Ball marks need to be repaired correctly!

Take a look at the photo below showing all the ball marks on #15 green that have not been repaired correctly. I placed an irrigation flag on every ball mark on the green using a total of 304 flags. That's a lot of ball marks that should not be there.

Lets review the proper method of repairing a ball mark.

Most of the ball marks on #15 green have been repaired using the wrong technique of placing the tool in the center of the mark and lifting. The photo below shows the result of this incorrect method.

  This will takes several weeks to fill back in during the growing season. Over the winter months it could be there for months. Our crew fixes fresh ball marks every morning that were made the previous day. The old marks like the one shown take more time than we have available to repair each day so we need your help. If you are not sure how to repair your ball marks correctly, ask one of the pros in the golf shop for assistance. I am also around the club everyday during lunch and am available to show you the proper repair method.

It's hard enough to make a putt on a perfectly smooth green. When you have to putt through a maze of ball marks it's really difficult to get the ball in the hole.

Steve Kealy
Golf Course Superintendent