I keep splitting balls open? Need advice

[Joe M]

Hi, I’ve been using my simulator everyday for the last 4 weeks and I’m getting the hang of TGC2019. Also, my driver swing speed is back to normal. That being said about two weeks ago I was using some cheap balls that I received in a mully pack that was a Christmas present from my nephew. I believe they were oncore avant 55. I was using them because they are soft. My club swing speed with my driver is between 90-95mph and my ball speed is 130-135 mph. After a few days I split one of the balls completely open. I then used another and after a few days I did the same. I ended up throwing out the remaining balls figuring they were just junk. Over the last few days I have been hitting a callaway chrome soft. Today I hit a drive that I thought was a good one and the ball only went 85 yards. When I picked it up it was also split open. Can anyone explain what might be happening? Here is a picture

[StalefishFS3]

I have found that Callaway Chrome Soft and CSx are the worst for durability in a sim. I have cracked many CS just like you have. Currently, I hit into a Net Return so I can use balls longer than normal if you were hitting into a good impact screen. IMO, the best tour balls for durability for hitting into a net are:

• Titleist ProV1 and X
• Srixon Z Star and XV
• TP5 and X

Titleist by far is number one for net hitting, because you don't care as much about the little shards/scuffs from wedge play that you would hitting into a screen.

[COgolfengineer]

Wow quite odd. Maybe the balls are getting worn down when they hit your screen or net if it doesn't have enough give? Or, I'm sure every golf ball has a lifespan of how many times it can be hit with a driver. I have no idea what that is though.

I'm interested to hear why the balls are doing this.

[Joe M]

I have the sq screen from Par2pro. I remember 5hey recommended to not use pro v1 golf balls. I assumed that they were harder and a harder ball would prematurely wear the screen?

[Jason Penner]

Joe, it was because pro v’s can easily spin 10k+ rpm. Imagine a scuff spinning like that hitting the fabric repeatedly. I have an SQ also and love it, so quite great picture.

[Joe M]

Thanks Jason...that makes sense. I like the screen too. It is quiet . I wish my graphics were better but I am using a optoma short throw GT 1080 HDR and I don’t think they are known for graphics. I’m using 16:9 at 1550 x 1080

[spaz]

I've had the skytrak about 8 weeks and the same thing has happened to about 5 balls so far. The balls im using are Bridgetone B RXS, and E12 soft.

[langnolen]

Yep Bridgestone B RXS have split for me as well over the last few weeks. I think it has to do with the cold as my sim is in garage and don't leave heater on overnight so think the balls have been getting cold then warm when out there. Feel like it has something to do with the expansion when they are warmed up after being cold

[Joe M]

I saw on another link that the Wilson duo is the most recommended ball to use

[JayJo13]

I have found Chrome Soft are the absolute worst and will crack very quickly (4 or 5 rounds). I use TP5 and TP5X and have found they are very durable. Make sure you use white balls as the yellow ones scuff easier. I also use a pool of around 10 balls at any given time and check them all prior to playing and swap out any balls that are scuffed or worn with brand new balls. This seems to work pretty good and I go through about 2 dozen balls every 6 weeks or so (I play 2-3 rounds a day on average).

[simmb]

Never cracked balls in real life but go through them at a rate on the sim. By far the best for durability in my experience are pro V's but they do take it's toll on the screen, my Carl's premium has a massive hole in it now because I switched to Pro V's.

[fortner28]

How long did it take to eat through the screen? I have the premium screen and am curious about the life expectancy

[simmb]

I would say I had about 2 years out of it. I did rotate it as well about 12 months ago as it started to get really thin in a few places.

[Jeff Tilley]

Do your sim balls sit out in the cold when not in use?

[Dax]

I was just going to ask the same about the balls sitting out in the cold. Another is I thought when you use sky teal you always have to have the logo facing the cameras. If this is true, then you are likely continuously hitting the same spot each time (check the golf ball and you will see if one spot is worn much more than the rest of the ball). If this is the case, hen yes a ball will wear quicker and of course will crack.

check the golf balls and as soon as you see them wearing a bit and getting a bit of fraying going, then it is time to switch out the ball.

[Joe M]

No they do not. My sim is in a nice conditioned basement.

[Mrtheplague]

I get about 4 rounds out of a ball.

If you think about it, the ball is coming off the club 100-150 mph and then in less than 10 feet is coming to an almost abrupt stop - almost like the ball is being hit twice. 4 rounds with warm up probably 100 shots per round (x2 if you count the screen strike) - it is almost like that ball is seeing 800 hits.

I have cracked PRO-V1, PRO-V1x, VICE

I get about an extra round out of Srixon XV - i usually replace it as the outer cover shows noticeable wear - I am yet to crack one of these yet. For what it is worth, I have heard the guys from tour experience golf (TXG youtube channel) comment that Srixon seem to have long simulator life in their simulators.

[Truok]

I've cracked just about every ball. Pro v1, srixon, vice. It just happens. One thing I do now is keep a wet rag close and wipe the balls and club every 4-5 shots. Seems to help the wear on the ball a bit if I keep dust and dirt off them. Right now I've been using the srixon z star xv and they've seemed to hold up the best. There does seem to be a seam that appears on them after some use but it seems purely cosmetic

[Deuce]

Same here as above. I've cracked them all, from discount brands to top of the line. It does seem to happen more frequently when it gets colder.

[Mike Strub]

I have had the same problem my sim is in my garage so it gets quite cold. I foung that if you warm them up a bit it solved the problem