Although golf balls come in hundreds of varieties, the chances that you’re playing the same type of golf ball as someone else on the course are pretty high. The last thing you want to do is hit a ball you thought was yours, only to discover that you just hit someone else’s identical ball (or worse, someone else hit yours).
Personalizing your golf ball is recommended directly from the top. The official rules of golf state: “The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball.”
The easiest way to remove the risk of playing the wrong ball is to do as the rulebook suggests: Mark all of your golf balls with something to make them unique. This way, the ownership of a ball is clear to everyone on the course.
Permanent Marker
The most popular way golfers like to mark their balls is by using permanent markers. With any variety of colors, you can personalize your golf balls in any design you want. Be as creative as you want to be. As a starting point, here are some common markings golfers are known to make:
- Dot(s) above or below the ball’s brand and/or number
- The golfer’s initials
- A straight line (this also comes in handy when lining up putts)
- Circling the numbers and/or brand on the ball
Hot Tip: Choose One Identification Mark
It’s important that your identification marks are consistent on all of your golf balls. Having dots on one ball and stars on another will only confuse you and your playing partners, causing concern as to whether or not you’re playing the correct ball.
Pick one design to use on all of your golf balls, and mark a good number of them before you even head to the course. This way, you’ll be able to reach into the bag, pull a ball out, and be ready to tee off a ball that everyone will know is yours, from start to finish.
Customized Golf Balls
Although most golfers use a permanent marker to personalize their golf balls, it’s by no means the only way to go. In fact, there’s an entire industry out there for golf ball personalization. You can order golf balls with your business or team logo printed on them. You can even order golf balls with a picture of your kid imposed on them. There’s really no limit to what you can have printed on a golf ball to let everyone know it’s yours.
But, if a baby photo of yourself smiling back at you from your golf ball turns out to be a bit distracting, don’t feel obligated to go overboard. The point is to have something unique on your golf ball that you immediately recognize as your own, and that others immediately recognize as not being theirs.
The Numbers: Missing the Mark
Every golf ball comes pre-marked with a specific number. You’ll notice the small number underneath or above the brand name on the ball. These numbers are put on there for identification purposes, so it’s a great idea to check what number is on your ball and announce that information to your playing partners before teeing off.
Unfortunately, too many golfers on the course can be playing the same brand and number golf ball for the number alone to be an effective identification mark. The combination of the number and the personalization mark is the most definitive way to identify your golf ball.
Your Ball, Your Call
Remember, there aren’t any limits to what you can print on a golf ball to personalize it. It’s completely up to you to decide how you want to mark your golf balls. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t consider the act of marking your ball an optional thing.
Being able to remove any doubt from the minds of yourself, other golfers, and the rules officials regarding whether or not you’re playing the correct ball is a powerful tool. It can save you some frustration or embarrassment on the weekends, or it can preserve your chances of winning a tournament, depending on your goals.
It’s also relatively easy and fun to do. So, if you haven’t done it already, start marking your golf balls tonight.
