Repairing Ball Marks
Published March 23, 2004
Ball marks, those indentations caused when a ball lands sharply on a soft green, have been ruining good putts since the days of Old Tom Morris. Un-repaired ball marks take two to three weeks or more to properly heal, leaving behind unsightly, uneven putting surfaces. On the other hand, a properly repaired ball mark could heal in as little as 48 hours.
Beginner or pro, it is your responsibility as a golfer to fix your own marks. If you're truly a steward of the game, you'll fix any others you see while your partners are putting. There's really not much to it, but there are a few guidelines you should follow when making these repairs.
Member's Guide to Ball Mark Repair
Prepared by Gordon Seliga
Certified Golf Course Superintendent
Lake View Country Club
Ball Mark Repair Guide
Table of Contents
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"The advent of the rubber ball was instrumental in creating an entirely different method of striking the object. The solid ball required to be hit for carry, whereas it was quickly apparent that the Haskell lent itself to an enormous run. I hold the firm opinion that from this date the essential attitude towards accuracy was completely lost sight of. This was the start of the craze for length and still more length."
Harry Vardon, 1933
