How long should a golf ball last?

I typically don't lose golf balls too often, and I recently have had 4 Callaway Super Soft balls crack. Each round was played between 50-60 degrees temperature, but I probably played the balls at least 5 rrounds. After the first two cracked, I contacted Callaway, and they sent me two sleeves of two balls for my trouble. I won't contact them again, but cracked two balls today. It seems like that shouldn't happen, but it may be that my expectation on durability is wrong. These are not golf balls that are hitting cart paths or trees, they are just cracking after having played several rounds. What do you guys think? I like this golf ball, but am considering playing something different. Thanks!

All golf balls will break (at least the modern ball). It's just a matter of time. I played the same 2 Chrome Soft balls for the better of 4 rounds and had no issues. I will note I was unusually accurate off the tee for that time frame.

They were ready for the shag bag though. It is abnormal for me to keep a ball in play that long and you are a rare bird who can play the same ball for 5 rounds. You got your monies worth out of the ball, that's for sure.

I use top flite gamers in my basement and have hit them so many times and they have yet to crack. On some of them the dimples are pretty much worn off. I've heard others say the supersofts have cracked. Might be just how they're built.

When you say cracking do you mean more than the fairly normal abrasion marks you might get from nipping a nice wedge and spinning it or do you mean more than that?

I would say though that if you are getting 5 rounds out of your golf ball, there can't be many complaints that you're not getting any more out of it. These days it's most common for me to stop using a golf ball when it becomes too worn but if I get to the point that I am getting more than three rounds out of a golf ball, it's usually gotten to the point where it's tossed into the practice ball bag.

Appreciate the comments. When I say crack, I mean crack, not just abrasion marks. Sometimes it's a couple of cracks. However, I am now getting the fact that maybe 5 rounds is enough for a golf ball. Thanks!

You could also stop using your Hammer Driver.....that would help keep balls in tact.

Oh....and stop letting Roy Hobbs hit your golf balls as well.

Have they cracked off driver swings...wedges...any consistency in what club?

Unless the ball I finish a round with came out of the bag in the last few holes I toss mine in the creek by the 18th green.

The last 3 courses I played had water beside the green on 18 and it became a habit.

I cut 2 chrome+ balls in Florida in February, first time I've cut balls in years.

Not sure which shots have caused the cracks, as I have hit all sorts of shots with them. Great comment on the Hammer driver!

Depends completely on what shots you're hitting.

If you're a long hitter, and you have wedge into most holes, it's not lasting long. In fact, a lot of higher speed green side wedges as well, will take them out.

If you're playing mid irons into greens, it should last the whole round.

There's really only one thing that takes balls out of play, and that's damage to the cover from grooves, well, if you don't lose it first.

[quote name='martinbns' timestamp='1427053634' post='11192277']
Unless the ball I finish a round with came out of the bag in the last few holes I toss mine in the creek by the 18th green.

The last 3 courses I played had water beside the green on 18 and it became a habit.

I cut 2 chrome+ balls in Florida in February, first time I've cut balls in years.
[/quote]

Toss em in a shag bag instead, then do your short game work with them.

I've wondered about how many rounds you can play with a ball performance wise as well. I've never cracked one but I don't hit them hard and keep them in play. Because I am not wayward it is common for me to play 2 or 3 rounds with a ball, even 2 rounds with a good condition second hand ball that I have been given. I've even had 4 rounds with the same ball. Does compression weaken or performance distance wise drop off in doing that?

They're sure tougher than they used to be. I'm far more likely to lose one than put it in the shag bag.

A couple years ago Wilson had a bad batch
of there Duo balls cracking. That has been
fixed. We have are hitting cage balls cracking
all the time. (Bridgestone e7 and Nike before that)
I have cracked just about every Tour ball hitting
them enough times in the cage.
And my SS is only 95-100.
Hit them enough times they well crack.

I'm impressed you played the same ball for 5 rounds. Gotta be a good sign for your ball striking!