Remember to place an identification mark on your golf ball. If you cannot identify a ball as yours, it is considered lost. Examples of identification marks are dots, lines, pictures, etc. The mark may also be used to help indicate a line.

Rule 12-2: Identifying Ball

Except in a hazard, a player may lift a ball he believes is his without penalty to identify it. However, before lifting the player must follow the specific procedure in this Rule, which includes announcing his intention to lift to an opponent or fellow-competitor or marker and also mark the position of the ball. The player also may not clean the ball.

Failing to comply with any or all of this procedure will result in a penalty of one stroke.