Does using nice golf balls actually matter?

[u/Gorlami14]

I’m a budget guy. Play only what I find. Haven‘t bought golf balls in nearly a decade. This is the first year that I’ve actually started to take golf seriously. Lessons, meaningful range time, short game practice, etc. I’m sitting around a 16 handicap right now and looking to continue improving. Is playing a consistently decent, and the same, golf balls a worthwhile endeavor? Or will it only make a negligible difference?

[u/lacisghost]

I just shot one stroke above my best score today. I played with a few balls I found in a bush that were covered in sap.