Ever wondered what that little disc is a Tour pro places on the green before they pick up their golf ball? At its core, it's a simple tool for a simple job, yet you'll find that pro golfers use a wide range of objects, from humble coins to highly personalized custom pieces. This article will show you exactly what the pros use for ball markers, the rules that govern their use, and actionable techniques you can adopt to mark your ball with the same precision and purpose as a professional.
Before we get into what they use, let's establish why marking a golf ball on the putting green is a non-negotiable part of the game at every level. The habit isn't just for show, it serves several practical and regulatory purposes.
When you watch golf on television, the commentators rarely focus on what a player is using for a ball marker. But if you pay close attention, you'll see a fascinating mix of function, sentimentality, and superstition. Here's a breakdown of the most common categories.
By far, the most traditional and common ball marker you'll see is a simple coin. It's the original ball marker. It's small, flat, readily available, and unobtrusive. While any coin will do, you’ll often find preferences based on a player's home country.
The coin often carries a personal meaning as well. The most famous example is Tiger Woods, who for years used Frank, his headcover's name, as a marker and also relied upon the U.S. silver dollars that his late father, Earl, gave him as a good luck charm. Many players use a coin from a specific year - perhaps the year of their birth or the year a child was born - to bring a little piece of their personal life onto the course.
In recent years, custom poker-chip style ball markers have become immensely popular, both on Tour and with amateur golfers. They offer a few distinct advantages over a standard coin:
Rickie Fowler is well-known for using a poker chip to mark his ball showing an image of both his grandfathers
This is your chance to experiment! Try to design a ball marker that fits your own unique personality and style!
These are the flat, round, often enamel-coated markers that you commonly see attached to a magnetic clip on a player's hat or belt. They are extremely practical - you can't lose it if it’s on your a hat!
These markers are often given out as souvenirs at tournaments, so pros will sometimes use one from a tournament they love, or perhaps their own tournament they themselves are hosting. Players such as Ian Poulter have a business based around customized ball markers in this style called `IJP design.` You can even design your own.
For the average golfer, these systems are fantastic because you always know where your marker is - no more fumbling through your pockets trying to find a coin while your playing partners wait.
Digging a little deeper, some pros use unique markers that are deeply sentimental.
Just as important as knowing what to use is knowing what to avoid. You will never see a pro use:
Just marking your ball isn't enough, the best players in the world use the *process* of marking to their advantage. Here’s how you can do the same, in three straightforward steps.
Make it a habit to always place your marker directly behind your ball on the line from the ball to the hole. Don’t place it to the side or in front, as this can introduce inconsistencies. When your ball has the same starting point for every putt it is one less thing you have to consider on the golf course, allowing your round to seem far easier and become more pleasurable.
If your marker is in another player's line of putt, they will ask you to move it. Master this simple routine to avoid confusion:
This is a game-changing tip that nearly every Tour pro uses yet many amateurs often aren't clear about.
Using the line on the ball and your marker helps commit to your chosen line and stops you fromsecondd-guessing when standing over the ball. Now a simple thought process and a free stroke should see yoy hole plenty more putts!
In short, pro golfers use everything from a lucky quarter from a loved one to a custom-designed poker chip, but the choice is always functional and personal. It reinforces that the best equipment is always what works for you and gives you confidence. What truly matters is understanding the rules and adopting a consistent routine that helps, rather than hinders, your performance on the greens.
Whilst properly marking your ball is a sign of a good player, it is just one small input into the complex equation of holing more putts or executing a great round of golf. After you marked your ball perfectly and replaced your ball in exactly the right way you have still got to find a way to hole out. Getting these strategy decisions right all over the course is what separates good scores from great ones. At Caddie AI, we make that professional-level strategy accessible to everyone. By analyzing course conditions, and even a photo of your lie and giving you instant on-course advice or being your private coach to learn at your rate when or where ever it's convenient for you. We take the guesswork out of the bigger decisions letting you focus, building the confisdence so all that remains is hitting the shot just as you want to and enjoying your great days entertainment!
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