When golfers don’t fix ball marks, the green suffers. Those small dents mess up putts, take weeks to heal, and make the grass patchy. 

All these issues can be avoided with one simple habit, i.e., using a divot tool. It takes seconds but keeps the green smooth and healthy. 

However, many golfers don’t follow this maintenance tip because they don’t know how to operate the divot tool, and that’s what we’ll help with. 

This guide explains what a divot tool is and how to properly use it on golf courses. Keep reading for a lowdown on this handy tool and use it like a pro.

What is a Divot Tool?

A divot tool is a small tool that golfers use to fix dents on the green. It’s also called a pitch mark repair tool or green repair tool, but it does the same job. 

The dents on a golf course are called pitch marks, and they happen when the golf ball lands and hits the grass. If you don’t fix them, they can ruin the smooth surface of the green and make putting it harder.

The divot tool has two prongs and is made of metal or strong plastic. You insert the prongs into the grass around the edge of the mark and push the grass back toward the center to help the grass stand back up.

Fixing pitch marks is a quick job, but it helps the green heal faster and keeps the surface smooth. Here is what this small tool does: 

• Keeps the green smooth for better putting

• Helps grass heal faster

• Shows respect for the course and other players

• Prevents long-term damage to the green

How to Use a Divot Tool Properly?

Most golf courses expect all players to carry divot tools and use them to reduce the maintenance crew’s work. And some golfers even do that. However, not everyone knows how to use this device without damaging the surrounding grass. 

If your love for green fields is strong, you’d naturally want them to look pretty. And if so, here is how you use a divot tool:

Spot the Ball Mark Immediately 

Look for the dent your ball made when it landed before you get busy reading your putt. These marks are easiest to fix when they’re fresh (ideally right after impact). Because if they sit for longer, the grass around them starts to die, and they become harder to repair. Even a delay of some minutes can make a difference. But if everyone took a few seconds to repair their mark as soon as they saw it, greens would stay in better shape all season.

Check the Tool and Your Angle

When trying to fix a pitch mark, hold the divot tool like a pen, prongs pointing down. Many golfers rush this part and end up jabbing into the turf. Don’t do that. Hold your divot tool like you’d hold a pen and stand with the ball mark in front of you and angle the tool slightly (about 45 degrees is perfect) because you’re not digging in. you’re guiding the grass back into place and a steep angle or aggressive poke can tear the roots, which makes healing harder for the grass.

Work the Edge

Slip the prongs into healthy grass around the rim of the dent, never in the middle. It’s because the center already lacks support, and poking it drives the damage deeper. Start at the high side of the mark, slide in, and nudge the edge toward the hollow part. Do this from multiple sides, making small moves. Think like you’re pressing the edges of a small circle back into place, not digging or lifting, but nudging.

Push Turf Toward the Middle

After you’ve gone around the edges, keep applying gentle pressure from all sides toward the center to close the gap and level the area with the rest of the green. Don’t lift or twist the turf up, even though that’s one of the most common mistakes. It may feel like you’re helping, but it breaks roots and creates air pockets under the grass, which slows down the healing. A simple push from the sides is all it needs. But if done right, the dent almost disappears before you tamp it.

Smooth it Flat With Your Putter

Once the turf is back in place, take your putter and gently tap the area flat as this will smooth out any raised spots and help the blades of grass settle back. You want the surface to feel even when someone putts over it, so don’t step on the area with your shoe since the weight and pressure can damage more turf than necessary. A few firm taps with the putter head will do the job. 

Repeat When Needed

Give the fix a quick glance, and if the mark blends in, you’re done. But if you see a ridge, press once more with the putter, then move on and finish the hole. Bring the tool out on every approach shot, and over a full round, you might fix ten marks (including your own and a few left by others). Those few seconds cut healing time from weeks to days, and show you respect everyone’s game.

Can a Poorly Repaired Ball Mark Do More Harm Than Good?

Golf is a game of precision and respect, and that includes how we treat the course. If you’re going to carry a divot tool (as you should) make sure you know how to use it the right way. 

Otherwise, it can be counterintuitive because even though most golfers mean well when they try to fix a ball mark, doing it the wrong way can cause more damage. 

That’s why understanding how not to use a divot tool is just as important as learning how to use it. 

A common mistake golfers make is poking the tool directly into the center of the mark, which seems like the fastest way to fix the dent. However, it pushes the damaged turf even deeper into the ground, which eventually compresses the soil beneath and tears delicate grass roots that are already struggling to survive the impact. The result of this mistake is a spot that takes much longer to heal and turns into a dead patch on the grass.

Another wrong way to go about it is lifting or prying the grass upward to fluff it up. Doing so can pull the roots away from the soil and break the structure of the turf. Both these aspects will leave the area weak and uneven. And once the roots are exposed or broken, the chances of healthy regrowth are low. If multiple players do this across the course, the green becomes full of thin spots and soft patches. The best way is to avoid this mistake. 

Even using the right tool too aggressively can be a problem for a golf course. Forcing the prongs into the turf or twisting them hard can compact the soil underneath. It will stop air and water from reaching the roots. You might even leave some raised bumps on the surface that affect the roll of putts for every group after you, which defeats the whole point of repairing the mark in the first place.

But the good news is that it only takes 10 seconds to fix a pitch mark the right way. Some gentle pushes from the edges are all it takes to help the green heal.

Summing Up

If you care about playing on smooth, healthy greens, a divot tool is a must. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect the course and show respect for the game. Even a small repair done right can make a visible difference. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re playing casually or in a tournament, always be the golfer who takes responsibility for their mark. It takes seconds, but it keeps the greens true for everyone behind you. 

FAQs

Can I fix other players’ ball marks with my divot tool?

Yes. It’s proper etiquette to repair ball marks you didn’t make. Golfers and course staff expect players to fix others’ marks to maintain green quality and show respect. Fix yours and one or two more if you see them. 

What’s the right way to carry a divot tool during a round?

Keep it in a pocket or a small pouch accessible during play. Some players clip it to the bag strap, as keeping it handy ensures you don’t forget to repair marks immediately. 

Can I use anything else if I don’t have a divot tool?

Yes. You can use a golf tee or any pointed, non-sharp tool. The USGA confirms that a tee works fine when used correctly. The key is the technique, so instead of pushing up, you push around the edge into the center gently.