To steal a Titleist ad: How do you mark your ball? Or do you mark it at all?

[mikelz]

I don't often run into people who play the same ball (Mafli Black Max) so I don't generally mark them... I also play high number pro V1's for the same reason. When I play a more common brand I put a single red dot at the top right of the number.

If you do not put a unique identifier on your ball, your are in violation. I don't care how many Black Maxes are made, you cannot prove the ball you are hitting is yours. If you get in a money game with my crowd, you will get called on it.

I sign my first name in black sharpie on the side of the ball (over the model description). Oh, I don't have to explain how I mark my ball. I just hold it up on the first tee.

[Matt P]

One blue dot to the left of the number and a yellow dot to the right. Go Michigan!!

Sweet! Go Blue!!

A blue dot, a red dot and a white dot above Titleist, centered as well as I can.

Not being a smart aleck, but how do you put a white dot on a golf ball?

I mark mine with a dot or two over the logo with whatever sharpie I have in my bag, sometimes, I just put my initials on the ball.

[winders]

If you do not put a unique identifier on your ball, your are in violation. I don't care how many Black Maxes are made, you cannot prove the ball you are hitting is yours. If you get in a money game with my crowd, you will get called on it.

I was watching a tournament where KJ Choi drove his ball into the deep rough. After searching for several minutes. someone found an unmarked ball that he claimed was his. The rules guy on TV said that all he had to do was say the ball was his and it was fine.

Rule 12-2 says a player "should put an identification mark on his ball." I can't find a rule that says the ball must be marked. Scott

[Hoff]

I use a black dot on one side of the Mfr Name and a red dot on the other side, colors of the local high school.

[Billbill13]

I change the number 1s and 3s into 13's, but other than that the lettering on my ball makes a good alignment tool.

[MCMLXXXV]

I put a 'B' to the right of the number on each side of the ball.

[smlxl]

If you do not put a unique identifier on your ball, your are in violation. I don't care how many Black Maxes are made, you cannot prove the ball you are hitting is yours.

Decision 12-2/1 specifically counters this assertion (see below). On the other hand, it's probably not the smartest thing for me to do... as it certainly opens the door to a time when I may *not* be able to honestly identify my ball. See rule 27 (

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_of_golf.html) . Fortunately, I haven't had that problem yet - scuff marks generally do the trick if needed. I've seen found but unmarked balls both identified and declared lost on tour.

12-2/1 Identifying Ball by Brand and Number Only Q. In the area in which his ball presumably came to rest, a player finds a ball of the same brand and identification number as the ball he is playing. The player assumes it is his ball, even though it does not carry an identification mark as suggested in Rule 12-2, and plays it. Should the player be considered to have played a wrong ball? A. No, unless (1) there is reasonable evidence that, because of the ball’s condition, it is not the player’s ball or (2) subsequently it is established that another ball of the same brand and identification number was lying in the area at the time the player played and either ball, from a condition standpoint, could be the player’s ball.

[670forged]

I use a sharpie and circle the number on the ball.
Mike

[mcecki]

i put a green (fav colour) dot to the left (left handed golfer) of the number on my ball.

[Dent]

I don't mark my balls, actually. I like a pristine ball.

also a nice way to advertise

[WhiteSoxFan]

I draw a line with a green sharpie on either side of the ball model that I use to line up putts. I also put my initials on the other side of the ball

[williethekid]

I put the equator line for lining up putts, and take a red fine point sharpie and draw it through the 2 so i have homemade 8's

[Everardo]

Born in year of the snake
Attachment 439

[gaz d]

I dont like to ruin a brand new ball,but if im using it in a big competition i put GD my initials each side of the number.

[RunOfTheDill]

Currently two dots. One above and below in the center of a dimple totally above and below the last letter or part of the logo.l

[Metz]

I put two marks on the right side of the arrow on the Pro v's.

[Petho]

two red dots on the i's in titleist

[GoingfortheGreen]

Three black dots - anywhere on the ball.