Identifying your ball

[ANDY T]

At GB's suggestion.

What if someone doesn't put their own marker on a ball and simply uses the Pro V1 as the identifier, he can't clearly identify that the ball he plays is his, and then can only assume.
What happens ?
What if he hits the balls into rough, finds an unmarked Titleist 2, and plays it, how can he be sure its his ?

Recently played with 2 people who this applies to.

[forbesie]

If no identifying marks then you cannot confirm it is your ball, therefore it should be treated as a lost ball, so stroke + distance penalty.

[SBL]

I'm guessing again here but my thought would be,,,
The point of a personal mark is to positively identify your ball. If you take a shot into a green and you can see the ball then there isn't an issue as it didn't go out of site.
On the other hand if it lands in the rough and so out of site then you need a mark to be able to positively identify the ball.

Cartainly I was once pulled on this same thing. Overshot a par 3 and it sat in the rough behind the green. Walked straight to it but as I couldn't say 100% that was my ball I lost the hole.
Maybe right or wrong but that's my take on it.

[Keve]

What if you play your personally marked Titleist 2 and hit it into the same area where you lost another personally marked Titleist 2 the previous week. How can you be sure which one it is? Where does it end?

[MisterS3]

What if you play your personally marked Titleist 2 and hit it into the same area where you lost another personally marked Titleist 2 the previous week. How can you be sure which one it is? Where does it end?

I posted about that happening at the US Open in the other thread. They had to mark balls differently for each round and practise rounds. They just put a date on it from what i read.

Again the onus is on the player.

[Keve]

I've thought about this before but it takes away part of the trust aspect of the game. I thought of this when I was put out with a suspected cheat in a medal and was told to 'keep an eye on him'. My suggestion is, on the 1st tee when we exchange cards we could put our mark on our playing partners ball as well as theirs so there's no doubt when a ball has to be identified.

[Scottt]

What if you play your personally marked Titleist 2 and hit it into the same area where you lost another personally marked Titleist 2 the previous week. How can you be sure which one it is? Where does it end?

Indeed.

I'm almost certain that it's a stipulation for all USGA and R&A events that you must have your ball marking registered with the organisers before you tee off.

[MisterS3]

I've thought about this before but it takes away part of the trust aspect of the game. I thought of this when I was put out with a suspected cheat in a medal and was told to 'keep an eye on him'. My suggestion is, on the 1st tee when we exchange cards we could put our mark on our playing partners ball as well as theirs so there's no doubt when a ball has to be identified.

That's actually not a bad shout, as you say you sign and mark cards.

Although you'd just hope the other person's mark isn't colouring in half your ball

[Mike]

Is this one of those times when it's entirely down to the player - i.e. if he believes he can positively identify the ball that's it full stop. Or maybe I'm confused with something else.

[MisterS3]

Is this one of those times when it's entirely down to the player - i.e. if he believes he can positively identify the ball that's it full stop. Or maybe I'm confused with something else.

+1

[Scottt]

I'd be inclined to agree, not sure some the rules nazis would, though.

[SkankyShanky]

+2 Ultimately golf is self-regulating so you rely on the honesty of the player when identifying the ball

[Tin Pot]

What if you play your personally marked Titleist 2 and hit it into the same area where you lost another personally marked Titleist 2 the previous week. How can you be sure which one it is? Where does it end?

If you find two balls and cannot differentiate you go back and play three off the tee.

[MisterS3]

+2 Ultimately golf is self-regulating so you rely on the honesty of the player when identifying the ball

Need to watch Jamie guys...not adding on the right numbers

You should have been +3

P.E.Dent (< come on TP you know you wanna )

[SkankyShanky]

  I thought Scottt was sitting on the fence