Although they play a very small role in the game, many golfers take pride in their ball markers. For some, there is no price too high for the right ball marker. Nowadays, they come in various shapes and sizes. However, there are some ball markers that are designed to help players on the course. Many players believe that these types of markers are illegal, while others think they are totally fine to use. One of the most controversial ball markers is the Levelhead ball marker.
To figure out whether or not this ball marker is illegal, I checked the USGA and R&A equipment rules.
Is The Levelhead Ball Marker Legal? According to rule 10.2b in the USGA and R&A golf rules, the Levelhead golf ball marker is not legal to use in any casual, high-level amateur, or professional golf games. In other words, the Levelhead golf ball markers are not allowed in the game because players are not allowed to use any device that shows them the line of play.
Why Is The Levelhead Ball Marker Illegal?
The USGA and R&A are very strict on what type of devices are allowed to be used when golfing. Typically, any device that gives players too much information is considered illegal. In other words, most devices that help the player get an advantage are not allowed.
In this case, the Levelhead ball marker gives the player information (the line of play). According to the USGA and R&A, figuring out the line of play should be done by the player and not by a device. It is a skill that the player must be able to have. So, due to this, the ball marker is illegal.
Below is the direct line from the USGA’s rules that essentially ban this type of ball marker:
“The player or caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play. This is not allowed even if that object is removed before the stroke is made.”
What makes this rule even more interesting is that it specifically states that devices like these are not allowed even if the object is removed before the player makes their stroke. So, after reading this, the legality of the Levelhead ball marker seems like an open and shut case.