The Impact of Ball Marks: Why Fixing Them Matters

One of the simplest yet most important ways golfers can contribute to course conditioning is by fixing their ball marks on the greens. While it may seem like a small detail, the reality is that neglecting ball marks can have lasting negative effects on putting surfaces—impacting both playability and turf health.

How Many Ball Marks Are We Talking About?

Let’s break it down:

• On an average day, our course hosts 100+ rounds of golf.

• If each golfer hits just 4 greens in regulation and leaves a ball mark, that’s 400 new ball marks per day.

• Over a week, that number climbs to 2,800. Over a month? More than 10,000 ball marks!

Now, imagine if those weren’t properly repaired. A neglected ball mark takes two to three weeks to heal, while a properly repaired one can recover in 24-48 hours. That’s a major difference in maintaining smooth, true-rolling greens.

Why Immediate Repair Is So Critical

When a ball mark is left unfixed, it disrupts the surface and creates a weak spot on the green. If left too long, it can dry out, causing a scar that is much harder to heal. Even worse, damaged areas become more susceptible to disease and weeds, leading to long-term degradation of the putting surface.

Our maintenance team repairs hundreds of ball marks daily, but we simply can’t get to them all as quickly as golfers can. The best practice? Fix your mark—and one more. If every golfer made this a habit, we’d drastically improve the overall quality of our greens.

How to Properly Repair a Ball Mark

Using a divot repair tool, follow these simple steps:

1. Insert the tool at the edge of the mark, not directly into the depression.

2. Push the edges toward the center, gently lifting the turf without pulling up too much.

3. Pat it down with your putter to create a smooth, level surface.

Avoid prying the turf up, as this actually damages the roots and delays recovery.

A Course-Wide Effort

Our team works hard to provide the best putting surfaces possible, but we need your help! Taking five seconds to repair a ball mark makes a huge difference in keeping greens smooth, healthy, and enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s all do our part—fix your ball marks, remind your playing partners, and help us keep the course in top shape.