Ball unfit for play question.

[LIG]

Happened today:

A ball almost splits into two (but not quite) after a stroke. Ball substituted with another ball at the point where it had come to rest and play continued. I believed that this was the correct procedure as the ball had not actually broken into separate pieces. Was I correct?



Edit: Also if the ball had split into two what should have happened?

 

[Colin L]

Yes. See Rule 5-3.

I expect the difference in how you proceed with a ball broken into pieces is that there isn't a clear spot where the ball came to rest whereas in your situation, it is clear where the ball ended up. If the ball has broken into bits, the stroke is cancelled and you substitute (place) another ball where you made the stroke.

 

[rosecott]

Yes - you got it right again provided you followed the procedure laid down in 5-3. If it had split into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled and a replacement ball substituted

 

[LIG]

Thanks for that Colin and Rosecott.

 

[Lump]

Bit of side line of this question. Does the substituted ball have to be of the same type? what happens if you don't have a identical ball?

 

[pbrown7582]

No need to have identical ball at our level you can swap around from one hole to the next.
Top end comps in rules of comp is the one time when same type of ball is required.

 

[rulefan]

It is the 'one ball' Condition of Competition and is virtually limited to pro competitions.

 

[Lump]

No need to have identical ball at our level you can swap around from one hole to the next.
Top end comps in rules of comp is the one time when same type of ball is required.

I don't mean in between holes. But having to replace a damaged ball mid hole.

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't mean in between holes. But having to replace a damaged ball mid hole.

it's the same thing - basically anytime a ball may be substituted

normally this is after the play of a hole unless something else happens that permits substitution