Golf Ball Marker Rules

Even in a friendly game of golf, it can become necessary for players, once they have hit the ball onto the putting surface, to mark their golf balls. This needs to be done in the correct and accepted manner dictated by the rules of golf; otherwise, penalties may be incurred. Marking a golf ball on the green allows the player to put it back in the exact spot after other players have played.

Reasons to Mark

When multiple players have hit to the green on a hole, the golfers closest to the pin may have to mark their balls. If they don't, their golf balls may be in a direct line with a player's ball that is farther away and might be hit when that player putts his or her ball. Or the balls closer to the cup may impede other golfers' ability to read their putts. By marking a ball in line with another person's chip or putt, the potential for the ball hindering that person's shot is gone.

Marker Etiquette

Objects such as small coins or specially designed ball markers are used to mark the spot where a golf ball previously was on the green. Although it is legal within the regulations of golf to mark the ball by placing a marker to the side or in front of where the ball is, this practice is looked down upon in golf etiquette. The most accepted way to mark a golf ball's position is to place the marker directly behind where the ball is, no more than 1 inch from where the ball lies. A player can choose to mark her own ball, or someone authorized by the golfer can do this, such as her caddy.

Movable Obstruction

Under the rules of golf, a ball marker is termed a "movable obstruction" and can be removed at the request of another player if he deems that it will interfere with his putt by being in his putting line or by being in the way of his stance as he prepares to putt. If a ball marker is in the way, but a player opts against having it removed, any deflections of the putted golf ball precipitated by the ball marker must be played where they wind up, since the marker is ruled not to be part of a player's equipment. When a marker is moved at the behest of another player, it should be put at least one, and sometimes more, full lengths of a club to the side to get it out of the putting line. After the shot, it should be carefully replaced.

Penalties

If a player drops her marker on the golf ball while in the process of marking her ball, causing the ball to move, the penalty is one stroke. Players that pick up a ball marker from the green in the mistaken belief that the hole has already been decided will also incur a one-stroke penalty. The act of marking a golf ball on the green by placing the marker more than 1 inch behind the ball also incurs a one-stroke penalty. One stroke is also the penalty for using a recognizable spot or blemish on the putting surface as a marker instead of using a proper ball marker.

No Infraction

If a marker is moved by forces of nature, such as wind, there is no penalty. If another golfer happens to move a player's marker, the player whose marker was tampered with does not suffer a penalty. When, after laying down the marker, a player happens to fumble the ball away while attempting to pick it up off the green, no penalty is incurred.