What is the rule for marking a golf ball?

The marker must be placed behind the ball. It is necessary in golf to mark your ball once it is on the green in order to allow players further away to putt. If players did not mark their golf balls, then other players might hit the ball with their ball when they putt.
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How do you mark your ball in golf?

Place a small coin (or similar ball marker) directly behind your golf ball on the putting green. Pick up your golf ball. Important: Make sure your ball marker is on the ground before lifting the ball. Never lift the ball and then place a marker where the ball was.
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When can you mark a golf ball?

You can mark, lift and clean a ball on the green, but it's a violation to do so when another ball is in motion, as your ball might influence the outcome of that stroke. You can also mark and clean your ball in some instances when it's off the green: cleaning it, for example, just to the point where you can identify it.
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Is marking golf balls legal?

Yes, drawing an arrow/line on your golf ball is 100% legal and used by some of the best golfers in the world. Players across the world draw lines, add their initials, and other signature markings to their golf balls.
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Can you mark your ball with a tee?

Ball-markers must be artificial, such as a tee, coin, the toe of your putter, or other small piece of equipment. A natural object like a leaf or twig may not be used as a ball-marker. The ball-marker must be placed next to the ball, which includes behind, in front, or left and right of the ball.
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Rules of Golf: Marking Your Ball



Can you refuse to mark your ball on the green?

Under Rule 15.3, a ball at rest on the putting green only must be marked and lifted if it is interfering with play or helping another player; otherwise, there is no requirement to do so.
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Do pro golfers mark their balls?

Jordan Spieth marks his with a “z”, a reminder to “zero in” on a specific spot on the course during each stroke. “If you aim small, you miss small,” he added.
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Can you mark and pick up your ball on the fringe?

There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of or lifting the ball. Otherwise, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under this Rule or Rule 18-2.
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Can you wipe your golf ball on the green?

May a player clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green? A. Yes, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green. It is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question as to the player’s intentions.
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Where do you place your ball marker?

Place a ball-marker. right behind or right next to your ball, or. Hold a club on the ground right behind or right next to your ball.
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Can you mark your golf ball in the fairway?

yes - but you are not permitted to clean your ball when it's lifted under these circumstances. You can't choose to lift it either, it has to be a fellow competitor or opponent that makes the request. Furthermore, you can't refuse a request to lift it either. Welcome to the forum!
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Can you mark and clean your ball in the fairway?

A golfer cannot clean their ball in any other situation, including when the ball is in the fairway, when the ball is in the rough, when the ball is in a bunker.
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Do you have to pick up your ball marker before putting?

You must however, return the ball or ball-marker to its original spot prior to your stroke. If, however, you lift your ball without marking its spot, mark its spot in the wrong location prior to making a stroke or even make a stroke with the ball marker in place, you will receive a one stroke penalty.
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Why do golfers take off their hats to shake hands?

The simple act of taking off your hat or visor and shaking your playing partner's hand is the way it's always been done and the way it always should be. It's a sign of respect and friendship for the other player, even in defeat.
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Why do golfers put dots on their golf balls?

They're golf ball markers, although not in the traditional sense. These simple dots or markings help differentiate your ball from another player's ball. If you're playing in a tournament setting, your ball can easily get mixed in with someone else's if they land nearby.
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Why do golfers poke the green?

Aerating when grass is healthy and actively growing minimizes damage and allows for a quick return to optimal playing conditions. Aerating at other times may be more convenient for the golf schedule, but it lengthens recovery times, increases the risk of an invasion of weeds and could cause lasting damage.
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Why do golfers draw a line on their ball?

You've probably seen a professional golfer mark his or her ball on the green, lift the ball and spin it around to match a line s/he has drawn on the ball to the putting line. This helps the golfer get the ball started on the correct line. It helps, in other words, with aim and alignment.
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Can you brush sand off the green?

Yes. Sand and loose soil may be removed on the putting green (see Rule 13.1c(1)).
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Can you brush the green with your hand?

You may repair damage on the putting green. without penalty by taking reasonable actions to restore the putting green. as nearly as possible to its original condition, but only: By using your hand, foot or other part of your body or a normal ball-mark repair tool, tee.
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Can you put a tee in the green?

As far as the Etiquetteist is concerned, in fact, you can use pretty much any object in a laidback outing — your foot, an acorn cap, a piece of lint — so long as your playing partners aren't distracted by it. It's easy enough to ask them. And you should. Whether it's smart to use a tee is a separate issue.
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Do air shots count in golf?

An air shot is not imposed as a penalty for a tee shot as already mentioned. No matter how many times a player swings, if the club does not touch the ball, it is not considered a stroke. However, when the ball moves with an air shot, it counts as one stroke.
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How many strokes if you hit in the water?

If you find your ball in a water hazard, you can always try to play it without penalty. Otherwise, it's a stroke-plus-distance penalty. Option 1: Take a 1-stroke penalty and return to the spot of the original shot to re-play.
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