rules
KNOW
your rules
The latest in our series of situations encountered by everyday golfers, and what the correct procedures are
To some of us, this will be filed under 'things I was today years old when I learned'… the size of ball markers on the greens for instance.
While a flat round object is the most common, many amateurs use a tee peg in the green to mark immediately behind the ball. Others have been seen even using a beer can, and that too is perfectly legal. Quite a lot use casino chips.
Under the R&A Rules of Golf, a ball marker is defined as an artificial object used to mark the spot of a lifted ball, which specifically includes a tee, coin, or small piece of equipment. You have to mark your ball in a way that allows you to return it accurately to its previous spot, and you have to use something 'artificial' – not a leaf or stone or other naturally occurring item. And, yes, you can use a beer can.
What we have seen over the years is the appearance of casino chips.
Whether you use a coin, traditional flat ball marker, a casino chip, gold krugerrand, divot repair tool, tee peg or pencil, you don't even have to mark specifically behind the ball according to the rules, provided you get the 'put it back accurately' part right.
The issue around ball markers are addressed in Rule 4.3 (Use of Equipment).
There is actually no restriction to what you can use to mark your ball on a green. Under the literal wording of the rules, you can technically use a shoe, hat, or cell phone because they are artificial. However, this is heavily discouraged because it makes returning the ball to its precise original spot difficult.
THE INCIDENT
In the first round of the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open, Will Zalatoris, on the Renaissance Club's par three 16th, chipped from beside the green for birdie. His attempt lipped out and then rolled several feet, stopping on playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick's ball marker – a poker chip. The situation was so bizarre, their caddies even took out their phones to capture the moment. The ball marker was removed and both players putted from the same spot. Zalatoris had to putt first.
ON YOUR MARKS
Can Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick share a marker? And who putts first?
THE RULE
Rule 15.2a (Movable Obstructions): Because the ball marker is man-made, it is classified as a movable obstruction. Therefore, if a ball settles on top of an opponent's marker, the player is allowed to lift his ball without penalty.
Rule 15.3c (Ball Marker Interfering with Play): Since both balls essentially occupied the same spot on the green, the original marker must be moved out of the way. That player must move his marker a few clubhead lengths to the side, allowing the player who hasn't marked their ball to place the ball down and putt.
Note, for full explanations see the R&A rulebook HERE
THE PENALTIES
If you mark your ball, lift it, and replace it on an incorrect spot, or if you make a stroke with the ball-marker still on the green, it is one penalty stroke. You must correct the mistake before making your stroke.
Playing from the wrong place: Hitting your putt from the incorrectly placed spot results in a two-stroke penalty. In match play, the penalty is loss of hole.
YOUR QUESTION ...
While playing a regular Saturday at Bedford Golf Club, a quaint slice of golfing beauty in the Eastern Cape, this happened while on the green. Two players putted at the same time. Mark was slightly off the green and Marius was on the green with his back to Mark, although slightly further away from the hole. Mark's ball was in line to go into the hole when Marius' ball intercepted it and his went into the hole instead, knocking Mark's ball away.
How do you score that one and whose putt is it?
Glenn Curtis
... ANSWERED
Neil Homann, Golf RSA manager: governance, rules and training, replies: 'The answer is: As this was done accidentally, Mark's ball played from off the putting area gets played from wherever it ended up (Rule 11.1b). Marius's ball played from on the putting green hit a moveable obstruction which was moving on the putting green and the stroke must be cancelled and replayed with no penalty to either player. See Clarification in the Rules 11.1b(2)/1'
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Question:
A player’s ball lies just off the putting green. There is sand on the putting green between the ball and the hole that the player wishes to remove.
What is the ruling?
a) As the ball is not on the green the player must not remove the sand.
b) Sand is not a loose impediment and cannot be removed.
c) The sand on the green may be removed by any means.
25 September 2026
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Question:
Before playing a shot from the fairway, a player decides to use a different club and returns to their bag. A gust of wind then causes the player's ball to roll down a slope several feet from its original position.
What is the ruling?
a) The player gets one stroke penalty and must replace the ball.
b) There is no penalty and the ball must be played from its new position.
c) There is no penalty and the player must replace the ball.
SHAUN ROY | SUNSHINE TOUR
