I am also a big fan with starting the round with a new ball.  The exception to that here in New England is the early rounds of the year.  There is always a chance of finding some ground that is still frozen.  Land the ball on one of those areas and who knows where the ball might end up.  Did I mention the mud?  

Definitely teeing up a new ball at the start of every round. No way am I starting the round with a ball out of the shag bag.

I agree. I use a new ball on the first tee and try to get as far as possible with that rock. If it gets scuffed from the path or my wedges shave too much of the cover, I will replace it.

Usually start the round with a new ball. Generally replace the ball once it gets a few scuffs from wedge shots.

A new ball at the begining of every round for me. In tournamaent play achange it every 6 holes unless it becomes damaged first.

I have more golf balls then I know what to do with yet I still hoard them and use them till they are beat to heck.  If I put a nasty cart path mark or something like that ill take it out but I play it until it misbehaves then its gone!

i agree with nick. i guess it's the way i grew up with the game. the ball was very expensive and i played then til i lost it.

new ball every round for me too.. if i lose one before the 10th tee, ill play another new one.  if i lose one on the back nine, ill tee up a used ProV1 or x.  if a ball gets too scuffed up they become practice balls for me. 

Depends on the situation. During the start of fall our course gets covered in leaves so I play "experienced" balls. Hate to loose a brand new ProV1 in the fairway due to it being under a leaf. Early Spring is usually wet and again I play "experienced" balls due to some areas of the course balls can plug easily and be lost. Late Spring and Summer I play a new ball but if I'm just playing by myself may play a couple of old balls. When I play out of state on golf vacations I play new balls. I read a article by Ratief Goosen who said most amateur golfer should just play the balls that they find.

I use a new ball every round. If I scuff up a ball due to cart path or wedge shots, I'll take it out of play. I would have to echo the comments on putting them into the shag bag for practice chipping. I feel that it is important to practice chipping with the actual balls that you are going to put into play.

I start each round with three new balls.  I circulate them throughout the round but once a ball makes a bogey (or worse), I send it straight to the bullpen to think about what it's done.  If a ball makes a birdie or better (it could happen!), it's staying in the game.  I'll ride that wave as long as I can.  As I go through balls and they get worn, I throw them into a big shag bag in my car's trunk.  Great to practice putting and short game shots with your gamer models. And you never know when you might find an empty field with a hour or two to spare.

i always tee up a new ball every round because it makes me feel more confident... i also will put a new ball in every three holes but i will keep the other balls cause they normally have no big scratches on them and ill play them later in the round or something... i just like switching it up haha 

Yeah man, I agree with you completely.

I try to finish the round with the same ball I started with.  I use a new ball, and replace it every round, unless it get's lost or damaged.  For tournaments, new ball every 9 holes.

Deno

I put a new ball in play only when I lose or damage the existing one.  If the cover is not so significantly scuffed, I would continue to play with it until it gets really bad.  For tournament play, the ball is replaced every 6-9 holes.

i do the same. i start a new round with a new prov1x ball. i am always happy when i pull a brand new one out of the sleeve. when it starts to get scrached up it goes in the practice ball pile and i use it for practicing.

I always tee it up with a new ball. I used to go through a sleeve a round or more just to the fact that the ball would get beat up from wedges, but now the balls are so durable these days that I can play one ball almost everytime for 18 holes.

Only put a new ball into play if I loose one or the other one is cut pretty bad. I few scuffs from a wedge I can handle but if it gets a pretty nasty cart path scar or from a tree I will switch it out.

I start every round with a new sleeve of balls, early spring and late fall NXT Tour's, otherwise it's Pro V1x's.  I tend to concentrate more knowing I have a brand new ball in play.  I have buckets of scuffed balls at home that I use for practice.

Scott

I usually start a round with a new ball and try to play that same one for all 18.  If I'm playing a casual 9 holes, I may pick out a ball that hasn't been scuffed up and play that one.  If I'm playing a tournament, I may use a few new balls for each round.

PERSONALLY  I SAVE NEW PRO Vs  FOR SUNDAYS AND GOLF TRIPS...A TITLEIST WITH A SCUFF OR TWO I THINK IS FINE FOR A QUICK 9 AFTER WORK OR INFORMAL ROUNDS THAT MORE PRACTICE THAN ROUNDS THAN ANYTHING....FOR ALL MY TITLEIST BROTHEN I'LL TAKE ALL YOUR UNWANTED BALLS         SINCERLY MADGOLFER!!!!!!!!!!!!