Split ball during tournament play...

[Jwheels9876]

while I haven't had it happen yet during a tournament round, I've now cracked about 3-4 balls since starting my sim play. If it happens during a tournament round is it ok to use a rewind? If I hit let's say a 7 iron and it goes like 120 instead of 150like I expect and I find it cracked but the numbers seem like a 120 yard shot I don't wanna be looked at as a cheater lol...

[gene438]

Would you get a rewind in an actual tournament?

[allen2be]

Damn cheater. Kidding... you should absolutely take a rewind. I just had a chrome soft almost blow up a few nights ago during the current tourney. I couldn't believe the size of the crack. I thought it was a misread until I picked it up. I crack one about every 3 or 4 rounds. Funny - you never realize how quick they are to bust when you're losing em in the woods and water! Taking recommendations for a nice soft ball that lasts awhile.

[Jwheels9876]

Would you get a rewind in an actual tournament?

I don't know, would I? Not everyone here is on the tournament circuit
if I happen to make the PGA tour from using my skytrak I'll be sure to read the rule book before asking any questions lol

[Jwheels9876]

Damn cheater. Kidding... you should absolutely take a rewind. I just had a chrome soft almost blow up a few nights ago during the current tourney. I couldn't believe the size of the crack. I thought it was a misread until I picked it up. I crack one about every 3 or 4 rounds. Funny - you never realize how quick they are to bust when you're losing em in the woods and water! Taking recommendations for a nice soft ball that lasts awhile.

I've been using Srixon soft feel balls and they last a good amount of time, although I usually have 3-4 of them sitting there at atime and use them all during rounds... I bought Titleist soft balls and cracked 2 after a few rounds so they don't seem very durable...

[mmlincon]

No, you don't get a rewind. You are allowed to replace the damaged ball so it won't happen again . That is the rule IRL. I wouldn't take a rewind but that's me.

[Jwheels9876]

No, you don't get a rewind. You are allowed to replace the damaged ball so it won't happen again . That is the rule IRL. I wouldn't take a rewind but that's me.

I've never played a ball long enough IRL to have it crack that's for sure..honestly if people find my balls in the woods they're probably almost new condition lol... I'm just worried I'm gonna hit a drive like 30 yards or something because the ball splits in half...not that it's a big deal cause it's just a fake online golf tourney but I just wanted to know how guys have handled the situation...

[allen2be]

mmlincon Jwheels9876

Here u go. TLDR version - cancel the stroke, replace ball as close to original location as possible. If you want to split hairs, it says if it breaks into pieces... I count a cracked ball as just that. Take the rewind.

http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/rule5.htm

It's under 5-3.

[mmlincon]

I don't think any rules official would deem a crack as pieces. The ball is definitely unfit for play and should be replaced but you replace where it lies. You don't go back and rehit the shot that broke the ball. If a ball breaks into pieces you will see it after striking it. That's the difference.

[allen2be]

Be interesting to see it actually happen to one of the big boys. Probably not gonna see it since they play a fresh one every hole.

[gene438]

I don't rewind....I do examine all of my golf balls routinely because I am afraid of scuffed up balls tearing up my impact screen....so I can't honestly say that I have had one blow up on me during a round...I try to catch them beforehand.....

[inorkuo]

definitely more concerned about tearing up the screen than my score but since there are differing opinions here, how about a ruling from mthunt and keither5150 so we can all get on the same page? either way is fine with me.

[mthunt]

I'd say you go with the rules of golf. Under 5.3 no replay/ rewind unless the ball breaks into pieces. That way it's black and white under the rules and there's nothing to argue about. Obviously you can take the cracked ball out of play.

[tlhammond5]

Welcome to the club! I have been hitting balls in a sim bay for going on 12 years. I have cracked hundreds of balls through the years. It seems that TaylorMade's high end balls are the worst. I play TaylorMade balls on the course, and put them in the sim bay after a round. Every model since the old original TP/ Black have cracked on me much faster than other brands. I've only ever cracked one on the course. Normal balls aren't engineered to be hit that many times, but who wants to hit range balls in their sim bay? Any good sim ball recommendations?

[mthunt]

Welcome to the club! I have been hitting balls in a sim bay for going on 12 years. I have cracked hundreds of balls through the years. It seems that TaylorMade's high end balls are the worst. I play TaylorMade balls on the course, and put them in the sim bay after a round. Every model since the old original TP/ Black have cracked on me much faster than other brands. I've only ever cracked one on the course. Normal balls aren't engineered to be hit that many times, but who wants to hit range balls in their sim bay? Any good sim ball recommendations?

Costco balls if you're lucky enough to find them.

[Ironstrokes]

What does "pieces" mean exactly though? Ive seen a crack ball have a couple junks break off of it as well when it cracked, or a couple little fleckles of the cover on others. Doesnt that count as "pieces"? Who knows? How many pieces do I need to see for a pieces ruling to count as pieces? Need a clarification on the definition of pieces I think haha.......pieces

[Warpdave]

I have cracked 60-80 balls in a year in my simulator. I have never cracked a ball IRL in the 4 years I have been playing. My sim room is on the dark side and I usually don't notice the cracks until it's too late.

I think a cracked ball should justify a rewind!