On the putting green today the ball of one of the guys in my group stops directly in my line about 1/2 way to the hole. Approaching it he asks if that's going to be in my line to which I say yes. Then rather than marking the ball then moving the mark, he puts the putter head to the side of the ball and drops his mark. He replaced his ball in the same manner and onto the same spot after I putted.
At the next tee another guy in the groups asks if that was a legal mark or if the ball should have been marked first, then the mark moved. None of us had the answer, so here I am.
What's the ruling on this one?
Full Version: Ball Marking
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I believe that is illegal. Mark the ball, then move the mark.
QUOTE (BookBoy @ Sep 9 2009, 06:36 PM) 
On the putting green today the ball of one of the guys in my group stops directly in my line about 1/2 way to the hole. Approaching it he asks if that's going to be in my line to which I say yes. Then rather than marking the ball then moving the mark, he puts the putter head to the side of the ball and drops his mark. He replaced his ball in the same manner and onto the same spot after I putted.
At the next tee another guy in the groups asks if that was a legal mark or if the ball should have been marked first, then the mark moved. None of us had the answer, so here I am.
What's the ruling on this one?
At the next tee another guy in the groups asks if that was a legal mark or if the ball should have been marked first, then the mark moved. None of us had the answer, so here I am.
What's the ruling on this one?
QUOTE (crtssxc @ Sep 9 2009, 06:37 PM)
I believe that is illegal. Mark the ball, then move the mark.
No problem. The manner in which it was done is irrelevant. What is important is that the ball was replaced on the proper spot.
Kevin
20-1/16 Method Used to Mark Position of Ball
Q. The Note to Rule 20-1 provides that "the position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball." Is a player penalized if he uses an object that is not similar to a ball-marker or small coin to mark the position of his ball?
A. No. The provision in the Note to Rule 20-1 is a recommendation of best practice, but there is no penalty for failing to act in accordance with the Note.
Examples of methods of marking the position of a ball that are not recommended, but are permissible, are as follows:
• placing the toe of a club at the side of, or behind, the ball;
• using a tee;
• using a loose impediment;
• scratching a line, provided the putting green is not tested (Rule 16-1d) and a line for putting is not indicated (Rule 8-2b). As this practice may cause damage to the putting green, it is discouraged.
However, under Rule 20-1 it is necessary to physically mark the position of the ball. Reference to an existing mark on the ground does not constitute marking the position of a ball. For example, it is not permissible to mark the position with reference to a blemish on the putting green.
When moving a ball or ball-marker to the side to prevent it from interfering with another player's stance or stroke, the player may measure from the side of the ball or ball-marker. In order to accurately replace the ball on the spot from which it was lifted, the steps used to move the ball or ball-marker to the side should be reversed.
Q. The Note to Rule 20-1 provides that "the position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball." Is a player penalized if he uses an object that is not similar to a ball-marker or small coin to mark the position of his ball?
A. No. The provision in the Note to Rule 20-1 is a recommendation of best practice, but there is no penalty for failing to act in accordance with the Note.
Examples of methods of marking the position of a ball that are not recommended, but are permissible, are as follows:
• placing the toe of a club at the side of, or behind, the ball;
• using a tee;
• using a loose impediment;
• scratching a line, provided the putting green is not tested (Rule 16-1d) and a line for putting is not indicated (Rule 8-2b). As this practice may cause damage to the putting green, it is discouraged.
However, under Rule 20-1 it is necessary to physically mark the position of the ball. Reference to an existing mark on the ground does not constitute marking the position of a ball. For example, it is not permissible to mark the position with reference to a blemish on the putting green.
When moving a ball or ball-marker to the side to prevent it from interfering with another player's stance or stroke, the player may measure from the side of the ball or ball-marker. In order to accurately replace the ball on the spot from which it was lifted, the steps used to move the ball or ball-marker to the side should be reversed.
Great response and definitely one for the memory bank.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for your help.
Further clarification from the FAQ on the USGA website
Rule 20-1
Procedure for Moving Ball-Marker to the Side
Q. When moving a ball-marker to the side, must the position of the ball be marked first and then the ball-marker moved, or can I simply measure to the side of the ball?
A. The player may either mark the position of the ball, measure to one side of the mark, and move the ball-marker to that spot, or he may place the putter head directly to the side of the ball and place the ball-marker, thereby eliminating one step. See Decision 20-1/16.
QUOTE (marrigo @ Sep 10 2009, 05:29 PM)
Further clarification from the FAQ on the USGA website
Rule 20-1
Procedure for Moving Ball-Marker to the Side
Q. When moving a ball-marker to the side, must the position of the ball be marked first and then the ball-marker moved, or can I simply measure to the side of the ball?
A. The player may either mark the position of the ball, measure to one side of the mark, and move the ball-marker to that spot, or he may place the putter head directly to the side of the ball and place the ball-marker, thereby eliminating one step. See Decision 20-1/16.
Rule 20-1
Procedure for Moving Ball-Marker to the Side
Q. When moving a ball-marker to the side, must the position of the ball be marked first and then the ball-marker moved, or can I simply measure to the side of the ball?
A. The player may either mark the position of the ball, measure to one side of the mark, and move the ball-marker to that spot, or he may place the putter head directly to the side of the ball and place the ball-marker, thereby eliminating one step. See Decision 20-1/16.
Thank you for clearing that up.
Kevin
On a similar subject, Can I lay my putter down with the shaft on the ground, then match the line on the ball to the shaft?
QUOTE (armydiver @ Sep 10 2009, 06:29 PM)
On a similar subject, Can I lay my putter down with the shaft on the ground, then match the line on the ball to the shaft?
Yes, as long as you don't make the stroke with the club still on the ground.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin
Sometimes in casual play I'll hold the marker in my hand, lift the ball and place the marker. I've been told this is illegal in tournament play.
However, this thread makes it seem like I can declare almost anything to be the marker such as a blade of grass on the green and thus be simply moving the marker using the method above?
However, this thread makes it seem like I can declare almost anything to be the marker such as a blade of grass on the green and thus be simply moving the marker using the method above?
QUOTE (sdiver68 @ Sep 18 2009, 07:27 PM)
Sometimes in casual play I'll hold the marker in my hand, lift the ball and place the marker. I've been told this is illegal in tournament play.
The Rules of Golf don't differentiate between 'casual' and 'tournament' play.
QUOTE (sdiver68 @ Sep 18 2009, 03:27 PM)
Sometimes in casual play I'll hold the marker in my hand, lift the ball and place the marker. I've been told this is illegal in tournament play.
However, this thread makes it seem like I can declare almost anything to be the marker such as a blade of grass on the green and thus be simply moving the marker using the method above?
However, this thread makes it seem like I can declare almost anything to be the marker such as a blade of grass on the green and thus be simply moving the marker using the method above?
If the "blade of grass" you speak of is detached and therefore a loose impediment I suppose you could use it to mark your ball. You can't just claim that a blade that is growing there is your mark. (See post 4 above.) But I don't understand why you would want to do that anyway if you have a marker in your hand. Put the marker down and then pick the ball up. No worries, no suspicions, no penalties.
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