We all have to mark the position of the ball on the putting green and lift it many times each round; it becomes second nature. Most of us place a ball marker, small coin or other similar object directly behind the ball before lifting it as suggested in the Note to Rule 20-1.

However, once in a while we are asked to move our coin or marker over one or more club-head lengths to one side if it interferes with the play of another player. You pick a fixed object in the distance such as a tree and line it up with your ball marker or coin and move it to the side on that line. Here’s the catch, you need to remember to move it back before playing your next stroke or you’ll get a loss of hole penalty in match play or a two stroke penalty in stroke play if you don’t!

About ten years ago while listening to David Duval speak to our group at a Tournament Administration Workshop, I picked up a tip of his that I continue to use to this day. Like David, I mark the position of my ball with a quarter (usually the last two digits of the year of what score I’m trying to shoot for good luck). I always mark the position of the ball with the quarter heads up and George Washington’s head going right under the ball. When I replace the ball, I always put the ball right back on George’s head. So far so good.

When asked to move my coin over one club-head length, I always turn the coin over to the tails side and move it over. When it’s time for me to replace my ball, I’m not able to replace the ball back on George’s head since it is turned to tails now! That’s the reminder to me that I have to move it back to its original position or get the penalty.

Try this tip the next time and see if it works for you.

Remember, use the index or the table of contents to find the correct Rule that applies to the situation and follow the Rules of Golf to help yourself to enjoy the game of golf.