Am I allowed to replace my ball with a new ball if my ball is nicked or has a crack?

Rule 4.2c Ball is nicked or cracked while playing a hole
(1) Pick up the ball to determine whether it is nicked or cracked.
If a player has reasonable cause to believe that his ball has been nicked or bounced while playing the hole

the player may pick up the ball to check it, but must
he must mark the position of the ball beforehand and the ball must not be cleaned up (except on the green), see Rule 14.1.

If the player picks up the ball without this justifiable reason (except on the green, where the player may pick up the ball under Rule 13.1b), he fails to mark the position of the ball before picking it up or cleans it if this is not permitted, he incurs a penalty stroke.
If several offences with a penalty stroke result from a single action or related actions, see Rule 1.3c(4).

(2) When another ball may be used.
The player may only re-use another ball if the original ball is clearly visibly chipped or nicked and this damage occurred during the hole being played, but it may not be replaced if the ball is merely scratched, scuffed or its colour damaged or discoloured.

If the original ball is cracked or nicked, the player must either use another ball or return the original ball to its original position (see Rule 14.2).
If the original ball is not scored or has no bounce, the player must return it to its original position (see Rule 14.2).

This rule does not prohibit a player from re-placing a ball under another rule or exchanging balls between playing two holes.
Penalty for playing an incorrectly re-placed ball or for playing from the wrong place in violation of Rule 4.2c: Basic penalty according to Rule 6.3b or 14.7a.
If several offences result from a single action or related actions, see Rule 1.3c (4).


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