How To Properly Fix A Ball Mark In 10 Seconds

I recently wrote about how more golfers than ever are not fixing their ball marks.

Whether it’s a municipal course, a resort course or a private course, greens have become littered with unfixed ball marks. Curiously, some of the nicer clubs I’ve been to are among the worst offenders.

The issue is a mix of a few variables. Perhaps the most pressing concern is that an influx of new golfers have come into the game without the knowledge (or maybe the desire) to understand why this matters.

And that’s not to excuse seasoned golfers, either. There are way more golfers not fixing their ball marks than those who are fixing them.

Ball marks that are not fixed can take a few weeks to heal, according to the USGA. That makes greens bumpier for everyone.

However, ball marks that are fixed properly can heal in a matter of hours.

Given how important this is to keep golf courses healthy and fun to play, I thought it was worth a quick explanation how to fix a ball mark in seconds.

Push in instead of pulling up

The steps to fixing a ball mark are fairly straightforward but there is one common mistake golfers make.

The first thing you want to do is take out a divot tool or tee—either will work, although a divot tool is more efficient because it covers more area.

All you have to do is press the tool or tee into the green at a roughly 45-degree angle, surrounding your ball mark. Each time you do, you press the grass into the center with one movement.

There is an urge to pull up with the tool or tee but that is not necessary. This cuts off or damages the roots, making it harder for the grass to grow back.

You are basically leaving a pile of dirt when you do this. What’s left should be grass.

Trying to repair ball marks this way is actually more harmful than if you didn’t even try to fix it.

Once you have pushed in from all sides and get a relatively flat surface of grass, the last step is to tap down the mark with your putter.

If it’s still not flat, you can go back and continue adjusting. Punching little holes in the green is not going to hurt it.

When you are finished, the roots of the grass should still be intact and the green should be smooth.

How to handle firm greens

The only caveat to all of this is that you will sometimes play a course with firm greens.

A ball mark on firm greens will be tougher to fix using the standard technique of pushing in from all sides. The grass is a little too resistant to move enough for this.

The trick is that you will stick your tool in at the same angle as before and lift up—but just slightly.

You still don’t want to lift the roots up. It’s important not to lift too hard.

All you are doing is popping the grass up slightly, returning it to the original condition.

Final thoughts

There is no race to be won here but properly fixing a ball mark only takes about 10 seconds.

I highly encourage everyone to leave the green better than you found it. If that means fixing a couple of ball marks every hole, go for it.

I know it sounds like a small issue but greens fall into bad shape when golfers ignore their minor responsibility to take care of what they caused.

Be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Top Photo Caption: Ian Poulter fixes a ball mark during the Masters. (GETTY IMAGES/Jared C. Tilton)