Ball Mark Repair Thread

[Mark Mender]

You can see a video of it repairing a Gigantic ball mark Crater at

Thanks for your kind remarks.

[WAM-Golf]

Definitely toss the piece of turf that was detached. It's done. Repair the ball mark without it. Start TWICE as far out from the sides of the crater as you normally would. Move some turf towards the crater, then move the edges in to fill in the hole. Smooth out the whole area with the bottom of a Scotty Cameron.

This is spot on. Well said Bryan.... except for those of use using something less than a Scotty Cameron... hahaha

[sean_miller]

the Mark Mender

Throw it away, fix the mark.

That would be the process I'd follow. If on the other hand, I want to do a 1/2 a**ed job in twice the time, I'll surely pick up the mark mender.

[Zeph]

Zeph,

I was looking at this tool from my own perspective, and I know how to properly fix a ball mark, using the normal green fork. So for me, personally, I don't know if the tool will make my job easier or faster, or give better results. It looks pretty simple on the videos, but I've played on lots of greens, and not all behaves as seemingly well as those on the demonstration. I'm just pointing out that for someone who knows how to use a fork, the Mark Mender might have more limited options of usage.

Whenever I see someone repair ball marks wrong, I demonstrate how it should be done and why. In my opinion, the clubs are not doing enough to help players do it properly. My experience of course being limited to the clubs I've visited, but it's still something. I have been explained how to do it by many people, but I'm sorry to say most told me to lift it up, not push the edges in. For the average golfer that sometimes don't carry a tool, forget to use it, or use it improperly, I can see how this tool can be useful. The tool itself is designed such that it's difficult to use it improperly, but probably not impossible. I'm not trying to talk down on Mark Mender, I'm positive to anything that can help keep the greens in better shape. Being a sucker to golf equipment, I'll probably order some Mark Menders sometime to try them out. I'm sure they would not affect my game, and I see that the tool can be cliped together, so the size will probably work. I'd say I'm probably more interested in ball mark tools than most golfers, having spent hours looking for the best tools online. So far unsuccessful, but perhaps the Mark Mender will surprise me, I sure hope so.

[golf nut]

From what I see with the instructions supplied it makes the tool do exactly what is required to repair a mark, it also appears to be a adjustable for those wet and those dry games because there definitely is a huge difference, I appreciate the tool simply because I have been working on a somewhat similar but far more complicated tool myself but not for the golfer but for the greens staff and appreciate the work that went into it.

[sean_miller]

From what I see with the instructions supplied it makes the tool do exactly what is required to repair a mark, it also appears to be a adjustable for those wet and those dry games because there definitely is a huge difference, I appreciate the tool simply because I have been working on a somewhat similar but far more complicated tool myself but not for the golfer but for the greens staff and appreciate the work that went into it.

I'm sure it's virtually fantastic. The user undoubtedly has as much control using it as they do over the playing of the promotional website and video.

[jerrywilkin]

Throw it away. then stick the repair tool around the edges of the hole & with a twisting motion,close up the hole. tap it down and pretend that you will have to putt over it. repairing it for the balls rolling over it will also be the best way to repair it for the greens sake.

[Mark Mender]

Sean,
I'm not sure why you have such hostility towards the MarkMender tool. Have you ever tried it? It's pretty simple to use and virtually impossible to misuse. After selling tens of thousands of them with a full money back guarantee, we have gotten less than a handful back. The video shows an amazing repair of a crater sized ball mark in about 3 seconds. So why do you think it would take twice as long to use and not work as well?
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Mender

[sean_miller]

Sean,

Perhaps there are more skilled users near the end of the video (I had to close my browser) but in the portion I watched a very non-craterlike ball mark repaired in twice the time it should have taken. And when it was done (who uses their shoe - come on) it wasnt in a state that could be confidently putted over.

In my very humble and respectful opinion (which until told otherwise, I am permitted to offer) if someone gave me one, it wouldn't make it into the bag, but since there are probably some ham handed people out there who can't manipulate a regular tool (or a tee), good luck.

[Mark Mender]

Perhaps there are more skilled users near the end of the video (I had to close my browser) but in the portion I watched a very non-craterlike ball mark repaired in twice the time it should have taken. And when it was done (who uses their shoe - come on) it wasnt in a state that could be confidently putted over.

I've been told that a

"person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still" . So I do not expect to change yours. But for those others who have followed this thread. For starters, when we made that video of the repairs we purposely did it slowly in order to show the viewer how it was done. And yes, it was patted down with a street shoe as we were on a putting green not out on the course. The very next video segment, about 3 seconds later, uses a putter for that task. The crater repair that I referred to was at the very beginning of the video and took all of about 2-3 seconds. And some people do step on a repair to flatten it out. perhaps Sean doesn't. I certainly respect Sean's right to his opinion, but obviously without ever personally trying the tool ....???.... By the way, I'm not sure what a "ham handed" person is, but despite there being a diagram of the proper way to repair a ball mark in every golf cart and above every golf course urinal in the world, the vast majority of people continue to misuse the tool. Studies have show that upwards of 70% (at public courses) to 95% (at private) of ball marks are indeed repaired. If not by the perpetrator, then by someone in the group(s) behind them. If that's the case, then one must ask why the problem of pock marked greens has persisted for decades? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. In other words, teaching "ham handed" golfers how to use the old forked tool for the past 100 years has not worked, and I believe that it never will work. I have found that hose who truly care about the game embrace innovations that are part of the solution (i.e. soft golf spikes). I believe persisting with trying to finally train golfers to use the old tool correctly IS the problem. Sean, I wish you all the best; Long straight drives and smooth true greens to put on. Regards, MarkMender

[sean_miller]

Sean, I wish you all the best; Long straight drives and smooth true greens to put on.

Thanks Mark. Btw - I do see that you stated your opinion on the question asked in post #1 (RE: the little piece of loose sod often left dangling precariously above the crater).

[iacas]

Sean, I wish you all the best; Long straight drives and smooth true greens to put on.

I've been a proponent of fixing greens properly for years and have done so well. I'd be interested to try the Mark Mender and to share my thoughts. Would you please email me regarding a possible mini review as well as an interview for publication on our main site?

[Mark Mender]

Erik,
I sent you a private message. Please let me know if you do not get it. Thanks.

[skipperxo]

Yes, people are cluless when it comes to course maintainence...but you say that

using a tee is not good enough to fix pitch marks...what a joke!

Then why do tour players and caddies use them DURING tournaments???

The former PGA pro of the year who is also the head pro at TPC Scottsdale told me himself that a tee is perfectly acceptable!!!

I'll take all of your money on the course!!!

[jclifton]

I personally would listen to a greenskeeper about ball mark repair over a PGA pro at a course. No matter which course.

I also think that all courses should have a poster with the proper way to repair a ball mark. The Scotty Cameron tool is called the Pivot Tool. The proper way to repair is not to "pivot" the tool and raise the center of mark. Still the Cameron tool works well if used in the proper way.

[The Gill]

That's a hell of a first post.

Originally Posted by skipperxo

Yes, people are cluless when it comes to course maintainence...but you say that

using a tee is not good enough to fix pitch marks...what a joke!

Then why do tour players and caddies use them DURING tournaments???

The former PGA pro of the year who is also the head pro at TPC Scottsdale told me himself that a tee is perfectly acceptable!!!

I'll take all of your money on the course!!!

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by The Gill

That's a hell of a first post.

And with luck perhaps the last....

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Clambake

And with luck perhaps the last....

One can only hope.