Divot Repair Tools
Interestingly enough, what are known as divot repair tools actually repair “pitch marks” not “divots” but it is still commonly referred to as such in everyday play.
To help you understand look at the pictures and descriptions below:
This is an actual “divot” made by a club removing grass and dirt during a swing.
This is technically a “pitch mark” that is more commonly referred to as a “divot”.
This is a common divot (pitch mark) repair tool used to pull the divot together.
A divot repair tool is used when you have landed your ball on the green from far enough and high enough that the ball leaves an indention or displacement in the green.
To repair a divot (pitch mark) you:
- Insert your divot repair tool into the green about halfway.
- Push the grass back toward the center of the indention.
- Repeat the first two steps all around the indention.
- Use your putter or foot to gently tamp the ground back down as level as possible.
The reasons you should repair your divots (pitch marks) are:
- It helps the grass re-root and the green heal.
- It allows golfers who play behind you to have a smoother putting surface.
Ultimately, divots (pitch marks) that go unrepaired cause holes to be left in the green for a long time. If no one repaired their divots (pitch marks) even just a few days, it would be like having to putt through a combination of a pinball machine and a plinko board.
It is everyone’s responsibility to leave the course better than they found it so that everyone can enjoy playing on a course that is taken care of.
A good practice is to fix at least one divot (pitch mark) per green whether you left one or not and if you did make one, fix two!