What Do Golfers Put Down on the Green?

When you're new to golf, the putting green can feel like it has its own set of secret rules and rituals. You've just hit a nice shot onto the putting surface, and you see other golfers immediately reach into their pockets to place small objects on the grass. This article deciphers exactly what golfers are putting down on the green, why they're doing it, and the proper etiquette involved so you can navigate the green with confidence.

The Primary Object: The Indispensable Ball Marker

The most common and most important item a golfer puts down on the green is a ball marker. In its simplest form, a ball marker is a small, flat object used to mark the position of your golf ball on the putting green. Once your ball is marked, you can pick it up. This single action is central to pace of play, fairness, and proper course maintenance.

Why Mark Your Ball in the First Place?

You might wonder why you can't just leave your ball where it landed. There are a few fundamental reasons for marking your ball:

• To Clean Your Ball: The journey from the tee box to the green can leave your ball with mud, sand, or grass clippings. A clean ball rolls truer and more predictably. The rules of golf allow you to mark and lift your ball on the green to clean it, giving you the best chance to make your putt.
• To Get Out of the Way: Your ball could be in the "line of play," or putting line, of another player. Leaving it there could block their path or act as a backstop. To be fair to your playing partners, you mark its spot and pick it up until it's your turn to putt. This is a non-negotiable part of golf etiquette.
• To Prevent It From Being Hit: In a friendly game or a fast-paced environment, putts can be rolling all over the green. Marking your ball prevents it from being accidentally struck by another player's ball, which would result in a penalty for them in stroke play.

What Qualifies as a Ball Marker?

While the rules are flexible, a good ball marker has a few common characteristics. It should be small, flat, and not so distracting that it interferes with another player's concentration. You’ll see golfers use a variety of items:

• Coins: The classic, go-to ball marker. A quarter or a penny works perfectly fine and is always easy to find.
• Dedicated Ball Markers: These are custom-made markers, often sold in pro shops. They can be thin-stamped metal discs, a poker chip-style marker, or have a small spike on the bottom to secure them into the green. Many golfers have a collection of markers from courses they’ve played.
• Hat-Clips: A popular accessory is a magnetic clip that attaches to the brim of a hat. A small, decorative metal marker snaps onto the magnet, keeping it accessible and freeing up Bolder.

Steer clear of using loose, natural objects like a tee, a leaf, or a blade of grass to mark your ball. These can be easily moved or blown away, causing you to lose your original spot, which can be a problem.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Marking Your Ball

There's a right way and a wrong way to do this. Following the proper procedure is straightforward and shows respect for the game and your fellow players.

1. Approach After Acknowledgment: Make sure it's an appropriate time to mark. Avoid walking up to your ball if another player is in the middle of their putting routine.
2. Placing the Marker: Take your ball marker and place it on the green directly behind your golf ball, in a straight line away from the hole. The marker should be snug against the ball. Avoid placing it to the side or in front of the ball, as this is incorrect and could change your putting spot.
3. Lifting the Ball: With the marker securely in place, you can now pick up your golf ball.
4. Replacing the Ball: When it is your turn to putt, repeat the process in reverse. Place your ball on the green directly in front of your marker, in the exact spot it was before. Once the ball is in place, you can pick up your marker and place it back in your pocket.

A common mistake is forgetting to pick up the marker before you putt. Hitting your own ball marker is a penalty, so make it a habit: Ball down, marker up.

More Than Just an Object: The Divot Tool

While a marker is something golfers "put down" temporarily, another essential tool they carry onto the green is a divot tool. Though you don't leave it on the green, using it is one of the most important actions a golfer takes on every hole. It's used to repair ball marks (or pitch marks).

Understanding the Ball Mark (or Pitch Mark)

When you hit a high, arcing shot that lands on the soft putting surface, it often creates a small depression or crater in the grass. This is called a ball mark or pitch mark. It is every golfer's responsibility to repair their own ball mark and, if they see any others, to repair those as well.

An unrepaired ball mark can disrupt putts, take weeks to heal, and ultimately damage the health of the green. A properly repaired mark, on the other hand, can heal and disappear within 24 hours.

Your Duty to the Course: How to Properly Repair a Ball Mark

This is where many well-intentioned golfers go wrong. The goal isn't to lift the depressed turf up from underneath, as this tears the roots. The correct method knits the surrounding turf back together.

1. Insert the Tool: Take your divot tool and insert the prongs into the turf on the "high side" or rim of the ball mark.
2. Push Toward the Center: Gently push the tool forward, toward the center of the depression. Think of it as pushing the surrounding grass into the void.
3. Work Your Way Around: Pull the tool out, move it to another spot along the rim, and repeat the "push forward" motion. Do this three or four times around the mark until the depression is closed.
4. Tap It Down: Once the turf is "knitted" back together, gently tap the repaired spot with the sole of your putter. This smooths the surface and helps the mark heal flat.

Again, a simple reminder: Never lift up from the center! You’re not trying to bring a plug of soil up, you're pushing healthy turf in from the sides.

Advanced Etiquette: The Art of Moving Your Marker

At some point, your ball marker itself will be in another player's putting line. They will ask you to move your mark by saying something like, "Could you mark that to the side?" or simply, "Move that a clubhead, please?" Knowing how to do this correctly is a sign of an experienced and considerate golfer.

How to Move Your Marker (and Not Forget to Move It Back!)

1. Acknowledge the Request: The player will indicate your marker is in their way.
2. Pick a Fixed Point: Find a reference point in the distance, like a unique tree, a ball washer, or a specific spot on the fringe. You will use this to align your marker when you move it back.
3. Measure with Your Putter: Place the heel or toe of your putter head down right next to your ball marker. This is "one clubhead's length."
4. Move the Marker: Pick up your marker and place it at the other end of the putter head. You've now moved it one clubhead-length to the side. If they need more room, they might ask you to move it two lengths. Simply repeat the process.
5. REMEMBER TO MOVE IT BACK: This is the most critical part. It is your responsibility to move your marker back to its original position before it is your turn to putt. Leaving it in the moved spot and putting from there is a penalty. Use your putter head and your fixed landscape point to reverse the process exactly. A good mental trick is to turn your marker over or leave your glove on the ground next to it as a visual reminder that you need to move it back.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what goes on the green is less about secret clubs and more about respect, fairness, and taking care of the course. The main things you'll put down are your ball marker to facilitate play, and you'll use a divot tool to repair any marks you make. Mastering these simple actions and the etiquette around them will make you a welcome addition to any group.

Sometimes, situational rules like moving a marker or knowing where to drop from a hazard can feel tricky in the moment. Questions always pop up when you're on the course and feeling the pressure to keep up. This is where modern tools can help remove the guesswork. At Caddie AI, we’ve built an AI golf coach that makes this expert knowledge instantly available. If you're ever standing on the green unsure of a ruling or procedure, you can ask for a clear explanation right away, helping you make the right decision confidently and enjoy your round more.