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Balls to admit losing

Ever finish a hole with a higher tally of lost balls than strokes taken? If so, you're not alone.

Almost nine out of 10 Canadian golfers lose balls every time they hit the links, according to the Top-Flite Infinity golf ball survey, a national online poll that takes a light-hearted look at one of the most frustrating parts of the game.

According to the 1,400 recreational golfers surveyed by Top-Flite Canada in April, a total of 86 per cent of respondents admit to losing at least one golf ball per round.

How they lose them is where it gets interesting: 20 per cent have lost golf balls up a tree, 13 per cent have seen them scurried away by local wildlife, and 35 per cent have watched their golf balls go up but never seem to come down. Losing balls can also be a good thing: 15 per cent of golfers have all but given up looking only to find a "lost" ball sitting in the hole.

"As any golfer will tell you, one of the most frustrating parts of the game is losing balls on the course, but it can also lead to great stories and a few laughs back in the clubhouse," says Chris Walling, business manager at Top-Flite Canada. "We wanted to dig a little deeper to see just how Canadians react -- with plans to reward them as well."

The survey was conducted in conjunction with the launch of the "Infinity Golf Balls for Life" promotion, where four golfers from across Canada will win golf balls for life -- a dozen each month for as long as they live -- by filling in a ballot online at www.topflite.ca between May 19 and Aug. 1.

More survey highlights:

While more than half of those surveyed head out for a round with at least half a dozen balls, the survey found that almost 40 per cent have had to resort to borrowing balls to finish their rounds.

Typically good-natured Canadians can sometimes find their honesty wavering on the golf course. Sixty-six per cent of golfers surveyed admitted finishing a hole with a ball they found while looking for their own.

Canadian golfers typically spend no more than two minutes looking for a lost ball, and many like to keep their options open: If a partner shouts, "I found one. What ball are you playing?" Thirty-seven per cent will respond with "What'd you find?"

While 41 per cent of golfers are confident enough to use a brand new ball when teeing off over water, the remaining 59 per cent will tee up an old ball when faced with the choice.

While searching for their ball, close to half of the respondents -- 47 per cent -- have gotten a foot soaker (five per cent have actually fallen right into to a pond or stream); 10 per cent found themselves roaming the parking lot; and seven per cent have been "threatened" by local wildlife while looking for lost balls.

When directing blame over losing a ball, 81 per cent of golfers blame themselves; nine per cent blame the elements, the course design or the people golfing with them; and another nine per cent prefer a spiritual explanation, attributing their bad luck to the work of a higher power.

Almost 80 per cent of golfers blame their driver as the club most likely to result in losing balls, 20 per cent blame their irons, and two per cent claim losing balls the most when using their wedge.

Almost 75 per cent are willing to give up a brand new ball if a playing partner asks to borrow one, and only 25 per cent will search for a well-worn ball to pass along.