identifying your ball

[Fife Dan]

is it compulsory to identify your ball to your playing partners before you tee off in a game  any rule covering this would be appreciated

[Tomba]

Dont know if its compulsory but its wise to put an identifying mark on it and at least tell your playing partners.

Say you were using a Titleist NXT Tour #2 with no id mark on it, how can you be 100% sure its your ball if its in the rough? You cant, so its wise to mark it.

[Blofeld]

Rule 12-2 Identifying Ball

"The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on the ball."

Note the use of the word "should".

The use of this particular word means the action is recommended but is not mandatory.

However....not having a mark on your ball does not automatically mean that you cant identify it....see decision 12-2/1 quoted below...

12-2/1  Identifying Ball by Brand, Model and Number Only
Q. In the area in which his ball presumably came to rest, a player finds a ball of the same brand, model and identification number as the ball he is playing. The player assumes it is his ball, even though it does not carry an identification mark as suggested in Rule 12-2, and plays it. Should the player be considered to have played a wrong ball?

A. No, unless (1) there is clear evidence that, because of the ball's condition, it is not the player's ball or (2) subsequently it is established that another ball of the same brand, model and identification number was lying in the area at the time the player played and either ball, from a condition standpoint, could be the player's ball.

[ask3l]

Don't know if its compulsory but its wise to put an identifying mark on it and at least tell your playing partners.

Say you were using a Titleist NXT Tour #2 with no id mark on it, how can you be 100% sure its your ball if its in the rough? You cant, so its wise to mark it.

Simple, because if everyone else plays by the recommendation they have marked their ball so you are the only person playing an unmarked ball. Short of putting your name DOB and moby phone # a couple of dots either side of the number or a smiley face isn't any different to everyone else who does that!

[srp973]

This has happened to me once.......I use quite a distinct marking that I feel is pretty unique; however one day I walked up the fairway to find 2 balls marked identically - both Titleist 1 with the same 'unique' markings on......it transpires that the other ball is one I lost the previous week and the guy on the hole behind found it and has decided to play with it, and has sliced it onto the next fairway.....how b****y unlucky!

[johnnytourcaddy]

I once played with a guy who uniquely identified his ball by drawing a comedy cock and balls on it complete with helmet and pubes!! 

Certainly was unique that was for sure....

[Cols_Ears]

I once played with a guy who uniquely identified his ball by drawing a comedy cock and balls on it complete with helmet and pubes!! 

Certainly was unique that was for sure....

I never knew Gregor was so artistic

[johnnytourcaddy]

I never knew Gregor was so artistic

Sadly it wasn't the maestro himself in this instance, however upon occasion such a ball marking would be very appropriate for him.

[Tin Pot]

Quite sadly I've always dreamed of a database of ball marking to player.  Simple enough to add to the National ID Handicap Database.

The motivator was actually so when you found someone's ball in a ridiculous place, you could take it back into the clubhouse and laugh at them.

[Chip_Unsure]

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[Vince Baby]

The motivator was actually so when you found someone's ball in a ridiculous place, you could take it back into the clubhouse and laugh at them.

Be careful what you wish for....

By finding the ball, it shows you had hit one into the same place..... 

[Longshot]

Quite sadly I've always dreamed of a database of ball marking to player.  Simple enough to add to the National ID Handicap Database.

The motivator was actually so when you found someone's ball in a ridiculous place, you could take it back into the clubhouse and laugh at them.

Are you really sure about that? 

[Tin Pot]

Really sure.


Because the secret motivation was getting all my lost balls back 

[Longshot]

Really sure.


Because the secret motivation was getting all my lost balls back 

Good plan 

[Fife Dan]

my original point wasn't that the ball had to have a mark or not it was to see if I'm required to announce before teeing off that I'm playing a titleist 2 with pink dots or can i tee off with said ball without telling my playing partners what ball I'm playing I've checked rules and decisions but cant find anything concrete