Marking the ball or not wanting to mark the ball but also not wanting to upset others

[sirhacksalot]

I feel like im still new to golf, even though its coming up on 2 yrs. I am still a lil nervous when playing with new people and usually try to just fit in when playing with groups.  At my local course with the two regular groups I play with it seems that marking your ball is just something you do, no matter where it is on the green. Ive been doing this but have just read that its not a rule and that I only have to do if asked.  Which brings up the fact that I really dont like lifting my ball on the green, if I dont have to, I feel like it causes me too much time over the ball questioning and it can screw up my line and pace. This being said I also dont want to upset anybody else etc if they just expect me to. 

Anybody have experience this?

[newtogolf]

I'll mark my ball if it's convenient and definitely if it might be near someones putting line or if it's on line with someone chipping off the green.  

The guys I play with don't go nuts marking their ball though there are a few that must mark, wipe and line up their ball with perfect precision on every putt.  

[Buckeyebowman]

I don't know. It doesn't seem all that complicated to me, but then I've been playing for 50 years. I guess I've forgotten how some things can seem to someone new to the game.

I think the best thing I can tell you is to pay attention. When I get to the green, if I'm not in anybody's way, I'll mark my ball and lift it. If I've made a ball mark, I'll fix it. Then I'll clean and replace my ball and leave the mark behind it. I seem to line up putts better if my ball is on the green.

If I am in someone's way, I'll confer with them. Do they need my ball marked? Do you want the mark moved? Which side of the line to you want me to approach the ball from? This can all be done quickly and easily. Just keep at it and it gets easier.

[Shindig]

I only mark my ball on the green if I need to -- if it's out of everyone's way and clean enough, I'd rather not touch it.

If it's in someone's way, or their through line, or they ask you to, do so.  

[Patch]

Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. Just depends on the situation. 

 When playing with others is a good reason for me to mark it.

Other times I will clean, and inspect it for damage from my previous hit.

Sometime I will mark it if the putt is a breaker, and the alignment aid on the ball will help point out my line. 

[Piz]

You are allowed, by Rule 22-2, to elect to play first if asked to mark your ball (stroke play only)  I'll do that sometimes if the putt is short and I can finish without standing on someones line.  The rest of the time I'll just mark to whichever side I'm asked to.  

[disaster]

I'm aligning my putts with a line I have on my ball. So I actually have to mark it to align the ball correctly

[Asmanning95]

1 hour ago, disaster said:

I'm aligning my putts with a line I have on my ball. So I actually have to mark it to align the ball correctly

I do the same, it's amazing the amount of putts I've seen missed due to poor alignment. Not that I'm a fantastic putter though.

[Papa Steve 55]

I'm one of those guys that hates to see another ball anywhere near my line or past the hole when I'm putting. I would ask you to mark or finish. For me, marking and cleaning the ball is like resetting. I do it every time outside two feet.

[jsgolfer]

17 minutes ago, Papa Steve 55 said:

I'm one of those guys that hates to see another ball anywhere near my line or past the hole when I'm putting. I would ask you to mark or finish. For me, marking and cleaning the ball is like resetting. I do it every time outside two feet.

I'm the opposite, other balls don't really matter to me unless they are close to my line.  But I mark my ball, anytime I'm playing in a group.  Plus our greens-keeper has been watering the hell out of the course due to the hot weather.  So much water in fact, that high hit shots can come up with dirt stuck to it.  So I clean my ball as soon as I'm on the green.  I putt bad enough as it is, I don't need any help making me putt worse.

[Fourputt]

3 hours ago, Papa Steve 55 said:

I'm one of those guys that hates to see another ball anywhere near my line or past the hole when I'm putting. I would ask you to mark or finish. For me, marking and cleaning the ball is like resetting. I do it every time outside two feet.

I can't imagine that being a distraction to me.  The only thing I can't stand when putting is the flagstick lying too close to the hole.  I don't understand why some players can't carry it more than 5 feet away before dropping it (and dropping the flagstick is another pet peeve).  I will walk over, pick it up and move it at least 15 feet from the hole and away from the line of anyone who has  longish putt.  I will then lay it down gently, and do so while looking at the guy who dropped it.  Sometimes they get the message, sometimes not.

However, having a ball or balls visible when I putt is no problem.  As long as your ball is more than a foot off my line, it's not necessary to waste time marking if you don't want to.

[djfajt71]

13 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

I can't imagine that being a distraction to me.  The only thing I can't stand when putting is the flagstick lying too close to the hole.  I don't understand why some players can't carry it more than 5 feet away before dropping it (and dropping the flagstick is another pet peeve).  I will walk over, pick it up and move it at least 15 feet from the hole and away from the line of anyone who has  longish putt.  I will then lay it down gently, and do so while looking at the guy who dropped it.  Sometimes they get the message, sometimes not.

However, having a ball or balls visible when I putt is no problem.  As long as your ball is more than a foot off my line, it's not necessary to waste time marking if you don't want to.

This!!  I absolutely cannot stand to see someone drop the flagstick on the green, let alone hearing the thud from over 100 yards away!  Good lord people, either use the flag to help you lower it gently, or lay it in the crux of one of your clubs to lower it! 

[Gunther]

15 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

  I will then lay it down gently, and do so while looking at the guy who dropped it.  Sometimes they get the message, sometimes not.

I mark my ball if I need to, mud, in someone's way, etc., otherwise I don't.

This comment struck me though.  It's amazing the number of people who don't understand that dropping the flag can damage the green or if not, at least leaves a mark that by rule, cannot be repaired.  I drop the flag onto my foot then gently lower my foot to the ground.  No idea where I came up with that move but been doing it for years.  I don't recall ever seeing anyone else do it.

[xcott]

if someone wants you to mark, they'll ask. I think it's that simple.

[natureboy]

3 hours ago, jsgolfer said:

I'm the opposite, other balls don't really matter to me unless they are close to my line.  But I mark my ball, anytime I'm playing in a group.  Plus our greens-keeper has been watering the hell out of the course due to the hot weather.  So much water in fact, that high hit shots can come up with dirt stuck to it.  So I clean my ball as soon as I'm on the green.  I putt bad enough as it is, I don't need any help making me putt worse.

I think this (along with using line or logo on a ball) is the primary reason folks mark. If you leave a pitch mark there's a good chance a small clod will have stuck to the ball. That small deformation of the ball surface can knock a putt slightly offline so lifting and cleaning becomes a standard habit for many/most.

[Slice of Life]

I only mark my ball if it's in someone's way or if they ask me to. Otherwise I just leave it and putt out. 

Play however is comfortable to you as long as you're not impeding on anyone else's comfort.

[pganapathy]

I always mark for the simple reason that I can pick up my ball and clean off any dirt that is sticking to the ball and hence might throw my putt off line.  Only when it is very close and I can knock it in without having to mark it do I not bother with marking.

My simple logic is don't mark if it doesn't disturb anybody and you are certain there is no mud on the ball.  Otherwise, always mark the ball

[sirhacksalot]

It seems we are all on the same page and I will def ask playing partners next time we play. This is one of those i know its just me but it messes me up. I don't feel like I assess the line well without a ball.  When I am playing by myself when I walk up to the green i look at the ball, if its muddy, I mark (with what ever is handy, or the first thing in my pocket), i lift clean replace, then casually look at the line walk and pull flag, second glance and putt.  When i play with others it seems we all hurry to mark and pocket. Then hurry again to place and putt when its my turn. The line that i thought i saw with the marker looks different with the ball. I know its just me but the trying to dig a coin out of my pocket, trying to find my marker on a "bright" day on a green. etc. adds stress as well

Edited August 15, 2016 by sirhacksalot
punctuation