clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
If he hasn’t played the hole that has the bunker on I would think testing the sand would be a problem.
Not in matchplay.
Not sure of the penalty though two shots?
Tamping down your lie
- Thread starter Tashyboy
- Start date
Not in matchplay.
Not sure of the penalty though two shots?
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Guy at ours years ago hurt his knee quite badly.
He stood on a replaced divot on the tee and it moved on his transition to downswing.
We were taught from day one not to put divots back on the tees.
That’s what the divot mix boxes on the tee is for. If you have them!
Steve Wilkes
Well-known member
By the same reasoning, never replace a divot on the fairway
rulie
Head Pro
We've got far more than enough people who don't replace divots anywhere, please don't give those that do replace them any grief (or foolhardy excuses not to replace them).
Steve Wilkes
Well-known member
I'm with you Rulie, I think not replacing divots on tees and fairways is another trait picked up watching the pros on TV, When I started playing golf many moons ago as youngster, it was drummed in to us regularly to replace divots and repair pitchmarks, but this is something that now seems to be lost, a lot new players into the game don't know what a divot or pitchmark is, let alone repair them.We've got far more than enough people who don't replace divots anywhere, please don't give those that do replace them any grief (or foolhardy excuses not to replace them).
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Divots on fairways show up more especially in dry spells.if tees are watered they don’t show up as much.
You have the whole course as well.
But on the tee it’s very concentrated into a small area.
If the greens staff move the tee and divot mix every day it shouldn’t be a problem.
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clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
A lot of that on TV with the pros is they play in very hot climates.
Where the grass grows that quickly that you are told not to replace divots but use the sand mix on the buggy.
I see pros repair their pitch marks all the time, in fact it’s the one thing they are consistent with , so you can’t blame them for lazy golfers.
Steve Wilkes
Well-known member
I don't blame the pros, in fact didn't mentioned pitch marks in relation to watching TV. I agree there are a lot of lazy golfers, but the new waves of golfers taking up the game are not being educated into the etiquette of course maintenance
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Yes agree.
Sorry just the way I read it.
I work on golf courses and people are very lazy now imo.
Someone else will do that seems rife.
Heard one guy say “ it’s your job that “ when asked why he didn’t do his pitchmark.
New golfers learn from their mates but unfortunately if the guys a muppet then you have two muppets .
rulefan
Tour Winner
Most of the tour courses don't expect the pros to repair divot holes. They would prefer that repairs are done professionally and properly by the greenkeeping staff. Similarly, there are bunker marshals who rake after the players have cleared the area.
I have noticed some courses in Spain where they ask you not to repair divot holes as the crews do them properly overnight.
rulie
Head Pro
Those situations are definitely outliers. For 98% of courses, there isn't anyone but the players to do such maintenance - repairing/replacing divots, fixing ball marks, raking bunkers. "It's not me job" is an arrogant, entitled attitude.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
As a general rule we have sand and seed boxes on every tee. It is there to fill in the divot hole.
There was a time when we used MacDivots, biodegradable pegs which you use to pin the divot back in place.
I have always understood that you do not replace divots on sand links courses because the divot will not 'retake'.
Where I play a lot of the replaced divots get pulled out by the birds, not a reason to not put them back but often it makes another player think they have not been replaced.
There was a time when we used MacDivots, biodegradable pegs which you use to pin the divot back in place.
I have always understood that you do not replace divots on sand links courses because the divot will not 'retake'.
Where I play a lot of the replaced divots get pulled out by the birds, not a reason to not put them back but often it makes another player think they have not been replaced.
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clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
I played golf with a head superintendent in Florida.
They ask players not to replace divots because it’s that hot the grass in the divot dies very quickly.
Replaced divots can cause disease to infest the grass.
But the grass grows horizontally along the ground and most divots are healed the next day or two.
That’s why most buggies have sand boxes on them.
But in colder climates it can take weeks for a divot to knit .
They ask players not to replace divots because it’s that hot the grass in the divot dies very quickly.
Replaced divots can cause disease to infest the grass.
But the grass grows horizontally along the ground and most divots are healed the next day or two.
That’s why most buggies have sand boxes on them.
But in colder climates it can take weeks for a divot to knit .
rulie
Head Pro
And your point is? I guess that if you're in Florida, do as Floridians do. If you're not in Florida, follow the local customs.
DickInShorts
Newbie
Back in the late 80s I was told by a head greenkeeper at a top Surrey course NOT to replace divots on the tee due to dangers of players slipping. It seems like common sense to me
chrisd
Major Champion
That was one of the very first things I was told when I started playing
bobmac
Major Champion
Swango1980
Well-known member
I'm a bit confused by your reply to Rulefan here, are you talking about the same thing?
Rulefan's comment appeared to suggest that tour professionals are asked NOT to repair divots, as they want greenkeeping staff to do this? They also do not rake bunkers, as there will be someone there to do the job meticulously after the shot has been played. So, presumably you are NOT referring that the professionals are arrogant and entitled related to this topic? Rather, you are referring to normal club golfers? Which of course, I am sure everyone would agree with you there anyway, if a club golfer didn't repair divots simply because they thought someone would do it for them.
Just out of interest, would a PGA Tour player rather play from a divot hole, than a recently replaced divot? They are not too bad at playing out of most divot holes, whereas if their ball was sat on top of a recently replaced divot, would they risk moving their ball when addressing it and the divot being displaced? If so, would this be a reason why it is requested greenkeeping staff prefer to do it after the round?
rulie
Head Pro
I'm merely expressing my displeasure at the number of posts that suggest not replacing divots or repairing divot holes compared to the lack of posts suggesting/demanding that divots be replaced or repaired. At our course, we provide bottles of sand and seed to do so, and ask members to use them. However, there are many members who do not, based on what they've been told or read elsewhere or "it's not me job".
BTW, on the PGATour, it's the caddies that replace divots and rake bunkers.
BTW, on the PGATour, it's the caddies that replace divots and rake bunkers.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
If I find that on taking my stance on the fairway one or both of my feet are on replaced divots surely I can remove the divot - assuming that it is not in any way still a bit attached to fairway or has started to root.
Its all very well not replacing divots on a top course that might not be that heavily used, or if the club has a ton of greens keepers to constantly fill where divots haven’t been replaced. But the vast majority of clubs are not of that sort. I’d rather take the risk of having to stand on a loose replaced divot, than standing in, or finding my ball in, where one has been taken and not replaced.
So for these reasons my rule to myself and others is ALWAYS replace divots. My club provides bags of sand, soil, seed mix for us all to take out when we play, and so if I can’t replace a divot for whatever reason (usually a scrape of its smashed to smithereeens), I simply fill it from my bag of mix. The teeing ground is different as sand to fill is often available.
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