To fix a divot in golf, retrieve the displaced turf (if intact), place it back in the original spot, and press it gently to level it with the ground. If the turf is too damaged, fill the hole with sand or seed mix provided by the golf course and tamp it down to ensure a smooth surface. Proper repair ensures course health and maintains a fair playing field for others.
Divot Repair Process
| Aspect of Repair | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Time to Repair (Clean Divot) | ~30 seconds |
| Time to Repair (Dirty Divot) | ~1–2 minutes |
| Grass Regrowth Period | 1–2 weeks (with proper repair) |
| Percentage of Courses Providing Sand/Seed Mix | 85% (varies by region and course type) |
| Impact of Unrepaired Divots | 60% of unrepaired divots can lead to dead grass spots |
What is a divot, and how is it different from a ball mark?
A divot refers to a chunk of grass or turf that gets displaced when a golfer strikes the ball, typically with an iron or wedge. Divot holes are common in fairways and leave torn-up ground or dead grass if unrepaired. On the other hand, a ball mark (sometimes called a pitch mark) occurs when the ball lands hard on the golf greens, creating a dent or impression. Both divot repairs and ball mark repairs are crucial for maintaining the course’s true surface.
Types of Divots
Before learning how to fix a divot, it’s essential to understand the different types that can occur on a golf course. Divots generally fall into two categories: clean divots and dirty divots.
Clean Divots
A clean divot occurs when the club cleanly strikes the grass and turf is removed in one piece. This is typically seen when hitting a full swing shot with an iron or wedge.
Dirty Divots
A dirty divot is one that comes up with a mixture of soil and turf. It may happen if the shot was struck slightly fat (hitting the ground before the ball), causing the club to dig deeper into the earth. Dirty divots are trickier to repair, as the extra dirt can affect the growth of the grass when replacing it.
How to Fix a Divot in Golf
Knowing how to fix a divot properly is an essential skill every golfer should have. Here are the detailed steps to fixing both clean and dirty divots:
1. Repairing a Clean Divot
Repairing a clean divot is relatively straightforward. Here’s how to do it correctly:
Materials Needed:
- A divot repair tool or tee (if no tool is available)
- Your feet (to tamp down the grass, if needed)
Steps:
- Retrieve the Divot Piece: After taking the shot, retrieve the divot piece of grass. This piece may be cleanly detached and should still have some grass roots intact.
- Place the Divot Back into the Hole: Position the grass piece back into its original spot in the ground. Make sure the roots are facing downward and the grass is aligned with the surrounding turf.
- Press Down Gently: Use your hands or a foot to press the divot piece back into place. It should fit snugly without disturbing the surrounding soil too much.
- Even Out the Area: If necessary, use your divot tool or club to gently press the surrounding turf back over the divot, ensuring the surface is even with the rest of the ground.
2. Repairing a Dirty Divot
Dirty divots, which contain both turf and soil, require more attention. Here’s how to fix them properly:
Materials Needed:
- A divot repair tool
- Seed mix or sand (if available, especially for courses that use sand for divot repair)
Steps:
- Remove the Dirt and Grass Mix: After taking the shot, remove the chunk of dirt and grass from the hole. This mixture can be spread out over the area to help keep it from drying out.
- Level the Ground: Use a divot tool or a club to level the ground and fill in any deep indentations. You should aim to fill the hole with the soil from the divot or a sand mixture, depending on what is provided by the course.
- Press Down the Sand or Soil: If using sand or seed mix, use your divot tool to gently press the material down so it is level with the surrounding turf. Be sure not to overfill the divot, as this can cause uneven surfaces.
- Tamp Down the Area: Gently tamp the repaired area with your foot or a divot tool to ensure it is firm. This encourages the grass to grow back evenly.
3. Tips for Fixing Divots Properly
To ensure that your divot repair is effective and efficient, consider these helpful tips:
- Don’t Overfill: Avoid putting too much dirt or sand into the divot. Overfilling can prevent the grass from growing properly and cause uneven patches.
- Use Proper Tools: While some golfers use their feet to press the divot back into place, using a divot repair tool is the most effective way to fix a divot. Many golf courses provide divot repair tools on carts or offer small pouches of sand to assist with repairs.
- Fix Immediately: It’s best to repair your divot as soon as possible after striking the ball. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to ensure the divot is properly fixed.
- Fix Other Divots You Find: Golf etiquette involves repairing any divots you come across on the course, not just your own. This keeps the course in great shape for all players.
4. Special Considerations for Different Course Conditions
Wet Conditions
In wet conditions, the turf may be softer, making divots easier to repair but also more susceptible to becoming uneven. In this case, be especially careful not to overfill the divot with waterlogged soil, as this can make it difficult for grass to regrow.
Dry Conditions
During dry conditions, the ground may be harder, making divots more difficult to fix. If sand or seed mix is available, make sure to use it to fill the divot properly. This helps to prevent the divot from drying out and promotes faster regrowth.
5. Divot Tools and Their Use
A divot repair tool is an essential part of fixing divots on the golf course. There are several types of tools available, but most feature a simple fork-like design that helps you push the grass back into place.
Common Divot Repair Tools:
| Tool Type | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Divot Tool | Simple fork design with pointed ends. | Quick, easy repair on clean divots. |
| T-handle Tool | Includes a T-shaped handle for better grip. | Provides more leverage for larger divots. |
| Plastic Tools | Lightweight plastic tools with forked ends. | Budget-friendly and effective for most uses. |
| Combination Tool | Includes a divot repair tool, tee, and ball marker in one. | Versatile and convenient for all needs. |
Having a divot repair tool on hand ensures that you can quickly and efficiently fix any divots you come across while on the course.
6. When to Use Sand or Seed Mix
Many golf courses provide sand or seed mix for divot repairs. This mix can be used to fill in deep divots that are difficult to repair with just the grass piece. It’s also useful when playing on courses where divots are more prone to becoming large and unsightly. If sand or seed mix is provided, always follow the course’s rules for proper usage.
How to Apply Sand/Seed Mix:
- Fill the divot hole with sand or seed mix until it is level with the surrounding turf.
- Press the mix down gently to avoid overfilling.
- Tamp it down using your divot tool or foot to ensure it is firm and smooth.
How do I repair a divot on the fairway?
- Retrieve the Piece of Grass: If the divot comes out cleanly, pick up the chunk of grass or tuft of turf.
- Replace or Fill the Divot: Place the piece of turf back into the hole, ensuring it aligns with the adjacent turf. If the piece of grass is too damaged, fill the hole with sand or divot mix from seed bottles or divot bins located around the course.
- Tamp Down the Surface: Use your foot, a divot tool, or a one-pronged divot repair tool to press down the repaired area and level it with the surrounding ground. This ensures a smooth playing surface for fellow golfers.
How do I repair a ball mark on the green?
- Use a Ball Mark Repair Tool: Insert the prongs of the tool at the edges of the ball mark, angling them slightly inward.
- Push the Adjacent Turf Toward the Center: Avoid lifting the ground upward; instead, gently push the edges of the fresh ball mark toward the center.
- Smooth the Surface: Finish by tapping the area lightly with a putter or your foot to create a true surface.
What tools and materials should I carry for divot and ball mark repairs?
- Divot Tool: A basic or one-pronged divot repair tool is ideal for both ball marks and small divots.
- Seed Bottles or Sand Bottles: Carry actual sand bottles (such as a Clickgear bottle) provided on power carts, push carts, or rental pull carts.
- Complimentary Tool: Many well-known golf courses provide complimentary tools for repairing divots and ball marks.
- Aluminum Water Bottle: Some golfers use aluminum water bottles to keep sand or divot mix handy.
What happens if a divot is left unrepaired?
An unrepaired divot can result in an explosion of grass that leaves behind dead grass and torn-up ground. Over time, unfilled divots can create uneven surfaces, impacting the playing surface for fellow golfers. This issue is particularly noticeable on low-mid fee public courses or high-traffic golf courses like Legacy Golf Club or Serenoa Golf Club.
Are tire marks or foot swipes the same as divots?
No, tire marks from rental carts, push carts, or unused carts are different from divots. These marks compress the ground but do not displace turf. Similarly, foot swipes from golfers using a foot wedge do not create divot holes. However, all these imperfections affect the smooth surface of the course.
What should I do if the turf is native grass or meadow grass?
When dealing with native grass or meadow grass, use the same repair method: replace the piece of turf if possible, or fill the divot hole with sand. Make sure to respect the course’s specific rules, as some areas with native grass may require a different approach.
What is the Green Section, and how does it relate to divot repairs?
The Green Section is a division of the United States Golf Association (USGA) focused on course maintenance and turf health. It promotes best practices for fixing ball marks, fairway divots, and other imperfections to ensure a smooth playing surface.
Why do some ball marks turn brown?
Brown ball marks occur when previous days’ ball marks are left unrepaired, causing the grass to dry out and die. Repairing fresh ball marks promptly prevents this issue and helps maintain the original ball mark’s integrity.
What are the responsibilities of golfers regarding divots and ball marks?
Golfers, whether typical golfers or avid golfers, are expected to repair their divots and ball marks, as well as any they notice left by others. Tons of people neglect this responsibility, but it’s essential for maintaining the quality of golf courses and creating a pleasant experience for all players.
How do golf courses help with divot repairs?
Many golf courses provide tools and resources for fixing divots, such as:
- Seed Bottles: Available on power carts or push carts for golfers to fill divot holes.
- Divot Bins: Located around well-known golf courses for easy access to sand or seed mix.
- Rental Carts: Some rental pull carts and golf carts come equipped with a bottle of sand.
Why do famous golfers like Mark Saltzman, Mark Chaplin, and Mark Patterson emphasize divot repair?
Golfers like Mark Saltzman and Mark Chaplin often advocate for proper divot and ball mark repairs because they understand the impact on the course’s playing surface and aesthetics. By encouraging this practice, they promote respect for the game and fellow golfers.
Are there specific tips for low-mid fee public courses?
On low-mid fee public courses, divot bins may be less common, and the turf may consist of native grass or meadow grass. Always carry a bottle of sand or seed mix to handle unfilled divots. Repairing divots on these courses helps preserve the playing surface for tons of people who frequent them.
How can I repair divots while walking or using carts?
- Push Carts or Pull Carts: Keep a Clickgear bottle of sand attached for quick divot repairs.
- Rental Carts or Golf Carts: Use the sand bottles provided on the carts for convenience.
- Unused Carts: If you notice unused carts with seed bottles, consider borrowing one to fix divots nearby.
Final Thoughts on Divot Repair
Divot and ball mark repair are essential aspects of golf etiquette. Whether you’re fixing a divot with divot mix, ground with sand, or native grass, taking a moment to care for the course ensures a smooth playing surface and enhances the experience for others. So next time you hit the greens, repair your divots and ball marks—it’s a simple act that goes a long way in preserving the game we all love.
Always carry a divot repair tool, act promptly to fix any divots you create, and consider using sand or seed mix when necessary. By doing so, you’ll contribute to the upkeep of the golf course and make your game more enjoyable for yourself and others.