The thing that really attracted me to this ball marker wasn’t the technology. It was how many people were buying it.
There are dozens of green reading ball markers on Amazon and this one just keeps popping up. Reviews range from people saying it’s “amazingly useful” to others calling it a complete joke. When something so simple creates so much controversy, I had to see for myself.
What it is and what it claims
This is one ball marker with a small bubble level and built-in directional arrows. The idea is that it helps you read the slope of the green and in turn aim your shots better.
It also makes a bold claim on the packaging that it can help you save up to three shots per round.
The instructions are simple: “Place the ball marker on the green, near where you want to make the putt.”
How it should work
Based on the instructions, you are supposed to place the marker next to the hole and use it to read the slope in the cup. In theory, this tells you how the ball might behave as it ends.
The problem is that greens don’t work in isolated sections.
The slope near your ball and the slope near the hole are often very different. To properly read a putt, you need some understanding of how the entire path from the ball to the hole behaves, not just one spot.
To fully follow the logic, you’ll need to keep moving the marker closer to the hole and check the slope in multiple places. This slows things down and it’s not a situation I want to be in or fall behind during a round.
Take a look at any golf pro using the AimPoint method. They test the slope in several places.
What happened on the course
I took it off during a casual round with my kids. They were quite excited about the idea of ​​one ball marker who could read the greens.
On the first hole, my shot had very little break and the marker showed nothing.
On the next hole, there was a noticeable slope between the ball and the cup. Placement of markers in that area barely registered any change. It takes a fairly extreme tilt for the marker to react or provide any directional guidance.
The problem is, it lacks the subtle swing that golfers who struggle with green reading need most.
The “save three shots” claim.
Saving three strokes a round is a big promise for any putting aid.
After using this in the course, it is difficult to connect that claim with what markers OFFERS
How most people use it
Many of the review videos show players placing the marker directly behind their ball, determining that the putt is downhill and calling it useful.
Most golfers already know when a putt is uphill or downhill. The challenge is to understand how much breaks and where that break occurs. Even structured green reading systems test the slope in several places because one data point is rarely enough.
it markers gives you a single picture.
The good ones
Like one ball markerit’s good. It looks clean. It feels solid. It is available in a wide range of colors. If you like gadgets, it’s a cheap buy that falls more into the novelty category.
One thing worth noting is that you can’t use something like this in tournament play, though I’m not sure that would make or break your tournament experience.
Best ways to teach green reading
Green reading is something you learn over time and repetition.
If you’re trying to figure out the basic break and undulation on your home course, the digital tools used during practice rounds can help. Apps like GolfLogix show slopes across the entire green, giving you a better picture of how putters want to swing. You won’t use them in competition, but they can be useful when you have time to experiment.
I’m still a believer in teaching green reading the old fashioned way. Spend time on the putting green beyond 10 feet fairway. Look for areas with more rest, choose specific points and pay attention to how the rhythm changes the reading. It takes time but it pays off.
Final thoughts
This is a golf gadget worth less than $10 that was worth a try.
It doesn’t solve the green read or the putt read. It certainly doesn’t live up to the idea that you’ll save a lot of shots per round.
If you buy it, buy it for fun. Buy it because it looks interesting. Buy it because your kids want to mess with it. Green reading is still an art and, in my opinion, one that comes from experience rather than tools.
Post This golf ball marker claims to read the green, so I had to give it a try appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
