what's the rule about broken balls???!!!

slugger

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Played last week when it was cold. On one hole, i took my drive - down the middle. Then 2nd shot about 150 out and took my 7 iron. Hit it well, but then when the ball was in mid flight, it split in 2 and each half went their own way.

Question is... what half do i play? The one with the logo on it, or the one with no logo?

don't answer that... but, do i play from where either of the two halves landed, or take a free drop, or is there a penalty?

It was really funny though
 
I would have thought that the shot will have to be retaken with no pen.

I have a copy of R&A in my bag, shall check.

I know I am strange, I had run out of things to read on the bus and was the only thing at hand, and yes its very very boring.
 
you can deem you ball unplayable anywhere on the course except within a water haz, and you are the sole judge of whether the ball is playable but it is at penalty of one stroke.


Under rule 28 :o
 
I was under the impression that a ball damaged in flight can be replayed without penalty and page 54 of the rules states "If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled and the player must play the ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from where the original ball was played" and refers rule 20-5 relating to where the incident happened (tee box etc) and how to proceed.
 
I was under the impression that a ball damaged in flight can be replayed without penalty and page 54 of the rules states "If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled and the player must play the ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from where the original ball was played" and refers rule 20-5 relating to where the incident happened (tee box etc) and how to proceed.

That's what I thought too
 
5-3. Ball Unfit for Play
If it is determined that the ball has become unfit for play during play of
the hole being played, the player may substitute another ball, placing it
on the spot where the original ball lay. Otherwise, the original ball
must be replaced. If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted and
makes a stroke at the wrongly substituted ball, he incurs the general
penalty for a breach of Rule 5-3, but there is no additional penalty
under this Rule or Rule 15-2.
If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled
and the player must play a ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at
the spot from which the original ball was played (see Rule 20-5).

Correct H, I was reading from Rule 28: -

Rule 28 Ball Unplayable

Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the
Definitions section – see pages 30-43.
The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course,
except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge
as to whether his ball is unplayable.

If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must under penalty of
one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original
ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point
directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is
dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may
be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay,
but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under
Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball
must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under
 
As far as I remember it is no penalty.


I will look it up though, as it is in play and not simply replaced due to damage as you would before starting the next hole for example.
 
I was under the impression that a ball damaged in flight can be replayed without penalty and page 54 of the rules states "If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled and the player must play the ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from where the original ball was played" and refers rule 20-5 relating to where the incident happened (tee box etc) and how to proceed.

Exactly right as homer says in the quote.
 
I was going to add my tw'pence ha'penny, but seems the matter is covered.

But even if the rule book had not been refered to, common sense dictates that a ball falling apart in flight can not be played; as which part would you choose to use as the ball & its new positions. New ball please original placement only sensible solution, considering the change in the charateristics of the ball so damaged.
 
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