Golf Ball Markers: What They Are, Why Golfers Use Them & How to Choose One
If you play golf, you’ve probably used a golf ball marker without giving it much thought. But for many golfers, a ball marker becomes much more than a small piece of equipment. It can be a souvenir from a favourite course, a reminder of a great round, a tournament keepsake, or simply another way to show a little personality on the course.
With golfers collecting more and more unique markers, golf ball markers have become a fun part of golf culture.
But what exactly is a golf ball marker, when do you use one, and what should you look for when choosing one?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Golf Ball Marker?
A golf ball marker is a small, flat object used to mark the position of your golf ball when you need to pick it up from the putting green.
Under the Rules of Golf, a golfer may need to mark their ball before lifting it from the green. This is particularly common when another player's ball is in the way, when the ball needs to be cleaned, or when a golfer wants to reposition themselves before putting.
A traditional ball marker is usually a small disc, coin or token that sits directly behind the ball.
Golf ball markers come in all sorts of designs, materials and sizes. Some are simple and understated, while others feature golf club logos, course names, initials, artwork or novelty designs.
Why Do Golfers Use Ball Markers?
The primary purpose is practical: to accurately mark the position of your golf ball on the putting green.
But there is another reason golfers love them.
Ball markers have become a way for golfers to express themselves.
You might find markers featuring:
Golf courses you've played
Golf clubs and country clubs
Major golf tournaments
Sporting teams
Personal initials
Favourite brands
Funny golf sayings
Travel destinations
Special events
Limited-edition designs
For some golfers, collecting markers becomes part of the fun of playing different courses.
A marker from a holiday round in Scotland, a tournament in Australia or a memorable golf trip with friends can bring back memories long after the round is finished.
How Do You Use a Golf Ball Marker?
Using a golf ball marker is simple.
When your ball is on the putting green and you need to lift it, place your marker immediately behind the ball.
Then pick up your ball.
When it is your turn to putt, replace your ball in its original position, then remove the marker before making your stroke.
The important thing is accuracy. Your marker is there to help you return your golf ball to the correct position.
A quick tip for golfers
Get into the habit of carrying your marker somewhere you can reach easily.
There is nothing worse than standing over your putt and realising your marker is buried at the bottom of your golf bag.
A dedicated marker pocket, golf marker holder or marker book can make keeping your collection organised much easier.
What Makes a Good Golf Ball Marker?
There isn't one perfect marker for every golfer.
The best golf ball marker is one that is easy to see, easy to handle and suits your personal preference.
Here are a few things worth considering.
Size
Golf ball markers come in different sizes.
Traditional markers are relatively small, while larger markers have become increasingly popular because they are easier to see and can feature more detailed designs.
If you collect markers, you'll quickly discover that not every marker is the same size.
Material
Markers can be made from a variety of materials, including:
Metal
Aluminium
Stainless steel
Plastic
PVC
Acrylic
Wood
Resin
The material affects the weight, appearance and durability of the marker.
Design
This is where things get interesting.
Some golfers prefer a simple, classic marker. Others want something colourful, unusual or completely unique.
There are now thousands of golf ball marker designs available, which makes collecting them part of the fun.
Visibility
A marker should be easy to see on the green without being distracting.
Bright colours, contrasting designs and larger markers can make them easier to spot, particularly when you're playing quickly.
Can You Collect Golf Ball Markers?
Absolutely.
In fact, collecting golf ball markers has become a hobby for many golfers.
Think of it as a golf version of collecting souvenirs.
Every golf course has the potential to add another marker to your collection. You might start with a few markers from local courses and eventually find yourself bringing one home from every golf trip.
The best collections aren't necessarily the biggest.
They're the ones with a story behind them.
A marker from the first course you played with your kids can mean far more than an expensive limited-edition marker sitting in a drawer.
Where Should You Keep Your Golf Ball Marker Collection?
This is where many golfers run into a problem.
A few markers quickly turn into 20.
Then 50.
Then 100.
Before long, they're sitting in golf bags, desk drawers, bowls, pockets and random containers around the house.
That's when a dedicated golf ball marker storage solution becomes useful.
The Marker Society Golf Ball Marker Book
At Marker Society, we created a golf ball marker book specifically for golfers who actually collect their markers.
The book gives your collection a proper home, allowing you to display and organise your markers rather than throwing them into the bottom of your golf bag.
It is designed for golfers who want to keep the memories attached to their markers—and make their collection part of their golf story.
Whether you've collected markers from courses you've played, golf trips you've taken or clubs you've visited, having them together in one place makes the collection much more enjoyable.
How Many Golf Ball Markers Do You Need?
Technically?
One.
Practically?
That's a completely different question.
If you're playing golf regularly, you'll probably accumulate markers without even trying.
A golf trip might give you three or four. A tournament might give you another. Your local club might have a special edition. A friend might bring one home from overseas.
That's how a collection starts.
Before long, you're wondering where you're going to put them all.
Are Large Golf Ball Markers Better?
Not necessarily.
It comes down to personal preference.
Smaller markers are discreet and traditional. Larger markers can be easier to see and give designers more space to create interesting artwork.
If you collect markers, however, it's worth remembering that markers aren't all the same size.
Some collections contain tiny traditional discs alongside much larger novelty or commemorative markers.
That's why storage designed specifically for golf ball markers needs to accommodate different sizes.
Golf Ball Markers Make Great Golf Souvenirs
If you're travelling for golf, a ball marker can be one of the simplest souvenirs to bring home.
Unlike a golf shirt or expensive club, a marker takes up almost no space.
You can collect one from every course you play and eventually have a physical record of your golfing adventures.
Imagine opening your marker collection years from now and seeing:
Pebble Beach → Royal Melbourne → St Andrews → your local Saturday course → that golf trip with the boys → your first round with your kids.
That's what makes collecting golf markers so much more interesting than simply collecting objects.
You're collecting memories.
How to Start a Golf Ball Marker Collection
If you've never collected markers before, don't overthink it.
Start with the courses you already play.
Then, whenever you travel somewhere new, look for a course-specific marker.
You can also ask golf clubs whether they have commemorative or limited-edition markers available.
Before long, you'll have a collection.
A few simple tips:
Keep markers from memorable rounds.
Look for course-specific designs when travelling.
Don't worry about making the collection match.
Keep larger and smaller markers together.
Store them somewhere you can actually see them.
Add the date or location to your collection if the memory is important.
Why Golf Ball Markers Are More Than Just Golf Accessories
Golf is full of little traditions.
The glove.
The pitch repair tool.
The scorecard.
The lucky ball.
The favourite tee.
And, of course, the ball marker.
None of these things are essential to playing a great round of golf.
But they become part of the experience.
For golfers who love collecting, travelling and remembering the courses they've played, a ball marker can become a tiny piece of a much bigger story.
And that's exactly why we created Marker Society Golf Ball Marker Book.
Keep Your Golf Memories in One Place
Your golf ball markers shouldn't be sitting loose in the bottom of your golf bag.
Give them a home.
Explore the Marker Society Golf Ball Marker Book and start building a collection worth keeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a golf ball marker?
A golf ball marker is a small object used to mark the position of a golf ball on the putting green when the ball needs to be lifted.
What can I use as a golf ball marker?
Golfers commonly use dedicated golf ball markers, coins or other suitable small objects. Dedicated markers are convenient because they are designed specifically for use on the putting green.
Are golf ball markers allowed in golf?
Yes. Golf ball markers are a normal part of playing golf and are used to mark the position of a ball on the putting green.
What size are golf ball markers?
There is no single standard size used for every marker. Golf ball markers come in a range of sizes, which is particularly important for golfers who collect them.
Why do golfers collect ball markers?
Golf ball markers make inexpensive and easy-to-carry souvenirs. Many golfers collect markers from golf courses, tournaments, clubs and memorable golf trips.
How should I store golf ball markers?
A dedicated golf ball marker book or organiser is a simple way to keep a collection together, protected and easy to display.
Where can I buy a golf ball marker book?
Marker Society makes a dedicated golf ball marker book designed for golfers who collect and want to organise their markers.