Legal ball marker?

[Keysbear152]

Is it legal to draw a straight line on the coin you use to mark your ball on the green? I find it easier to see the straight line on a coin than the line drawn on the ball only. I line up the coin and then the line on the ball with the line on the coin and then pick up the coin. Legal?

[Bonvivant]

2 hours ago, Keysbear152 said:

Is it legal to draw a straight line on the coin you use to mark your ball on the green? I find it easier to see the straight line on a coin than the line drawn on the ball only. I line up the coin and then the line on the ball with the line on the coin and then pick up the coin. Legal?

I found no issue with this within the rules. As long as the marker is lifted after placing your ball and before a stroke is attempted, you appear to be within the rules. In my search I also found a picture of a ball marker purpose built for this application.

[Double Mocha Man]

22 minutes ago, Bonvivant said:

I found no issue with this within the rules. As long as the marker is lifted after placing your ball and before a stroke is attempted, you appear to be within the rules. In my search I also found a picture of a ball marker purpose built for this application.

I always draw a line on the grass leading up to the hole, and then erase it (thatching or weed-killer works well) before I putt.  It still comes down to read, speed and execution.

[DaveP043]

3 hours ago, Keysbear152 said:

Is it legal to draw a straight line on the coin you use to mark your ball on the green? I find it easier to see the straight line on a coin than the line drawn on the ball only. I line up the coin and then the line on the ball with the line on the coin and then pick up the coin. Legal?

You can refer to Part 6 Rule 7 of the Equipment Rules:

https://www.usga.org/equipment-standards/equipment-rules-2019/equipment-rules/equipment-rules.html#!ruletype=er&section=rule&partnum=6&rulenum=8

In short, the ball marker becomes an alignment device (in violation of Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Golf) if the line is longer than 2 inches.