If you've ever heard a TV announcer say a player is out with a marker on a Saturday at a PGA TOUR event, you might have scratched your head. Aren't they all playing with other pros? The term marker in golf is unique because it holds a few different meanings - referring to a person, an object, and even a concept on the tee box. This guide will walk you through each definition, giving you a complete understanding of what a marker is in a professional context and, more importantly, how to apply the principles to your own game.
In professional tournament golf, the most common use of the term "marker" refers to a person. When an even number of players make the 36-hole cut, they can all be paired up for the weekend rounds. However, if an odd number of players make the cut (or if a player withdraws mid-weekend), a single player is left without a partner. To solve this, tournament officials ask a "marker" to play alongside that solo Tour professional.
A marker is a non-competing golfer who joins the group to perform two main functions: keep pace and keep score. Their score does not count towards the official tournament standings, and they are not eligible for any prize money. They are essentially there to give the competing pro a regular playing experience.
Playing competitive golf by yourself is strange. Having a marker in the group helps maintain normalcy and fulfills official requirements for several reasons:
So, who gets this unique a Vantagetage point inside the ropes on a weekend? Markers are typically very skilled golfers who are trustworthy and know the rules of golf inside and out. Often, it's one of these individuals:
When it comes to markers, one name stands above all others: Jeff Knox. For a long time, Knox was the official weekend marker at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. As a long-standing member of Augusta and a highly accomplished amateur player, he was the go-to when an odd number of players made the cut.
He wasn’t just a placeholder, Jeff Knox was famous for being exceptionally good. He reportedly held the Augusta National course record from the members' tees for years and has played with some of the biggest names in the sport. There are many stories of him holding his own, and sometimes even beating, his world-class playing partners. His role gave golf fans a fascinating look into the skill level of elite club amateurs compared to the best touring professionals.
While his official role has since been passed on, his legend solidifies the marker as a respected and integral part of tournament golf history.
For most amateur golfers, the "marker" you interact with every round is a different kind entirely - a ball marker. A ball marker is a small, flat object (usually a coin or a dedicated disc) used to mark the position of your ball on the putting green. This is done so you can lift and clean your ball, or to move it out of another player’s putting line without losing its original spot.
Using a ball marker seems simple, but doing it correctly is a fundamental part of good etiquette and following the rules (specifically, Rule 14.1). Here’s how to do it perfectly every time:
You can use almost any small, artificial object as a marker. Common choices include:
The only thing you want to avoid is using a "natural object" like a leaf or a twig, as these can easily move. You also cannot use an object that could give you information about aignment, such as a tee pointing down your intended line.
You'll often find your marker is directly in the path of another player's putt. If this happens, follow this simple etiquette:
The player will ask you to “move your mark.” To do this, find a fixed point on the green (like a distinctive leaf, an old ball mark, or even a tuft of grass). Place your putter head down just to the side of your marker, lining it up with your fixed point. Then, pick up your marker and place it on the other side of your putter head. You can move it one or two putter heads over. The most important thing is that when it is your turn to play, you must reverse the process exactly to move your marker back to its original spot before you replace your ball.
The final "marker" in golf is not a person or a small object, but the set of two objects on each tee box that define where you are allowed to hit your tee shot. These tee markers set the boundaries of the official teeing area.
The rules define the teeing area as a rectangle that is two club-lengths in depth. The front of this rectangle is defined by the line between the forward-most points of the two tee markers. You are allowed to place your ball and take your stance anywhere inside this space:
Hitting a tee shot from outside this legal area results in a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
Courses use different colored tee markers to indicate different tee boxes, accommodating various skill levels. While color schemes can vary slightly from course to course, a widely used standard is:
Always check the scorecard for the course's specific tee recommendations and play from a set of tees that suits your ability and will maximize your enjoyment.
This is where coaching comes in. The tee markers are not just boundaries, they're an opportunity for strategy. You have an entire rectangle to use, not just the small patch of grass directly in the middle.
For example, if a hole is a dogleg to the right, you can create a better angle by teeing your ball up on the far left side of the tee box. This allows you to aim further down the fairway and aay from the corner of the dogleg.
Conversely, if there is a big bunker protecting the left side of the fairway, tee up on the left side of the markers. This psychological trick encourages you to aim your body and swing away from the trouble on the left. Using the entire teeing zone to your benefit is a simple, smart way to make the game a little bit easier.
So, the term "marker" in golf wears a few different hats. It can be a person helping a pro on Tour, a trusty coin you use on the greens, or the blocks that frame your tee shot. Understanding each role and its associated rules is a great step toward becoming a more well-rounded and knowledgeable golfer.
Navigating rules or tricky on-course situations isn’t always straightforward, and having a resource for instant clarity can be a game-changer. We designed Caddie AI for exactly this purpose. You can ask anything from fundamental rules questions to complex strategy on the fly, getting a simple, expert-level response in seconds. It's about taking the uncertainty out of the game, so you can focus on making your next shot your best one.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
