How do you mark your golf balls?

[TK_]

On 5/15/2024 at 8:17 PM, schooner44 said:

I play the Srixon Q Star Divides and I never see anyone Else playing them so I never have to mark them. I used to use those little press on decal things but found them to be a PITA.

Z-Star XV’s here, and same

[Big moose]

I put a blue circle around the number, everyone I play with knows my mark so if I hit a wayward shot they know when they find a ball if it's mine or not. 

[MisterT]

Regardless of color Sharpie, I use a dot under each number and a line through the alignment aid/model info. Even though I tell my group what my Titleist looks like, at least one of them says during each round, "Oh, here's a Titleist." 

[Par_sighted]

I typically smash it off a few trees with my driver on the first tee box before losing it in the water 5 strokes later. 
Repeat with new ball. 

[RGRJ]

I use to use the three dot method, but a lot of people were using it. I started to put a happy face on it.  Later I found that I just don’t put anything on it my  golf ball. 

[sennysideup]

I go with a single dot below the number and a putting line.  I mix up the colour

[Jaryco91]

I love a big ol T on the ball. I believe it was a previous version of the tour soft or tour speed that had this and I thought initially I would hate it.

 

But after one round and shooting a heartbreaking 80 on a course I had never played before I was sold on the big T. I angle the ball slightly towards my sight line on the T box and towards my swing path not the target and then just match up the face of my driver with the "top" of the T and I am consistently hitting my target line. 

I find it also corrects me coming in too shallow or steep because I am just trying to match the T and square my driver face.

[Richard Shows]

One side has Wifes' and daughters' initials, the other side has grandkids initials.

[MCMSR]

Usually a red-Sharpie: a line through the name; then the line(s) along/through the alignment guide equal to the ball# ….

[drb1956]

Nothing fancy, just a Sharpie blue line on a yellow Maxfli Straightfli, which is drawn while it is on a Check n Go. All the way around the ball, line comes out dark green. I used black Sharpie on the next batch. Looks much better... 

Edited May 19 by drb1956
add content

[Güter McJunior]

I use Matte Orange golf balls with the phrase, “Trust in the path you chose” translated into Scottish Gaelic (by me, not someone fluent).

1 - No one has that quote on their ball

2 - Few people are using the Matte Orange

3 - The phrase reminds me to trust my instincts 

4 - If I think of the quote, I don’t overthink my shot

5- The 3 lines of text make for a set of lines for lift, clean, and place rules. 

[TW3NTY2_Over_Par]

I picked up a stencil of an American flag. Obviously not a true American flag but you get the idea. 

[Skrizan]

Full circle in blue or red from edge of alignment mark on the ball. Using templates I got cheap from Amazon.  I started doing it for easy putting alignment but makes identification easy also.  Not seeing many using the Maxfli tour balls though, missing out on a high quality ball for a real good price if you buy the 4 dozen special they have a couple times a year.

[Bucketnative]

Markings?  None.  I know my ball when I see it.

[Julius]

Actually, I didn't think about it but I don't mark my ball to "find it", but instead as a visual aid on the green.  I typically extend the marker on the side (this is from Srixon in the foto) and make it rather large bullseye for alignment, of course it helps in finding it also (but I don't really lose so many balls either). I also play a Callaway ball that has a kind of soccer ball design, I like to use that on Par 3 holes.  With these patterns for example I can see the spin on the ball very well especially on chips and putts.  

Edited May 17 by Julius
Foto will not upload into site for some reason.

[Parshooter36]

I don't mark my balls. I'm usually the only yellow ball in the group, so it's easy to tell which one is mine.

[Chicago_Andy]

I 3D printed a few stencils that I use. Currently I use either the American Flag or Chicago Flag. 

[Don Mack]

[ParGuy]

I have been using this one for many years. A circle and 2 dots

[ce05krug]

I play a variety of balls so I always mark with my initials so I can be sure I’m playing my ball. 

[mattkulick]

I simply initial my ball in either red or blue. 

[MH12]

I use Maxfli tours. I have yet to play with anyone else using them. I have converted a few to the trifli and softfli, but no tours yet. 

[atmikeyp]

I mark my balls not so that I can identify them myself, but so that other players from neighboring holes don't mistake my $5 gamer for their $2 Top Flite. This was much more of an issue playing on NYC courses where space is a premium.

But, the post is "how do you mark your golf balls" -- basically dump a sharpie on it with stuff like my initials, "NOT YOURS," "NOPE" etc.

[LebanonOz]

I like simple but fairly unique and settled on 3 green dots in a row with the number.  I mark both sides.

[kyleagrant]

I mean mine varies a bit...I hit it a Titleist into the woods with my initials on it but come out playing a taylormade that has a smiley face on it....

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, Bucketnative said:

Markings?  None.  I know my ball when I see it.

1 hour ago, Parshooter36 said:

I don't mark my balls. I'm usually the only yellow ball in the group, so it's easy to tell which one is mine.

25 minutes ago, MH12 said:

I use Maxfli tours. I have yet to play with anyone else using them. I have converted a few to the trifli and softfli, but no tours yet. 

For the folks who don't use markings, do you ever hit a Provisional Ball?  Do you at least use a different number for the Provisional?  

[golfinnut]

I've run into this issue way too often.  People addressing the ball without even looking at it.  I've stopped people from hitting my ball numerous times in the fairway & on the green.  This one time (at band camp ... LOL) recently, I hit one of my towering block fades to the fairway adjacent to me on the right.  Saw some guys coming down the fairway immediately stop at my ball & hit it.  I'm racing in the cart to get to him & say "I believe you just hit my ball."  "No I didn't."  "Did you even look at it before you hit it?"  "No I'm sure it's a Titleist #1."  "Ok, does it have 3 black dots on it & a black sharpie line on the side?"  "Uhhh .... "  I proceed to go get the ball that he chunked down the fairway & bring it back to him .... "See, mine has markings just as I said.  I'm sure yours isn't marked the same way is this, correct."  

I'm just astonished at the number of people that just don't look at the ball to identify it before they hit it.  So, I mark 3 dots around the number & mark over the alignment aid on the side.  Sometimes I'll even change the color around the number to Red.  So 3 Red dots.  Rarely do I see balls marked with Red & Black sharpie.  I will always be able to identify my ball vs someone else's.  

[goldyml]

I’m a Hawkeye. I have always colored in the black logo with a yellow sharpie!

Go Hawks!

[JGreene]

Since my last name is Greene, then I put one green dot just to the left of the logo and farthest away from the alignment line, thus only on one side.  This allows me to pick it up and identify it, yet at the same time I'm not distracted by the dot when lining up the ball.

[ChuckZ]

Rule one, do not like a lot of markings on my golf ball.  Very distracting "to me".  May disagree with some.  When I order my Prov1s, I always order the no. 8.  Most do not use that number, must be superstitious.  I do put three small blue dots next to the number on one side only, so when I tee it up I get a clean ball.  No lines for me.  I use the line on my putter to line up my putts and how to read bermuda greens.  The way I was taught by a putting master back in the mid 80's.  He was something to behold.  He gambled with the likes of Snead and Hogan along the east coast.  He did not spend five minutes on the green lining up putts.