The fact that it says USGA conforming and also there are several guy on tour using it id say its safe to use

"Everybody thinks ball markers have to be round, but the rules changed five years ago," Cameron said. "Now you can use anything. It could be a phone book if you want.

Nick, I thought the rules guys were just TCC members who looked the other way!

Kevin

Hi,

I was wondering if the Scotty Cameron ball tool can really be used as advertised.

I know it states USGA approved but according to the rules no direction helpers are allowed.

Does anyone know if also R&A approved it.

Thanks
Andy

http://www.pgatour.com/2008/r/08/12/camero...mark/index.html
Quote from this article:



This is not correct. There was no change on marking 5 years ago, and a ball can not be marked with a phone book. Where do they get these ideas from?

But a Kevin says, nothing wrong as long as the marker is moved prior to the stroke.
But 44$ ????

I never thought about a phone book. What was I thinking? I have been using a concrete block for several years and it is getting to be a real pain at times. My wife hates it when I leave it in my pocket and she does the laundry, not to mention what it is doing to my back!

I have found it stretches my pockets. I have designed a special back pack that you can use to carry the phone book, and it is not intrusive to your swing as long as you use Stack & Tilt. It may get in the way for a Hogan type Rotory swing, but only if you use a snap release.

You can buy it today for the introductory price of $99.95, and I will include the phone book of your choice, with hand drawn alignment lines in the color of your choice.

Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.
Local sales tax applicable
Lifetime warranty
Your mileage may vary

Kevin

I still don't see HOW this thing works any differently/better than only lining up the line on the ball. What am I missing?

The Rules does not specify that you can't use a phone book, a chair or an elephant to mark the ball with, but I'm quite confident that the RB's would not call it precise.
I would not - even to make a joke - suggest that it was OK.

Not even a glove is regarded as a "small object" and the ball must be re-dropped, if it hit the glove in the drop. (D.20-2a/7)

Kevin,
I think it is a little like beating your head against a wall!

Anyone care to tell me how this thing is supposed to be used?

Here you go:

http://www.scottycameron.com/studio/articl...ails.aspx?id=31

Kevin

So what else is new? We can post directly from the book, but can't make them read...

Thanks! (Well, no thanks. LOL) It's used exactly as I thought -- you're aligning IT to the line, and your ball to IT (and not the ball to the intended line). I'm not feeling it.

I definitely need to use the line on the ball -- but that's it. I don't need to line up something else, and then line up the line of the ball to the marker line. I mean, why add a step?

Not for everybody but it has merit to be usefull.
Good piece of innovation from Scotty, it just shows why he is good as what he does, the guy is always watching and thinking.

Like to know what made him think it was worth $44?

It's worth $44 because that what people will pay him for it.

Here's how it works:

Step 1
When marking your ball on the green with the Ball Tool, take a look at your line or break and set the Ball Tool down along your chosen line using the three large milled lines on the Ball Tool to choose your general line or break to the hole. Then, pick up your ball.

Step 2
After picking up your ball, you can then step back and sight in your chosen line to the cup using the Ball Tool's three lines to create what Scotty calls the ''railroad effect''. These are the imaginary lines on which we try to envision the ball tracking to the hole. Say you've lined up the center of the Ball Tool a little left. Look at the smaller tick marks on the Ball Tool and determine how far. Did you miss a half-tick, one or two?

Step 3
When you're ready to putt, use the A.I.M (Alignment Integrated Marking) sidestamp on your Titleist -- or your own line -- and set it along the center line on the Ball Tool.

Step 4
Remembering that you originally aimed the Ball Tool a little left of your chosen line, ''dial'' in the line on your ball (don't move the Ball Tool) according to the number of ''ticks'' you think you were off.

Step 5
Pick up the Ball Tool, then putt using the line you've chosen.

I never thought about a phone book. What was I thinking? I have been using a concrete block for several years and it is getting to be a real pain at times. My wife hates it when I leave it in my pocket and she does the laundry, not to mention what it is doing to my back!