Bottle Cap Golf Ball Marker

Golf just recently became one of my new hobbies. It is a challenging and sometimes frustrating sport but I enjoy playing with friends. When playing in a large group around the putting green, your golf ball may obstruct another player's line. In this case, it is appropriate to place a ball marker to remove your ball to allow the other player to putt without an obstruction. A ball marker is typically a small flat object and coins are often used as a custom option. Some are magnetic and paired with a divot tool. As a new player in the sport, I have slowly been obtaining different golf accessories and a ball marker was next on my list. As mentioned, there are tons of unique options to buy/use but following the theme of many of my projects, why buy when you can diy! I have been collecting bottle caps for many years and have tons laying around. With inspiration from these instructions, I decided to create my own bottle cap golf ball marker out of the bottle caps from one of my favorite breweries.

Supplies

• 2x bottle caps
• 1x coin (nickel or penny works best)
• JB weld or other strong adhesive
• Masking tape
• Small disk magnet
• Tools
  • Pliers
  • Metal bench grinder (optional)
  • 3D printer
  • Metal file/rasp
  • Mini clamp
  • Scissors

Step 1: Drink Up!

The first step is crack open and responsibly enjoy two of your favorite cold beverages!

The second step is to bend the crimped edges of the bottle cap circumferentially with the pliers. This will flatten the bottle cap and give you a reference for where to grind down the edges. See the images above.

The next step is to remove the plastic seal on the inside of many bottle caps. This is just glued in and can easily be pulled off.

Step 2: Grinding and Filing

Now that the caps are flattened, it is time to begin filing down the edges. I used a metal bench grinder to expedite the process but a manual file can also be used.

I began working my way around the edge of the bottle cap while maintaining my grip with pliers. I removed the crimped part of the bottle cap all the way to bend after flattening the cap in the previous step.

I used a metal file to remove any sharp burrs and to even out all of the edges.

Then I repeated Step 1 and Step 2 for the second bottle cap.

Step 3: The Coin Sandwich

I used masking tape to protect the faces of the bottle caps while gluing the two halves together.

Next, I mixed up equal amounts of the JB weld components. Then, I filled one bottle cap with the adhesive and placed the coin inside. I layered some more adhesive on top of the coin and into the remaining bottle cap.

Finally, I pressed both halves together and used a clamp to hold them in place until the adhesive set. I removed any squeeze out around the edges.

I chose JB weld just because I had that laying around and it creates an incredibly strong/permanent bond. Any strong adhesive will work but I would recommend choosing one with a longer working time to make sure you can properly align the two caps together. The clamp is also optional but very helpful to hold everything together while the adhesive sets up.

Step 4: Its Magnetic!

This step is also optional but I wanted a way to attach the ball marker to my golf bag without having to dig for it in the bottom of one of the many pockets.

I designed a simple 3D printed holder with a cut out for a small neodymium disk magnet. It also has a small hole in the top to attach a keychain. The metal bottle cap is attracted to the magnet which keeps it in place.

I used a small amount of super glue to secure the magnet in place. Make sure the you have the proper orientation of the magnet before securing it with glue.

The dimensions of the holder should fit any standard bottle cap if you followed the steps above. Feel free to print my design or design your own! The STL file is attached below.

Step 5: See You on the Course

Now you have a custom golf ball marker made with caps from your favorite beverage!

Having used my new marker multiple times on the course already, I find it's the perfect size and weight. The colorful cap that I used also stands out really well on the greens so that it is always easy to spot. The holder also fits perfectly on the clip inside my bag so that I can easily access it between holes.

I hope you enjoyed this quick project and decide to make your own. I'd love to see your bottle cap marker out on the course. Happy making!