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

[MrDC]

I wouldn't worry about it, I don't mark unless I'm in the way as well and when I play with groups that all mark no matter what it does feel strange, like I'm not playing the game right with them, but I don't care, they have their reasons and I have mine.

[DeadMan]

Just mark when your ball is on or close to someone else's line. Other than that, it doesn't matter. If it bothers them, then they'll ask you to mark. If you don't want to mark when your ball isn't going to interfere with anyone else's stroke, it's no problem.

[rkim291968]

Only a few insists on marking your ball.  It bothers them b/c it's in line of their sight when they putt and can distract their aim.  Other than that most don't care if you mark your ball or not.  I will usually mark it.   If I don't mark it, it's b/c I am pretty certain that the others don't care.  

[RH31]

I always mark my ball when I'm not finishing out. I don't particularly like it when I have to tell someone to mark their ball either. It just seems like a common courtesy to me to mark my ball.

[Golfingdad]

14 hours ago, newtogolf said:

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.  

Basically this.  If I'm kind of close to the hole and can't finish out for whatever reason, I'll mark it.  But if it's further away and I don't think it's bothering anybody, I frequently won't mark it.  (I'll mark it with my putterhead for a sec just to make sure that there's no sand on the ball, though)

[rehmwa]

It's an odd thread.  I usually just take my lead from the group I'm in.  Though I think it's a bit weird when people are 'total' markers (ie. appear to want every single other ball marked for their putts regardless of lines and positions), but if that's their thing, I don't mind.  It's not a lot of effort.  (I'll also note while I'm putting that I don't care if they mark or not and not to 'waste their time for me' - it's a subtle hint)

Anyway, the OP is under no obligation to mark or not unless asked.  But absolutely, if asked, cheerfully do so.  If you are close to eyesight or line of another golfer's putt, it's also courtesy to either ask if they want you to mark, or just do it.

It's not like one is being asked to move a tree or something, it's a coin and a ball....

[newtogolf]

6 minutes ago, rehmwa said:

It's an odd thread.  I usually just take my lead from the group I'm in.  Though I think it's a bit weird when people are 'total' markers (ie. appear to want every single other ball marked for their putts regardless of lines and positions), but if that's their thing, I don't mind.  It's not a lot of effort.  (I'll also note while I'm putting that I don't care if they mark or not and not to 'waste their time for me' - it's a subtle hint)

Anyway, the OP is under no obligation to mark or not unless asked.  But absolutely, if asked, cheerfully do so.  If you are close to eyesight or line of another golfer's putt, it's also courtesy to either ask if they want you to mark, or just do it.

It's not like one is being asked to move a tree or something, it's a coin and a ball....

I hate when I play with "total" markers who think it's a crime to leave a golf ball on the green unmarked.  I usually play on Thursdays with a group of 16-20 guys and we rotate the foursomes.  Every other month I get teamed with the markers who won't putt unless all the balls on the green are marked.  They also complain about the size of the marker you use, no poker chips or tees allowed in this group.  

Usually my round with them takes about 20-30 minutes longer than with everyone else.  

[rehmwa]

13 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I hate when I play with "total" markers who think it's a crime to leave a golf ball on the green unmarked.  I usually play on Thursdays with a group of 16-20 guys and we rotate the foursomes.  Every other month I get teamed with the markers who won't putt unless all the balls on the green are marked.  They also complain about the size of the marker you use, no poker chips or tees allowed in this group.  

Usually my round with them takes about 20-30 minutes longer than with everyone else.  

I guess at that point, I'd just putt first and then keep going until I putt out.  Then walk away to the next tee box while they piss around in their preferred fashion.  As they walk up, I'd wink at them, smile, and eat a Mentos.  Be sure to have at least 17 Mentos handy in the cart.

(Not really, I'd go ahead and play with them "their way" - but it would be annoying as heck and probably reason to avoid that entire league next season - and I'd let the organizer know why I'm quitting the league too.  Their delays likely bleed off into other areas of the game too (I'm thinking not allowing ready golf, forced betting, etc etc etc), and they likely care about cargo shorts and have competitions on who wears the nicer watches.)

As for the size of my marker?  it's none of their business and I'd tell them so.  Too bad, so sad, they have the option to skip that day, but I'm playing. If further griping continues, the next time I bring a dinner plate to mark with.

[onthehunt526]

I believe that not marking your ball is NOT a crime. 

I mark my ball one time on the green. Usually after I first get on the green. After my first putt, if I miss I try to "no respect" the second one.

[sirhacksalot]

10 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I hate when I play with "total" markers who think it's a crime to leave a golf ball on the green unmarked.  I usually play on Thursdays with a group of 16-20 guys and we rotate the foursomes.  Every other month I get teamed with the markers who won't putt unless all the balls on the green are marked.  They also complain about the size of the marker you use, no poker chips or tees allowed in this group.  

Usually my round with them takes about 20-30 minutes longer than with everyone else.  

this is a big point of my post.  It adds to the stress of me. I was asked to remark the ball yesterday, was using a tee. I was an easy foot and a half out of his line, than while hes waiting i forgot that i put my coin in my right pocket so i sit there fumble around, pull tees out of my pocket etc.  lay a divot tool, "you don't have a coin", yeah somewhere. find it place it. Still thinking about it when its my time to putt pull my putt hit slope, two putt coming back.  Not sure if the result would have been different but who knows?

[rehmwa]

21 minutes ago, sirhacksalot said:

....................  It adds to the stress of me. (lots of stuff) ..........Still thinking about it when its my time to putt pull my putt hit slope, two putt coming back.  Not sure if the result would have been different but who knows?

About your stress......you play golf for yourself not others.

My rules, I'll be courteous and considerate to anyone because it's just a great way to be (and it's not about golf, it's about life).  UP TO A POINT.  Some golfers seem to use 'etiquette', etc as simply ways to be some kind of messed up bully and to feed their little ego (which is ridiculous in itself and lends itself to odd little cartoon bubbles - if you think about it - tubby little fat old guys with matching belts and shoes acting big.....).  If they are just being a-holes about stuff, or forcing their own version of retentiveness on others, then it's really a matter of just kindly and respectfully declining to be stepped on (regardless of whatever unhappy sadness is in their life to have made them this way.)  It's not a crime to not have a coin on you - and since they picked on you about it instead of just offering to share one of their markers....draw your own conclusions.

At that point, you're cool.  You tried, and did the right things, and have no more obligation.  Now it's their problem, not yours.  You aren't forced to play with them again.  So no stress for you, they can own whatever stress they are trying to create.

Hit some balls, have fun.  Try to get along.  Don't let the man get you down.

[Shooting29]

I mark with this. 

http://www.zero****scoin.com/products/the-honey-badger-single-coin?variant=9214485699

[DaveP043]

44 minutes ago, sirhacksalot said:

this is a big point of my post.  It adds to the stress of me. I was asked to remark the ball yesterday, was using a tee. I was an easy foot and a half out of his line, than while hes waiting i forgot that i put my coin in my right pocket so i sit there fumble around, pull tees out of my pocket etc.  lay a divot tool, "you don't have a coin", yeah somewhere. find it place it. Still thinking about it when its my time to putt pull my putt hit slope, two putt coming back.  Not sure if the result would have been different but who knows?

I have just a couple of suggestions.  First, carry a few coins, not just one, that way its easier to find one.  Another option, get one of the little magnetic ball marker clips, the kind that clips onto the bill of your hat.  Its easy to find a marker there.  Either of those will allow you to be prepared to mark your ball when it needs to be marked.

Oh, one other way to mark a ball.  Take the tee you pulled out, and make two gentle little strokes across the grass, a kind of arrowhead with the point right behind the ball.  Try it on a practice green once, the marks will stay there long enough to do the job, but be almost faded away by the time you walk off the green.  And I'm pretty sure that its perfectly legal, as long as you're not "testing the surface".  

But the last thing, is to relax.  We were all beginners once.  If you're not sure about whether your ball is in someone else's way, ask them.  If you're not sure where they're planning to roll their ball, ask.  I've played for decades, and for nearly 20 years with certain friends, and I'm not always sure about those kinds of things.  Nobody should expect you to read their mind.  I see way too often that players are waiting and looking at one another, nobody sure of whose turn it is, or whether to mark a ball, just not communicating simple stuff, but assuming that "someone else" knows what needs to happen next.  So don't be afraid to ask questions.

Two steps, then.  First, be prepared.  Second, ask questions so you understand what the other players would prefer you to do.  Other than that, go have fun!

[Fourputt]

I have to admit that while I'm pretty flexible about marking or not marking, and about what a player uses to mark, I don't like the tee stuck in the ground for a mark.  Even a poker chip is only going to deflect the ball a bit if I accidentally hit it (might even compensate for a poor read on my part   ), but a tee is going to stop the ball dead or kick it off at a 90° angle.  

If you don't have a regular golf marker, then just keep a couple of pennies in your pocket for the purpose.  I always have two markers, one larger one that I use when I'm quite a bit away from the hole, one of the little plastic ones that I use when I'm closer to the hole or close to someone's line.

[Pretzel]

I personally like to mark my ball as soon as I walk up to the green, often as I'm walking across the green to set my bag between the green and the next tee box. I then wipe it off with the towel at my bag (you're allowed to do it and a muddy ball won't roll straight, so a good habit to be in for tournaments) before walking back to assess my putt. In my case it takes no longer than the person who doesn't mark at all and just sets their bag down across the green, because I do it all while moving to place my bag where I would have to put it anyways.

I also like to use the line on my ball to help myself align my putts. I know that sometimes it will be impossible to get the arrow pointed exactly where I wish to aim, but it gives me a frame of reference when I'm looking down at the ball since I know exactly where the arrow is pointed and where I would like to aim in reference to that (though I usually try to get the arrow exactly where I want to aim for simplicity, but this can be difficult on steep greens). This is, again, a personal preference and not for everyone.

As far as whether or not you should feel obligated to do it, I say do whatever you feel comfortable with. I'm comfortable marking, cleaning, and lining up my ball as part of my routine without delaying others. If you don't want to mark your ball and it's not in my way, I don't care in the slightest since it's your call and doesn't affect me. If others ask you to mark your ball and you feel it throws your rhythm off, you can always replace the ball immediately after theirs stops moving so that you don't have to wait and replace it right before you stroke your own putt.

[jsgolfer]

I 

12 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

 Another option, get one of the little magnetic ball marker clips, the kind that clips onto the bill of your hat.  Its easy to find a marker there.  

Two steps, then.  First, be prepared.  Second, ask questions so you understand what the other players would prefer you to do.  Other than that, go have fun!

Magnetic ball marker clip on the hat, along with the plethora of ball markers does the trick for me.

Second the be prepared and have fun.

[Pretzel]

One thing to be careful of with the ball markers that clip to your hat:

If it rains when you're out wearing the hat and clip, take the clip off after your round to let the hat and clip dry. I had a hat that I left the clip on and never took it off and found, when I finally did remove the clip, that it had left a large rust stain where the clip had been sitting for a year or so. It wouldn't come out with a fair bit of scrubbing, so I just got a new hat. 

[sirhacksalot]

I need to try the clip ones on my pocket or belt, i used to do hat but switched to a fuller brim straw hat because of sun burn