Hi Linda,
I was thinking about this question [Ask Linda #743-Replacing one marker with
another] and was wondering, if the Lulu asked to replace her marker
was able to say “no.” As a female, I have many markers with bright colors
and symbols and animals imprinted on the face. They are magnetic and attach to
your hat. Besides, I don’t look at the marker, I am looking at my ball.
Thanks,
Lulu from New Jersey
Dear Lulu,
I am not overly fond of the decorative, sparkly markers. On
a sunny day they can be a distraction to other players when the sun reflects
off the marker into a player’s eyes. I am a traditionalist, and I stick to the
standard, small round marker sans sparkling adornments. The last thing I want
to do is distract someone who is putting and delay play by having to replace my
marker.
Getting to your question… Good etiquette dictates that players
do nothing to distract one another. If you refuse to replace your marker with
someone else’s, which you are within your rights to do, your opponent or fellow
competitor has other options. She may ask you to move the marker one or more
club-head lengths to the side, or she may ask you to turn the marker
upside-down. You would be obligated to comply with either of those requests.
(If you turn it upside-down, you must first replace your ball. Since the
position of the ball must always be marked, if you simply flip the marker over
you will incur a one-stroke penalty.)
If you receive repeated requests to move or flip a
distracting marker, you might want to replace it with a more conventional one.
Your consideration will be appreciated, and the pace of play will improve.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
