You've reached the green. Your ball visited a bunker, introduced itself to a tree and briefly entered another postcode, but it's here. Now you need a ball marker.
What it does
A ball marker is a small, flat object used to mark your ball's spot on the green before you lift it. Once marked, you can pick the ball up, clean it and stay out of everyone else's way. Without one, putting greens would look like a badly organised Easter egg hunt.
How to use it
Marker down, ball up, ball back, marker up. Place it directly behind the ball before lifting. When it's your turn, replace the ball and pocket the marker before your stroke.
If it's in someone's line
Shift it a putter head's width to the side, along a fixed reference point. Reverse the process before you putt. Sounds fiddly written down. On the green it takes four seconds and one helpful pointer.
Where to keep it
A pocket works. A magnetic hat clip works better, and saves you rummaging past old tees and a scorecard you'd rather not discuss.
The Rules of Golf only care that your marker does the job. They say nothing about it being beautiful. That part's on us.
For the green: Fore & Femme ball markers, built for the job with considerably more personality.
0 comments