So important is putting to golf that it has its own tokens to mark ball placements on the putting green. These tokens are used often. There seems to be some mystery involved with the origin of the ball marker tokens. No one really knows when or where they first appeared. Their manufacture seem to go as far back as 1941.

A historically significant ball marker from the 1941 British War Relief Tournament is one of the few pieces dated. Another piece is dated 1982 and was used at the U.S. Open played at Pebble Beach, CA. Issuers range from large companies to small golf gift shops or country clubs. Companies use them as gifts to their clients to advertise company products or employees for golf outings. Most companies use their logos on one side and a golfing theme on the other. Examples of this is the 1970s Michelob token with a natural connection to a cold beer at the end of the game. A Jack Daniels pewter marker does the same for mixed drinks at that favorite golfing hole, the 19th.

The tokens come in a wide variety of metals such as gold, sterling silver, bronze, brass, aluminum, pewter, steel and plastic. Shapes include octagon, round, hexagon. Some of the plastic pieces are nail shaped or look like a large thumbtacks. The design can be simple advertising statements while others have pictorials that are quite sophisticated.

Are Golf Ball Marker Tokens Collectible? Yes they are and you can find old pieces and new pieces at coin shops, flea markets and golf gift shops. But the best place to find these small collectibles is eBay, where they always have a large selection.