When I get on the green I always repair mine and look around and repair whatever else I see.....sometimes I embarrass guys in some of the groups I play with by saying, oh I took care of your ball mark as we are walking off the green.....get that last minute dig.....it works.....most of our groups just repair the first marks they get to regardless of who's it is, theirs or mine, and I do the same......good etiquette....I play in a men's senior league.....some have brain ***** at times....

I totally agree. I've been playing about 50 years, have a turf degree, am now retired, and play almost every day. I've seen ball marks, un raked bunkers, people driving carts where they shouldn't, divots so big I was afraid of twisting an ankle, trash on the course, and I've see it at exclusive private clubs and dog track munis. My advice, if you have time when you play, is to fix some ball marks, fill some divots, pick up some trash, and obey cart rules. Don't let what others do, or don't do bother you, it will drive you nuts. I know it's hard to do, but like I said, I've seen it for a long time at many different courses. So, continue to do your best, and don't let others affect your enjoyment.

No matter how many times this issue gets brought up, it doesn't improve. It's forever going to be those of us who do it right vs. the lazy and uncaring.

Well said. Might I add that do not be afraid to fill divots of the fairway with divot mix or sand that is provided.

Very well said, Mike and a very good reminder.

I have to agree, and would only say that our own action speak louder. If we're the good example, it more than often will spill over.

Agreed! Well said!

If everyone could just do a little it could help...I know the problems of golf course maintenance will not go away but let's be part of a solution.

Who's with me???

Let's Go!!!!!!!

(maybe I've watched a little too much football this week-end...)

I dont think "embarrassing other players" is the way to go about it. Some ppl just dont know, that doesn't make it right, but they just might not know. We've all at some point or another forgot to fix a ball mark. Just mention to the players that it really helps go a long way for everyone to take care of the golf course. Spread positivity out there and people will want to come back... when they want to come back, they'll want to fix their pitch mark! Play on!!!

These guys are regulars, play there every week, members of our mens group and know better. We even discuss this at our meetings and ask everyone to do their part. Some are the same ones that never rake the sandtraps. They are not new to the game and know better. Respect your point, but sometimes you do what you gotta do to get a point across when it happens all the time. The average age of our group is well over 65. We know what is right. Sorry if you are offended with the comment, "oh I took care of your mark". They normally say thank you and does not even bother them......as Todd indicated, do they even care due to laziness......I play at a municipal and some feel they are entitled to do as they please.....

I hear ya, I also play at a public course regularly. We have a special on Tuesday and it looks like a a construction zone on the greens Wednesday morning. Its unfortunate that some guys just will never get it. Ill tell ya what, when i was a kid my friends an I learning the game. We got "educated" lol by some guys about taking care of the course, and we never forgot it LOL! So I agree with you, its just a bummer sometimes!

It is very common, does not matter where I play to find huge ditches on the fairway, and craters on the greens, I usually repair as many as I can that are around my playing area, as I wait for my playing partners. I really enjoy good fairways and fresh greens and do the best I can to help keep them that way.

People feel entitled because they paid their greens fees or just pure laziness.. Its one of the two, maybe both!

The problem I see in and around where I live is the City courses do not provide sand mix to fill any divot in the fairway. So you have to run down your divot if large and sit down in the spot and step on it. Don't know why they don't have it on the carts......

The other issue is MOST don't know HOW to fix a ball mark, they were never taught.

One course I play has a divot tool they give you when you pay your green fee that has illustrations on it and on how to use it, which I think is awesome for them to do. You can decline it, but at least they are trying to get people to do the right thing as well.

Most of the people I play with repair at least 2 ball marks per green even if they didn't make one.

DM

Repairing Ball Marks is like brushing teeth for me. A lot of golfers aren't introduced to the game in the proper way. And. like others have said. Just plan lazy.

I've spent a long time at my course trying to educate folks on proper golf etiquette. Most of the time it's to the same folks. But the summertime tourist are by far the worst. Now that Labor Day has come and gone it's a little better. But it will never stop. And niether will I.
Play Well,
Steve S.

The worst are the charity scramble events. After their thing is over, go out to play and you'll find patches of huge divots that weren't repaired, which represent 3 practice swings and the shot, for all 4 hackers. The huge pelts laying around just a few feet in front. Get to the par 3's and it's a freakin mine field.

Ya, I hate it when our club has those large events and feel for our grounds crew who have to spend a lot of time and effort to make it good again.

Chuck, You are my kind of guy. I have no problem taking a dig at someone who does not repair their ball mark. I have said before on this site, I repair at least 2-3 ball marks on the green. If I am riding and there is sand tubes on the cart, It will be empty in about 3-5 holes. My motto is "I try to leave a place better than I found it."

A former course superintendent, now a famous golf architect told me you should insert your divot repair tool on the edge of the ball mark and push in on several sides and then tap it down. If you insert the repair tool and try to push the grass up, all it does it is tear the root out.

Playing with pros and superintendents helps you learn proper care on the course. On our muni there are sand bottles on the carts. On some older courses some supers have simply said to kick in the grass and not replace the divots. All depends on the type of grass and the age. Totally believe on leaving it better than you found it. Can repair a repair mark and you will not know where it was. I take pride in our muni or any course I play. What really bugs me is to hear people say: well it's only a muni.....that attitude is not good for golf or the course......our municipal was the first in South Carolina and the third course built in Charleston behind, Yehmans Hall and the Country Club of Charleston. Old school and I love those type courses. Superintendents and the staff have enough to do and do not have time to repair ball marks and fill divots on courses.......Kudos for their hard work........

The course is like any thing you use or borrow, make it better than you found it. This will befit not only you but everyone else! Teach this trait example.

I agree with everything you are all saying. In my opinion in STARTS with the STAFF. Every employee can HELP with this problem.
ENSURE the following:
FULL sand bottles are on EVERY CART!
Swap out bottles at the turn
Ample amount of rakes are available.
Trash cans are emptied throughout the day.
On tee boxes SAND and broken tee receptacles
A laminated card in the cart detailing how to properly fix ball marks. When the pro shop staff, starter and ranger are all reminding us about where to drive golf carts, the phone number to call if there is a problem on course and when the beer cart will be around the courses remain beautiful. I know there are many times it is ALL the golfers blame but many times I have left a divot or failed to rake my bunker because the required tools were NOT available. I fixed it the best I could at the time but TOGETHER as a team of STAFF and GOLFERS we will be able to have the best conditions for our success.