Illegal Golf Ball Markings — Don’t Mark Your Position Like This!

It’s time to talk about illegal golf ball markings. 

As the head golf coach at Tell Me More Golf, I have over 50 years of experience as a golf instructor and I’ve seen some weird and wonderful things used to mark a golf ball in my time. 

We’re here to go through the type of golf ball markers that are not allowed. Some things that golfers think they can use to mark their golf ball count as illegal, so let’s make sure you know what to avoid. 

Don’t Mark Your Position Like This:

It’s always important to mark your ball correctly on the green, and to do that you need to know how not to mark your ball. 

Once the ball marker is placed, you can remove your ball from the putting surface. Before attempting your putt, you can put the ball mark by reversing the process. 

You cannot pick your ball up from the putting surface before placing your ball marker. Do not do this, as doing so will result in a one-stroke penalty. 

How to Mark a Golf Ball Correctly:

As mentioned above, you should mark your ball correctly by placing your ball marker immediately behind the position of your golf ball.

You must place the ball immediately in front of the marker when putting your ball back on to the green. 

According to the rules of golf, as stated by the USGA, you do not have to use a specialist ball marker. You are permitted to use any artificial object to mark your ball, such as a coin, poker chip, tee or of course one of the many specially made ball markers. You cannot use a natural object such as a twig or a blade of grass. 

When removing your ball from the green after marking, you cannot change the ball. You must place the same ball back down onto the putting green. 

It is also important to note that you can only mark your golf ball once you are on the green. You are not permitted to mark your ball from the fringe, the fairway or any other part of the golf course. 

Tips On Identifying Your Golf Ball

If you are playing with a playing partner or in a group, every now and then you’re going to hit shots that end up in similar locations on the golf course.

According to the USGA, you may lift your ball and rotate it in order to confirm that it is yours or another player’s ball. However, The position of the ball must be marked first, and the golf ball cannot be cleaned beyond the point of identification. 

Many players, including pro golfers, mark their ball using a sharpie or a different type of permanent marker to ensure that they can easily identify it on the course. It’s also a good idea to confirm the type of ball that you’re using with your playing partners, and if possible, use different balls to help avoid confusion. 

TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions

Are there illegal ways to mark a golf ball?

There are indeed illegal ways to mark a golf ball. For example, you cannot mark a golf ball by removing it and making a mark on the green. You also cannot use natural things such as twigs, leaves, dirt to mark your ball. 

An artificial object must be used to mark your ball, such as a proper ball marker, a coin, a tee, or even a bottle top. 

What is the penalty for marking your ball position illegally?

If you mark your golf ball illegally in any way, you will be penalized for doing so. The penalty for marking your ball illegally is one-stroke. 

Therefore, if you’re on the green for three and are putting for four, but mark your ball illegally, you will now be putting for five.

Patrick Corley

From a golf scholarship to a Southern California University, to a private golf coaching career and an instructor position at a nonprofit organization, I’m here to help you get better at golf! With my 50+ years of golf experience; I bring you Tell Me More Golf. A golf coaching website that helps your game with instructional golfing content that’s ultimately geared toward making you a better golfer and having more fun!

Our golf instructor team brings it all to you, so enjoy!

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