At one point, I was a medium hitter but deadly straight. This was with the original Taylor Made Burner metals.. About 230 yards and very straight. I would go to the RTJ Trail with a friend, take enough balls to allow 6 per round (hey, some of those courses can be tough, like the River Course in Huntsville which had no bunkers but a lot of something else, or any of the courses at Cambrian Ridge. I never used the allotment (fortunately).

Then I got a bit longer and a bit wilder but still never needed that many balls; I would take more out of play for scuffs than losing them.

Now, I am both short and crooked! The older I get, the better I WAS!!

I love playing the ProV1x - I just feel it is my duty to share with others this same joy! Seems my average is about a ball lost (or contributed to the joy of others) every other round.

Yeah but dont forget to add back in the ones you find looking for yours!

Really depends on the course and how my driver is behaving, lol. I didn't lose a ball in Pinehurst, but typically it's 1-3 per round for me.

Ugh, unfortunately right now I'm going through a swing overhaul and when I play it's pretty ugly. I'm losing 6-8 balls per round! Im not using any new Pro V1s right now, just playing what I have lying around or what I find. I will be going back to my Pro Vs once I'm feeling confident again.

Thought provoking post, Stephen. I'd be lying if I said I don't lose many golf balls. Over the years, I've learned the art of keeping the ball in play by effective course management. That said, at the relatively young age of 44, I still get the urge to let the "big dog eat", or go for a par 5 in two. Results on either do vary. There are some water features that have collected a number of errant shots from yours truly. Probably lose 1, or 2, every 36 holes which is about what I play in a week.

Good News is I have a surplus of ProV1 64's (old football #) that I've gained through the Loyalty Rewarded offerings.
Bad News is my local course knows who sprays the ProV1 64's (there's not many playing that specialty #) around and keeps them for me to buy back at the Pro Shop counter. Plenty of good-hearted ribbing to go along with the buy back.

I find ten to twenty balls a round. I give balls to kids, to friends, to family and to charity. Once last summer I found over fifty balls on the side of a very hilly tee. But it helps to be walking and carrying a bag. And to have a friend with a powered cart to carry all the balls.

Do not lose many anymore. Play AVX and not as long as my younger self. Usually replace a ball from hitting a tree or cart path. By the way the AVX is a great ball.

Are lost balls tax deductible?
And why is it that when you lose a club, a sweatshirt, a range finder, a golf shoe, etc., etiquette is you turn it in to the clubhouse for the rightful owner to claim it, but that does not apply to golf balls?

This made me laugh out loud Barry!