by Joe B.

When we introduced our new rulesixteen divot repair tool, we turned the shape of the ball marker on its head. A putt goes in when your speed/distance and target are correct. If you listen to better players during a best-ball tournament, you’ll hear them talking about aiming the putt “two-balls out.” This means they are aiming at a point that is about two ball widths to the left or the right of the cup, depending on where the break is. And once they find that point they intend to hit the putt on a straight line toward it, letting the break in the green do the rest of the work.

Thus, rulesixteen. We had the realization, “why mark your ball with something round and look down a quarter, when you can look down a line.” After all, your putting line is a line. And coincidentally the rectangularly shaped ball marker fit perfectly between the tines of the divot repair tool -- creating a really sleek, ergonomic shape that doesn’t stab you in the leg when it’s in your pocket. And for an added bonus the divot tool is magnetized so the marker jumps to it when it’s nearby. You don’t have to dig around for your marker or your tool when you need it.

When we took the idea to the USGA to see if the shape Conformed to USGA regulations (it does), we learned something very interesting. Some tour and local rules require that objects that are used as ball markers can’t be more than 2” in any direction! Remember when Feherty was penalized for using a hotel room key? The USGA recommends flat and round objects similar to a coin, but now the rectangular shape is considered to “Conform to USGA Rules.”

So, mark your ball and make your putt.