Posts

  Tue, Nov 19 2013 7:18 PM

  I got a reminder to play the next round in the Winter Tour. I clicked to play and was taken to the first tee. I then realized that I needed to buy
  new balls. However, in order to do that, I had to back out of the
  round; but I could only do this by forfeiting.

  This is not the first time this has happened to me, and it's a serious
  flaw in WGT. Ideally, you would be able to purchase new balls
  during a round, and then use them. (As it is, if I start a round with only one good ball and lose it, I have to forfeit. Let's face it:  starter balls are awful, especially if you don't normally use them.) Failing that, you should at least be able to back out of a round before the first shot is taken.

• WGTicon 12,511 Posts

  Wed, Nov 20 2013 12:32 PM

  hi

  unfortunately you cannot change ball during a round, so I would always try to make sure I have enough balls in the bag before starting a round.

  -wgticon

• Strongleftside 14 Posts

  Wed, Nov 20 2013 3:28 PM

  Thank you, wgticon, that is the point of my complaint:  you can't change balls durng a round.  Obviously, we don't all remember to have enough balls in the bag before starting a round.  (I don't have a caddie.)  I am suggesting that WGT change the system so that you can buy or switch balls during a round or, alternatively, withdraw from a round before you've teed off.

• CerinoDevoti 3,232 Posts

  Wed, Nov 20 2013 4:03 PM

  We can always buy the same balls we already have in our bags during a round. You don't have to forfeit to do that. Game client in one window, the Pro Shop in another. I've bought balls and Putter Pal while playing rounds several times.

• xxHACKERxx 70 Posts

  Fri, Nov 22 2013 8:12 AM

  My feeling is that you should be able to switch to a different ball during a round. If I am playing on a real course and I lose my last Titleist, I might have a Callaway or Nike in my bag that I can just pull out. If WGT is supposed to simulate real golf, why can't we have the ability to do that?

   

• Chinajohn 1,190 Posts

  Fri, Nov 22 2013 10:13 PM

  xxHACKERxx:

  My feeling is that you should be able to switch to a different ball during a round. If I am playing on a real course and I lose my last Titleist, I might have a Callaway or Nike in my bag that I can just pull out. If WGT is supposed to simulate real golf, why can't we have the ability to do that?

   

  This has been discussed a million times and it is VERY apparent that WGT are NEVER going to change it. 

  The argument goes that WGT is simulating tournament golf and they have implemented the "One ball rule" that is permitted in tournament golf, that means you must use the same ball type throughout the round. They have 'softened' this by NOT disqualifying you if you run out of the relevant ball but instead replace it with a starter ball.

  Personally I think that's fine in tournaments but a bit harsh in practice rounds, although my stance has hardened with all the bitching and I now advocate DQing anyone in tournaments who runs out of the relevant ball type.

   

• alosso 21,094 Posts

  Sat, Nov 23 2013 12:46 AM

  Strongleftside:

  As it is, if I start a round with only one good ball and lose it, I have to forfeit.

  You'll get a reminder on the first tee or whenever it happens. Exception: Such ball isn't available in the Pro Shop.

• srellim234 2,077 Posts

  Sat, Nov 23 2013 6:09 AM

  I agree that it's harsh in practice rounds. In practice rounds you should be able to switch around and change equipment for testing and practice. 

  In competition, however, WGTs version of the one-ball rule is actually quite fair. It prevents sandbaggers from luring in unsuspecting victims by preventing them from presenting one quality of ball at the start of a game and then switching to a ball that better suits their game after it starts.

  Even if only allowed to switch after running out or losing the last of a type, it's very easy to count the hits on a last ball and start the game with only a few hits left on it. or intentionally lose it. Then you get to use your preferred ball by the second hole after your unsuspecting opponent has committed to the game, most likely losing credits to you in the process.

  Complaints about cheaters and sandbaggers are rampant. It is going to be worse if WGT starts helping them even more.

• DAVE21265 17 Posts

  Sat, Nov 23 2013 5:23 PM

  There is a box next to where it says CREATE GAME or FIND GAME before the start of every round that says VIEW/EDIT MY CLUBS that means check that you have the correct clubs in your bag for the course you are about to play and it means check that you have enough of your chosen brand of balls in your bag. The game gives a good clear sign in capital letters for players to check their equipment before teeing off, that means balls as well. If a player still doesn't check after all that then that is just too bad.

• ApexPC 3,164 Posts

  Sun, Nov 24 2013 8:56 AM

  It would be nice if we could change balls on the first tee before we make the first swing.

  Apparently, programming such a feature is beyond possible.