Alright, so I saw this piece where Justin Thomas mentioned he thinks Scottie Scheffler using high-numbered golf balls – like 5, 6, 7, 8 – is kinda weird. It got me thinking about my own time out on the course and the little habits golfers have.
I remember when I first started playing more seriously, I didn’t think twice about the number on the ball. I just grabbed whatever sleeve was handed to me or was cheapest at the pro shop. Usually, they were 1s, 2s, 3s, or 4s. Standard stuff.
My First Encounter with High Numbers
Then one Saturday morning, playing with my regular group, one of the guys, Dave, tees up a ball marked with a bright red ‘7’. I did a double-take. Honestly, my first thought was, “Did he grab that from the range bucket?” It just looked… different. Out of place, somehow.
I asked him about it. “Dave, what’s with the number 7 ball? Feeling lucky?”
He just shrugged. “Nah, they were on sale. Plus,” he added, tapping the ball, “nobody else in our group plays a 7. Easy to identify if I spray one into the rough near someone else’s.”
That actually made sense. Practicality. I hadn’t really considered that angle before. Most folks stick to the lower numbers, so if you hit near another player using the same brand, you’re often checking the number – “Are you playing a Titleist 3?” “Nope, I’m a 1.” Having a 7 or 8 definitely simplifies that.
Sticking to My Ways
Even after hearing Dave’s logic, I never really switched. It felt… odd to me too, initially. Maybe it’s just years of seeing only 1-4 in play. It becomes the norm in your head.
- I usually just grab a sleeve of Titleist Pro V1s, and they almost always come in 1-4.
- I tend to stick with number 3 for some reason. No big superstition, maybe just habit. I open the sleeve, grab the 3 first.
- If I lose it, I’ll play the 1, 2, or 4. Doesn’t matter much then.
So, hearing JT say it’s weird about Scheffler? I get it. It’s unconventional compared to what most pros, and even amateurs, tend to use. It stands out.
But golf’s full of these little personal preferences, isn’t it? Ball markers, headcovers, glove brands, and yeah, even the number on your golf ball. Scheffler’s obviously doing just fine with his high numbers, so who’s to argue? It’s just another one of those small quirks that make the game interesting. Maybe it is weird, but hey, if it works, it works.
