Golf Ball Markers: The Small but Mighty Tool Every Golfer Should Have
While watching golf on television or even playing the game in person, one may notice other golfers using what is known as a golf ball marker. A golf ball marker can come in two forms – the small, flat object used to mark where the ball lies on a putting green, and a device or tool that adds an identification, so you can tell your ball from another players.
Golf markers help to maintain fair play, good etiquette and allow players to identify their own balls. They also help mark their spots on the green and fix divots without incurring penalties. Golf markers are often small, flat and easy to carry, that can come in different forms such as coins or personalized markers.
This article will delve into both forms, showing why they are more important to the game of golf than what you may think and give some tips on avoiding penalties when using them.
Why Do Golfers Use Markers On The Green
That spare coin in your pocket, or personalized marker if you have gone all the way, is useful in more ways than to get a soda halfway round the course. Golf markers, including your humble coin, help in many ways on a golf course and we take a look at just a few below.
- Marking to Fix Divots: When you damage the green or make a divot then marking your ball before moving the ball means you can fix it without moving your ball ( which is a penalty in golf)
- Free to Putt: Your ball,even though small, may impede or block another player’s ball when putting. Golf is not bowling ( green not ten pin) and there are no points for block other players balls. A marker, see now why its flat!, should be placed down in place of your ball. it’s also good etiquette.
- Avoid collisions: If you don’t use a marker and the two balls hit both have to play them where they end up, and in that way it is like croquet! might be a new game possibility there!
- Identification: Marking the ball on the green ensures that other players in the group can identify which ball belongs to whom and avoid confusion. Uniquely marking your ball, with a marker or other permanent way means no one tries to claim your ball before you even get to the green! ( this has happened to us many times, both honest mistake and less honest) and lets face it small white balls tend to look alike!
- To improve their putting: it is possible to mark balls to help with putting, although ther eis a need to be careful as rules state to put no object down that shows the line of play. As of yet lines on a golf ball don’t count towards this, but this may change at some point.
There are rules on when and how you are allowed to use a golf ball marker and we take a look at those in a section below.
Marking the Golf Ball
Aside from a golf ball marker in the form of a coin, there is another golf ball marker that is used to help identify golf balls during the course of play. The main reason for this is simple, in that if players are using the same brand of golf ball, they need to have a way to differentiate from each other.
Many of the top professionals as well as recreational golfers, these days use similar golf balls, and as a result you will see them using golf ball markers ( to help identify golf balls as theirs and not their opponents.)
Everyone should get in the habit of marking their golf balls in some form or another, mostly due to the fact that if a golfer hits another golfer’s ball, even by accident, it will result in a two-stroke penalty as well as a mouthful from the other player of course!
The markings on the golf ball can be essentially anything, although one of the more popular options is to add a putting alignment line to the putter.
Marking tools and devices exist that allow one to draw a perfect line on the golf ball to use when lining up putts on the green, and this can be especially useful for those who struggle with short putts on the green. The elongated lines help to inspire greater confidence and develop skills and, at the moment, are perfectly acceptable! they offer kits to do this accurately and we linked one below to check out.
Avoiding Penalties: What Are Rules On Using Golf Ball Markers?
Like everything in golf it seems, there are rules and regulations and while there are ones from the up on high governing body, there also may be club or tournament specific rules where you play, so it may be worth dusting off that club rule book before heading to the course with your new Star wars golf markers. (its a thing see below!) Typically rules like we highlight in the list below will be mentioned.
- The ball marker must be small, and flat and easy to use.
- it can not be anchored into the green.
- The marker should be placed within an inch behind the ball, or in front of the ball on risk of a penalty stroke.
- Put the ball down before moving the marker, again at risk of a penalty stroke.
- As we mentioned drawing alignment lines is currently allowed on golf balls, as long as it is not considered as an “object used to indicate the line of play.” (rule 10.2b if you want to read it all)
- Do not use the marker to indicate wind direction (have to be strong on a green to make a difference) or the slope as this breaks the object to indicate line of play rule above.
- As an aside be careful where you lay down a club, and if its pointing at the hole or deemed to be lined up that also counts as a penalty. Also had this gleefully told to me by a player as well.
- Also you are not allowed to blow on the ball to nudge it in either, i didn’t find this one out the hard way fortunately.
It is important to note that these are general rules and specific tournament or course may have additional rules, it’s best to check with the tournament or course officials for specific guidelines.
wever, and golfers are still allowed to draw lines on their golf balls.
What can you use as a golf ball marker
A golf ball marker can come in many different forms and can be made of various materials. Here are some examples of what can be used as a golf ball marker:
- Coins: Coins are the most common, accessible and traditional form of golf ball markers. They are small, flat, and easy to carry around and best of all free (ish) .
- Poker chips: Poker chips are similar to coins in that they are small and flat, but they come in a variety of colors and designs. They seem a little large for us personally though.
- Personalized markers: Some players prefer to use personalized markers, such as a small metal disc with their name or initials on it. We mentioned the star wars one above but the same company make hundreds, some tasteful, some less so.
- Magnetic markers: Magnetic markers are a newer type of marker that can be attached to the putter or a belt clip. They are easy to find and easy to use, though why its easier than in your pocket we are not sure.
- Specialty markers: Some markers are designed for specific use such as marking divots on the green or aligning putts. We also have a link to an alignment kit up there as well, while we are still allowed.
Really the choice of golf ball marker is up to you, as long as it is small and flat. If you do use an alignment kit you are certainly going to be able to recognise your ball though!
Frequently asked questions
- What can be used as a golf ball marker?
- Coins, poker chips, personalized markers, magnetic markers, and specialty markers are all examples of what can be used as a golf ball marker.
- Are there any rules about what can be used as a golf ball marker?
- The only rule is that the marker must be small, flat and easy to use, and it must not be anchored into the ground.
- What should I do if I accidentally move my marker while fixing a divot?
- If you accidentally move your marker while fixing a divot, you should replace the marker in its original position and your ball in the position where it was before the marker was moved. And hope you have understanding people you are playing with.
- Can I use a marker with a line or an alignment aid on it?
- The rules of golf do not prohibit the use of markers with lines or alignment aids, as long as they are not anchored into the ground, and they are not considered as an object used to indicate the line of play.
- Can I use a marker to indicate the direction of the wind or the slope of the green?
- It is not allowed to use a marker to indicate the direction of the wind or the slope of the green as it is considered to be an object used to indicate the line of play.
- Is it okay to use someone else’s marker?
- It’s not considered good etiquette to use someone else’s marker without asking permission first. Each player should have their own marker and should be responsible for keeping track of it.
- Is it required to mark the golf ball on the green?
- No, it’s not required, but it’s considered good etiquette, and it also helps to avoid confusion and ensure fair play among players.
Conclusion
So while golf ball markers are useful they are not in the rules. In our opinion that doesn’t mean they are not an essential, and rarely for golf, cheap piece of kit. Whether is a coin in your pocket, or a get in the hole branded marker its important and good manners on the green.
similarity being able to identity your ball from other players is also good manners and prevents any arguments, whether you simple initial it, or go all the way with an alignment kit, it will make the game quicker, easier and more friendly!
