During my time spent playing in local ladies golf tournaments, running Ladies Golf Associations, and even while managing a local golf course, I have noticed quite a bit of confusion regarding marking your golf ball. Knowing when you can mark your golf ball, or have another player mark their golf ball, is important to correct scoring and protocol on the golf course. It can also lead to a more enjoyable round for you and your women golfer friends and opponents.
First off, any golf ball that is lifted must be marked, period. The USGA recommends using marking directly behind the ball, but marking your golf ball that way is not a rule. Decision 20-1/19 requires that a mark be placed as close as possible to a golf ball before lifting. That means you can mark to the side of it, or in front of it. However, you can’t mark 6 inches away (unless you have been asked to move your mark for another player to putt), you may not improve your line, and you may not press anything down in front of your golf ball. Basically, if you are using one of those cute little golf ball markers that stick into the turf and are “flat”, you may not use that to mark in front of your golf ball. If you do, it is a one stroke penalty.
The USGA also makes no rule about what you may use to mark your golf ball with. They recommend a coin or small object, but that, also, is not a rule. If you want to mark your golf ball with a flower or leaf, go for it. However, a small blemish on the green, or the like, does not constitute a proper mark. You must actually use an object to mark your golf ball properly.
Here’s a big golf ball marking issue I see come up quite often that seems to cause a good bit of confusion. Let’s say you are lifting your mark after replacing your golf ball and the ball accidentally moves while removing your marker. Now what? There is no penalty, ladies, if your ball accidentally moves. Simply replace the ball to where it should be on putt as originally planned.
As for asking another player in your golf group to mark their ball – You may ask any other player in your golf group to mark her golf ball anywhere on the course, period. This is not against the rules, nor is it bad etiquette. If her golf ball is in your way, meaning impeding your stroke, stance or play, you may ask to have it marked and lifted. If her golf ball is in your line while putting, simply ask her to move their mark. When you are finished putting, it is very good etiquette to remind the player to replace her ball to its original, and correct, location so she does not incur a penalty.
As for penalty strokes regarding marking golf balls. We already determined that there is a one-stroke penalty for pressing down an object in front of your ball when marking. Another instance where a penalty stroke can be incurred is if you, or another player, pick up the marker without replacing the golf ball. In this case, replace the ball, finish out the hole, and add one stroke to your final score. Remember, you must finish out every hole before play can continue to the next hole.
Lastly, let’s say, for example, that one of the golfers in your group has used a tee to mark her golf ball. Now we know this is a legal way to mark your golf ball, but what if your ball hits that tee as you chip onto the green or putt? Is there a penalty stroke? No, there is not. Simply play the ball that was deflected by the marker from where it comes to rest and move on.
Knowing the correct procedure and ruling for marking your golf ball can make your golf round much more enjoyable and your score more accurate. I have also noticed that the more women golfers are aware of the rules, the less friction we have at the end of a round.
