Why is it Important to Repair Your Ball Mark on the Green?

Have you ever played a beautiful course and then walked up to the green and found many ball marks that hadn’t been repaired? It’s most golfer’s pet peeve and could be resolved in under 10 seconds if everyone did their part. It will also help the golf course and grounds team, as long as they are repaired correctly.

What is a Ball Mark?

A ball mark is a dent or shallow depression that is left on the surface of the green after the ball hits the turf. The marks are usually more evident on softer greens, but they can be made on any putting surface.

How to Repair a Ball Mark Correctly

The most popular tools to use are either a fork-shaped repair tool or a tee. When repairing the ball mark, you want to insert the tool behind the mark and gently pull the tool towards the center of it. You then continue with this process around the whole ball mark so that all the surrounding turf is pulled in toward the center. Be aware to avoid twisting or lifting up your ball mark repairer as this can damage the roots. Once the turf is in the center of the mark, you can use your putter to gently tap down on it so that the surface is smooth.

What Happens if You Don’t Repair a Ball Mark?

When ball marks are not repaired, it can cause lasting problems. They may seem like little marks that can be ignored, but if they are not repaired straight away, they can take weeks to heal. This means that putting surfaces will be uneven and there’s more chance of your ball veering off-line even if you’ve made a good stroke. The damage from the mark can also make it easier for weeds to grow from.

Golf Course Etiquette

Everyone wants to play on a course that’s in good condition, and not only is that down to the grounds team, but also the players. You wouldn’t want to walk up to a green and find it full of ball marks, so if everyone did their part, it would be beneficial to all.

When you walk onto the green, it is essential that you repair your own ball mark, and it would be helpful and a good idea to repair a couple of others while you’re at it. This will make the golf course more enjoyable and prevent the damage from being long-lasting.

Check out my YouTube video on my channel Barry Ehlert where I demonstrate how to properly repair a ball mark.