"It's not the "one ball condition", it IS the "one ball RULE".
Let me explain why you're wrong.
When the committee elects to place the one ball RULE into effect, the language, as provided in Appendix I in the rules of golf, 1 c. i, is incorporated into the RULES of GOLF as DIRECTED by the USGA, as a Note to Rule 5-1, and as such, it becomes a Rule, under 5-1 in the Rules of golf.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you."
Patrick:
Allow me to quote the "One Ball Condition":
Appendix 1, Part C (Conditions of Competition), 1c (One Ball Condition);
"If it is desired to prohibit changing brands and types of golf balls during a stipulated round, the following CONDITION is recommended:"
Therefore, "Conditions" of competition are optional to a committee, meaning a committee can adopt them or not adopt them if they so choose. A committee does not have the option of not adopting a Rule of golf----eg:
Rule 33 (The Committee)
Rule 33-1 (Conditions; Waiving Rule)
"The COMMITTEE must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played."
"The COMMITTEE has no power to waive a Rule of Golf."
Therefore, a "Condition" of competition is not the same thing as a Rule of Golf.
Despite that fact a number of imprecise people like yourself call the "One Ball Condition" the "One Ball Rule" but that doesn't make the "One Ball Condition" a Rule of Golf. It's merely a "Condition of Competition" that can be adopted by a committee if they choose to adopt it.
Furthermore, this should make a "condition" as opposed to a "Rule" of Golf even clearer to you if you read Appendix 1, Part C ("Conditions of Competition);
"Rule 33-1 provides, "The COMMITTEE must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played." These conditions should include many matters such as method of entry, eligibility, number of rounds to be played etc., that it is not appropriate to deal with in the Rules of Golf or this appendix. Detailed information regarding these conditions is provided in "Decisions on the Rules of Golf" under Rule 33-1 and in "How to Conduct a Competition."
However, there are a number of matters that might be covered in the "Conditions of Competition" to which the Committee's attention is specifically drawn. These are:"
I hope that clears up the matter for you.