tradeMARK
Pick up a golfer’s ball and you may see some dots, lines or other designs drawn on the surface in various colors. These drawings might seem random, but the art of golf ball marking actually serves a significant purpose in the sport.
The markings are used to differentiate an athlete’s golf ball from those of the other competitors in his or her group. While some golfers choose simple markings, others use more elaborate designs with personal meaning.
With the Big 12 Men's Golf Championships starting Monday, here’s a look at how some Sooners brand their golf balls.
Use the slider on top of each picture to reveal the golfer's face and ball mark.
michaelGELLERMAN
"I put two dots on it on each side on both sides of the number just like this. And I’ve just always done that. It’s easy because it’s on both sides and so I’ve always done that since I’ve been growing up. Then over here on the line where it says “Pro V1x,” I put a cross like this for obvious reasons. Then I just started this year, I put an A right here on the OU, and that’s for one of our biggest supporters, A-Game (Dick Askew). He passed away this year, so I just want to remember him. He’s always been with us all three years that I’ve been here, so I just want to remember him and play for him. That’s all I do."
grantHIRSCHMAN
"For my marking, all I do is basically put two blue dots on my ball just to the right and left of the numbers just like this. And I started doing that probably four or five years ago and I basically just did it because it was simple. It was easy to do prior to the round and I don’t ever put a line on my ball because I don’t line up my ball. I use blue because my favorite color is blue, so that was why I did that. I keep it pretty simple. Like I said, there’s not much to my marking of the ball. But one other thing I always do before the round is I tape my finger right here, even if it’s not cut, it’s always going to be taped. Just something that I do before I tee off."
charlieSAXON
"I put a circle around the number on my ball for no particular reason other than I guess most people put dots on their ball instead of circles. I never play a No. 1 golf ball because I play terrible with a No. 1 golf ball. Once I’m done with this ball, I don’t carry a Sharpie, so don’t really mark my ball after that. That’s how I mark my ball."
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Compiled by Chelsey Kraft and Micah Thompson. Video by Matt Archibald. Photography by Maggie Still. Site Design by Russell Houghtaling