Should you replace divots in the rough?

[hines57]

The only place I wouldn't replace a divot is on the teeing area - fill the hole with sand/seed or whatever the greenkeeper provides.

exactly what i was always told and that i adhere to.

 

[CMAC]

who are these nameless poor souls that told everyone not to replace big hiking divots in the rough! you really wonder how these myths start

 

[freddielong]

I was told early on not to replace divots in the rough and haven't replaced one in 30 years, I can't honestly say I have ever seen anyone else replace one either.

Caddies don't on TV just fairways

 

[CMAC]

I was told early on not to replace divots in the rough and haven't replaced one in 30 years, I can't honestly say I have ever seen anyone else replace one either.

Caddies don't on TV just fairways

did you question or were given an explanation why not?

 

[SGC001]

did you question or were given an explanation why not?

I wa told it was to do with the possibility of someones ball coming to rest on a replaced divot and the increased chance (as its rough) of them not realising and been able to allow for it. E.g ground club and cause ball to move.

 

[freddielong]

I wa told it was to do with the possibility of someones ball coming to rest on a replaced divot and the increased chance (as its rough) of them not realising and been able to allow for it. E.g ground club and cause ball to move.

This is what I thought more or less also I guess they would nt sit down properly in longer grass plus it is harder to take an actual divot in the rough you mostly tend to just pull pieces of grass up don't you.

I will purposely miss a fairway and try it over the weekend

 

[CMAC]

I wa told it was to do with the possibility of someones ball coming to rest on a replaced divot and the increased chance (as its rough) of them not realising and been able to allow for it. E.g ground club and cause ball to move.

I dont ground the club in the rough cause it's....erm...rough

 

[richart]

Good question - I was once told not to but have pretty much ignored the advice. Is this right? Cannot stop myself putting back the odd doormat I've just gouged out. Just seems wrong not to.

Same here.

 

[Andy808]

I replace all my divots, on the fairway, in the rough and, especially, on the green.

Might be time to think about a putting lesson or two maybe?

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

The only place I wouldn't replace a divot is on the teeing area - fill the hole with sand/seed or whatever the greenkeeper provides.

What do you do when no sand/seed is available? Personally I always try to replace my divots on the tee but most don't at ours and there is nothing to repair the damage with. My driver is the biggest culprit

 

[richart]

What do you do when no sand/seed is available? Personally I always try to replace my divots on the tee but most don't at ours and there is nothing to repair the damage with. My driver is the biggest culprit

You shouldn't replace divots on the tee.

 

[rickg]

2 main reasons why divots shouldn't be Replaced on the tee.....

First has already been mentioned which is you might slip on it while taking your shot.

Secondly, some people place their ball directly on the ground and not on a tee. If it's placed on a repaired divot and they don't notice, then it could cause a mishit.

 

[Slab]

Not in the rough, not on the tee & not on the fairway

Sand/seed mix if I've left bare earth

 

[delc]

Not in the rough, not on the tee & not on the fairway

Sand/seed mix if I've left bare earth

You can make a pretty good repair by replacing a divot. The main thing is to tamp it down hard so that birds can't turn it over. Playing from a sanded divot hole can be a bit like playing from a bunker!

 

[CMAC]

Not in the rough, not on the tee & not on the fairway

Sand/seed mix if I've left bare earth

hope I never play behind you:angry:

 

[Slab]

You can make a pretty good repair by replacing a divot. The main thing is to tamp it down hard so that birds can't turn it over. Playing from a sanded divot hole can be a bit like playing from a bunker!

Not if your divot's in a dozen bits you cant. The grass and soil tends to be somewhat different to the UK & even if you're lucky enough to get a single piece one then it'll dry out before it gets a chance to mesh in, so sand/seed really is the best way to go

hope I never play behind you:angry:

Agreed

 

[mikeb4]

I normally do replace my divots (if I can find them), whether on the fairway or in the rough. Some people seem to think that you shouldn't replace divots in the rough. Any views on this? :mmm:

Yes I always replace diverts in the rough just something I've always done when needed to

 

[delc]

Not if your divot's in a dozen bits you cant. The grass and soil tends to be somewhat different to the UK & even if you're lucky enough to get a single piece one then it'll dry out before it gets a chance to mesh in, so sand/seed really is the best way to go

Why will a divot dry out in the few seconds between making it and replacing it? Main thing is to tamp it down hard so that it reunites with the soil underneath.

 

[BTatHome]

Tamping it down will not stop a bird from flipping it over !

We don't have soil/sand mix on our tees anymore. It was decided that too many people didn't repair their divots on the tees and hence the green keepers had to make repairs on the tees anyway. so now the only people that do tee repairs are the greenkeepers. Takes little more time as they had to visit every tee anyway.

 

[Imurg]

Why will a divot dry out in the few seconds between making it and replacing it? )

It won't.
But in parts of the world....like Mauritius for example.........a divot will dry out before it has time to reroot itself.....
Many parts of Asia have this rule - don't replace divots, use sand and seed mix.