Do You Use a Divot Repair Tool?

[rehmwa]

Am I wrong here?  Is a divot actually defined as ANY kind of club or ball damage.  I thought it was just that strip of sod I take when I hit a good shot or a heavy shot. 

I'd love to see someone use a pronged ballmark repair tool and fix one of those beaver pelts I take when I hit a wedge shot fat.

When vendors take a "ball mark repair tool" and call it a "divot" repair tool, I wonder if they are knowledgable enough to be making or selling the thing.

 

that said - attached is my ball mark repair tool.  I like the compact form and the integrated marker (WinCraft makes these)

 

 

Edited October 5, 2015 by rehmwa

[Cupcakus]

To me divots are not the same thing as pitch/ball marks.  I always carry my pitch fork and repair my and others marks.  Most golfers do as I have seen.

Divots on the other hand, most golfers I have seen just leave the big holes in the fairway.  You should find it, put it back in the hole, or at the very least fill it with sand.

 

[Mr. Desmond]

And for divot repair, from the USGA:

 

[rehmwa]

  On 10/5/2015 at 3:20 PM, Cupcakus said:

Divots on the other hand, most golfers I have seen just leave the big holes in the fairway.  You should find it, put it back in the hole, or at the very least fill it with sand.

I am a firm believer that if you take a big divot, you should fill the flaw with sand/seed mix, and then wear the pelt like a toupee for at least one full hole of play.  Large ones should be brought home and mounted on a plaque above the fireplace.

[Dave2512]

Sure I fix a couple on every green even if I don't make a mark, which is often. The sharp, two pronged thin metal type works best. My pre-round routine includes exchanging all my non-golf items from my pockets for my repair tool. Those are usually inexpensive. The course logo funky faux brass ones are always overpriced. I have a couple switchblade one too.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Dave2512

[Pretzel]

I always fix my bask mark, any around it, and any bear the line of my putts. It's just considerate for the next golfer and each one takes five seconds, tops.

[Patch]

IMHO a divot is any damage  caused by club, or ball to the playing turf. Fairway or green it is damage to the playing surface. I supposed it could be argued that the two prong tool we use on the green should be called a "dent fixer".    

[rehmwa]

  On 10/5/2015 at 3:49 PM, Patch said:

IMHO a divot is any damage  caused by club, or ball to the playing turf. Fairway or green it is damage to the playing surface. I supposed it could be argued that the two prong tool we use on the green should be called a "dent fixer".    

I don't think it's an official definition just because it's in italics......

here's one from the top of a search on it.  your mileage might vary

But the history of the term came from when Scots used a square of turf (a divot) as roofing materials.

Divot from a dictionary site

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2015 by rehmwa

[JonMA1]

Pitch mark tool. Like most others, I fix mine and those of others who are less considerate. I'd learned the way shown above and believe it to be the correct method. 

I like having to use the tool, it's usually the result of a successful approach shot.

Interesting conversation with the manager (an ex tour player) and head groundskeeper at a local course about fixing ball marks. When I mentioned there was a right way and wrong way to fix pitch marks, the manager said "yeah, you just pry up to get rid of the indentation". I didn't want to get into an argument (WTF do I know?), but simply said I thought that did more damage to the roots than simply pushing the grass back towards the center (usually it's built up on one side). The groundskeeper seemed hesitant to say anything.

[DaveP043]

I have 3 or 4 in my golf bag, and always fix my mark and a couple more.  If you're a member of USGA, they'll send you a new one every  spring, along with a hat and a new copy of the rules.  Mine are all the 2-prong variety, and I don't think I've bought one for decades.

[JP golf]

I actually collect repair tools (from courses I play)... I'll pay about $15 for good ones.  I prefer the ones that have a ball mark and clip.  I keep it on my right pocket it makes for super easy access without digging in the pocket and the ball mark is already right there.  I feel stupid without one on my pocket and I always use it!

Kudos to @Mr. Desmond for posting those Videos.  I wish more people fixed their marks properly.  It really does help the greens. 

I like the ones like this:

Edited October 5, 2015 by JP golf

[Yukari]

but of course.

I've got a Swiss army knife type of divot tool that I got as a gift.  It retracts and also has ball marker.  Because it retracts when not in use, it does not damage the inside of my pant pocket.

[Kenny Lee]

  On 10/5/2015 at 1:00 PM, Phil McGleno said:

This smells like spam or fishing or whatever. @TigonWoods is probably going to begin selling a pitch mark repair tool.

Yep. I was thinking the same thing. No doubt it's coming.

[rehmwa]

  On 10/5/2015 at 11:22 PM, Kenny Lee said:

Yep. I was thinking the same thing. No doubt it's coming.

or maybe it's a prelude to someone requesting our input for a 'college paper'..........THEN a stupid sales pitch

[RickK]

I use this style divot tool.  I think they are 2 or 3 bucks at many of the golf courses I play. 

[Pretzel]

  On 10/5/2015 at 4:20 AM, TigonWoods said:

What is the most you would pay for a divot tool?

I have a friend that bought one for $69 but it's pretty high end and he tells me it adds a little something to his green game.

-Tigon Woods

 

This is his post in the club cleaning thread. Sales pitch definitely incoming.

[trey3d]

I use the ones like Rickk posted.

I am glad to see that I was taught correctly when I first started.

[TN94z]

I have always fixed my ball marks. I use a tool and a tee. Just depends on whether I remember to put the tool in my pocket or not. Most of the time, I will always fix extra marks while I'm waiting on others to put or while they are reading their putts.

 

I'm also big on fixing divots in the fairway since I'm usually the unlucky one in the group to land in them...frustrating.