Jonathan Byrd...

[DBake]

While watching the Chrysler Championship today on the 18th hole did anyone else notice Byrd's chip up to the green? They showed a shot of his SW, with a blue sharpie going vertically using it as an alignment aid.

Pretty decent I idea if you ask me.

[muskegman]

I missed that one. You mean he drew a line down the face of his wedge with a sharpie? Interesting idea.

[iacas]

I missed that one. You mean he drew a line down the face of his wedge with a sharpie? Interesting idea.

And if so, an idea I'm not sure is legal. One could argue that he's applied a foreign substance to the face of his club.

[muskegman]

And if so, an idea I'm not sure is legal. One could argue that he's applied a foreign substance to the face of his club.

Its not going to break my heart if it is against the rules of golf because its easy enough for me to line up my chips without a line.

[DBake]

I missed that one. You mean he drew a line down the face of his wedge with a sharpie? Interesting idea.

Blue Sharpie right down the middle of the face.

[niblick]

Seems odd that a Tour pro would do something like that if it was in fact illegal. I wonder if he consulted with a rules official prior to putting that wedge in play.

[DBake]

How can we go about seeing if this is legal or illegal?

[iacas]

How can we go about seeing if this is legal or illegal?

Read the rules book.

[DBake]

Read the rules book.

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

[iacas]

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

Nope. You asked a question. I answered it. I'll even give you a hand:

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/index.html

[DBake]

Nope. You asked a question. I answered it. I'll even give you a hand:

Just got this response from the USGA, it took about three weeks...

Dear Mr. DBake, Placing an alignment mark of the clubface, with a Sharpie or similar marker or by lightly inscribing, is permitted. Of course, if the mark comes off during the round, the player must be very careful if they attempt to replenish it......it must be done as nearly as possible to its original position (the club can be continued to be used without the mark), otherwise the player may be considered to have changed the playing characteristics of the club. Thanks for your inquiry. J. Carter Rich Manager, Equipment Standards United States Golf Association