Token
A token is a small marker or coin that you use to mark the position of your ball on the green.
The token, in German-speaking everyday usage usually called a ball marker, does the job of taking your ball briefly out of play without losing its place. You place it directly behind the ball on the green, pick up the ball and later place it back exactly in front of the marker. This is allowed when the ball interferes with the putting line of a fellow player or when you want to clean your ball. If you lift without marking first, it costs you a penalty stroke.
In practice the token belongs to the standard equipment of every round. For example: your ball lies on the line between your fellow player's ball and the hole. He asks you to mark. You place the token behind your ball, pick the ball up and wipe it clean. After his putt you replace your ball and remove the token before you putt yourself. Many golfers use a coin, a cap with a magnet or a small metal marker from the pro shop.
A common mistake is forgetting to replace in the correct order: first place the ball, then pick up the token; otherwise the ball is deemed moved. Also popular: marking to the side of or in front of the ball because it happens to be more convenient — it is not automatically against the rules, but it is unusual and prone to error. On the Putting Green before the round, clean marking can be practiced on the side until it becomes routine.
FAQ
When am I allowed to pick up my ball on the green at all?
On the green you may mark and pick up your ball at any time — for example to clean it or because it lies on a fellow player's putting line. Off the green this only applies in exceptional cases, for example for relief or in a penalty area. If you lift the ball without marking first, it costs you a penalty stroke.
What can I use as a token?
Anything small, flat and artificial works: a coin, a marker from the pro shop or the magnetic marker on your cap. The only thing that matters is that the marker does not shift the position and does not disturb other players. Better not to stick a tee into the ground — it is not considered forbidden, but it is unusual and wobbles out easily.
In what order do I correctly pick up and replace ball and token?
When picking up: first place the token behind the ball, then pick up the ball. When replacing, exactly the reverse: first place the ball back in front of the marker, then remove the token. If you swap the order when replacing, the ball is deemed incorrectly replaced — that gives unnecessary penalty strokes.