Marker or ink effecting ball flight?
 

I realize this could be a really stupid post or has been asked before (I searched but didn't find anything).

1) I've seen guys get worried over grass stains on balls effecting the flight. Does too much magic marker put a little weight on the ball, enough to effect it's flight? Someone told me that it seeps into the plastic and bonds with it, but I've been able to scrub off marker with a Magic Eraser, so it leads me to believe iot's something sitting on the surface. I've been using such tiny dots as to not have any effect.

2) I was told that using a ball washer (the kind by the tee box - pump and swirl action) kind knock a ball slightly out of a true sphere. Is this "tell the Blonde and see if she'll believe it" or are balls really that soft? If they are, it seems like a couple of good hits off a driver would do the same.

Thanks for any help. I know I should know this stuff.

No such thing as a stupid question!

#1 - I really don't think marker lines affect ball flight. The pros put lines on their balls with markers and believe me, if it affected the flight of the ball they would never do that.

#2 - I think who ever told you that was pulling your leg. There's no way a ball washer could do that!! You need to find who told you that and get him back!

No, they aren't that soft these days. I don't think marker would have any bearing on ball flight either.

I'd say no on both counts.

I cant imagine how much sharpie you would have to use on a ball to get the weight to change enough to make it fly differently.

I'd say no way either could affect the ball in any way shape or form.

I only use balls that have a number "8" on them, because it is more aerodynamic than any other number.

Mythbusters?

I would definitely say no on both.

I've seen pros mark up their balls and I'm sure when your bank account is on the line, you're not going to screw with it.

I'm going to get the guy who told me about the ball washer thing. I'll get him good :)

I would venture to say no as well. I'm no expert though. But I did stay at a holiday inn express last night.

I'd advise not listening to those people any more, and not taking anything they say as fact

whoever told you a ball washer will make a golfball not round is messing around with you

oh beautiful blondes...tell em anything and man...you can get away with anything...(jk...my darling blonde haired blue eyed fiancee would kill me lol)

#1: While it is true that ink does have some sort of mass and weight, I would guess it is in the thousandths of a percent of the total weight of the ball (or more). They also stamp the name of the company on the side of the ball which would, technically, throw the ball off rotation if this theory was correct. Someone is either pulling your chain or is smart enough to have to go to obedience school.

#2: Tiger Woods swings at 120 MPH with his driver. He turns around and expects to put the ball to within a few feet with a wedge. If the impact from a club moving at that insane speed won't throw the ball off kilter, there is no way short jostle against some soft bristles will warp or throw the ball off.

I played with an LPGA player that uses ink transfer stickers of cupcakes on her Titleist balls at the THP outing. I specifically asked her if she was worried about throwing off the flight of the ball with the sticker. She said she was at first, but then just figured it was just an ink transfer and quit worrying about it. She can hit the ball on a dime with her driver and if she is not worried about it, I would not be either.

That's pretty cool, this opens the doors for how I'm going to start marking my balls ;)

As others have said, I would say no to both. I would be interested in finding out how much a few marks with a sharpie actually weighs though.

I'd say no on both accounts as well, I'd say if the pros are doing it, it must not have an effect, especially since it's their livelihood, that is unless someone paid them good money to push a product!! But that's for a different thread!!!

It's almost too bad the sharpie doesn't affect it. I could figure out a way to mark my ball to eliminate my slice.

I'm going with no on both questions. First, pro's mark their balls and even draw lines on them. If anyone were to be concerned with altering ball flight, it would be a touring pro. Second, I can't imagine a ball washer would change the shape of a ball. And that goes for all styles of ball washers. If balls were that soft and pliable, then your driver would ruin it after one swing.

Finally, I remember when golf balls used to soak in marker, but anymore, it seems I'm always washing 'blue marker' off my driver and putter faces.

~Rock

I would be incredibly surprised if any marker or anything affected the ball flight.

I'd just put arrows all over my ball and point them toward the green http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png