How do you mark your ball (not ball marker)?

[Kdouillette]

Hi everyone, 

This is my first post here. I did a quick search and was unable to find a thread for this, which, if I admit, I am surprised by. I'm adding this here because it is kind of a general post and not really ball performance related (if it belongs someone else, I'm sorry)

Anyway, I was curious if people wanted to share how they mark their golf ball. I went through a variety of markings over the last 6 years, when I started playing golf. The first one I did was a straight black line over the ProV1 (or whatever golf ball I was using at the time). I stopped doing that one for a couple of reasons but the main one was because so many people do that that it would make it difficult to actually identify your ball in a tournament. (My friends did that and hit his ball into the trees one time and found what he thought was his ball but a couple of hole later, realized is was not an AVX like he started playing. He then disqualified himself from the tournament). 

The second, I moved my line to go from the Titleist-to-Titleist using a little blue thing I have to make straight lines. I then moved away from that because I no longer use a line for putting since so many times. I would get over my ball and slightly change my line based on feeling and the line would col all croocked-like. I got annoyed of having to take my ball marker out and re-adjust my ball. 

What I do now is make a little black dot on the right bottom of the ball number I'm using (but I keep it in a dimple). However, I came across a problem last summer where I played with someone in a tournament that had a black dot in the same place (!). The other thing I do when playing is that I typically make sure that I don't hit the same ball number back-to-back if I need to hit a provisional.

So, now I'm thinking of either changing the marker colour or changing the location/symbol I use.

So, what does everyone do? Post pics if you want.  

[Triple_Putt]

Just a black and a red dot below the number on the ball for me, as well as a straight line sharpied on if the ball I’m playing doesn’t have one from the factory. I’m like you and also don’t use the same number ball back to back for when I eventually find the woods or the water and need another, which is a quite often!

[AndySP]

I use the double lines on on the Pelz stencil. Usually in red or green. I don’t line them up though when I putt (I look at the hole). I like it because it’s easy to ID even from far away. 

[Will_Mac]

For the past few months, I've been doing it like this.

[Dweed]

I don't play any organized tourney's to require the need to mark. When I play in leagues or with friends I just ask what they are playing and change mine if need be to something else.

 

[Jodrell]

I use the Taylormade Pix balls and no-one else in my regular group does…so I don’t bother marking them

[Blueberry_Squishie]

I got bought a stamp of a blue penguin. It would be incredibly rare for someone else to have the same marking.

[MattF]

[benb1989]

I just put my initials, BB, in red pen next to each number. 

Edited March 27, 2023 by benb1989

[EasyPutter]

I used to find a hexagonal pattern of dimples on an unprinted part of the golf ball and use a Sharpie marker to color them in with one extra dimple colored either side of the hexagon forming a diamond shape.  It took longer than expected when getting a sleeve of balls and marking them it seemed like it took a long time but what caused me to rethink my marking was when a new ball was grabbed and my turn to hit and I wanted a faster mark.

Enter the icon I created during a Military to Civilian seminar for a memorable mark on stationary like business card, letterhead and such that is stacked initials in lower case Ariel font.  At great risk to causing lopsided ball loading, only one of these beauties in purple goes to the right of the make name, between that and the circumferential label.

Takes all of 2 seconds to put on the ball.  I usually show my ball at first tee to new people for their awareness to know it is mine should they get to it first.

[Nunfa0]

Three dots and a line like a shamrock, to the right of the number on both sides.

[Parshooter36]

I don't play in anything official enough to require marking the ball.  I am ususally the only one in the group playing a yellow ball, so there is no need for me to mark it.

[russtopherb]

2 green dots over the logo, on the right hand side. 

[Kenny B]

On 3/24/2023 at 1:09 PM, Kdouillette said:

Hi everyone, 

This is my first post here. I did a quick search and was unable to find a thread for this, which, if I admit, I am surprised by. I'm adding this here because it is kind of a general post and not really ball performance related (if it belongs someone else, I'm sorry)

Anyway, I was curious if people wanted to share how they mark their golf ball. I went through a variety of markings over the last 6 years, when I started playing golf. The first one I did was a straight black line over the ProV1 (or whatever golf ball I was using at the time). I stopped doing that one for a couple of reasons but the main one was because so many people do that that it would make it difficult to actually identify your ball in a tournament. (My friends did that and hit his ball into the trees one time and found what he thought was his ball but a couple of hole later, realized is was not an AVX like he started playing. He then disqualified himself from the tournament). 

The second, I moved my line to go from the Titleist-to-Titleist using a little blue thing I have to make straight lines. I then moved away from that because I no longer use a line for putting since so many times. I would get over my ball and slightly change my line based on feeling and the line would col all croocked-like. I got annoyed of having to take my ball marker out and re-adjust my ball. 

What I do now is make a little black dot on the right bottom of the ball number I'm using (but I keep it in a dimple). However, I came across a problem last summer where I played with someone in a tournament that had a black dot in the same place (!). The other thing I do when playing is that I typically make sure that I don't hit the same ball number back-to-back if I need to hit a provisional.

So, now I'm thinking of either changing the marker colour or changing the location/symbol I use.

So, what does everyone do? Post pics if you want.  

I'm sure this topic has been discussed many times, but it always good to bring topics up again for new members.  Here's one link to see what members did back in 2017...

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/19947-marking-your-ball-how-and-why/#comment-298063

I mark my ball with a T (a red line through the alignment aid and a perpendicular line at the end). The horizontal line matches the alignment aid on my putter and the vertical line matches the putter face, or in this case of this Nike putter the red vertical line.  I don't use this putter anymore, but the marking still works on my Ping putter.  

At a golf clinic the pro used this technique and said it would help my alignment.  It did.  Once I align my ball and putter, I don't look at it when making the stroke... I look at the hole.  

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

welcome to the forum!

Plain Jane for me. I don’t put anything on it. I play #19 and have a custom “shark bait” line on it. Easily identified so no markings needed.

 

[EasyPutter]

1 minute ago, Lacassem said:

welcome to the forum!

Plain Jane for me. I don’t put anything on it. I play #19 and have a custom “shark bait” line on it. Easily identified so no markings needed.

 

Can't wait to get to après golf arm exercises with stein weights?  Getting a prime value into your golf game?  Anticipating your ball will end up where @Yellow Ball always ends up?

Ok I'm done.

[Placasse61]

I don't usually mark my ball. Just use the brand type and number color.

[Sean-Shank Redemption]

1 hour ago, MattF said:

A masterpiece

[Golf2Much]

Ever since 911, I have been marking my golf balls with four dots.  The two blue dots represent the Twin Towers.  The two red dots represent the Pentagon and the plane crash site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

It's just my simple way of remembering and honoring those who were lost.  

[GolfSpy BOS]

Mine come marked for me out of the box!

After testing them a few years back I still love the AlignXL from golfballs.com.  Sometimes the words change... but the AlignXL has been a constant for me.  Add in Titleist's Loyalty Rewarded deal coming back this year and I should be good for the next year and a half or so

[richk9holes]

I put my initials and an alignment line.

[Invader Zim 315]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

Mine come marked for me out of the box!

After testing them a few years back I still love the AlignXL from golfballs.com.  Sometimes the words change... but the AlignXL has been a constant for me.  Add in Titleist's Loyalty Rewarded deal coming back this year and I should be good for the next year and a half or so

Would love your thoughts, as I've tried the Align XL twice now and love the concept.  That said I always have found at lease 2-4 of the balls in the dozen have crooked lines.  They're just not straight and it really throws me off.  As much as I hate a smudge, I've personally gone back to sharpie.  Maybe my sample size was too small?  

[GolfSpy BOS]

1 minute ago, Invader Zim 315 said:

Would love your thoughts, as I've tried the Align XL twice now and love the concept.  That said I always have found at lease 2-4 of the balls in the dozen have crooked lines.  They're just not straight and it really throws me off.  As much as I hate a smudge, I've personally gone back to sharpie.  Maybe my sample size was too small?  

I haven't noticed that in the past, but I'll do a check on this order and get back to you.  Every sample that I've had so far has been good, with a few little extra dabs or dots, but generally crisp printing, particularly from playing distance.

[Blavin]

Quarter heads up only from either by birth year 1984 or any year Tiger won The Masters

[Invader Zim 315]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

I haven't noticed that in the past, but I'll do a check on this order and get back to you.  Every sample that I've had so far has been good, with a few little extra dabs or dots, but generally crisp printing, particularly from playing distance.

Very much appreciate that! I agree I've never had an issue with the print quality, I think its great and crisp.  I'll also be quick to admit I'm very particular when lining it up, much more than I should be, so it could easily be my mind playing games.

[Don C]

Mark my pro V ball with one blue dot upper left of the number.   My golf buds always know it is my ball.  

[Brentwood11]

Three green dots! One below the number and one on each side of the ball brand!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

21 minutes ago, Invader Zim 315 said:

Would love your thoughts, as I've tried the Align XL twice now and love the concept.  That said I always have found at lease 2-4 of the balls in the dozen have crooked lines.  They're just not straight and it really throws me off.  As much as I hate a smudge, I've personally gone back to sharpie.  Maybe my sample size was too small?  

There was a review a few years back on it. Good stuff:

 

[Bob Askelson]

Two black dots above Titleist.

[Invader Zim 315]

17 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

There was a review a few years back on it. Good stuff:

 

Thanks! Seems like several had the same thought.

 

Now, for the OP!  I play the Pro v1X, so to stick with red color pattern I do one singular red dot, to the top right of the last "t" in Titleist.