Ball markers

Yep.  It's not what you mark with that's important, but how you mark it.  The ball must be marked in such a way that the player can reasonably replace it on the same spot from which it was lifted.  It is recommended that the ball be marked with a small flat object so as to be less distracting for other players.

I'm less likely to be bothered by a small flat marker that's 4 inches off my line than I am by a tee stuck in the ground.  I'll probably ask the player to move the tee, whereas I'd likely ignore a quarter, or even something larger like a poker chip.

To expand on what Erik said, here are some examples in the Rules Decisions.

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.

Sometimes, not often, i use the toe of my shoe to mark the position to lift and clean the ball.  I aways return ball to shoetip quickly and do not move my foot.  I'm legal.

I not so keen on those ball markers with a long pointy leg, much prefer flat, like a dime or slightly bigger.  Curiously, becoz i always carry them, i once-in-a-while use a toothpick to mark the ball on the green.  But don't walk far as difficult to find later.

It may be ok if you are wearing 'winkle pickers' but probably not if you are wearing round toe clogs.

I really expected a different conversation in this thread.

As far as markers go, small coin; usually something cool like a dime with my birth year or from another currency/country.

How about an ashtray with a lit smoke in it? That would be intimidating.

To be honest, I have so many different options that I don't even make a decision any more.  I have foreign coinage from a dozen different countries.  I have poker chips from several courses that I've played.  I have other logo ball markers from different courses.  I have silver dollars.  I have a Maria Theresa Taler silver trade coin dated 1780, but which was actually minted in about 1929.  I could go on.

When I start a round, I just use whatever comes out of the pouch that day.  If it happens to be one of the larger ones, then I dig out a smaller one too for the times that I'm close to another player's line.

For some reason I always forget about my marker and often go to my bag or wallet to see what I have. Usually its an old range coin, but sometimes I end up picking up something off the ground like a wood chip and just use that. Obviously this could be an issue if I was playing in a match  - ie, the wood chip could have already been on the green, but right now I am just playing for myself so its no big deal.

When I play in the States I use a Loonie, usually fairly shiny (toothpaste will restore a shine) While play here in Canada I use a 1949 Ben Franklin silver half dollar.   I always have it on me.  Although larger than the quarter, it is not as large as a poker chip which is currently in vogue among the discerning crowd apparently.

I have settled on using the magnetic marker clipped on my hat.  I hate digging for coins.

Know what I don't like about this new trend.  Virtually everyone I know who uses this ends up with an indelibly dirty area on the brim of the cap from removing and replacing the marker with fingers that have been rubbing dirt off ball and clubs all day.  My Tilley hat isn't really appropriate for it anyway, but I don't think I'd do it if it was.

Guitar picks are pretty much perfect.

Guitar pix?  Good until it blows away in the wind.  Small wonder that the cheapo golf markers have pegs to prevent that very thing. WIll the wind lift a dime?  Hardly.

I either use a quarter or my TheSandTrap ball marker

It's good to know that there isn't many restrictions on what a ball marker is. I've seen a few people use their putter to mark the ball to do a quick lift, clean and place.

I have several coins that I keep in prescription bottle. Some are coins, and some are tokens from various businesses with arcades.  However, there is one that I sometimes use that gets a few raised eye brows when I use it. It's a $5K poker chip from the long gone Stardust Hotel/Casino that was located in Vegas. Usually, it turns into conversation piece for few holes. No, I am not out $5K, as I came about it after the place was torn down. Also since it is sort of thick, I don't use it any where near anyone's line of their putt.