By:
Josh Sens
December 20, 2022
Your first responsibility: Ask your companion, “Is that this mark OK?”
getty photos
Golf was performed with stymies, a rule that allowed gamers to dam opponents’ balls with their very own on the inexperienced.
Today, after all, we not solely transfer our ball when it’s in another person’s line, however we additionally transfer our mark when it’s interfering, after which return it to its unique spot when it’s our flip to putt.
On the face of it, marking and remarking is a simple process. However there are proper and improper methods to go about it.
Right here’s a 5-point information.
1. Do you could transfer it?
The is the primary — and most evident — query. In lots of circumstances, you gained’t must say a factor. Your companion will preempt you by requesting that you simply transfer your mark. But when your companion says nothing and there’s any doubt in your thoughts, don’t stay silent, otherwise you’ll run the danger of being perceived as taking part in passive-aggressive video games. This one is easy. Simply ask, “Is that this mark OK?”
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2. Which solution to transfer it?
There are solely two choices: left or proper. Normally, it is sensible to maneuver your mark towards the low aspect of the road. However depart this resolution to your companion. They’ll let you know which manner they need you to go.
3. The right way to transfer it?
The size of a putter head is the usual measurement as a result of it’s straightforward and dependable. However it’s also possible to measure with the grip of the membership or all the size of a membership. Actually, virtually any constant measuring gadget will do. However why you wouldn’t use your putter head is past us. After you’ve made your measurement, make sure you transfer your mark earlier than you progress your ball. Lifting and shifting your ball with out marking its new location first carries a one-shot penalty in stroke play and lack of gap in match play.
4. Taking part in honest and sq.
Golf is a sport of honor. However it’s performed by folks, and a few folks cheat. There’s additionally such a factor as human error. Backside line: Attempt to not mess up and don’t bend the principles. Once you mark and comment, be as exact as potential, ensuring that you simply aren’t shifting your ball nearer to the outlet within the course of. A great way to make sure that is to discover a stationary reference level within the background — a tree, say, or a shack or a utility field — and use it for alignment. Let or not it’s your information whenever you transfer your mark, after which once more whenever you exchange it. You may see the Tour professionals doing this on TV, wanting up and down for a reference level when they’re requested to maneuver their balls.
5. Don’t overlook to maneuver your ball again
Within the warmth of battle — or simply within the spaciness of on a regular basis play — it’s straightforward to let issues slip your thoughts, together with the truth that you had moved your ball. Attempt to not overlook, as failure to return your ball to its unique spot carries a penalty of one-shot in stroke play and lack of gap in match play. If the shoe is on the opposite foot, and your companion has moved their mark for you, it’s good etiquette to remind them to maneuver it again. A shining instance of this occurred on the 1996 U.S. Newbie closing between Tiger Woods and Steve Scott, the place a pivotal second within the match gave solution to this now-famous show of fine sportsmanship.
Josh Sens
Golf.com Contributor
A golf, meals and journey author, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Journal contributor since 2004 and now contributes throughout all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Greatest American Sportswriting. He’s additionally the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Enjoyable But: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.