Pitch MArks

I played the members course at Stapleford Abbots today and think that a lot of members are a disgrace, the unrepared pitch marks were abundant as were lumps of turf on the fairways. This is the time of year that I would like to think the real players are playing, so to see the atate some greens were left in is verfy disheartening

Absolutely, some people dont care about the state they leave the course in.

All you can do is repair as you go round, but why should you? I do though...

I'm also a member at Stapleford Abbotts GC, and yes the amount of pitch marks and un-repaired divots is quite noticable.

I think it is a sign of the times, most people just don't give a damn, but will complain to the pro when they get back in about the state of the greens/fairways!

Myself, I always repair my pitch mark (if I make one,) and an extra one for good measure.  If we all did this then there would be no pitch marks ever.

I was told by one of the staff over the road on our other course that the birds pull up the divots.  So if you find a large divot right by the hole then it's probably a bird that has pulled it out and turned the divot over.

I put the big ones back as I walk up the fairway, but I haven't got time to put them all back!

Russ

All courses built to USGA specs suffer from this problem, because they do not have greens that are built like they were years ago. They have no grass on them.

We get a few divots but most pitch marks are repaired.

Excellent idea, Allan, name and shame. I think I will introduce this idea at my club.

I would second that John!!!

Allan, that would not surprise me at all!

Naming and shaming is a good idea.

I also think that some course marshalls would be a good idea.

They could watch a group playing their approach shots and note how many hit the green, then watch how many of the players repair their pitch marks.  If they don't then action should be taken against them.

There is no reason to not repair a pitch mark or replace a divot.

Russ

I'm not trying to defend anyone here but sometimes it is hard to find your mark. A quick look around though and your bound to find someone elses. I always try and find mine and repair it but always repair 2 or 3 on each green. Even when we've putted out and are leaving the green I might see one but won't just leave it, it has to be repaired. It doesn't happen at my club but certain other clubs give out pitch mark  repairers for free as long as you use them!! Don't know how they police this but if your given one in the pro shop it will go in your pocket as opposed to your bag. Stand more chance of it being used I suppose. While we are on the subject there are some attempts at repairing pitch marks that actually make the damage look worse. Sometimes it looks as if the ground has been scraped to fill the hole as opposed to gently lifting and teasing back in from 3 sides. (that's the way I've been shown wether it be right or not I don't know). Anybody know of a video or instructions anywhere that shows you how to repair a pitch mark properly?

Since changing my short irons to wide sole and my long irons to hybrids I have found it increasing hard to repair my divots.  Both these types of clubs scrape the surface and scatter the divots into tiny pieces on wettish ground making it hard to find anything to replace.  However they do tend to leave most of the roots behind so presumably the grass will regrow when it warms up.  It was less of a problem when I first got the clubs and the fairways were firmer.  Does anyone else have this problem or is it my inept use of these clubs?

You should still be taking a divot with the wide soled irons as the leading edge will be the first part of the club to make contact with the ball and turf. I always take a divot with my sand wedge and that is a fairly wide sole as well as having bounce built in.

 This is the second attempt.

 pitch marks, if left unrepaired, do damage to a green and will take ages to 'heal' but a couple of seconds treating the pitch mark will help it on its way to recover much more quickly. Not having a repairer to hand is a cop out as you can do the job with a tee. I'd hope that people who do not repair pitch marks don't know any better but I do raise this with them giving the scenario of a seven footer they're left with after a good approach shot only to find someone has not repaired the pitchmark smack in their line because even after you do repair it there's always that niggle that the putt has got to be that more accurate (but maybe that's my putting insecurities). As for the seasoned player, there is no excuse, they know it's buggering the green up, especially in wet winter conditions. it's just bone idleness coupled with a total lack of consideration for others. I hasten to add if everyone took more care of their greens maybe less winter greens would be used. 

 This could be coupled with the acronym thread

Moronic Amatuers Repair Kwickly

I know what you meaan, Paul, but of course in those wonderful days we were blessed with the fact that every golf course that was around at the time had been built on terrrain that had never been farmed, which meant that the top surface was firm.

All these new courses, all 850 of them are brazenly advertised as built to USGA specification which is supposed to impress us when the more knowldgable amongst us will know that they have been built on land that has been farmed and therefore will never ever play like those of yesteryear. The grasses used are completely differnent to the old courses and that is why they suffer so much from pitch marks, not enough grass on them.

All they seem to do is top dress all the time to try and maintain a surface. Real golf courses have greens that grow and need a cut every other day.

I've watched the video on YouTube and what he says it correct.

You put your pitch mark repairer into the ground and push into the centre of the pitch mark, you do this four or five times around the hole.  Then you tap the area down with the sole of your putter.

The only thing he didn't say was to discard any bits of turf that have been cut loose.

Russ

Part of the problem could be solved if players had to show their repairers at the time of registering to play.  My club checks players shoes at that point.

I agree that players should be made to show their repairer (whatever they plan to use).

Again,  marshall going out 3-4 times a day would do no harm either....