REPAIRING PITCHMARKS ON THE GREEN

Many members and visitors do not repair pitchmarks on the greens   FACT
Many members and visitors do not repair pitchmarks properly   FACT
Because of this the greens are not as smooth as they could be   FACT

 

The worst “disease” affecting the greens at present is the high numbers of pitchmarks which are not repaired or are repaired incorrectly the latter being by far the biggest problem. This is very evident on many greens with some so bad that the damaged areas almost dominate the clean areas. The diagrams below shows the correct and incorrect methods of repairing a pitch mark.

Please assist by repairing any pitchmark you happen to see on the green – it does not have to be one made by you - a pitchmark repaired takes a fraction of the time to recover than one that has not been repaired does.

Rule 16-1 c.
Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage
The player may repair an old hole plug or damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player's ball lies on the putting green . . .

Please study the diagrams on how to correctly repair your
ball marks. This will help protect the grass root system.

Right Way

  1. Discard the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball.
  2. Inset repair tool just outside the back of the ball mark.
  3. Pull the turf toward the centre of the hole.
  4. Gently tap the repaired area with your putter.
  5. This action stretches undamaged turf over the ball mark, providing instant recovery.

Wrong Way

    1. Do not replace the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball. It will die and delay the healing process.
    2. Do not pry up the centre of the depression with the repair tool as it exposes the soil and will delay the healing process.
    3. Do not insert repair tool and twist it. This only breaks more turf loose.

A correct repair only takes 15 - 30 seconds
An incorrectly repaired mark takes over 3 weeks to heal

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