Mark Your Golf Ball In Traditional and Unique Ways
Rule 12-2 in the USGA rules of golf states: “The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball.”
With no stipulations as to what the “identification mark” should be, players have learned to use this as an opportunity to either benefit their game or to add some personality and flair. So how should you mark your golf ball?
Traditional Ways To Mark Your Golf Ball
Being a tradition-driven game for so long, the standard method of marking your golf ball has been to fill in dimples in a certain pattern.
Players mark their ball to help their game too. One method involves drawing a straight line on the golf ball to use when lining up a putt. Some draw the line through the brand name of the ball. Others draw a solid or dashed line around the equator. The specifics vary with each player but the idea is the same.
Buying personalized golf balls is also a popular option. Golfers customize the golf balls with a name, nickname, or phrase to make them unique.
Speaking of unique, right-brained golfers will probably opt for the following ways to mark their golf ball.
Unique Ways To Mark Your Golf Ball
For those looking to do something different, try drawing something unique free-hand or write an expression that strikes a chord with you personally.
These types can range from the amusing and simple:
To the truly creative and artistic:
Understanding that this final method is restricted to those with a bit of artistic talent, companies are providing stencils to rapidly repeat designs on a golf ball. Stencils vary from flags to mustaches.
No matter how you decide to mark your golf ball, the important thing is for it to be easily identified. Have fun with it!
More Tips From Our Pros
Rudi Fann
Rudi Fann has been a Class “A” member of the PGA of America since 2008. He began his career in 1998 as the Assistant Golf Professional at Wake Forest Golf Club in Wake Forest, NC. In 2002, Rudi accepted a similar position at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. He spent a year there before moving to Nipomo, CA where he worked at Blacklake Golf Resort. Over the next 10 years, he worked his way from Assistant Golf Professional to Head Golf Professional and finally Director of Golf Operations. In his time at Blacklake, Rudi devoted much of his time to running tournaments and other activities in order to create a social atmosphere at the club. After Blacklake, Rudi spent one year as Head Golf Professional at Paso Robles Golf Club before deciding to return home to North Carolina. Since returning to North Carolina, Rudi has worked with the First Tee of the Triangle helping to instill life skills and core values through the game of golf to local youth.