Lesson 2: Your Ball is Your Responsibility
In golf, each player is responsible for their own ball. This means you need to know which ball is yours — and only yours.
Before you start playing, mark your ball. Put your name or initials on it with a permanent marker. Many golfers use a small colored dot in a specific spot. This way, if two balls land near each other, everyone knows which belongs to whom.
If you play the wrong ball by mistake, there is a penalty. So paying attention to which ball is yours is important — not just the rules, but also just being organized and careful.
The best golfers are the most organized golfers. They know exactly where their equipment is, which ball is theirs, and what club they used last.
Rule: You must be able to identify your ball. Mark it before you play. Playing the wrong ball results in a penalty.
Get three golf balls. Using a permanent marker, put your own unique mark on each one — your initials, a small star, a smiley face, or any symbol that is yours. Ask your parent to mark their balls differently. Now mix them up on the ground. Can you quickly find YOUR ball? Practice until you can identify yours instantly. Keep your marked balls for real rounds.