Ball Mark Repair Tools

[DBake]

Was looking through the forum from when it start and came across an thread that talked about divot repair and saw an image on one web site that was given and wanted to poll and see what style of divot repair you really use(look below a the picture to poll)...I will be changing mine pretty soon, I had no idea.

[iacas]

Was looking through the forum from when it start and came across an thread that talked about divot repair and saw an image on one web site that was given and wanted to poll and see what style of divot repair you really use(look below a the picture to poll)...I will be changing mine pretty soon, I had no idea.

Since that image came from my country club, why, I use the proper one. Because, having done the Website over the winter, why... I knew I'd probably be aerified myself if my superintendent saw me using the wrong ones.

I must say, too, now that I know the proper way to fix a ball mark, it's amazing what I can do. I see brown spots on the green now and I literally core them out and pull the turf back over the hole.

[Everardo]

Personally I like the new Scotty Cameron divot tools, I like the leverage, weight and the new clip keeps it outside my pocket where it won't stab me.

[iacas]

Personally I like the new Scotty Cameron divot tools, I like the leverage, weight and the new clip keeps it outside my pocket where it won't stab me.

Those are bad tools. And you shouldn't need "leverage." Leverage implies that you're popping up the divot, which is NOT the way to fix a divot.

It astounds me that Scotty Cameron of all people continues to make divot tools that actually harm putting surfaces more than they help them.

[DBake]

I started or redone this topic from the past because I was doing it wrong and see than some of us are doing it, it is not our faults we just have never been told. I got this from the last topic and the web site goes to Lake View Country Club were iacas plays out of. (Quick 1 minute video).

http://lakeviewcc.dreamhosters.com/t...ark_repair.php

[Everardo]

Those are bad tools. And you shouldn't need "leverage." Leverage implies that you're popping up the divot, which is NOT the way to fix a divot.

The brings up a good point and I probably shouldn't have used the word leverage. Just to clarify though I don't pop up the divots. I work at a golf course and have learned the "good" way to fix a divot.

[aceadair]

The spelling of the word "Unacceptable" in the picture is WRONG!

[iacas]

The spelling of the word "Unacceptable" in the picture is WRONG!

I know. I had to use the old graphics he created, though... I pointed it out to him too but he didn't have the original with layers.

[Sando]

Very helpful article. I had read something similar not too long ago but not as clearly spelled out.

I've come to the conclusion that our dilemma isn't that people aren't fixing their ball marks but that they are simply doing it improperly.

Not where I play, which is virtually all public courses. I have made it a mission to fix at least 3 ball marks on every green I see. That usually means 3 marks from others but now and again it can mean mine too. I'm working on that...

NEVER replace the piece of turf that becomes dislodged from the impact of the golf ball.

Never knew that. I thought I was doing right by replacing it but won't now. Does this apply to most/all types of grasses?

Now... I use a tool similar in style to the 2nd and 3rd from the left. Why is that "unexceptable?" How am I showing a complete disregard for the game? I can see how a thinner fork may be better but the other is entirely ineffective?

[Ben]

You gotta go Divx. They make the switchblade one that makes a cool noise when you open it. It makes hitting a green in regulation so much cooler when you snap that thing open to fix your ballmark. *ting*

Used to use a tee though.

[NCGolfer]

I use a couple that are similar to the ones in the right hand side of the picture.

Not where I play, which is virtually all public courses. I have made it a mission to fix at least 3 ball marks on every green I see. That usually means 3 marks from others but now and again it can mean mine too. I'm working on that...

I do the same thing. If I hole out early and am waiting on a couple other players I'll often wander the green fixing any marks I can. Unfixed ball marks is at or near the top of my golf pet peeve list.

[muskegman]

I do the same thing. If I hole out early and am waiting on a couple other players I'll often wander the green fixing any marks I can. Unfixed ball marks is at or near the top of my golf pet peeve list.

I'm always very surprised to see major ball marks on greens. I played a beautiful course on Monday and there were a lot of unfixed ball marks. I think the groups in front of us (all older guys) weren't fixing their marks. It was like they didn't even know ball marks were a problem.

What is it with some people's kids?

[Rafcin]

I'm always very surprised to see major ball marks on greens. I played a beautiful course on Monday and there were a lot of unfixed ball marks. I think the groups in front of us (all older guys) weren't fixing their marks. It was like they didn't even know ball marks were a problem.

from my experience - it's not the kids, that are the main suspects. It's the 40's and 50's generation, half-drunk, cigar in their mouth wannabees, that are "too good" to bend over and most of the time have "I paid enough not to have to do that" attitude. I worked out a method to fight it... if I notice player not taking care of ball marks - I don't say anything. I just very obviously walk around the green and fix at least 3 or 4 ball marks, while he's standing around. After 2nd, 3rd green - you'll be amazed how many of them are joining me in the effort

[Rafcin]

Unfixed ball marks is at or near the top of my golf pet peeve list.

Divots going ahead of it for me. The difference is - you can fix ball mark on the green before you putt, where if you're in a 10" hole in the middle of the fairway - there is not much you can do (according to the USGA B.S. rule). Definitely more annoying to me.

[NM Golf]

When I started playing with my father the first thing he taught me was rake the traps, fix your divots in the fairway and yours and one other ball mark on the green. If everyone followed those 3 simple rules it would make golf that much more enjoyable.

[Baynative]

Those are bad tools. And you shouldn't need "leverage." Leverage implies that you're popping up the divot, which is NOT the way to fix a divot.

Roger that! When I started playing in California a few years ago every clubhouse I can remember had a poster up at the computer or in the bathroom about the proper way to repair a ball mark. Then I see Scotty Cameron (of all people) marketing this fulcrum tool that some folks use to gouge up as much earth as possible because it looks like it was designed for that.

Another note: I've found that many unrepaired ball marks occur beyond the flag where players have hit and bounced over the green. They often miss the mark when concentrating on locating their ball and sizing up the shot.

[hansmixer]

Was looking through the forum from when it start and came across an thread that talked about divot repair and saw an image on one web site that was given and wanted to poll and see what style of divot repair you really use(look below a the picture to poll)...I will be changing mine pretty soon, I had no idea.

The ball mark repair video/faq was very useful. In terms of the divot repair tool, ever since I saw that video, I've been trying to find one of the tools that was recommended (i.e., sharp and pointed) without any success. At all of the local golf shops, all I see are the blunt pronged tools that are "bad" to use.

Does anyone know where I can find a good divot repair tool?

[Lange]

If you asked this question to the people at one of the golf courses i play at (The Meadows) you'd get about 80% find it's not there job. Ill hit the green lets say on a 100 yard approach, then come up to the green and you end up fixing 5 divots rather then just the one you made, because u can't always figure out which one you made cuz theres quite a few! Unbelievable that some people can't take the time to just fix one small hole like come on.