Scotty pivot tool?...huh?

[atltony]

Can someone explain to me how this divot tools design is supposed to work? To me it seems like it would encourage people to 'repair' ball marks the improper way of shoving down and into the sides of the mark and lifting up? It just screams to be used like a see-saw, no? This can't be right coming from such a putter genius like Scotty can it?

[Franco!]

It's great if you know how to fix one.
I wish I still had one.

[atltony]

well...almost anything, even a tee, is good if you know the proper way to fix a ball mark. I just think the pivot tool's look and design would mislead/prolong bad habits for the unknowing/less-informed golfer.

[hawkeye]

if you repair it the correct way, the Scotty tool is brilliant. They design the tool, they don't teach every Joe-golfer how to use it. That's up the the clubs I guess. I plalyed on a course on Friday, they handed us some very nice tools and told us how to use them - felt a bit insulted to be honest but it's one way of having better greens

the bulge part gives you a nice place to put you thumb. Some of the tools i've used have given my blisters, the Scotty is a nice altertive.

[iacas]

I'm of the opinion that the Scotty tool is one of the worst things you could use to repair ball marks on the green.

Not only does the "bump" likely get improperly used as a "pivot" point (the name implies that it is the purpose, too) to "pop up" the ball mark - the WORST way to fix a ball mark - but the tines themselves are REALLy way too thick to use it properly.

They're even thicker than the "horrible" ones in this image:


P.S. Please pardon Gordon's spelling in the above image.

[hawkeye]

depends what greens you play on I guess - the Scotty tool works quite well on most of the greens here. better than most i've used, if used properly.

[iacas]

depends what greens you play on I guess - the Scotty tool works quite well on most of the greens here. better than most i've used, if used properly.

No, I disagree, and I don't think it has anything to do with the kind of greens. Thin prongs are always going to be better than the thicker Pivot Tool prongs.

My superintendent could probably repair a ball mark with an unsharpened #2 pencil, but he'll quickly tell you the thinner the prongs, the better.

[atltony]

Not only does the "bump" likely get improperly used as a "pivot" point (the name implies that it is the purpose, too) to "pop up" the ball mark - the WORST way to fix a ball mark

This is exactly what I'm saying, the name even implies that the bump should be used as a pivot point. Those who don't care to educate themselves on the intricacies of golf will most definitely be leaving brown spots all over the greens.

[QWKDTSN]

I saw these at the golf store today and although they are nice I refused to buy one out of protest. I am glad I learned how to repair ball marks properly thanks to this site. I have actually checked up on some of the bigger ball marks I remember repairing and have been happy to find that none of them have turned into dead spots.

[Sniper2075]

Erik

Is there a repair tool that I can buy somewhere that is like the recommended tools in the picture.

I have looked at the tools available in the golf store and all of them have thick dull prongs.

Thanks

[LottaBalata]

This is exactly what I'm saying, the name even implies that the bump should be used as a pivot point. Those who don't care to educate themselves on the intricacies of golf will most definitely be leaving brown spots all over the greens.

I have one of these tools. ANd I think I use it properly. I don't lift with it, and you can't think of the "bump" as a pivot but like the "bounce" edge of a wedge. Once the bump hits then you push towards the center of the ball mark. Does that make sense?

[iacas]

Is there a repair tool that I can buy somewhere that is like the recommended tools in the picture.

What about either of these? They look pretty thin (prongs):

My golf course hands them out, so I don't know where to get them exactly.

[BASHERBAKER69]

I never use anything but a tee pet. Sometimes i use the toe end of my putter when there is a big crater

[slackhouse]

a link to the conversation about the correct way to repair a divot? I'd like to be sure I'm doing it right. Or, Erik, if you could just tell me, that'd be nice. Don't want to screw up a green.

[iacas]

a link to the conversation about the correct way to repair a divot? I'd like to be sure I'm doing it right. Or, Erik, if you could just tell me, that'd be nice. Don't want to screw up a green.

http://lakeviewcc.com/turfcare/etiqu...rks.php?part=1

[BASHERBAKER69]

a link to the conversation about the correct way to repair a divot? I'd like to be sure I'm doing it right. Or, Erik, if you could just tell me, that'd be nice. Don't want to screw up a green.

dont worry, you need to get a ball airborne to make a hole in a green.

[atltony]

I have one of these tools. ANd I

That actually makes complete sense. It's not that I didn't think you couldn't use the scotty tool to properly repair a ball mark, it's that I feel it is misleading in its name (Pivot) and somewhat in its design. Unless someone already knows the correct way to fix a ball mark I just think this tool would most likely be improperly used.

[glebert]

I was out in the garage sharpening my lawn mower blade with a dremel tool, and thought maybe I could improve the prongs on my cheapo divot tool (the stamped metal type). I was surprised how hard the metal was. I figured I'd give it a few swipes and be done. I didn't make any progress at all. I think I will have to clamp it in a vise and make a real effort at it.