Ball marking ?

[Maverick]

I read somewhere..arg, can't find it now, but anyway it mentioned you're ALLOWED to mark your ball within 2" (inches of it).

I was under the impression you had to be absolutely next to it..almost touching..but 2 INCHES seem like a alot of room..heck..2 inches..that could negate all those putts just hanging on the rim..

EDIT: Ok, found it. It says in the Nov. '06 issue of GOlf Digest, The Digest RULES section:

Decision 20-1/19: It doesn't have to be behind the ball-it can be on the side or in front-but you can't mark TWO inches away.." so you have a sub 2" radius to work with then?

[Sidders -8]

Rule 20-3b(i) R&A; Ruling

except in a hazard, the ball must be placed in the nearest lie most similar to the original lie that is not more than one club-length from the original lie, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard;

There is no ruling to say that there is a 2 inch radius to work with, not with the R&A; anyway. Don't know about the USGA?

[Maverick]

Rule 20-3b(i) R&A; Ruling

wow..that's ALOT of leeway seems like..