Does everyone steal half an inch when they mark their ball?

[Sawgrass]

I do. Take a finger width everytime. However, I only mark my ball once. It's just my habit of placing the ball. I figure it doesn't really matter. The putt will read/break the same

Then why? Serious question. And finger width forward or sideways? Personally I have less of an issue with forward as there is little to no material change. If you go sideways-especially if you vary to which side-you are gaining a possible advantage by avoiding a spikemark or other issue on the surface.

 

And, if it's a matter of moving your ball out of an aeration hole, if I was competing with you I'd have an issue unless the local rule allowing relief was in effect. Because otherwise I'd be putting out of one of those damn holes every time I landed there.

[EntourageLife]

Nope

[WBGolf]

Not a chance. It's a good indicator of who to watch closer from tee to green

[Sawgrass]

Not a chance. It's a good indicator of who to watch closer from tee to green

 

'Cause, give 'em a (half) inch and they'll take a mile.

[new2g0lf]

One of the guys on our annual trip to Myrtle Beach just throws his marker down somewhere near his ball (usually in front of it) then quickly picks up his ball. He claims to have bad knees but he has no problem pulling his ball out of the cup after he's gained a good 3" every time he marks his ball.

[Shilgy]

One of the guys on our annual trip to Myrtle Beach just throws his marker down somewhere near his ball (usually in front of it) then quickly picks up his ball. He claims to have bad knees but he has no problem pulling his ball out of the cup after he's gained a good 3" every time he marks his ball.

I play with that guy. He gets another three inches or so when he replaces the ball.

[new2g0lf]

One of the guys on our annual trip to Myrtle Beach just throws his marker down somewhere near his ball (usually in front of it) then quickly picks up his ball. He claims to have bad knees but he has no problem pulling his ball out of the cup after he's gained a good 3" every time he marks his ball.

I play with that guy. He gets another three inches or so when he replaces the ball.

 

Yep, the ball is always placed 2" from the marker (always in front). We also think he might have a hole in his pocket because balls just magically appear after we've searched an area. Sad part is he's one of the better golfers in our group and doesn't need to do that stuff to win.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

No I don't steel a half inch. But then again I don't have HD cameras zoomed in on my every move that may have caught an inadvertent mismark that I'm sure I've done.

[Quasimoto]

I have never really given this much thought until reading the thread yesterday, and then playing the first round of the year afterward.

I notice I always mark the ball somewhere around 1/4" behind the ball, but less than 1/2".

I also put the ball back in that spot everytime as well. Weird.

[KyGolf]

I have never really given this much thought until reading the thread yesterday, and then playing the first round of the year afterward.

I notice I always mark the ball somewhere around 1/4" behind the ball, but less than 1/2".

I also put the ball back in that spot everytime as well. Weird.

 

 

I do the same.

[jlbos83]

Never on purpose. I'm sure I've accidentally replaced the ball in the wrong place, though it's just as likely to be further from the hole as closer.

[jmkenn0]

I'm definitely more cognizant of it now - my big hang-up now is that I almost always use the little plastic markers because my club has them out on the counter. But somehow I manage to put it in the ground in a way that I can't get it back out? I know what I said is a physical impossibility, but somehow I manage to bump the ball half the time I'm pulling it back out. So what I'm trying to do now is to put the end of the marker parallel (or perpendicular, however you want to look at it) with the back of the ball, and replace it the same way.

 

The amount of alcohol I drink also doesn't help. But if anything, I think I probably give back a 1/4" just to be safe, which I guess isn't correct either.

[Sawgrass]

I'm definitely more cognizant of it now - my big hang-up now is that I almost always use the little plastic markers because my club has them out on the counter. But somehow I manage to put it in the ground in a way that I can't get it back out? I know what I said is a physical impossibility, but somehow I manage to bump the ball half the time I'm pulling it back out. So what I'm trying to do now is to put the end of the marker parallel (or perpendicular, however you want to look at it) with the back of the ball, and replace it the same way.

 

The amount of alcohol I drink also doesn't help. But if anything, I think I probably give back a 1/4" just to be safe, which I guess isn't correct either.

 

Fortunately for all, accidentally bumping your ball while picking up your mark is not a violation. But intentionally replacing it off its original place is!

 

Andt I'm sure you're right that alcohol doesn't help.).

[aliikane]

I am liking the possibility of some new rule changes on the green though. Where you can repair any inconsistency in the green. I play a lot of Muni courses that don't have the best greens. So, a lot of times you ball in an indentation, small hole, or old aeration hole. When you putt a lot of times it makes the ball hoop and roll poorly. So, being able to repair it would be good. If you hit fairways and greens, I don't think you should be penalized by bad turf conditions. Just an opinion.

[Carl Spackler3]

never , The improving my lie on every shot lets me hit pretty close to the pin, so its not necessary