ive read the posts recently about marking or not marking your ball.....

id like to put this possible scenario into the mix.....it relates to match play...

scenario....i chip onto green to about 2foot.....putt is not conceded....i dont want to tap in.....so want to mark it.....opponant TELLS me not to, but to leave it there...he is off the green too.....if im on the green i WILL mark my ball when i want to....its my ball.

who is right ?

You are, its against the rules of golf to leave a ball near the flag in the hope that it may help any player from going to far past or knocking in off it etc..

I'm not sure if it is against the rules in a Matchplay situation it certainly wasn't the case in the past, I'm sure that your opponent can tell you to leave your ball unmarked and can get an in-off, but in stroke play you can't. I'm sure that I saw this many yeras ago in the World Matchplay Championship.

He can't ask you to leave it. And in a pairs comp your partner can't ask you to leave it. If you feel it would be of benefit to your opponent you can ask him to wait whilst you mark it.

Rule 22.

You are entitled to lift the ball under Rule 22-1 if you believe your ball will assist anyone else in matchplay or strokeplay.

In MP there is no penalty if he asks you to leave it and you do.

In SP you are both DQd if he asks you to and you do.

If you indicate you wish to lift it but the other player plays before you are able to, he will be DQd under 3-4