Identify a ball - has to have unique markings?

[dufferman]

I know the answer here will be subjective. I was playing an old Taylormade ball on the weekend in a comp where the 3 green dots I'd drawn on each side had worn off. My PP told me I HAD to mark the ball or else it is not identifiable.

I didn't argue, but was sure that wasn't a rule. Yes, it would have been tough to identify if lost in the rough, as there could have been more than one unmarked Taylormade ball in the rough, but none the less, it wasn't illegal for me to play that ball?

 

[CliveW]

Who's to say your ball is the only Taylormade with three green dots? Marking a ball only makes it easier to identify and isn't compulsory.

 

[pbrown7582]

I know the answer here will be subjective. I was playing an old Taylormade ball on the weekend in a comp where the 3 green dots I'd drawn on each side had worn off. My PP told me I HAD to mark the ball or else it is not identifiable.

I didn't argue, but was sure that wasn't a rule. Yes, it would have been tough to identify if lost in the rough, as there could have been more than one unmarked Taylormade ball in the rough, but none the less, it wasn't illegal for me to play that ball?

It's not subjective it's up to you to be able to identify your ball however you may choose.

 

[chrisd]

I know the answer here will be subjective. I was playing an old Taylormade ball on the weekend in a comp where the 3 green dots I'd drawn on each side had worn off. My PP told me I HAD to mark the ball or else it is not identifiable.

I didn't argue, but was sure that wasn't a rule. Yes, it would have been tough to identify if lost in the rough, as there could have been more than one unmarked Taylormade ball in the rough, but none the less, it wasn't illegal for me to play that ball?

I always think that handing them the rule book and asking them to show you the rule is the best way when you know they are talking cobblers

 

[Colin L]

And when they can't find what they are looking for, you can point them towards Decision 12-2/1:

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-12,d12-2-1

 

[dufferman]

Exactly as I thought.

It was only a passing comment as we were walking up the fairway, nothing angry or nasty.

My PP said there's a few guys at our club who would have taken it up with me if I'd had told them I'm looking for a Taylormade with no markings!