Can I leave my marker behind my ball while I putt? It’s a question that’s been pondered by golfers for years, and there’s finally a definitive answer. According to the Rules of Golf, you can leave your marker behind your ball while you putt, as long as the marker is not in a position where it could interfere with the stroke of another player.
When to Leave Your Marker Behind Your Ball While Putting
Essentially, the Rules of Golf only require you to mark your ball when it is lifted from the putting green. According to the USGA, leaving your marker behind your ball while putting is “a common practice that is not addressed in the Rules.” The Rule 20 and its interpretations clearly state that when your ball is lifted on the green, a marker, such as a tee or coin, should be placed at that location as an indicator. It should be distinctive enough that it will not become confused with other markers on the green. However, there is no mention of what to do with your marker after you have holed out.
So, although it is not strictly against the Rules, most golfers will remove their marker once they have holed out, to avoid any confusion about whether or not they have holed out. It can also help to keep the green tidy and clear of unnecessary markers.
However, there is one instance where the R&A and USGA advise you to leave your marker behind your ball while putting. This applies in match play and relates to Rule 1-2. Penalty for Breach of Rule: Loss of Hole in Match Play: If the player plays from a wrong place, drops a ball under Rule 20-6b or replaces a ball under Rule 20-7, the penalty for breach of this Rule is loss of hole in match play. If the breach occurs in stroke play, there is no specific penalty but instead, the General Penalty under Rule 19-1a applies (two penalty strokes).
According to the interpretation of Rule 1-2:
Marking Ball Before Playing from Wrong Place
- If the player discovers that he has played from a wrong place and his ball lies on the putting green when he makes the discovery, he is entitled to lift the ball and drop it on the correct putting green without penalty, provided he first marks the position of his ball. Once the player has holed out, if he took relief under this Rule, he must remember not to remove his marker until his opponent has holed out, so that his opponent can be sure that he did, in fact, play from the wrong place and receive the correct penalty.
However, the R&A and USGA jointly remind players that whether or not a player marks their ball before playing from a wrong place, they can only exercise this right once per hole.
Understanding Rules 20.1 and 20.3
Can I leave my marker behind my ball while I putt?
The answer to this question is yes, you can leave your marker behind your ball while you putt, but not on any of its sides.
What is a marker?
A marker is any object placed on the course to mark the spot of the ball.
Rule 20.1a states: “The spot of the player’s ball is marked by a marker placed immediately behind the ball; or when the ball is on the putting green, by a marker placed immediately behind the hole the ball is to be played from; provided that if the format of play requires a maximum number of strokes per hole, the place where the next stroke is to be played is marked by a marker placed immediately behind such next place of play.”
Rule 20.3 establishes when the ball is at rest. It states that: “A ball is at rest when it comes to rest on the putting green without vibrating, rolling or wobbling.”
The reason why you can’t leave your marker on the side of your ball is because it could potentially interfere with the line of your putt. If the marker is placed far ahead or far on any side of the ball, it could deceive the player as to the true line of putt.
Leaving the marker behind the ball and near the hole does not affect the line of the putt because there is no direct line of putt between the ball and the spot where the next putt will be played from.
Consequences of Improperly Leaving Your Marker
Failing to properly leave your marker can lead to a variety of consequences, including:
Loss of Hole: If your ball is lost and you cannot find it while your marker is improperly placed, you lose the hole.
Loss of Stroke: If your marker is placed behind your ball but not in line with the hole, and your putt goes off line, you lose a stroke.
Disqualification: If your marker is placed in a location that is likely to deceive other players or interfere with play, you may be disqualified from the tournament.
Fines: Some courses have fines for improperly leaving markers.
Table:
| Consequence | Description |
|—|—|
| Loss of Hole | Failure to find ball with improperly placed marker |
| Loss of Stroke | Marker behind ball, putt goes off line |
| Disqualification | Marker deceives or interferes with play |
| Fines | Course-imposed penalties |
Recommendations for Best Practices
- Marker Placement: Position the ball marker ahead of and in line with your putt, but far enough away to avoid obstructing your view or interfering with your stroke.
- Etiquette Considerations: Respect the space and etiquette of other players on the green. Avoid leaving markers near playing lines, in front of someone else’s putting line, or excessively distant from your ball.
- Consistency and Clarity: Use a consistent method of ball marking to avoid confusion or disputes. Place the marker firmly and clearly, ensuring it’s easily visible but doesn’t interfere with your putt.
- Professional Conduct: In professional and competitive golf settings, it’s generally expected that markers will be removed before putting, unless it’s deemed necessary for strategic reasons. When applicable, adhere to the rules and established etiquette of the tournament or course you’re playing on.
Rule 20.1.c(2) of the Rules of Golf prohibits leaving a marker behind a ball while putting, unless the marker is placed within 6 inches of the ball. Therefore, golfers must remove their markers from behind their balls before putting, as failure to do so may result in a one-stroke penalty.
