Must a player use a small coin or similar object to mark the position of his ball before lifting it?
The Note to Rule 20-1 states in part that the position of the ball should be marked by placing a ball-marker, small coin or other small object immediately behind the ball. When the word “should” is used in the Rules of Golf it is a recommendation only and failure to comply does not result in a penalty – see the section entitled “How to Use the Rule Book” at the beginning of the Rules of Golf. The intention is to emphasise that use of a ball-marker or other small object (such as a coin) is considered to be the best way to mark a ball.
Related Questions
- A player in an offside position but not interfering with any opponent runs towards the ball played by a team-mate. Must the referee wait until he touches the ball to penalize him?
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