Marking short game practice balls

[Shindig]

After a ball has used to the point that I'm ready to take it out of play, I do so. It goes into the shag bag and becomes a chipping ball. At the moment, the balls in my shag bag share the same markings that the balls I'm putting into play do. In fact, I keep a few of these in my golf bag (separate from new ones) to use for pre-round chipping.

As these balls get used for chipping practice, the marking wears down a bit, just as it does during the normal course of play. I clean and re-mark these accordingly. My mark is relatively small: 3-4 dots, various colors, two different points on the ball. It's enough where I can identify the ball easily on the course but it isn't a Sharpie line on the seam or anything like that.

Now, when I go to chipping practice, I frequently have to share the chipping green with other people, who may or may not mark theirs. More importantly, I would like to be able to easily distinguish mine from theirs without holding each up for inspection.

My question is: should I put a more obvious mark on my chipping balls? It could reduce confusion over whose ball is whose, as I would put something obvious on all balls (blue and gold perpendicular sharpie lines over equators, I guess). On the other hand, could this hurt me, game-wise, if the balls I practice chipping with have a significantly different marking than the ones I normally play with?

[anthonykim3]

it won't hurt you at all you could use a orange ball to practice then play white and be fine but really how many other people mark there ball the same as you and how many people are you sharing with were you cant just watch your ball and know it is yours

[iacas]

it won't hurt you at all you could use a orange ball to practice then play white and be fine

Good luck finding a premium ball in orange... C'mon now.

Shindig, you really can't see your dots by looking down at the ball? If it's a practice ball and will never see the light of day, why not just sign your initials on two or three "sides" of the ball? You'll be able to see that, I'd think.

[srjorion]

I place my mark on both sides of the ball above the logo. All you have to do is roll the ball with your clubhead or foot a little and you should be able to see rather quickly if the ball is yours.

If you are having trouble seeing your marks then make them bigger on your practice balls. I do the same thing you do in taking balls out of service and using them for practice, but I circle my ball mark when I do so I know it is a practice ball. A big circle with a Sharpie is hard to miss by just rolling the ball a little so maybe that would help you.

[Shindig]

Good luck finding a premium ball in orange... C'mon now.

I can see the dots, I'm more wanting to know if others are picking them up. I seem to lose one or two every now and then on crowded chipping greens. I think the initials are a great idea. I'll sign those today. Thanks.

[IcemanYVR]

it won't hurt you at all you could use a orange ball to practice...

where's the lying on the back, rolling on the floor and laughing uncontrollably smiley