Quote:
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Originally Posted by GreeBoman I never place the ball on the tee for the purposes of impact detection, yet I often see marks on the clubface where my personal identification mark impacted. |
There in lies the issue.
You can't purporsely place the ball on the tee in such a way that you get a mark on the club face that you can use to evaluate your contact and 'measure conditions that might affect your play' (14-3b).
So you can't really purposely line the ball up on the tee in such a way that a mark on the ball would rub off onto the club face, if it is in any way possible to line up the ball in such a way that it does not.
Also you can't purposely mark the ball with the intent to make use of marks set on the club face. So you can't go around 'refreshing' your mark every hole to make sure you get a decent mark on the club face.
Problem is - it is your obligation to ensure that you play the game inside the rules.
So what happens if your playing partner / opponent notices that you are studying a mark on the club face of your driver? Personally, I'd call the ref over and ask him about 14-3b.
If he/she agrees with me, the penalty is a DQ. Are you willing to risk that?
Code:
14 Striking the ball
The R& A reserves the right, at any time, to change the Rules
relating to artificial devices and unusual equipment and make
or change the interpretations relating to these Rules.
A player in doubt as to whether use of an item would constitute
a breach of Rule 14-3 should consult the R& A.
A manufacturer may submit to the R& A a sample of an item to be
manufactured for a ruling as to whether its use during a stipulated
round would cause a player to be in breach of Rule 14-3. The sample
becomes the property of the R& A for reference purposes. If a
manufacturer fails to submit a sample before manufacturing and/or
marketing the item, the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling
that use of the item would be contrary to the Rules.
Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player
must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment:
a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions
that might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:
(i) plain gloves may be worn;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturising agents may be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 14-3:
Disqualification.