Ball Identification Question

[DaveLeeNC]

I'm curious about something. Brief background.

 

1) I rarely play formal tournament golf (haven't posted a T score in over two years)

 

2) My habit is to play with 3 balls (two in my pocket plus the ball in play). This habit got built out of my winter golf where (whether it matters or not) I rotate balls on each hole.

 

I mark my balls with one of two unique marks (have never seen anyone else use my marks) and 1, 2, or 3 dots. I typically don't pay attention as to exactly how the ball that I tee off with is marked. But before I start a round I make sure that all 3 balls are different in some manner (by how they are marked). So in the case that I hit a provisional (where I will be paying attention to the specific markings), I will be able to distinguish it from the original (even though I don't know the exact markings I will be able to tell my ball from any other ball out there and be able to tell my original and provisional apart).

 

While I feel that this is a foolproof method of identifying my golf balls I wonder about two things.

 

1) Is carrying more than one ball in your pocket a 'breach of etiquette' in tourney play - even in the winter where this actually makes sense? Assume that there is no 'one ball rule' in place for the given tournament.

 

2) Would my ball identification methodology be considered suspect? My guess is that it would be, but thought I'd ask.

 

Thanks.

 

dave

[Mr. Bean]

[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410734348' post='10116893']
1) Is carrying more than one ball in your pocket a 'breach of etiquette' in tourney play - even in the winter where this actually makes sense? Assume that there is no 'one ball rule' in place for the given tournament.
[/quote]

No. I wonder why you think it could be. Even with the One Ball Rule in effect you are allowed to carry as many balls in your pockets as you wish, provided they are of same model (if you use them).


[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410734348' post='10116893']
2) Would my ball identification methodology be considered suspect? My guess is that it would be, but thought I'd ask.

[/quote]

Why do you think it would be? You have marked your balls properly and you and only you are responsible for identifying your ball in play.

I just wonder why you do not carry three balls marked the same way if you want to rotate them. That way you would always have only one type of marking in play. Just remember to keep you ball in play separated from the rest of two (1 in right pocket, 2 in left). An occasional provisional ball you could mark differently and only take it into use once needed.

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='Mr. Bean' timestamp='1410734848' post='10116939']
[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410734348' post='10116893']
1) Is carrying more than one ball in your pocket a 'breach of etiquette' in tourney play - even in the winter where this actually makes sense? Assume that there is no 'one ball rule' in place for the given tournament.
[/quote]

No. I wonder why you think it could be. Even with the One Ball Rule in effect you are allowed to carry as many balls in your pockets as you wish, provided they are of same model (if you use them).


[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410734348' post='10116893']
2) Would my ball identification methodology be considered suspect? My guess is that it would be, but thought I'd ask.

[/quote]

Why do you think it would be? You have marked your balls properly and you and only you are responsible for identifying your ball in play.

I just wonder why you do not carry three balls marked the same way if you want to rotate them. That way you would always have only one type of marking in play. Just remember to keep you ball in play separated from the rest of two (1 in right pocket, 2 in left). An occasional provisional ball you could mark differently and only take it into use once needed.
[/quote]

Mr. Bean, thanks.

I wondered about the etiquette thing because it does kind of open up the option of 'finding' a lost ball when you didn't find it.

I use my marking methodology specifically to most easily handle the provisional issue. But some might find it odd that I put dots on my ball but, in the case of the original, I would not be able to answer the question of 'how many dots on your ball'. Most people know the answer to that question.

dave

[Mr. Bean]

[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410735114' post='10116971']

I use my marking methodology specifically to most easily handle the provisional issue. But some might find it odd that I put dots on my ball but, in the case of the original, I would not be able to answer the question of 'how many dots on your ball'. Most people know the answer to that question.

dave
[/quote]

So, if you do not know how many dots there are in your original ball how can you distinguish your original from your provisional ball?

Personally I mark my playing ball in one way and my provisional in another. For me it is not possible to mix them up.

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='Mr. Bean' timestamp='1410735347' post='10116997']
[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410735114' post='10116971']
I use my marking methodology specifically to most easily handle the provisional issue. But some might find it odd that I put dots on my ball but, in the case of the original, I would not be able to answer the question of 'how many dots on your ball'. Most people know the answer to that question.

dave
[/quote]

So, if you do not know how many dots there are in your original ball how can you distinguish your original from your provisional ball?

Personally I mark my playing ball in one way and my provisional in another. For me it is not possible to mix them up.
[/quote]

The ball has dots and it also has one of two additional 'unique marks' that I have never seen used anywhere else. That is the part that says 'my ball'. And I know that all the balls in my pocket are unique (I check that at the start) so if I know my provisional I can tell it from the original.

dave

[DaveLeeNC]

The fact this is confusing tells me that it is a bad idea in a tournament situation.

dave

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410736066' post='10117057']
The fact this is confusing tells me that it is a bad idea in a tournament situation
[/quote]

I'm not confused. When you play a provisional and notice it is a duck, and find one of your balls and see that it is a horse, then you can confidently say "this is the original...I teed off with the horse."

I don't think you have to stand there and bring up the I-didn't-know-that-it-was-the-horse-until-I-looked-at-it part of the story.

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='HitEmTrue' timestamp='1410737416' post='10117149']
[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410736066' post='10117057']
The fact this is confusing tells me that it is a bad idea in a tournament situation
[/quote]

I'm not confused. When you play a provisional and notice it is a duck, and find one of your balls and see that it is a horse, then you can confidently say "this is the original...I teed off with the horse."

I don't think you have to stand there and bring up the I-didn't-know-that-it-was-the-horse-until-I-looked-at-it part of the story.
[/quote]

Well, kind of.

All my balls have 1 to 3 dots and either the symbol 'Psi' or the symbol 'h-bar'. So I hit a wild drive with some golf ball marked like that.

Then I hit a provisional (that I look at) and it is a 'Psi - 2'. Down the middle.

So we are looking for my original and my opponent finds a ball and, not knowing what the heck those symbols are, says "you hitting a Pro V1 #2 with one dot?".

I have no idea. What I know is that the ball is marked either Psi or h-bar, is a Pro V1, and if it is a Psi it has either 1 or 3 dots. If it is a h-bar it has 1, 2, or 3 dots.

Kind of weird, IMHO.

dave

[sui generis]

You're okay, Dave. You announce your provisional and say this one has a dot and a smiley, or whatever.

[edwjmcgrath]

Sui, "must" he or "should" he say this one has a dot and a smiley, or whatever?

[sui generis]

[quote name='edwjmcgrath' timestamp='1410739704' post='10117335']
Sui, "must" he or "should" he say this one has a dot and a smiley, or whatever?
[/quote]

At the last school I went to, a bright spark in the back of the room counselled, "Avoid the appearance of evil."

I guess that I'm suggesting that he include in his announcement some suggestion that the provisional is uniquely marked. However, as we know "must" doesn't always mean "must."

[Medic]

[quote name='Mr. Bean' timestamp='1410735347' post='10116997']
[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1410735114' post='10116971']
I use my marking methodology specifically to most easily handle the provisional issue. But some might find it odd that I put dots on my ball but, in the case of the original, I would not be able to answer the question of 'how many dots on your ball'. Most people know the answer to that question.

dave
[/quote]

So, if you do not know how many dots there are in your original ball how can you distinguish your original from your provisional ball?

Personally I mark my playing ball in one way and my provisional in another. For me it is not possible to mix them up.
[/quote]

I always mark my balls with three dots surrounding the logo and number. In the event that I have to play a provisional I play a different numbered ball. (I always start my tourney with a #3 - no exceptions now) Unless I have lost my ball or switched out I know the ball I hit first is 3 and I grab a different number.

Just not quite clear why the OP would use more than one mark. A player's mark (singular) is meant to be unique and if you use more than one it sort of cancels the whole premise in my book. Now I have used different colored ink but I still did the same mark. (My black sharpie ran out and all I had available was a red one)

[DaveLeeNC]

I use two different marks for two reasons.

1) Just my whimsical preference for those particular marks

2) With six combinations it is very easy to dig 3 unique balls out of my bag at the start of any round

dave

[golfinglarrypiersall]

Balls in pockets while in a tourney is always suspect but not against the rules...

As long as you know what mark is in play that's all that needs to be said...

[larrybud]

The fact of the matter is that you need to be able to ID your ball. If I ask you if you are playing "xyz ball" and you don't exactly know for sure, but will "know it if you see it", I would call you out on it.

Also, the risk of putting the wrong ball down on the putting green is a major danger, especially since you don't even know what ball you're playing in the first place.

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410745670' post='10117867']
The fact of the matter is that you need to be able to ID your ball. If I ask you if you are playing "xyz ball" and you don't exactly know for sure, but will "know it if you see it", I would call you out on it.

Also, the risk of putting the wrong ball down on the putting green is a major danger, especially since you don't even know what ball you're playing in the first place.
[/quote]

Even though I can unambiguously identify my ball (or I could give you a description that would allow you to figure it out without me seeing it), my gut feel is that your reaction would not be unique in more serious play.

Regarding putting the wrong ball after marking on the green, to me the only foolproof path here is to always put the ball in play in 'the other' pocket.

dave

[larrybud]

The most foolproof way is not to put any extra balls in your pocket!

[Colin L]

What amazing angst over a very simple matter! Keep one ball in your pocket for a provisional if needed because it saves time if you hit one into the boondocks and your bag is 50 metres away. Mark it uniquely and never use it other than as a provisional. Maybe even go as far as I do: I play with a white ball but keep a yellow one in my pocket to use as a provisional. If you want to rotate your playing balls, keep the others in your bag - you'll mostly only be changing them around for a tee shot and so there is no time wasted in the process. Change them over when you are taking out your driver.

You are not required by the Rules to tell anyone at any time about the make, model, number of identification of your ball. All that is required is that you must be able to identify it. It is, however, good practice and common (universal even?) practice to tell your fellow competitors or opponent, including when about to play a provisional.

[QEight]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410746678' post='10117961']
The most foolproof way is not to put any extra balls in your pocket!
[/quote]

And then pick one provisional from the bag where there are 20 balls with three different markings and not knowing which marking the original ball was?

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410746678' post='10117961']
The most foolproof way is not to put any extra balls in your pocket!
[/quote]

In cart golf I have always considered this to be a poor choice. It isn't like it happens all the time, but there are too many times where you are hitting a ball when the cart is somewhere else. So if a provisional is required it really messes up shot sequencing (and pace of play to a certain extent).

dave

[larrybud]

How many provisionals do you honestly hit where this matters?

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410781389' post='10119059']
How many provisionals do you honestly hit where this matters?
[/quote]

I have no way to count but it honestly is not often - except at the now closed NC course "The Pit" where it seemed like there was something iffy regarding maybe half of my tee shots :-)

dave

[Imp]

I do the same thing as the OP. Instead of playing two different numbered balls (and having to have 2 different open sleeves of balls... the OCD in me will not allow that), I open one sleeve of the same number, mark it with my unique mark, and then near that mark, I put 1, 2, or 3 dots.

If I have to hit a provisional, I'll look at how many dots are on it. If someone asks me if I can identify the other ball in play, I'll say yes, it has X mark and # dots on it. (I always hit the 1 dot 1st, 2 dots 2nd and 3 dots last). Slightly OCD, but passes the litmus test for proper identification.



--kC

[larrybud]

That's not the same as the OP. The OP cannot identify his ball. He doesn't know which mark his first ball is.

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410793131' post='10119951']
That's not the same as the OP. The OP cannot identify his ball. He doesn't know which mark his first ball is.
[/quote]

Identifying a ball and describing it are not the same thing.

[dukedsp]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1410784347' post='10119183']
I do the same thing as the OP. Instead of playing two different numbered balls (and having to have 2 different open sleeves of balls... the OCD in me will not allow that), I open one sleeve of the same number, mark it with my unique mark, and then near that mark, I put 1, 2, or 3 dots.

If I have to hit a provisional, I'll look at how many dots are on it. If someone asks me if I can identify the other ball in play, I'll say yes, it has X mark and # dots on it. (I always hit the 1 dot 1st, 2 dots 2nd and 3 dots last). Slightly OCD, but passes the litmus test for proper identification.



--kC
[/quote]

I only keep one ball in my pocket as I luckily don't need to hit provisionals often and when I do the chance that the cart is not near me is even smaller. From that point I use the same method as Imp except that I am not as strict about starting with the 1 dot ball. I check the number of dots before hitting the provisional and that is all I need to distinguish it from the original.

[larrybud]

You'd have to be able to describe it to ID it. If the OP plays a ball with 1 2 or 3 dots, and he doesn't know which is in play, he cannot ID it.

[dukedsp]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410793131' post='10119951']
That's not the same as the OP. The OP cannot identify his ball. He doesn't know which mark his first ball is.
[/quote]

The unique identifier identifies the ball as yours, the number of dots (which you know for the provisional) differentiates it from the original. You don't need to know the number of dots on the original to tell the two apart.

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410793844' post='10120045']
You'd have to be able to describe it to ID it. If the OP plays a ball with 1 2 or 3 dots, and he doesn't know which is in play, he cannot ID it.
[/quote]

If he looks at it, he knows whether it is his or not.

So I paint a picasso on my golf ball, and tee off with it, and you find it in the rough. You say "are you playing a Srixon #2". I say "I don't know", are you going to say that I am unable to identify my ball? Or will I be allowed to look at the ball and identify it as mine?

[fumanchu1]

[quote name='larrybud' timestamp='1410793131' post='10119951']
That's not the same as the OP. The OP cannot identify his ball. He doesn't know which mark his first ball is.
[/quote]
Wouldn't this be solved easily by looking at the two he still has?
As in he hits his first shot and requires a provisional. He looks at his provisional its a 1dot. Partner asks what his ball is(he knows #1 is provisional) looks at the one in his pocket(let's say before he hits the provisional) so now he knows he hit #1 as a provisional and #3)let's say) is in his pocket therefor his original ball was #1