Golf ball markers are often overlooked as essential golf accessories. Their primary purpose is to identify the position of a golfer's ball on the putting green when the ball needs to be lifted. A golf ball marker is placed directly behind or right next to the golf ball to mark the original spot before a golfer can then pick up their ball. You may ask, does a golf ball marker have to be round?
The straightforward answer is no, it does not. The R&A's definition for a golf ball marker is an artificial object used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker, or another small piece of equipment. Therefore, this states that a ball marker doesn't need to be round.
Golfers use golf ball markers to lift the ball, clean it, reorient its graphics so it points towards the hole, or to remove it obstructing someone else's shot. It’s important to remember that if the spot is marked with a ball marker, after replacing the ball, the player must remove the ball marker before making a shot; otherwise, the player will receive one penalty stroke.
Ideas for Golf Ball Markers
Purpose-made Ball Marker: There are many different types of golf ball markers on the market, and some even include additional features, such as built-in divot repair tools or hat clips. However, one of the great aspects of a golf ball marker is that it provides an opportunity for personalisation and style. You can find many unique, customised, and quirky golf ball markers available that can help reflect your personality.
Tee: Most golfers have tees in their bag, so if they have lost or forgotten their ball marker, they can use a bamboo golf tee as a makeshift golf ball marker with ease.
Coin: Some golfers have loose change in their pockets, so a coin makes an accessible replacement ball marker.
As long as your replacement golf ball marker is an artificial object and doesn’t fall into the realms of an alignment stick then you can use anything small to act as a ball marker.