How to properly repair ball marks on greens

                One of the main complaints I recieve from the membership is about ball marks on the greens.  This is a problem all golf courses face, especially courses that get as many rounds as we do here at Marietta Country Club.  In order to try and alleviate this problem, I must ask a favor of all golfers, please try and repair your ball marks.  To help clear up any uncertainty, I want to take a moment and explain the proper way to fix a ball mark.

                Fixing ball marks right after the shot hits the green is very important, equally important is doing it the right way.  Because while many golfers fail to repair ball marks – and shame on you if you are one of them – there are also many well-meaning golfers who do “repair” the ball marks, only to do so incorrectly.  A study recently done at Kansas State University, my alma mater, has concluded that incorrectly “repaired” ball marks take up to twice as long to heal as those that are properly repaired.  So I have a few pointers that I hope will help to inform you of the best way to fix these unsightly depressions.

                 Start off by obtaining a Ball Mark Repair Tool, or Divot Tool, from the pro shop or any other golf supplier.  A tee also works just fine, as long as it is used properly.  My favorite tool to use is the original design with two prongs on the end of metal or hard plastic.  See the illustration below for an example.

                               

                The first step in repairing ball marks is to take your ball mark repair tool and insert the prongs into the turf at the edge of the depression.  Note: Do NOT insert the prongs into the depression itself, but at the rim of the depression.

                            

                The next step is to push the edge of the ball mark toward the center, using your ball mark repair tool in a “gentle twisting motion”, to help push the surrounding edges of grass back together.  This is the step where most golfers who incorrectly “repair” ball marks usually mess up.  Many golfers believe the way to fix a ball mark is to insert the tool as a lever to push the bottom of the ball mark back up even with the surface.  Do not do this!  Pushing the bottom of the depression upward only tears the roots, and kills the grass.  Just use your ball repair tool to work around the rim of the crater, so to speak, pushing the grass at the edge toward the center of the depression.

                         

                So remember:

Wrong:  Using the prongs as levers to push up the bottom of the depression.

Right:  Using the prongs to push grass at the edge of the depression toward the center.

                Once you’ve worked around the rim of the ball mark with your repair tool, pushing the grass toward the center, there’s only one thing left to do:  Gently tamp down the repaired ball mark with your putter or foot to smooth the putting surface.

                       

                So there you have it, a quick and easy way to “properly” repair ball marks.  If everyone who plays golf on any our beautiful golf courses could take a few seconds to repair their own ball marks we can help cut down on the unsightly spots and depressions that affect the golfing experience.  I want to assure you that the grounds staff will try and help out in any way possible to keep up with this problem and help keep our greens as good as possible.  We hope to see you on the links!