Mark Your Ball
Etiquette
Explained Simply
On the putting green, place a small coin or ball marker directly behind your ball before picking it up to clean or move it out of another player's line.
Example
“Your partner's putting line runs through where your ball sits. Place a coin behind your ball, pick it up, then replace it on the coin after they putt.”
Why it matters
Marking your ball is required any time you lift it on the green. Without a marker, you can't legally lift the ball — and you could accidentally interfere with a partner's putt.
Common beginner mistake
Picking up your ball on the green without placing a marker first — this is a rules violation.
Related
beginner
Etiquette
Related
- Ball MarkerA small flat object — usually a coin or a branded disc — used to mark the position of your ball on the putting green before lifting it.
- Line of PuttThe imaginary path you expect your ball to travel from where it rests to the hole on the putting green. Stepping on another player's line is poor etiquette.
- Green (Putting Green)The closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.