Ball markers

[SavvySwede]

I typically use a quarter but I'll also use one of the plastic ones with the peg in it if I come across one. Two weeks and no one has fixed the title of this thread?

[Tat14]

Two weeks and no one has fixed the title of this thread?

Is the wirting incorrect? I want too understand you're point.

[dkolo]

The poker chip I never understood. It's so big and will seriously change a ball's roll if it hits it. You needn't have bothered.

[quote name="SavvySwede" url="/t/80666/ball-makers/18#post_1119396"]I typically use a quarter but I'll also use one of the plastic ones with the peg in it if I come across one. Two weeks and no one has fixed the title of this thread? [/quote] Thank God someone said it. It's driving my OCD bonkers.

[Golfingdad]

The poker chip I never understood. It's so big and will seriously change a ball's roll if it hits it. You needn't have bothered.

Thank God someone said it. It's driving my OCD bonkers.

Anytime a ball marker is in your line, whether it's a poker chip or a quarter, you should have it moved so that doesn't happen.

[dkolo]

Anytime a ball marker is in your line, whether it's a poker chip or a quarter, you should have it moved so that doesn't happen.

I've had old timers refuse to move them. "That's the whole point of the marker"

I agree with you. I'm always on it with my own one.

[kpaulhus]

I either use a quarter or my TheSandTrap ball marker :-D [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/116446/] [/URL] It's good to know that there isn't many restrictions on what a ball marker is. I've seen a few people use their putter to mark the ball to do a quick lift, clean and place.

Same here. Either my gold plated silver dollar or TST logo marker.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Anytime a ball marker is in your line, whether it's a poker chip or a quarter, you should have it moved so that doesn't happen.

I've had old timers refuse to move them. "That's the whole point of the marker"

I agree with you. I'm always on it with my own one.

Then they are in breach of Rule

this from Rule 20-1:

This Decision from rule 20-1 is also appropriate in that it references Rule 22 which pertains to a ball either assisting or interfering with play.  In either case if the player is asked to lift and mark the ball he must do so, and if the marker is still interfering, he is required to move it.  In stroke play, the fellow competitor may, in lieu of marking, elect to putt.  If he has already marked, he may ask the player for permission to put first rather than move his mark.  If he refuses to move his ball or to putt put, then he is in breach of Rule 22-2. !n this case the marker placed to hold the spot for the ball has the status of the ball in respect to interference.  In my opinion, refusal would incur the general penalty of 2 strokes for breach of Rule 22-2.

[Rulzguy]

If a player's ball is truly in the way of another competitor's stroke and he absolutely refuses to move it this can be cause for DQ. Usually when the player finds that out all of a sudden he is willing to move it. Not moving a ball mark could fall into that argument.

[joekelly]

Could i move my ball marker, on the green, without the request of the nearby competitor, who may or may not care?

[Rulzguy]

You are allowed to mark you ball on the green however you would like. If you want to measure a full putter club length from the ball location and place the mark there, it is your choice. Just insure you place it back in the same place. This refers to 'on the putting green.'  Off the green lifting your ball and marking it  just because you would like to is not allowed. The putting green has it's own set of rules.

Gary

[ColinL]

If a player's ball is truly in the way of another competitor's stroke and he absolutely refuses to move it this can be cause for DQ. Usually when the player finds that out all of a sudden he is willing to move it. Not moving a ball mark could fall into that argument.

I've had old timers refuse to move them. "That's the whole point of the marker"

I agree with you. I'm always on it with my own one.

If another player refused to move his ball marker, you could move it out of the way yourself.  It's a movable obstruction.

[Asheville]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rulzguy

If a player's ball is truly in the way of another competitor's stroke and he absolutely refuses to move it this can be cause for DQ. Usually when the player finds that out all of a sudden he is willing to move it. Not moving a ball mark could fall into that argument.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkolo

I've had old timers refuse to move them. "That's the whole point of the marker"

I agree with you. I'm always on it with my own one.

If another player refused to move his ball marker, you could move it out of the way yourself.  It's a movable obstruction.

That would be rich ... here, catch!

[saevel25]

If another player refused to move his ball marker, you could move it out of the way yourself.  It's a movable obstruction.

I do not believe you are correct in that it is defined as an movable obstruction. I couldn't find a specific rule for an opponent moving a ball marker. A note says the ball should be moved. It doesn't say shall be moved.

Note: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball. If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be placed one or more clubhead-lengths to one side.

Then I found this rule. Highlights is what I think is relevant.

20-1/3

Ball Marked and Lifted by Opponent Without Player's Authority; Player Lifts Ball-Marker, Claims Hole and Opponent Disputes Claim

Q.In a match, B marks the position of A's ball and lifts it without A's authority. B holes out. A picks up the ball-marker with which B had marked the position of his (A's) ball and claims the hole. B disputes the claim. What is the ruling?

A.B incurs a penalty stroke (Rule 18-3b) for lifting A's ball without authority. A incurs a penalty stroke for lifting the ball-marker (Rule 20-1). A must replace his ball and hole out; otherwise, A loses the hole.

Basically it is a penalty to lift another person's ball marker.

[Rynrem]

I use the exact same mark on my ball

[Rulzguy]

It is actually not a movable obstruction but equipment. In match play if the opponent refuses to move mark on green, just claim hole and move on. In stroke play the competitor  would receive a penalty and you could move it like you might move the flag if it had been removed. Who are you guys playing with that don't want to show a little courtesy and etiquette on the golf course? I might look for other people to play with!

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinL

If another player refused to move his ball marker, you could move it out of the way yourself.  It's a movable obstruction.

I do not believe you are correct in that it is defined as an movable obstruction. I couldn't find a specific rule for an opponent moving a ball marker. A note says the ball should be moved. It doesn't say shall be moved.

Quote:

Note: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object immediately behind the ball. If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be placed one or more clubhead-lengths to one side.

Then I found this rule. Highlights is what I think is relevant.

Quote:

20-1/3

Ball Marked and Lifted by Opponent Without Player's Authority; Player Lifts Ball-Marker, Claims Hole and Opponent Disputes Claim

Q.In a match, B marks the position of A's ball and lifts it without A's authority. B holes out. A picks up the ball-marker with which B had marked the position of his (A's) ball and claims the hole. B disputes the claim. What is the ruling?

A.B incurs a penalty stroke (Rule 18-3b) for lifting A's ball without authority. A incurs a penalty stroke for lifting the ball-marker (Rule 20-1). A must replace his ball and hole out; otherwise, A loses the hole.

Basically it is a penalty to lift another person's ball marker.

But that is match play, and since the ball marker represents the ball, the penalty is the same as if the opponent had lifted the ball.  In stroke play there is no penalty for a fellow competitor moving either the ball or the ball marker.  However, he has no business moving it without the player's authorization.  If the player refuses, then you have a situation.

If asked to lift a ball that is interfering with another player's line of putt, a player is required to lift his ball to eliminate the interference .  This may mean more than just marking and lifting the ball, as that may not be sufficient to remove all interference.  If the marker lies on or near the line of putt, then it too may interfere with the roll of the ball, and that continuing interference must also be dealt with.

To answer this question you just have to delve into the reason for lifting the ball in the first place.  If the interfering ball lies on or near the line of putt, then it stands to reason that the marker will too.   If the ball is marked and lifted to remove it as an obstacle in the player's line, then logic says that the marker will also need to be moved away from the line to give the player complete relief on his line of putt.

[Rulzguy]

Match play and stroke play don't always have same rules and penalties.

[dkolo]

If another player refused to move his ball marker, you could move it out of the way yourself.  It's a movable obstruction.

Maybe, but seeing as these weren't in tournaments, I didn't want to make a bad thing worse and ruin the rest of the round by having a pissed off stranger in my group.