Divot field on the range... is it so hard to make one big divot instead of 30 individual ones?

[Kmagnuss]

Here's one that drives me nuts:  People who make multiple divots on the range instead of aligning their shots to make one long divot or one big divot.  Not only does it make it near impossible to get a good lie but your feet are all messed up standing in the divot field.  I try to politely offer a "better way" when I see people doing this, but who knows if it sticks or not.  These aren't people that are new to golf either... it's usually older guys that should know better.  Almost 100% of the time though, I'd guess the person doing it isn't exactly scratch.

 

-Mag

[TwistedSister]

Our course does not want us to make one big divot.  they even have a sign posted to that effect.

[EDT501]

Grass tee boxes are previous and I wish people in general had better range-hygiene. I definitely stop short of confronting others about it though…

 

When I first started taking golf seriously as a youngster and began beating balls on the range in earnest, it was drilled into me by my coach that the only acceptable way to do so was to make long, straight divot patterns, starting each new shot with the ball on the very edge of where the previous divot started. This takes as little grass as possible with each new swing. When I get to the end of a “strip” I leave a few inches between the line and the next one so the grass can grow in from all sides, which Im told makes things heal much faster than one XL divot.

[Kmagnuss]

That makes a lot of sense doing one long strip instead of a 'box' divot and how the grass can grow in from all sides... I'll start doing that instead.  Thanks for the tip!

 

-Mag 

[TerpFangolfer]

Yep, the club I play most of my golf at, has graphic signs showing exactly that - long strips.

Not sure if it is recommended different for different grasses?

Never seen or heard of a course that recommends that you take random scattered divots

[Pepperturbo]

1 hour ago, dhacker56 said:

Our course does not want us to make one big divot.  they even have a sign posted to that effect.

Agree - most course superintendents don't want nicely cut and aligned divot patches, like we see touring pros do on the range. 

 

Though Supers prefer them uneven (easier to repair), I agree with the OP; it's easier to find even stance and turf for the ball.   Unfortunately, at most muni courses, average Joe isn't that neat or accurate taking divots.  If there's one that that gets my goat, it's walking to the range and having each station look like a mini minefield with divots deep enough to nearly see China. 

Edited August 30, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[TwistedSister]

2 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

Agree - most course superintendents don't want nicely cut and aligned divot patches, like we see touring pros do on the range. 

 

Though Supers prefer them uneven (easier to repair), I agree with the OP; it's easier to find even stance and turf for the ball.   Unfortunately, at most muni courses, average Joe isn't that neat or accurate taking divots.  If there's one that that gets my goat, it's walking to the range and having each station look like a mini minefield with divots deep enough to nearly see China. 

Not a muni!!  Semi private.

[slocagolfer]

https://www.usga.org/course-care/2014/09/does-your-divot-pattern-help-or-hurt-the-golf-course-21474873114.html

 

[Pepperturbo]

45 minutes ago, dhacker56 said:

Not a muni!!  Semi private.

Doesn't matter - semi, muni or private; if the course and practice range are cared for, the Super doesn't want nicely aligned divot patches.  They are harder to repair.  I hold two semi-private club memberships, and been on the BOD of 2 private equity clubs.  The Superintendents at both private clubs told membership not to nicely aligned divot patches on the range, as seen by Pro's on TV.

[Hawkeye77]

8 hours ago, Kmagnuss said:

Here's one that drives me nuts:  People who make multiple divots on the range instead of aligning their shots to make one long divot or one big divot.  Not only does it make it near impossible to get a good lie but your feet are all messed up standing in the divot field.  I try to politely offer a "better way" when I see people doing this, but who knows if it sticks or not.  These aren't people that are new to golf either... it's usually older guys that should know better.  Almost 100% of the time though, I'd guess the person doing it isn't exactly scratch.

 

-Mag

Those are bitter people that won't let others play through.

[Ri_Redneck]

21 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

Doesn't matter - semi, muni or private; if the course and practice range are cared for, the Super doesn't want nicely aligned divot patches.  They are harder to repair.  I hold two semi-private club memberships, and been on the BOD of 2 private equity clubs.  The Superintendents at both private clubs told membership not to nicely aligned divot patches on the range, as seen by Pro's on TV.

I'm sorry, but......

 

 

[Abh159]

I like to carve my initials into the turf using my divots. 

 

Does it involve me hitting balls in all directions? Sure does, but it's not my problem if Jerry down on the end of the range doesn't duck when I yell "fore"...

Edited August 31, 2021 by Abh159

[kmay__]

15 hours ago, Ri_Redneck said:

I'm sorry, but......

 

 

You stole from my kin?!   Who was fixin to betray us! Great movie.

[2bGood]

this is what the USGA and my course recommends:

 

 

OP you seem to to advocating for the concentrated method (you say "one big divot.") I am told for the health of the turf this is the worst option. Go linear and if you can't scatter but never do the one giant divot move.

Edited September 1, 2021 by 2bGood

[larrybud]

On 8/30/2021 at 6:00 PM, slocagolfer said:

https://www.usga.org/course-care/2014/09/does-your-divot-pattern-help-or-hurt-the-golf-course-21474873114.html

 

 

Thing about a linear pattern is that the shot *feels* different. I still do it when possible, but it definitely doesn't mimic actual play.

Also, who is hitting 100 shots to the same target? If I have 6 or 7 targets out there, there's no way the divots will be aligned.

[ChxDigLongBall]

If your course's superintendent wants the players on the range to do anything other than linear divot patterns, it's time for your club to look for a new superintendent.

[Blonde Line Lizard]

4 hours ago, 2bGood said:

this is what the USGA and my course recommends:

 

 

OP you seem to to advocating for the concentrated method (you say "one big divot.") I am told for the health of the turf this is the worst option. Go linear and if you can't scatter but never do the one giant divot move.

I would prefer to have any of the above rather than hit off a piece of f*****g green rug looking thing that is as hard as a rock.

[Pepperturbo]

23 hours ago, Ri_Redneck said:

'm sorry, but......

When I first got into equity club leadership, I felt similar.  I had always created nice organized scraps, like pros do, today, till our Superintendent came up to me on the range and told me WHY he didn't want board members doing that.  He was trying to get the whole membership on board.  The problem was we had a few touring pro members that did it as well.  I later learned from my second club superintendent, he felt the same way.  So I began linear divot scraps, like in the img above.

Edited September 1, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[Krt22]

4 hours ago, 2bGood said:

this is what the USGA and my course recommends:

 

 

OP you seem to to advocating for the concentrated method (you say "one big divot.") I am told for the health of the turf this is the worst option. Go linear and if you can't scatter but never do the one giant divot move.

We have signs on our range stating the same. 

[jholz]

Years ago, I was told that the large patch method was better for bent grass and the like, where the linear pattern is better for Bermuda.

 

These days it seems the linear pattern is preferred for all grass types - and it makes a lot of sense. I don't disagree with it. 

 

I just wish I could hit on a grass range again. Best thing about golfing in the south. Even the goat-iest of goat tracks had grass on the range (for the most part). 

[Ri_Redneck]

On 9/1/2021 at 2:45 PM, Pepperturbo said:

When I first got into equity club leadership, I felt similar.  I had always created nice organized scraps, like pros do, today, till our Superintendent came up to me on the range and told me WHY he didn't want board members doing that.  He was trying to get the whole membership on board.  The problem was we had a few touring pro members that did it as well.  I later learned from my second club superintendent, he felt the same way.  So I began linear divot scraps, like in the img above.

I think I misunderstood your previous post. By scraps, you mean the roundish patches of divots? If so, I apologize. I see now we are advocating the same thing. Odd what just the slightest amount of bourbon can do to ones comprehensive skills.

 

BT

[b.helts]

46 minutes ago, Ri_Redneck said:

I think I misunderstood your previous post. By scraps, you mean the roundish patches of divots? If so, I apologize. I see now we are advocating the same thing. Odd what just the slightest amount of bourbon can do to ones comprehensive skills.

 

BT

aye garee!! <hiccup>

[Pearlwhites]

Linear divots are definitely the way!  My guess for those whose superintendents told them not to were talking about concentrated patterns.

[Pepperturbo]

@PearlwhitesYes, concentrated patterns. 

 

Concentrated pattern is what I used to do, as well as most other better club amateurs at both my clubs.  In retrospect, we were following the lead of touring pros, thinking they were in the know...Oops. 

 

As it turns out, Pros are doing it wrong too, only nobody is telling them to change.  Somewhere along the line, Pros came to believe it's the proper pattern for professionals.  Goes to show Pros are NOT always in the know.  Linear patches with space in between are preferred.

 

To repair the concentrated patterns, staff have to cut huge patches of turf to fill them, making the range look patchy.  Some supers prefer scattered divots over concentrated cause least they can fill them with turf/seed mixtures, and move the range forward or backwards giving turf a chance to grow-in. 

[Krt22]

23 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

@PearlwhitesYes, concentrated patterns. 

 

Concentrated pattern is what I used to do, as well as most other better club amateurs at both my clubs.  In retrospect, we were following the lead of touring pros, thinking they were in the know...Oops. 

 

As it turns out, Pros are doing it wrong too, only nobody is telling them to change.  Somewhere along the line, Pros came to believe it's the proper pattern for professionals.  Goes to show Pros are NOT always in the know.  Linear patches with space in between are preferred.

 

To repair the concentrated patterns, staff have to cut huge patches of turf to fill them, making the range look patchy.  Some supers prefer scattered divots over concentrated cause least they can fill them with turf/seed mixtures, and move the range forward or backwards giving turf a chance to grow-in. 

Self-taught 2 iron extraordinaire, accomplished executive, and an agronomy expert! The limits of your knowledge truly have no bounds.

[Pepperturbo]

25 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

Self-taught 2 iron extraordinaire, accomplished executive, and an agronomy expert! The limits of your knowledge truly have no bounds.

Next time find something worth saying.  Its NOT my fault you have lived a sheltered, unaccomplished and uninformed life.  Sad insults are about you.  F2F, we both know what you'd say or do, nothing, out of fear.

 

Edited September 3, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[jholz]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

@PearlwhitesYes, concentrated patterns. 

 

Concentrated pattern is what I used to do, as well as most other better club amateurs at both my clubs.  In retrospect, we were following the lead of touring pros, thinking they were in the know...Oops. 

 

As it turns out, Pros are doing it wrong too, only nobody is telling them to change.  Somewhere along the line, Pros came to believe it's the proper pattern for professionals.  Goes to show Pros are NOT always in the know.  Linear patches with space in between are preferred.

 

To repair the concentrated patterns, staff have to cut huge patches of turf to fill them, making the range look patchy.  Some supers prefer scattered divots over concentrated cause least they can fill them with turf/seed mixtures, and move the range forward or backwards giving turf a chance to grow-in. 

 

The reasoning that I was always told for "large patch" vs "linear pattern" vs "scatter" had to do with the way that different grasses grow and the maintenance methods typically used. 

 

For bermuda grass, the linear pattern was seen as optimal because of the creeping nature of the grass and how it grows. Regardless of the size of the patch, bermuda will fill in the gap by growing from the outside in. 

 

For bent grass, the logic was that sand and seed mixture would fill in the gap, with the grass growing from the inside out, so to speak. Ultimately this was a compromise. Obviously the scatter pattern would make smaller voids to fill,  and as such they would fill in quicker, but they also don't maximize the available turf space for hitting. 

 

Thus, the large patch method was seen as a compromise between turf health and the needs of range users.

 

Additionally, I would mention that this method was used by courses that had a lot of space to move the range tees. Thus, they could afford to leave a space idle for a month or so while those large patches filled in.

 

Ultimately, I think the linear pattern offers the best solution to all of these challenges and perhaps a happy medium between all of the various ways to approach it. 

Edited September 3, 2021 by jholz

[Pepperturbo]

2 minutes ago, jholz said:

 

The reasoning that I was always told for "large patch" vs "linear pattern" vs "scatter" had to do with the way that different grasses grow and the maintenance methods typically used. 

 

For bermuda grass, the linear pattern was seen as optimal because of the creeping nature of the grass and how it grows. Regardless of the size of the patch, bermuda will fill in the gap by growing from the outside in. 

 

For bent grass, the logic was that sand and seed mixture would fill in the gap, with the grass growing from the inside out, so to speak. Ultimately this was a compromise. Obviously the scatter pattern would make smaller voids to fill,  and as such they would fill in quicker, but they also don't maximize the available turf space for hitting. 

Thus, the large patch method was seen as a compromise between turf health and the needs of range users.

 

Additionally, I would mention that this method was used by courses that had a lot of space to move the range tees. Thus, they could afford to leave a space idle for a month or so while those large patches filled in.

 

Ultimately, I think the linear pattern offers the best solution to all of these challenges and perhaps a happy medium between all of the various ways to approach it. 

Thank you.  I didn't go into how different types of sod grow cause it's a complex topic, but you covered it well.   Kikuyu, the most common sod in CA, is similar to Bermuda.  Only it creeps fast trying to grab golf clubs... LOL

[Krt22]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

Next time find something worth saying.  Its NOT my fault you have lived a sheltered, unaccomplished and uninformed life.  Sad insults are about you.  F2F, we both know what you'd say or do, nothing, out of fear.

 

lol@fear, man you are a real piece or work 🤣!  This may be a shocker, but there are plenty of highly educated, highly accomplished folks who never feel the need to tell anyone about it. 

 

With that being said, my clubs super said scattered divot patches are the worst. They may heal slightly faster, but far more range real estate gets used. Well spaced linear strips is what we are instructed to do, even though we have one of the largest grass ranges in the area.

[lefty1978]

Our range (private club) has Bermuda turf, which spreads very fast and repairs easy in the summer. Its a fairly large range, 50 yards wide and 60 yards long, so hitting areas can be moved to allow grass to repair. I am a digger and try to follow the linear method.