Ball Mark Repair

With the beginning of the season here, it is important to remind people proper golf course etiquette. In section I of the USGA Rules of Golf handbook, repairing ball marks is clearly stated as follows:

"Repair of Divots, Ball Marks and Damage by Shoes: Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired."

-USGA Rules of Golf Section I

The grounds crew searches for and repairs ball marks every morning left behind from the previous days play. If not repaired, the ball marks can take weeks to fully recover leaving unsightly damage. Repairing ball marks properly directly affects the aesthetics and more importantly the play ability of the green. Any sharp object can be used as a ball mark repair tool.

Below is an informative video that shows the right and wrong ways to repair ball marks. Please take a few minutes and use this video as a refresher for the upcoming season.