Rules query - marking & lifting

[sfby]

I was advised by a playing partner last week that I should not use pitch-mark repairer to mark my ball on the green for lifting, cleaning & replacing. Of course, I wouldn't use one to mark a ball that's on someone's line, but should I be using a coin or similar every time?

Thanks

Paul

 

[bobmac]

You can use whatever you want, although the rule book suggests a coin or something similar

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Brian Barnes used a beer bottle on the green once!

 

[Twire]

As Bob said, you can use whatever you like to mark your ball. That said, I don't think your allowed to pierce the turf i.e. stick your pitch mark repairer or tee peg in behind the ball. If it's laid flat behind the ball, no problem.

 

[sfby]

Ahh - just had a thought - if I pierce the turf, would that be construed as testing the surface?

 

[Twire]

Ahh - just had a thought - if I pierce the turf, would that be construed as testing the surface?

I think it is....but it is a bit daft, as you pierce the turf to repair your pitch mark.

 

[USER1999]

Many ball markers sold have a peg in the back which secures it to the ground. Can't see a difference between that and a pitch mark repairer, so I can't see why you can't stab a tee or such into the ground to mark your ball.

 

[jammydodger]

I often use my pitch repairer to mark my ball , cant be bothered to hunt around for the coin when i've already got the repairer out tbh

Sometimes i'll lay it flat and other times I pierce the green. No-one has ever said I couldnt do it and have never heard a rule to say I couldnt either. I will stand corrected if someone can produce the said rule though

 

[Redwood]

Mmm, my ball marker has a little peg on the bottom which pierces the green.

That said, I did buy a pitch repairer from a mates course in Sussex which had a magnetic ball marker attached, which suits all jobs on the green.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Could you use something which is basically a longish piece of plastic (couple of inches, say) with a line drawn down it to aid allignment. ie, aim the line on the marker @ the target & then the line on the ball to that?

 

[Robobum]

Just by sticking your pitch repair tool/ tee peg/ marker/ bamboo stick/ samurai sword or whatever else you choose to use into the green does not mean you are testing the surface.

If however, you are wiggling it about and generally doing something that does constitute testing the surface then you will be bang to rights guv!!

 

[roccokj]

This came up during one of my rounds before, my partner was pretty adamant that the ball can only be marked by a circular object. What i thought was that the ball can be marked by anything as long it is put back in the same spot.

 

[backwoodsman]

See rule 20 - or more particularly the note to rule 20/1. It recommends that the ball is marked with a ball marker, a small coin or similar.

<u>But</u> it is not required.

The "Decisions" make it clear you can use anything as long as it is obvious that the method used identifies precisely the position of the ball. So, if you want, you can used a dead elephant - as long as you know precisely which bit of the dead elephant marks the spot..

 

[Canfordhacker]

I sometimes use my putter - place it by the ball holding it in my left hand whilst crouched, pick ball up, quick wipe and replace, job's a good 'un.

 

[Imurg]

So, if you want, you can used a dead elephant

Blimey - you'd need some sort of bag to cart that around in.........

 

[viscount17]

So, if you want, you can used a dead elephant

Blimey - you'd need some sort of bag to cart that around in.........

Nah, there's always one around - it's the way they teach them to drive nowadays

 

[chrisd]

I played with a guy once who complained that my 50p piece was too big, so next time I marked my ball I stacked up a whole load of coins!!
I think he got the message

Chris