Repairing a ball mark on a green takes seconds, but can save weeks of healing to the turf. It's an important thing to do for the course, and for the golfers who follow you.

Difficulty: Easy
Time required: 15-30 seconds

Here's how:

 

1. Use a ballmark repair tool (also called a divot repair tool or greens repair tool) whenever possible. They cost a couple bucks- buy one.
2. Insert the repair tool at the edge of the ball mark. DO NOT insert the tool within the depression itself.
3. Push the tool forward from the edge of the ball mark toward the center. Do this around the edges of the indentation.
4. Do not insert the tool under the indented area and push up - a common mistake. Think of it is even.

 

Tips:

 

1. If your ball mark has actually displaced a piece of turf, do not replace it. Just work around the edges with your repair tool as normal. The replaced turn will simply die, delaying the healing process.
2. Pushing the tines of your repair tool under the indented area and pushing up simply damages the root system.
3. You not only should always repair your ball marks, but, time permitting, you should repair any other ball marks you see, too.

 

What you need:

 

• Ballmark repair tool
• Divot repair tool
• Putter

 

HOW TO USE A GOLF BALL MARK REPAIR TOOL

 

Many golfers have been playing the game for years and have never really known the correct way to use a divot repair tool to fix their ball marks.

The higher end golf courses seem to offer repair tools with greens fee, and the normally have a pamphlet on the correct way to use it. But so many golfers just don't look at it, they think they know but, many have had it backwards.

If a divot not repaired correctly everyone suffers from the bad conditions on the green afterwards. But if done correctly every golfer can help ensure that greens stay in better, and that's just good golf etiquette.

A lot of people think that you need to push up the ground that is at the bottom of the divot, and that is incorrect. To fix the right you have to close the gap and push the sides of the divot together.

 

TO USE A DIVOT REPAIR TOOL THE RIGHT WAY:

1. Place it in the ground just outside the ball mark it self.
2. Push down and forward to push the ground closer together.
3. Then move the tool to either side to close the divot.
4. Finish it off by tapping lightly on the ball mark to level it out with your putter.

 

YUP, IT'S REALLY THAT SIMPLE......

 

Please take a moment and review the proper method for repairing a ball mark. Studies show that the use of improper methods actually increases green scarring and extends damage.

		Use a pronged ball mark repair tool (preferably), knife, key or tee.
		Insert at the edges of the mark-not the middle of the depression.
		Bring the edges together with gentle twisting motion, but don't lift the center. Try not to tear the grass.
		Smooth the surface with a club or foot. You're done when it's a surface that you would putt over.

Thanks for your time and for repairing those ball marks!