Marker

Rules Guy: Can I Leave my Marker Behind my Ball While I Putt?

Augusta, GA – The question of whether or not a player can leave their marker behind their ball while putting has been a topic of debate for some time. The Rules of Golf state that a player must mark the position of their ball before lifting it, but does not specify whether or not the marker must be placed directly behind the ball.

According to Rule 20-1, “The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it and, when the ball is lifted and replaced, it must be placed on the spot from which it was lifted, not nearer the hole.” Nowhere in this rule does it state that the marker must be placed behind the ball.

However, the USGA has issued a clarifying statement, stating that the marker must be placed directly behind the ball in order to maintain the integrity of the game. The reasoning behind this is that if the marker is placed to the side of the ball, it could be moved by another player or by the wind, which could potentially lead to an unfair advantage.

So, while the Rules of Golf do not explicitly state that the marker must be placed behind the ball, the USGA has clarified that this is the correct interpretation of the rule. Therefore, players should make sure to place their markers directly behind their balls when putting.