Jason Whitehill and Peter Boyce
Q. I occasionally will mark my ball with a tee and have been told that if I was in a competition, I couldn’t do it and that I must use a small, coin-shaped ball-marker.
A. Well, you win. Under rule 20, it is recommended that you use a small, coin-shaped object, but it is not necessary. Examples of methods of marking the position of a ball that are not recommended, but are permissible, are as follows:
• placing the toe of a club at the side of, or behind, the ball;
• using a tee;
• using a loose impediment;
• scratching a line, provided the putting green is not tested (Rule 16-1d) and a line for putting is not indicated (Rule 8-2b). As this practice may cause damage to the putting green, it is discouraged.
However, under Rule 20-1 it is necessary to physically mark the position of the ball. Reference to an existing mark on the ground does not constitute marking the position of a ball. For example, it is not permissible to mark the position with reference to a blemish on the putting green.
When moving a ball or ball-marker to the side to prevent it from interfering with another player’s stance or stroke, the player may measure from the side of the ball or ball-marker. In order to accurately replace the ball on the spot from which it was lifted, the steps used to move the ball or ball-marker to the side should be reversed.