Is my wedge ATR due to cracking?

[Golfer2223]

I have a 60 degree wedge that I would like to use through this season. It's a replaceable face Taylor Made xtf conforming (not Z nonconforming grooves). There is literally nowhere to buy the replaceable faces anymore, they have become like rare gold on ebay. Anyway my grooves are okay but the bottom of the face plate where it connects to the head is becoming cracked, forming a quasi groove. Is this club now illegal by USGA rules because of the fracture? I don't think this created groove comes into play on normal shots, though it may be deep enough to impact something, though not noticeably. Is this conforming if I were to play in a tour qualifier or tour event? 

[Asheville]

Rule 4-1b says, in part, "A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use."

[SavvySwede]

I remember those Taylormade xtf wedges, a great concept but also the worst sounding/feeling wedge from a major brand I can remember. Could you upload a photo?

[luu5]

On 20.3.2016 at 4:41 AM, Asheville said:

Rule 4-1b says, in part, "A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use."

From R&A rules Q&A about woods, not sure about wedge:

Q.The face of my driver has developed a crack through the normal course of play. I want to carry on using the club, but does it conform?

A. If the crack is a hairline crack which cannot easily be detected by touch, then it would be regarded as wear rather than damage and, as such, the driver could continue to be used. As soon as the crack becomes more than a hairline crack (e.g. it develops a sharp raised edge, or there is essentially of a hole in the face), it should be regarded as a damaged club which is non-conforming.

[Patch]

If it were me, playing in a sanctioned event, I would show the club to an official of the event and get a ruling. I'd also have a back up club just in case. 

Edited March 21, 2016 by Patch

[Fourputt]

On 3/20/2016 at 8:34 PM, Golfer2223 said:

I have a 60 degree wedge that I would like to use through this season. It's a replaceable face Taylor Made xtf conforming (not Z nonconforming grooves). There is literally nowhere to buy the replaceable faces anymore, they have become like rare gold on ebay. Anyway my grooves are okay but the bottom of the face plate where it connects to the head is becoming cracked, forming a quasi groove. Is this club now illegal by USGA rules because of the fracture? I don't think this created groove comes into play on normal shots, though it may be deep enough to impact something, though not noticeably. Is this conforming if I were to play in a tour qualifier or tour event? 

Why not simply replace it?  If you love it, then keep it but put it into semi-retirement.  That way you keep playing with an unquestionably conforming club and have time to keep searching for a new face plate for the old one.

[Golfer2223]

Thank you for the excellent responses.