What Are You Using as a Divot Tool

[Shane Cavitt]

Just like the title says, what are you using as a divot tool? I normally just use a tee, but am looking at grabbing a divot tool and interested in seeing what everyone is using. 

[jerrytexastech]

Tee

[Abh159]

Any one of the random 5-6 divot tools I have in my bag from the various courses I've played. 

 

FWIW I've never purchased one, and doubt I ever would. Don't see the point when most clubs have a bin of them for free sitting on the pro shop counter or first tee.

[btyh]

Tee or Old 2003 cameron tool 

[Pepperturbo]

A custom-made divot tool, but when stuck in the ground, holds my cigar.

[zap311]

I use a PitchFix 2.0 - I like that it holds my ball marker and prongs fold in, so it doesn't jab my legs.

[jholz]

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

A "divot" is something you make out in the fairway or rough. A "ball mark" is something that you make on a green.

 

Funnily enough, it's generally the dudes who don't know the difference between a "ball mark" and a "divot" who continually suggest that a "tee works great for fixing divots on the green."

 

The simple fact of the matter is that tees are a very poor tool to use to fix a ball mark on a green. It causes way more damage than it repairs. I'd honestly rather you didn't even bother.

 

This is why they've designed specific tools for this purpose - and try in vane to get people to use them.

 

But whatever man, y'all keep using your tees to fix divots. More power to ya.

[AlohaPineapple]

scotty cameron pivot tool, been in the pocket/bag for ~20 years now.  not insanely overpriced and has great functionality

Edited January 12, 2023 by AlohaPineapple

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

Cameron Pivot Tool, when used correctly it's the best.  I've had same one for at least 15 years, maybe longer.  It's the only Scotty product I still own.

[neild76]

A divot tool.

[neild76]

30 minutes ago, jholz said:

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

A "divot" is something you make out in the fairway or rough. A "ball mark" is something that you make on a green.

 

Funnily enough, it's generally the dudes who don't know the difference between a "ball mark" and a "divot" who continually suggest that a "tee works great for fixing divots on the green."

 

The simple fact of the matter is that tees are a very poor tool to use to fix a ball mark on a green. It causes way more damage than it repairs. I'd honestly rather you didn't even bother.

 

This is why they've designed specific tools for this purpose - and try in vane to get people to use them.

 

But whatever man, y'all keep using your tees to fix divots. More power to ya.

What are your thoughts on the single prong ball mark repair tool?  I see them at a lot of clubs these days.  

[darkhelmet]

I've always found that the super-cheap ball mark tools, usually given away for free by some courses, work the best.  Flat, stamped metal.  They dig in super easy and move most of the turf as a single piece.

 

When I use a tee, the tee usually rips right through the turf that I'm trying to move instead of actually pushing the turf.

[Abh159]

34 minutes ago, jholz said:

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

A "divot" is something you make out in the fairway or rough. A "ball mark" is something that you make on a green.

 

Funnily enough, it's generally the dudes who don't know the difference between a "ball mark" and a "divot" who continually suggest that a "tee works great for fixing divots on the green."

 

The simple fact of the matter is that tees are a very poor tool to use to fix a ball mark on a green. It causes way more damage than it repairs. I'd honestly rather you didn't even bother.

 

This is why they've designed specific tools for this purpose - and try in vane to get people to use them.

 

But whatever man, y'all keep using your tees to fix divots. More power to ya.

 

A tee is fine if you know how to use it. The USGA even says so!!! What you use is much less important than how you use it.

[wheelergj2003]

Scotty Cameron divot tool but I actually prefer the one prong metal or plastic.  Does a much better job on repairing the divots

[Klubster]

45 minutes ago, jholz said:

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

[DLeightonReid]

I use a divot tool or ballmark tool if that is politically correct.  Once when using a wooden tee, I wasn't aware it was cracked and it stabbed me in the finger when I was repairing a ballmark.  

[btyh]

54 minutes ago, jholz said:

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

A "divot" is something you make out in the fairway or rough. A "ball mark" is something that you make on a green.

 

Funnily enough, it's generally the dudes who don't know the difference between a "ball mark" and a "divot" who continually suggest that a "tee works great for fixing divots on the green."

 

The simple fact of the matter is that tees are a very poor tool to use to fix a ball mark on a green. It causes way more damage than it repairs. I'd honestly rather you didn't even bother.

 

This is why they've designed specific tools for this purpose - and try in vane to get people to use them.

 

But whatever man, y'all keep using your tees to fix divots. More power to ya.

 

[jholz]

I knew I'd get flamed for that post. Just trying to keep things lively! 😀

 

40 minutes ago, neild76 said:

What are your thoughts on the single prong ball mark repair tool?  I see them at a lot of clubs these days.  

 

I don't have a problem with single prong tools as long as the tine isn't tremendously large - like in circumference. In my view, a golf tee is too large. If you are just inserting a tee straight in and straight out - no problem - but if you try to shift turf with it, that large tine will have a greater tendency to tear the roots.

 

29 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

A tee is fine if you know how to use it. The USGA even says so!!! What you use is much less important than how you use it.

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct. But, I would argue that there is a much higher tendency to do it incorrectly among those who think a tee is fine for the purpose.

 

When using a tee, I would argue that you need to be even more careful. The wider tine presented by the tee has a greater potential for damaging roots when trying to shift turf.
 

24 minutes ago, Klubster said:

 

I'm clearly missing the joke here, but happy to be educated. I like funny. I'm left to guess this is the sand/seed mixture scoop for repairing a "divot"?

 

16 minutes ago, btyh said:

 

 

And finally, yes. Proper technique is key - regardless of tool. If one is careful and wants to waste some time, you can use the heel of your putter to pretty effectively repair ball marks - but it isn't the best or most efficient way. I do like the fact that they correctly refer to a "ball mark" however.

 

I suppose we could get into the argument of whether "ballmark," "ball-mark," or "ball mark" is correct, but that's probably a different thread.

 

And just for the record, I use a two tine tool very much like the Cameron Pivot Tool many have referenced. I think these work the best.

[st1800e]

6 minutes ago, jholz said:

I'm clearly missing the joke here, but happy to be educated. I like funny. I'm left to guess this is the sand/seed mixture scoop for repairing a "divot"?

Yes, as per the title it’s a “Divot Repair Tool”😉

 

7 minutes ago, jholz said:

I use a two tine tool very much like the Cameron Pivot Tool

I’ve seen them but never used one. Can’t figure out the purpose of the angle and bulge.   Is it designed to “lift” the area of the ballmark, like a lever? 
 

good video, I’d just add a couple comments. First as he said a putter is best for tamping down, not a shoe.  I still see fixers tamping down with soft spike shoes, or spikeless and leave.  The sole of the shoe never makes full contact with the turf and doesn’t get tamped down. I often see “repaired” ball marks that haven’t been tamped down.   I know that’s  a hangover from the days of metal spikes, where the flat sole would positively contact the turf as the spikes entered the surface.  
 

lastly, I always tamp the ball mark down before fixing, makes the repair job easier. Fewer insertions of the tool means less roots are damaged.  At least that works on our Bent/POA greens. 

[ac6]

2 minutes ago, st1800e said:

I’ve seen them but never used one. Can’t figure out the purpose of the angle and bulge.   Is it designed to “lift” the area of the ballmark, like a lever? 

 

It's a design that's not super intuitive, as the logical way to use it (and what the name would lead your to believe) is to stab it into the green and use the bulge as a fulcrum. The better way to use it is to flip it over with the bulge facing the center of the mark and use the bulge as a spot to put your thumb for more horizontal leverage to push in. 

 

With that being said, I just use a tee

[st1800e]

Just now, ac6 said:

 

It's a design that's not super intuitive, as the logical way to use it (and what the name would lead your to believe) is to stab it into the green and use the bulge as a fulcrum. The better way to use it is to flip it over with the bulge facing the center of the mark and use the bulge as a spot to put your thumb for more horizontal leverage to push in. 

 

With that being said, I just use a tee

Yes, seen that use of the fulcrum, which goes against the video posted and the USGA. Lifting the ball mark just makes it worse.  I get the thumb placement as being helpful.  

[jholz]

15 minutes ago, st1800e said:

Yes, as per the title it’s a “Divot Repair Tool”😉

 

I’ve seen them but never used one. Can’t figure out the purpose of the angle and bulge.   Is it designed to “lift” the area of the ballmark, like a lever? 
 

good video, I’d just add a couple comments. First as he said a putter is best for tamping down, not a shoe.  I still see fixers tamping down with soft spike shoes, or spikeless and leave.  The sole of the shoe never makes full contact with the turf and doesn’t get tamped down. I often see “repaired” ball marks that haven’t been tamped down.   I know that’s  a hangover from the days of metal spikes, where the flat sole would positively contact the turf as the spikes entered the surface.  
 

lastly, I always tamp the ball mark down before fixing, makes the repair job easier. Fewer insertions of the tool means less roots are damaged.  At least that works on our Bent/POA greens. 

 

Yeah, mine has the little bend, but not the bulge. I think you have to pay Mr. Cameron $200 for that.

 

In any event, yes, the little bend does work as a lever - but not to lift the turf up. You use it to push the turf towards the center of the ball mark. When I say "shifting turf" this is what I am talking about.

 

If you don't do it carefully (or if you try to "lift up" the center of the ball mark) you end up damaging the roots and that spot of grass will die. Leaving you with a green that looks like this:

Edited January 12, 2023 by jholz

[596]

The only tee I carry doubles as a ball mark repair tool.  I carry a Martini Tee with the driver step. If I need something shorter I pick up a piece for the par 3s

[Bogey Fett]

Convenient excuse to show it off…cut from a battery strap for an RC touring car:

 

[jholz]

9 minutes ago, Bogey Fett said:

Convenient excuse to show it off…cut from a battery strap for an RC touring car:

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/8def03317ec46c7c9a294688d5fbca3ce30cb05967bb21432eb7dc515d5c5b9f/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/8def03317ec46c7c9a294688d5fbca3ce30cb05967bb21432eb7dc515d5c5b9f/1280/https://wrxcdn.golfwrx.com/uploads/monthly_2023_01/2C89C7FB-B619-444B-8BFD-785EE78AC3C0.jpeg.ac868433585b44ba3615af5488cedd6b.jpeg

 

jholz abides.

[islesmb]

4 hours ago, btyh said:

 

It really grinds my gears when people say walla instead of voila. 😀

Edited January 13, 2023 by islesmb

[aiyyer]

Like this - Damascus steel.

Is it any better - don’t know or care. Looks and feels good. 
 

[ode]

18 hours ago, jholz said:

Ugh...I know I'm a curmudgeon...

 

But seriously, it's a "BALL MARK" that we are talking about here. Not a "DIVOT."

 

A "divot" is something you make out in the fairway or rough. A "ball mark" is something that you make on a green.

 

Funnily enough, it's generally the dudes who don't know the difference between a "ball mark" and a "divot" who continually suggest that a "tee works great for fixing divots on the green."

 

The simple fact of the matter is that tees are a very poor tool to use to fix a ball mark on a green. It causes way more damage than it repairs. I'd honestly rather you didn't even bother.

 

This is why they've designed specific tools for this purpose - and try in vane to get people to use them.

 

But whatever man, y'all keep using your tees to fix divots. More power to ya.

This is a technique vs. tool thing IMO.  I use a single prong tool and it's perfect, typically enter the turf x2 or x3 with it and out.  What I see is guys using there two prong tool entering the turf 3-4 X's around the ball and not fixing the mark, while ripping the turf.  A tee is fine as long as the person fixing the mark knows they are doing....IMO the two prong tools are more prone to tear the grass, especially the shorter flat prongs that look like a mini screw driver going in the ground.  Any lifting or shifting side to side is tearing the grass.

 

The only time I stray from straight in straight out is when it's soft and ball mark looks like a crater, then I do my best to get the dent back over the bare dirt.

 

The reason I don't like a tee is there is little to grab on to and yes some tees are to thick for the job!

 

I cringe watching people fix marks and lifting up or pushing the handle up violently.📢noooooooooo😱

[TwistedSister]

A divot tool!

Edited January 13, 2023 by TwistedSister

[kmay__]

I use the 2 prong scotty tool to fix my "pitch marks" lol, I've also made a few over the years that I'll use if I'm feelin cheeky...