How to mark the spot of a ball at rest
Before lifting any ball at rest, you must mark its spot — typically with a ball-marker, coin, or similar small object placed immediately behind the ball. The procedure is the same everywhere, but the Rules that allow you to lift the ball differ depending on whether you're in a bunker, on the putting green, or elsewhere on the course.
When your ball is at rest in a bunker, specific relief rules for abnormal conditions, dangerous animals, or an unplayable ball may apply before you mark it. On the putting green, different rules apply because the surface is specially prepared and has a flagstick.
When your ball is in a bunker
If your ball lies in a bunker, you need to know that three specific relief situations can come into play before you even think about marking the spot. Interference from an abnormal course condition, a dangerous animal, or declaring the ball unplayable each trigger their own relief procedure. The marking itself follows the normal process, but the reason you are lifting the ball may be governed by one of these specific Rules.
On the putting green
The putting green is a distinct area of the course. Because it is specially prepared for rolling the ball and has a flagstick for the hole, the Rules that apply here differ from other areas. When you mark and lift your ball on the green, you are operating under this separate set of Rules that recognize the unique nature of the putting surface.
General principle for marking
Regardless of where the ball lies, the act of marking its spot is the first step before lifting it. The spot must be marked so the ball can be replaced on its original location. The surrounding Rules — whether bunker-specific relief or putting green Rules — determine why you are allowed to lift the ball and what relief options exist, but the marking procedure itself remains consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I mark the ball differently in a bunker than on the green?
The marking procedure is the same, but in a bunker you must first check if relief for abnormal conditions, dangerous animals, or an unplayable ball applies before lifting.
Why does the putting green have its own Rules for marking?
Because the green is specially prepared for putting and has a flagstick, the Rules recognize it as a distinct area where different procedures apply compared to the rest of the course.
Can I lift my ball in a bunker just to identify it?
The provided Rules cover specific relief situations in bunkers — abnormal course conditions, dangerous animals, and unplayable ball — but do not address identification procedures.
What happens if I don't mark the spot before lifting?
The provided text does not specify the penalty for failing to mark the spot before lifting the ball.
Does the flagstick affect how I mark the ball on the green?
The flagstick's presence is why the putting green has its own Rule, but the provided text does not detail how it changes the marking procedure itself.