Alternative to Sharpies for Marking Balls?

[iacas]

33 minutes ago, DoubleAce said:

contentious

I wouldn't say that.

[NM Golf]

3 hours ago, Vinsk said:

I’m pretty surprised there’s this much chatter over ball marking.

My point exactly. Perhaps I'm strange that smeared sharpie marks on my ball really don't bother me. 

3 hours ago, Vinsk said:

 I’ve never had any issues with Sharpies and when they do mark my clubs I’ve had no problem wiping it right off the hosels. 

Thats the only part that does bother me about sharpies, it's when that mark remains as a glaring reminder of exactly how far from the center of the club I hit that last shot!

1 hour ago, DoubleAce said:

Lol, no kidding. Had no idea a simple question would be so contentious. 

And I don't mind sharpie transferring to the club. The crazy smears I've been getting with the larger logo/design just make the golf ball look like trash.

Not contentious, I was truly wondering why sharpies were not doing the trick. you may want to give these a try...

Golfdotz - Markings | Mark Your Golf Ball in Style

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Mark and identify your golf balls easier than ever before with Golfdotz durable designs! We offer a huge variety of golf ball markings that conform to USGA and R&A rules and look great on your ball.

 

[DoubleAce]

34 minutes ago, NM Golf said:

My point exactly. Perhaps I'm strange that smeared sharpie marks on my ball really don't bother me. 

Thats the only part that does bother me about sharpies, it's when that mark remains as a glaring reminder of exactly how far from the center of the club I hit that last shot!

Not contentious, I was truly wondering why sharpies were not doing the trick. you may want to give these a try...

Golfdotz - Markings | Mark Your Golf Ball in Style

---

Mark and identify your golf balls easier than ever before with Golfdotz durable designs! We offer a huge variety of golf ball markings that conform to USGA and R&A rules and look great on your ball.

 

No worries. I thought I'd been pretty clear that the excessive smudges from even a single shot were the thing bugging me. I realize that wear is inevitable. But was interested in whether there was a marker that could tolerate some abuse for a bit longer. 

The other options out there would work. But kind of defeats the purpose of creating my own custom mark. 

I did spray paint a ball earlier. And in spite of not letting it dry for as long as I should have, it held up significantly better. However, I think for the purposes of being able to touch up "on the go". I'll use my same custom design with a sharpie/marki. But instead only do an outline and skip the infill. Should mitigate the smear due to having significantly less ink applied.

[Shindig]

I am wondering:  when do you sharpie your balls?

When I am going to put a new sleeve into my bag, a day or two beforehand I'll mark all three balls.  I take three sharpies (typically black, red, and blue) and make two dots on each, using a different combination of two of the three pens on each.  I keep pens in my bag, too, just in case, but they're typically left out to dry for a day before they go back in the sleeve and then into the bag.  I don't have identification issues during the round.  Sometimes I'll spruce them back up after the round if they're staying in the bag for another round or two, but I could definitely be fine without doing that.

[KoHo]

Pretty sure commercial ball printers use some sort of UV curable ink. Maybe buy some of that ink, a UV curing box, and use a tiny brush or toothpick to transfer the pattern.

[DoubleAce]

8 hours ago, Shindig said:

I am wondering:  when do you sharpie your balls?

When I am going to put a new sleeve into my bag, a day or two beforehand I'll mark all three balls.  I take three sharpies (typically black, red, and blue) and make two dots on each, using a different combination of two of the three pens on each.  I keep pens in my bag, too, just in case, but they're typically left out to dry for a day before they go back in the sleeve and then into the bag.  I don't have identification issues during the round.  Sometimes I'll spruce them back up after the round if they're staying in the bag for another round or two, but I could definitely be fine without doing that.

Days ahead of time in this instance. Tested out some new logos. Didn't hit them for at least 48 hours. And it's not really about ID issues. More that my mark was smearing like crazy after just a shot or two.

6 minutes ago, KoHo said:

Pretty sure commercial ball printers use some sort of UV curable ink. Maybe buy some of that ink, a UV curing box, and use a tiny brush or toothpick to transfer the pattern.

Hmmm. Maybe I can commander my wife's UV box. Wonder if I can fit a golf ball in there 🤔

That is a solid idea though. 

[billchao]

10 hours ago, DoubleAce said:

But instead only do an outline and skip the infill. Should mitigate the smear due to having significantly less ink applied.

I think the amount of ink applied due to your logos is a big part of the issue.

[DoubleAce]

5 minutes ago, billchao said:

I think the amount of ink applied due to your logos is a big part of the issue.

Agreed. The outline vs. full infill should make a difference. And I kind of like the look of the former a little more. Will still do a side-by-side test with the Sharpie vs. Marki when they get here next week.

Although maybe the super inky logo is the way to go. "I wasn't improving my lie, I just don't want to mess up my logo." 😆

[Zippo]

Maybe you could take them to the local tattoo parlor? I bet a ball tattoo would last...

[DoubleAce]

17 minutes ago, Zippo said:

Maybe you could take them to the local tattoo parlor? I bet a ball tattoo would last...

Now that's some out of the box thinking. 

[billchao]

2 hours ago, DoubleAce said:

Maybe I can commander my wife's UV box. Wonder if I can fit a golf ball in there

They make UV lightbulbs FYI.

[DoubleAce]

12 minutes ago, billchao said:

They make UV lightbulbs FYI.

Yeah, but thinking the easiest solution is to just do the logo without infill. Assuming the Marki pen isn't significantly better than the sharpie. 

[noahenholm]

The WILLBOND ball marker is excellent. Its lining tool is able to be used on both sides of a golf ball and the permanent marker allows fine ink that stays for a long time on it. 

[DoubleAce]

20 hours ago, noahenholm said:

The WILLBOND ball marker is excellent. Its lining tool is able to be used on both sides of a golf ball and the permanent marker allows fine ink that stays for a long time on it. 

That's a nice idea, but not sure the marker that comes with it is any different. 

I ended up receiving the Marki brand permanent markers. They're much better than Sharpies in a few ways. Still not technically "permanent". But dries much faster, goes down better, and lasts longer. And the colors seem to be more bold. 

[GolfLug]

I simply re-mark the ball with my Sharpie when it fades. I don't understand the smudging. You must lay it on pretty heavily. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by GolfLug

[KMP]

Buy monogrammed balls....done.

[boogielicious]

8 hours ago, GolfLug said:

simply re-mark the ball with my Sharpie when it fades

While doing this I speak softly and gently to the ball, “You’ve survived the woods, a pond, a couple of shanks and a topped 3W. You deserve more makeup! Yes you do!”

[iacas]

4 hours ago, KMP said:

Buy monogrammed balls....done.

He likes his own designs on them I think.