How to repair ball marks on the green.

[Hategolf]

I was doing it wrong. 

 

[SirDustinLongJohnson]

I was too. I thought about asking how to do it properly, but felt like it was a stupid question and never did. I ended up asking a buddy how he did it.

[boogielicious]

It is important to get the right tool too. The tool should have thin tines that don't dig up the turf by themselves.

[dennyjones]

I'm amazed at how many people do not know how to repair a divot mark.   I've seen people use tees, I've seen people just step on the divot, I've seen people just tap it down with a putter and the list continues.  

I always repair my mark plus one. 

[iacas]

http://lakeviewcc.com/turfcare/etiquette/repairing_ball_marks.php

I put that together years ago with the superintendent at that course, and it still holds up.

[cutchemist42]

2 hours ago, iacas said:

http://lakeviewcc.com/turfcare/etiquette/repairing_ball_marks.php

I put that together years ago with the superintendent at that course, and it still holds up.

Great guide!

[paininthenuts]

I know this sounds extreme, but to be honest I am not a Liberal, and I certainly don't do political correctness, but I would execute anyone who doesn't at least attempt to repair the pitch marks. 

[Kalnoky]

14 minutes ago, paininthenuts said:

I would execute anyone who doesn't at least attempt to repair the pitch marks. 

I always repair pitch marks with great pride. Usually it means I hit GIR. I like to relish that moment!

[Papa Steve 55]

I always toss that quarter size piece that sometimes pops out. I get beat up a lot by other players for not replacing it. Nice to see I was right in tossing it.

[Hategolf]

6 minutes ago, paininthenuts said:

 but I would execute anyone who doesn't at least attempt to repair the pitch marks. 

Hahaha....I'm with you.

I think the golf courses should be more pro active in educating. Why don't they have the starter handing out a little card that tells people how to repair/patch greens and fairways and why? or just telling the players, I mean the information can also be displayed in golf carts like in the gps and such.  Or in a busy weekend have a good looking girl on the first tee sharing the info ( a cleavage would be nice).

It is our responsibility to educate ourselves yet, there are people who play golf in special occasion or from time to time who don't know much about it other than the basics. It can't be expected for them to know. I don't think. 

No one ever showed me how to repair...I learned by watching others and they were most doing it wrong too. I played many courses in the area and most of them have a sign..but for most recreational and beginner golfers the sign is forgettable when they are trying to keep score and play the game. 

[jkelley9]

I learned the correct way from that same link @iacas posted, he posted a while back in a similar thread. I was very surprised, but I've been doing it to correct way ever since and I have an appropriate repair tool now as well.

I actually rarely see players repair pitch marks correctly. Even some of the best golfers I've played with stick a tee in and pull the low point up, and replacing a separated piece of turf.

[Vinny Cap]

Good link iacas!  I was lucky as my friend taught me when I started playing golf.  It took a year or so before I actually made a mark I could repair but hey, I was new to the game!

It is hard to get all the basics to people in the cart or at the first Tee but I was lucky as I was taught course management, ready golf and how to fix divots, puck marks and rake bunkers when I started playing golf.

I never tried the tee to repair the marks but you see all the pros do it so I think that's why golfers do it as well. I like many of you, do see way too many marks and usually get pissed when I have to repair 2 or 3 just to make a putt.  Take care of the course or go home and knit something!!!

[natureboy]

Any comments on which of these fit the right criteria of tool? Seems to me the first few would be okay, esp. the first two. The ones toward the end seem a bit thick in cross-section relative to the recommendation in the link.

1. http://champspikes.com/products/golf/accessories/divot-tools/metal-bent-tab-divot-repair-tools/
2. https://www.amazon.com/Orlimar-OR07244-3-Pack-Divot-Tool/dp/B004LFR8L4/ref=sr_1_232?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729776&sr=1-232
3. https://www.amazon.com/Tinksky-Repairer-Golf-Curved-Accessories-Silver/dp/B017E9YXA2/ref=sr_1_237?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729776&sr=1-237
4. https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Divot-Repair-Great-Charter/dp/B003XCF3FE/ref=sr_1_53?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729391&sr=1-53
5. https://www.amazon.com/Powder-Coated-Divot-Tools-Black/dp/B01C7D245G/ref=sr_1_102?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729503&sr=1-102
6. https://www.amazon.com/Hat-Trick-Openers-Divot-Black/dp/B01HEBX3IS/ref=lp_3411051_1_26?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729226&sr=1-26-spons&psc=1
7. https://www.amazon.com/ZTech-Premium-Divot-Marker-COLOR/dp/B008L4RB22/ref=sr_1_98?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729480&sr=1-98-spons&psc=1
8. https://www.amazon.com/Hat-Trick-Openers-Divot-Force/dp/B00CIU4LTQ/ref=sr_1_187?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729669&sr=1-187
9. https://www.amazon.com/Switchblade-Divot-Repair-Tool-Black/dp/B00P2SD0BQ/ref=sr_1_193?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729704&sr=1-193
10. https://www.amazon.com/Cigar-Holder-Divot-Marker-Tattoo/dp/B01DAQQAGS/ref=lp_3411051_1_27?s=golf&ie=UTF8&qid=1483729226&sr=1-27-spons&psc=1

 

Edited January 6, 2017 by natureboy