Puzzle

[big mac]

OK--two guys tee off on a blind drive---both fellas playing same ball and same number---balls not marked. They reach their balls and are about 2 feet apart. Who's ball is who's and what is the ruling----they can't identify each others ball?

[jvincent]

Good one. I'll bet a quarter there's a decision on this.

Of course the correct answer is that you should always mark your ball.

[gbower]

You win the quarter John.

Decision 27/10 covers it.

Q. A and B hit their tee shots into the same area. Both balls were found but, because A and B were playing identical balls and neither had put an identification mark on his ball, they could not determine which ball was A's and which was B's. What is the ruling?

A. Since neither player could identify a ball as his ball, both balls were lost -- see Definition of "Lost Ball".

This incident underlines the advisability of the player putting an identification mark on his ball.

[jvincent]

Excellent. 25 cents closer to retirement.

[Kilroy]

It is truly amazing to me that the VAST majority of balls I find are not marked.

If it's not marked and you lose sight of your ball at all, it should be considered lost. How can you identify it as yours?
"I was playing a ProV and this is a ProV here in the general area I hit it to. It must be mine." Happens all the time.

[BC MIST]

It is truly amazing to me that the VAST majority of balls I find are not marked.

If it's not marked and you lose sight of your ball at all, it should be considered lost. How can you identify it as yours?
"I was playing a ProV and this is a ProV here in the general area I hit it to. It must be mine." Happens all the time.

While I agree, in principle, with what you suggest, as long as the Rules says that players SHOULD put an identifying mark on their golf balls versus MUST do the same, there is a little leeway. In fact, 12-2/1 says that there must be evidence that the ball is NOT the players for the ball to be deemed lost This allows for too many players to claim that the found ball is there's.

[Kilroy]

Note that I also used the word "should". Just my opinion. I am turning into a hard case.

[sillywilly]

that happened to me in my first year. We almost got into a first fight and we both decided to play the better ball LOL. IF it happened today I would head back to the tee, funny thing is, the ball that was farther back was probably a better shot into the green and not inbetween clubs

[Golfbum]

No wonder Titleist is now marketing balls with 3 free Sharpies included in the box.

USE THEM!

[big mac]

gbower was right---there is a rule; but I wonder why there is no rule as to having to mark your ball---there is a rule saying you have to sign your scorecard.

[AAA]

There is a rule, 6-5. But it only says 'should'.