How to Remove and Replace Identification Marks on Golf Balls

Being able to repurpose golf balls can come in handy at two times: after collecting a number of balls that you want to use as your own and during a game if you want to claim someone else's golf ball as your own in order to gain an advantage. The first scenario offers plenty of time to remove identification marks and apply your own signature marking. The second scenario calls for more covert, challenging methods.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A keen eye
• Nail polish remover
• An eraser
• A Sharpie in a distinct color of your choice
• Cotton balls
• Turpentine
• Dish soap
• Water

1. For the first scenario, assume you have collected numerous golf balls with various markings on them. First, try to remove the markings with an eraser. Set the golf balls that come clean with this method aside. Next rub the markings that have not disappeared with the eraser with acetone-based nail polish. This should remove most of the markings. Set the golf balls that come clean aside. Finally treat the remainder with turpentine. This should remove the remainder of the markings.

2. Rinse the golf balls with soapy water and dry. Then mark each ball with a distinctive mark of your own, using your Sharpie.

3. To remove and replace identification marks on the course, you will have to be slick. It is best to determine what your opponent has used to mark his/her gold balls with prior to the game so you will know which method to employ. Then you can come prepared with a cotton ball doused with acetone or turpentine in your pocket. Recall that the rules of golf allow a golfer "to mark, lift, clean and replace the ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt."

Tips & Warnings

• I don't advocate cheating. Someone requested this information, so I researched it.