[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "move ball marker"

If your playing partner is obstructed on the green, mark your ball.

"Moving the ball marker."

A companion's ball is placed on the putting line or near the hole. The player can request to move the ball marker outside the putting path at this time (Another player asks you to move your marker to one side since it is in the line of his putt). If the ball marker is sticking out, ask to press it down (Press the ball marker down). Refusing to move it results in a two-stroke penalty under the golf rules.

If the ball marker interferes with a companion, move it to a new spot at least one putter head length away (If the ball marker interferes with the play of another player, place it one or more putterhead-lengths to one side). Sometimes it is measured by hand as about a span. This is not a violation of golf rules, but the margin of error is relatively larger than the putter head length.

After the companion’s stroke is finished, replace the ball marker to its original position. The ball marker moved for replacement must be returned to that spot (see Rule 15.3c). Forgetting this and playing as is results in a two-stroke penalty for playing from a wrong place (If you forget to move the ball to its original position and putt out, this calls for a two-stroke penalty·Rule 14-7a).

A: Excuse me, your ball is on my line. Will you mark it?

B: Sure.

A: Your ball mark is on my putting line. Would you move it to the left one or more putterhead-lengths?

B: Yes, certainly.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, Golf Columnist

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.