Golf Ball Markings are Useless!

[Yat_man]

Does anyone know of a permanent marker, pen, pencil, etc that won't rub, smear or smudge off of your golf ball after 1 hour of use?? I've been marking my golf balls with a Sharpie permanent marker (like the majority of golfers out there) and it rubs off fairly easily after a short time either in my pocket or from wet grass. VERY annoying! Any ideas? Thanks!

[Lange]

I doubt it's permanent then, but permanent overhead marker works real well!

[RickK]

Sharpie permanent markers are about the best I have found. However, don't remember what the ball was now but about a month back someone gave me a 2 pack of balls to try. I tried marking them with the same Sharpie I normally use and the finish on the ball just did not allow the mark from the Sharpie to adhere. Found it strange but then did not like the ball anyway.

Since you are applying the mark to the surface of the ball and it is not part of the outer coating itself...it is going to wear off over time. I try to mark my balls when I first get them and put them back in the box. I find the marking holds up a little bit better but rolling on the grass/ground and rubbing up against the fabric in your pocket...the markings don't hold up forever.

I play with Titleist ProV1s and I think the Sharpie marker holds up well on them.

[MunkeyGolfer]

I do the same thing that Rickk does. I put my mark (using a sharpie) on my ball when I first get them and put it back in the box. It holds up decent for me.

[Augusta Hacker]

  MunkeyGolfer said:

I do the same thing that Rickk does. I put my mark (using a sharpie) on my ball when I first get them and put it back in the box. It holds up decent for me.

Co-sign. I have found that the marks will wear off quickly if you mark them and go right out and play. I try to mark them either before getting to the course or keep some spares marked and ready to replace an old or lost ball when needed.

[HytrewQasdfg]

Switch to pink balls, then everyone will know it is yours.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

  Yat_man said:

Does anyone know of a permanent marker, pen, pencil, etc that won't rub, smear or smudge off of your golf ball after 1 hour of use?? I've been marking my golf balls with a Sharpie permanent marker (like the majority of golfers out there) and it rubs off fairly easily after a short time either in my pocket or from wet grass. VERY annoying! Any ideas? Thanks!

A Sharpie Permanent Marker works great for me.

I played one ball exclusively for all 18 holes today and although my "mark" is showing a little wear, it's still AOK to identify my ball. Clearly no mark (even the Titleist marking + the #) is going to literally be permanent if and when one hits the ball right on the marking a couple of times. Is it possible that some balls are more conducive to having the Sharpie marking more permanent than other balls?

[Clubchucker]

  Yat_man said:

Does anyone know of a permanent marker, pen, pencil, etc that won't rub, smear or smudge off of your golf ball after 1 hour of use?? I've been marking my golf balls with a Sharpie permanent marker (like the majority of golfers out there) and it rubs off fairly easily after a short time either in my pocket or from wet grass. VERY annoying! Any ideas? Thanks!

I've always used Sharpie to mark mine. I don't think I've every had it completely wear off. Dull or fade? Absolutely..but never completely off. Other alternative? Wait for one of the online companies to have a free personalized sale on your ball. Get your name, nickname, initials...whatever put right on the ball.

[Yat_man]

Thanks to all for the ideas.

I'll try marking them days in advance of playing them to see if that helps. I've heard that using a hair dryer to "cook" the markings on might make it more permanent but I don't want to accidentally alter the ball's structure in any way. I'm using the Callaway HX Hot ball so I wouldn't think it was a strange, ball coating issue...and I've used multiple Sharpie's with the same results. I was just hoping there was a serious marker out there that would be as permanent as the company logo is but maybe such a thing doesn't exist.

I think I'll pass on the pink ball suggestion unless my man-boobs happen to grow any bigger then they currently are. heh-heh

[jonanator]

Funny about switching to pink balls. On some days, I spend so much time looking for my balls, even in light rough, that I *almost* wish I had used a pink ball so it would be easier to find haha

[Fourputt]

  Yat_man said:

Thanks to all for the ideas.

I use a red Sharpie to mark my Callaway Warbirds, and while the markings will eventually fade a bit, it takes at least a couple of rounds for that to happen. I always carry a marker in my bag, so if they do start to wear off while the ball is still in playable condition, I just re-mark it.

[ECT]

I too mark with a Sharpie when I get them and put them back in their box......

  Yat_man said:

Thanks to all for the ideas. I think I'll pass on the pink ball suggestion unless my man-boobs happen to grow any bigger then they currently are. heh-heh

[Dub]

  MunkeyGolfer said:

I do the same thing that Rickk does. I put my mark (using a sharpie) on my ball when I first get them and put it back in the box. It holds up decent for me.

Same here...get a new dozen and mark 'em and store 'em. I color in two dots purple and one dot yellow between them.

The yellow dot fades in color the quickest but the purple stays on there nicely. I keep a Sharpie in my bag if I have to remark and old ball that is a bit more faded. Generally, by the time the mark has faded, the ball is worn out and ready for replacement.

[trageserk]

There are definitely balls that are more conducive to ball mark wear. Try writing with a sharpie on any "straight" or "slice-eliminating" ball- it's almost impossible to get a line on it, even when it's perfectly dry/brand new.

[Southpaw]

Like others in this thread, I mark my balls and let them sit for as many days as possible(before a tourny or something). While they're sitting I just use whatever balls I find in my house or from previous rounds.

[klaymon]

It really depends on the ball. As mentioned above, any "slice fixing" ball will have a slick coating and may not take marks well, hence they will remove faster/easier, too. I've also noticed that urethane balls tend to take longer to dry for some reason. I've marked premium balls and put them in the box and pulled them out later to find the Sharpie mark smudged.

I currently use HX Hots and my Sharpie lines hold up for a long time (I've used the same ball for almost 2 rounds).

[N.V.M.]

there are certain golf balls with a slippery coating on them, almost teflon-like. i don't know about the Callaway HX Hots, but i've used a brand(can't remember) and they were distance balls, very slippery feeling too. my Sharpie was useless on them.

[CG031]

I used a red sharpie today, and I played 18 holes with ONE golf ball in a tournament and my markings are still clearly visible.