Divot Tools; What Are They?

For decades the tee that the golfer used to tee his ball up with on their drives was the standard tool used to repair the pitch mark, now normally referred to as a ball mark. These are indentations in the surface of the green that are caused by the impact of the golf ball striking the grass surface. Depending on many factors, such as the hardness of the green, the spin on the ball and the velocity of the ball striking the surface, the ball marks will vary in size and depth.

These ball marks are not only unsightly but can severely affect the true roll of the ball in putting. Even a properly repaired ball mark can be a problem if it is directly in the line of the putt. The Rules of Golf, published by the U. S. Golf Association, (USGA) states that Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). Many golfers over the years have invented various devices for repairing ball marks. Most of them have been known under the broad classification of divot repair tools although the USGA refers to them as pitch mark repairers. This is likely due to the fact that ball marks are not divots in the true sense. Divots, according to The American Heritage Dictionary are a small piece of turf torn up by a golf club in striking a ball. Divots generally occur on the golf tee box or fairway, not on the green.

The term divot tool has evolved over time to refer to a two pronged, small tool that is used to repair ball marks on the green. These are carried by the golfers who use this tool to pry under the raised mound of soil surrounding the ball mark and attempt to bring it back to level. Some golfers consider themselves experts at ball repair and decry the beginner or novice who causes more damage to the ball mark in tearing the grass roots than in making a repair that will heal in the shortest length of time. It is not an easy or fool-proof repair method.

The manufacturers of tools for the course Superintendents and Grounds Keepers, have developed larger, heavier professional tools to speed up ball mark repair and accomplish a faster-healing repair than can be accomplished by a golfer with a two pronged divot tool. These are generally, multi-pronged devices that are designed to lift up the soil underneath the ball mark, so that the grass roots are not torn or damaged. They also leave aeration holes in the surface that speed up the healing process. The prongs go down straight into the damaged area of the green and lift upward the underlying soil, so that the ground returns to normal flatness and can be used to putt on as before.

The new divot tool designed by Starting Time, called Fix-Master® follows the principal of the professional divot repair tools used by the golf course maintenance crews. This is on a smaller scale, so that it can be conveniently carried by the golfer in his or her golf bag. This divot tool is mounted on the grip end of the putter and has four sharp prongs that are pushed or jabbed into the damaged ball mark area. This action, lifts up the underlying soil and eliminates the hazard of tearing the grass roots that will kill the grass After the prongs have been pushed into the area surrounding the ball mark, as well as in the center , it is then tamped down with the head of the putter to smooth the surface. The small holes of the prongs remain in the grass as aerators to help speed up the repair of the damaged surface. If the ball mark is not too severe, it will completely disappear and the green is left as it was before the impact of the ball. The small aeration holes do not affect the roll of the golf ball by the golfer putting directly over the area after the repair.

It is possible that the days of the two-pronged divot tool, as it has been used in the past, are numbered. In using the Fix-Master, golfers report that they can affect a better repair, in less time and without the difficulty of having to bend over. Additionally, the Fix-Master includes on the cap a handy ball marker that can be personalized. All of these features are on the putter that the golfer will always have with him when he or she is on the green. This is the answer that golfers have been looking for world-wide ever since the game of golf was invented.