Does Marking a Golf Ball Affect Flight? (Explained)

I have a confession… I hit the wrong ball. I found what I thought was my ball, but after smashing the most beautiful shot ever, come to find out, it wasn’t mine. 

Hitting the wrong ball can be super embarrassing and can get you penalized.

I resorted to drawing a big letter C in indigo on my balls to avoid confusion in the future. So, does marking a golf ball affect flight?

In most instances, marking the golf ball using a sharpie doesn’t affect its flight. Not unless the marker adds some extra weight or brings some imbalance to the original golf ball structure. The difference is very negligible and doesn’t affect the performance.

Read on as I explain why markers don’t make any difference to ball flight, the pros of marking a golf ball, and whether it is legal. Hang on because this will be super interesting.

Does Placing an Identification Mark on a Golf Ball Affect Its Aerodynamics?

Aerodynamics is the study of air movements that has enabled the evolution of flying machines and high-speed vehicles.

Unknowingly to some players, golf balls have also been engineered on similar principles to maximize flight and control. Anything that interferes with the original balance of the ball will definitely affect its aerodynamics.

While sharpie is legal, there is always a question of how the color affects the flying capabilities of the ball. How much sharpie is too much?

Again, I’d like to reiterate that ball marking doesn’t give you an edge over your competitors or put you in a disadvantageous position.

Marking is mainly dependent on the type of mark applied. A slap sticker, for instance, will negatively affect the ball’s aerodynamics because it covers some dimples.

Scratching or using scuff marks can also interfere with the ball’s aerodynamics.

However, a simple mark with a sharpie shouldn’t give you qualms. In fact, the balls have all kinds of writing, like numbers and brand names printed on them.

Furthermore, I haven’t heard of golf tour elites making orders for custom balls without writings on them.

Does Painting Affect Golf Ball Flight?

Did you know that golf balls’ poor painting can result in poor shots?

The bright colors aren’t solely cosmetic and have been calculated into the final balance of the golf ball. A consistent paint application guarantees balanced ball flights.

Poor painting negatively affects the ball’s aerodynamics, resulting in poor shot trajectories.

That’s why I only use the approved sharpies to mark my balls. Coating it with heavy paints as a marker always ruins the aerodynamics and, consequently, performance.

A golf ball with imbalanced dimple depths can be equated to a bird flying with an injured wing. It will have trouble flying properly.

Why Do Pros Mark Their Golf Balls?

Every golf player knows how hard it is to make putts from over 5 feet consistently, even the professionals.

Making putt on professional greens is a great challenge, which becomes even harder when you avoid marking your balls.

Pros mark their golf balls because they need to hit the ball at the correct angle when making a putt.

Marking can also mean one player picking their golf balls and replacing them with something else to provide a better shooting angle for the second player.

It is customary to mark the ball on the green, but there isn’t a written rule about it. I often mark the ball on the green whenever I want to clean it, pick it up or make any other movements.

Pros mark their balls to help them see the putt line better. This allows them to move the ball out of competitors’ way without getting penalized.

Is Marking You Golf Ball Legal?

Back in the day, we used to rely on the number, model, and brand for identification purposes.

Only a few pros were clever enough to make some tiny scratches on the balls using the sharp end of a tee. Nowadays, every golfer uses a sharpie whenever necessary, but is it legal?

Rules 12-2 and 6-5 provide for each player to draw a unique identification mark on their balls.

This means that it is completely legal. Furthermore, you can draw any mark, for example, names, arrows, and lines.

Here is why the rule makes sense. Imagine playing with unmarked golf balls that land in a similar spot after the initial hit.

Then both of you arrive at the location almost simultaneously and cannot judge whose ball is closer to the putt than the other.

Unfortunately, the balls have a similar number and share a common model and brand. There is no way of telling them apart unless you and your teammates had marked them before the match.

Can a Golf Ball Be Marked off the Green?

Yes! The ball can be marked on and off the green. This is entirely legal, especially when asked by the FC. For instance, you can do the marking to clean the ball well enough for identification, especially in muddy conditions.

Marking the golf ball off the green is ok for identification purposes and also for relief against a stationary obstruction.

However, only mark the golf ball for legal reasons because the marking should not be used to gain an unfair advantage over the competitor. That will earn you a one-stroke penalty.

Basics of Marking a Golf Ball

Here are some rules to follow when marking a golf ball.

When the rules require you to move the ball, lift it but mark the position with a ball marker, coin, or other legal items. The ball marker can also be moved when it blocks the competitor’s visibility.

There is no penalty for moving the ball marker accidentally when lifting or replacing the golf ball. But if you do so for any other reason, you get a one-stroke penalty, and the ball is restored to its former position.

You are only allowed to lift the ball if it can assist you or the other player. This is especially when another ball or a stationary object blocks the line to the putt.

Finally, remember that cleaning golf balls is prohibited unless it is on the green.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while marking a golf ball does not seem to have a significant effect on its flight, these lines are helpful when teeing off and especially when putting. 

Usually any golfer will carry a maker with them to make these types of markings on their golf balls and is completely normal. So don’t fret and play some ball!