Can you use a poker chip as a ball marker?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 19, 2026
My answer to player was no, you would not be penalized for using a poker chip as a marker. The provision in the Note to Rule 20 – 1 is a recommendation of best practice, but there is no penalty for failing to act in accordance with the Note.
What can I use for a ball marker?
Ball-markers must be artificial, such as a tee, coin, the toe of your putter, or other small piece of equipment. A natural object like a leaf or twig may not be used as a ball-marker.
Can you mark your ball with anything?
A player may mark her ball by placing a ball marker or a small coin, such as a dime, right behind where the ball lies on the green.
What are golf poker chips used for?
These are ceramic chips that can be fully customized with photos, text, artwork, or anything else you can think of. They can include golf club logos, tournament or event information, family photos, contact information for businesses, silly "inside joke" pictures or phrases, coupons for rounds of golf, and much more.
Can I use a coin for golf ball marker?
But what do pro golfers use for ball markers? It can be a coin, quarter, dime, tee, divot tool, and even poker chip. As long as it's the same size as the coin, any similar object will do.
42 related questions foundWhat does Tiger Woods use for a ball marker?
Some golfers will even mark their balls with a ring or a line to help them line up their ball or assist with their aim. Many professional golfers even have a favorite marker. Tiger Woods notoriously uses a Milwaukee Inkzall marker.
Can I use my putter to mark my ball?
Rule 14.1 allows you to mark the ball in either of two ways: You can put a ball-marker right behind, or next to, the ball; or you can do the same holding a club on the ground. While most of us opt for the former, you do you.
Can I mark my ball off the green?
You can mark, lift and clean a ball on the green, but it's a violation to do so when another ball is in motion, as your ball might influence the outcome of that stroke. You can also mark and clean your ball in some instances when it's off the green: cleaning it, for example, just to the point where you can identify it.
What do most pros use for ball markers?
Tees are most often used when a golfer is lifting a ball somewhere on the golf course other than the putting green (for example, when conducting a drop for relief). On the putting green, the vast majority of golfers use "a coin (or) an object made to be a ball marker," as the rulebook definition puts it.
What can I use to mark my golf ball on the green?
Place a small coin (or similar ball marker) directly behind your golf ball on the putting green. Pick up your golf ball. Important: Make sure your ball marker is on the ground before lifting the ball. Never lift the ball and then place a marker where the ball was.
Do I need a ball marker?
A golf ball marker is a rather small object used to mark the position of a golf ball on the green. This is done in order to allow other players to putt, enabling you to pick up your own ball. Without a marker, your ball would probably obstruct the line of other players.
What ball does Bryson DeChambeau?
Bryson DeChambeau is set to use a new prototype Bridgestone golf ball for The Match against Brooks Koepka today at The Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.
What is the penalty for picking up someone else's golf ball?
Penalty for Lifting Ball-Marker or Causing It to Move. If the player, or his or her opponent in match play, lifts the player's ball-marker or causes it to move (when the ball is lifted and not yet replaced),the player or opponent gets one penalty stroke.
Can you clean your golf ball by rubbing it on the green?
May a player clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green? A. Yes, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green. It is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question as to the player’s intentions.
Can you pick your ball up on the fairway?
Here's how lift, clean and place works (typically): If a golfer is hitting their current shot from a lie in the fairway of the hole they're playing, then they're able to pick up the golf ball (after first marking the original spot with a tee or other marker), clean off the golf ball, then put it back by placing it in a ...
Can you use your foot to mark your golf ball?
However, you can use what you wish, provided the position of the ball is marked. It may include a coin, a poker chip, a lucky charm, a tee or even a twig or a flower (not recommended since the wind may blow it away). You could even use the toe of your club or the toe of your foot (once again, not recommended).
How do you make a ball marker out of a bottle cap?
Golf Hacks: How to make a ball marker with a bottle cap
- Step 1: Gather the necessary materials. ...
- Step 2: Flatten the crimped end of both bottle caps with the pliers.
- Step 3: Grind the crimped edges of the bottle caps down until they're smooth.
- Step 4: File down any sharp edges.
How do you mark a golf ball straight?
THE STRAIGHT LINE
Draw a line along the equator — the thicker the better. On the greens, point the line on the ball down the line to your target, then square your putter to it. Bam!
Is the Levelhead ball marker legal?
Is The Levelhead Ball Marker Legal? According to rule 10.2b in the USGA and R&A golf rules, the Levelhead golf ball marker is not legal to use in any casual, high-level amateur, or professional golf games.
Why do golfers put a line on their ball?
If a golfer likes to pick a specific point to putt to — a small target six inches right and three feet short, for example — then go ahead and use a line. This allows the golfer to aim perfectly and when they are stroking the putt, they can simply attempt to control distance.
Does Tiger put a line on his ball?
There are legends on either side of the aisle that swear by it. Tiger Woods, for instance, is a line-user. Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, among others, are not. Cam Smith, who won the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions by shooting a million under par, does use a line on his golf ball.