Callaway Chrome Soft balls - not durable?

[JayJo13]

I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone. My garage simulator is about a week old. I've been playing Chrome Soft balls for a few years as I really like the feel around the greens. I buy all my balls direct from Callaway in the fall when they go on sale.

Take a look at the photo below. This was literally a brand new ball 2 days ago. It looks like it's 15 years old! Not to mention it split down the middle. I'll admit I've played a ton of simulator golf over the past few days using this one ball. IRL a ball might last me 2-3 rounds at the most so they never get this much abuse.

Has anyone else ever experienced this?

[sirish19]

Not the ChromeSoft but I have split the Titliest ProV1 before (it took me more than a couple of days). The softcover balls generally don't last as long as they are more prone to cuts and damage, especially with wedges. I hear that some people play balls until they crack but I generally replace a ball once it starts looking too ragged as I imagine that the more damage you have on your ball, the more damage it will likely cause to your net/impact screen. I will only play ProV1 balls on the simulator as that is the ball that I play IRL and I want know the real stats and the ball does make a huge difference. Although they are more expensive, I will generally lose a ball IRL well before the ball becomes unplayable in the sim and I play the sim for free so the price of a ball every few rounds is relatively insignificant in the long run.

[JayJo13]

Yeah, I was hitting the Chrome Soft for the same reason you play the ProV1's. I had the same concern, if this cut my screen i'd probably throw up. I'll definitely switch balls when I start to see a lot of wear.

[DS12]

Is this the new 2020 ball or was it older and sitting around for a while? How many shots were taken over 2 days?

Not sure of it's older and sitting in a damp basement or something could impact the cover or if it was just a bad ball that made it through quality control.

Also not sure how long a golf ball typically last hitting indoors off a screen, etc.

[JayJo13]

I ordered them in November and they've been sitting in my basement since.Yes, I have no idea how many times I hit them but I played for several hours each day. For sure this is way more wear than typical play but I definitely didn't expect that.

[Dax]

Don't forget that you are likely hitting the ball in almost the exact same spot each time you hit given that you need to put the metallic dot facing the screen. Not sure of Mevo+ suggestions for ball placement, but for me I place the dot up when using driver and woods and towards screen for irons and nearly facing the floor when using my wedges to try and prolong the life of my golf balls. The other thing I do is keep a close watch on the surface of the ball as if I see some nics or wear, then I remove the ball so that I don't chew up my screen.

[JayJo13]

All good points but I actually don't have a Mevo+ yet. I'm patiently awaiting delivery but it won't by until mid-July, likely. But I'm glad you posted about the dot facing up for woods and Driver - I didn't know that. Also, thinking about how much I hit that ball that split it's making sense. I definitely have to keep my eye on the balls for scuffs. Thanks!