Would this be considered bad etiquette?

[Lebowski]

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on something I was thinking about recently when it comes to repairing ballmarks/pitchmarks. When playing during a tournament round, if I happen to make an obnoxious pitchmark on a green right on someones line of putt, would it be considered bad etiquette to ask that person if he/she would like to repair that ball mark themselves rather then myself to ensure their line of putt is in their preferred condition? I do not want to come off lazy or anything of that sort, but I just would never want a fellow player thinking I'm out to sabotage them by butchering their line of putt. What would your reaction be if someone asked you this? What would you rather have someone do in this situation?

*I do know the correct way to fix a ball mark to ensure their is no ugly dead brown spot after, but during a competitive round some players will still pry the grass upwards when fixing ball marks (see PGA tour) I hate doing it and never do it for myself, but I still see people doing it when playing in competitive rounds.

[Fourputt]

It would never be wrong to ask, but at the same time, he is allowed to re-repair a pitch mark too, as long as there is no doubt that it IS a pitch mark. If he doesn't like the job you did, then it's his option to tweak it. Sounds like you do it pretty well, but I've certainly played with people (even experienced golfers) who have no idea how to do it correctly.

I generally make a point of repairing my own no matter where it is, unless someone gets to the green ahead of me and has already done it.

[Ignorant]

It would never be wrong to ask, but at the same time, he is allowed to re-repair a pitch mark too, as long as there is no doubt that it IS a pitch mark. If he doesn't like the job you did, then it's his option to tweak it. Sounds like you do it pretty well, but I've certainly played with people (even experienced golfers) who have no idea how to do it correctly.

Once I read an advice given by an experienced Tour player (cannot remember the name but he is one of the great ones). He said something like this: 'Make sure you repair your pitch mark so well that you would be happy to put your own ball through he spot.'

Fine advice, IMO.

[zeg]

I'd definitely ask, and I'd expect that he'd want to repair it himself. I know I would prefer to fix a pitchmark on my line rather than have someone else playing on the line. Yes, you can re-repair it, and you'd also be allowed to repair any accidental damage, but I'd rather be responsible for my own line.

[Fourputt]

I'll put it this way. I'd rather any player repairs his pitch mark on the green regardless of where it is, than just ignore it. I find that it's usually automatic on those occasions where I actually hit the green on the fly to just immediately repair the crater as soon as I get to the green. I really don't change that policy whether or not I'm on someone's line. I make sure that I don't walk on their line to get to my pitch mark, but I repair them better than 95% of the people I play with, so I've never gotten a complaint.

Like Ignorant said, repair it so that you wouldn't hesitate to putt over it, and do it by pushing in from the edges, not prying up from the bottom, and you've done a good job.

[sean_miller]

I'd let the person who made the mark fix it. If they make a mockery of the repair, redo it. Their emarassment will be worth it. Besides, with my putting skills, my ball rolling over a bump is just as likely to help as hinder my chances of holing the putt.

[ks8829]

You could repair the ball mark yourself and ask for his approval in a sincere way.

[kevinbomb123]

no it would not bother me

[MrKadash]

I'd let the person who made the mark fix it. If they make a mockery of the repair, redo it.

This. If I make the pitchmark, then I fix it. Whatever happens after that, so be it. If my playing companion makes the mark, I expect him to fix it, then I inspect it and do more repairs if I deem necessary. There have been occasions when I'm playing a casual round with friends where I will go ahead and fix the mark made by another, but then again I go ahead and fix whatever I see while I'm waiting for others to play.

[leezer99]

Fix all ball marks on the green regardless of who made them. It's just polite and guess what... I doubt you'll run into that problem again any time soon. I've been playing for many years now in a multitude of tournaments and I can't even remember a time when my pitch mark were in someone's line. The odds are just so against you leaving a mark in someone's line I wouldn't worry about it.

[Lebowski]

thanks for all the input guys, this question wasn't based on any particular situation but i still appreciate all the responses for peace of mind

[DBeane]

You could repair the ball mark yourself and ask for his approval in a sincere way.

This is a good idea...

In that situation, I normally repair the mark, look at the player and say "make sure your happy with that", or something like that. -Beane

[aeastwic]

Very rarely have I played with, or against, anyone who would think that I would be trying to sabotage them. Just fix it, and then ask "that good for you?"

[Three Putt]

I would definetly ask them if they wanted to repair the pitch mark if it is in their line. I do a good job of repairing pushing in from the back, then the sides, and tapping down flat with the putter.

Never really been an issue with me.