How to repair ball marks and divots

Do your part to help keep the course in great condition. Take a look at instructions and tips below.

BALL MARKS
1. Use a ballmark repair tool (sometimes called a divot/greens repair tool) whenever possible. They cost a couple bucks - buy one.

2. Insert the repair tool at the edge of the pitch mark. Do NOT insert the tool within the depression itself.

3. Push the tool forward from the edge of the pitch 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 as pushing turf in from the edges toward the center.

5. Tamp down the repaired area with your putter so that the surface is even.

Tips
1. If your pitch 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 turf will simply die, delaying the healing process.

2. Pushing the tines of your repair tool under the indented area and pushing up only damages the root system.

3. You not only should always repair your pitch marks, but, time permitting, you should repair any other ball marks you see, too.

What You Need
· Ballmark Repair Tool
· Putter

DIVOTS
1. The proper way to repair a divot can differ depending on your location and the types of turf used. If you're not sure what's proper, ask before your round.

2. Many courses simply ask you to replace your divot. Pick up the divot and put it back in place in the same direction it came out. Tamp down firmly so the ground is level.

3. Courses with actively growing bermudagrass may prefer to have divots filled with sand rather than replaced. Fill with sand (usually provided on the cart) and tamp down firmly.

4. Some courses provide a mixture of sand and seed for use in repairing divots. Fill and tamp down firmly.

Tips
1. Replacing or repairing divots is designed to get the turf growing again as quickly as possible.

2. Failure to replace or repair a divot can add weeks to to the time it takes turf to heal itself.