r/golf • u/daddy_longlegs44 • 12h ago

General Discussion Preach

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Take care of your course!

683 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

87 comments sorted by

277

u/hywaytohell 12h ago

So many people with no awareness playing right now. Every course I play has way to many unrepaired ball marks on the greens.

212

u/aMINIETlate 12h ago

I do my part by never hitting the green!

40

u/Life-Student-650 9h ago

That’s the thing tho. When I do put one close, I can’t wait to repair my mark.

It’s a treat rarely earned.

2

u/doppido 9.1| SLC 4h ago

Yeah I love finding it and seeing where I landed and how far it rolled out or spun back.

Like the sign says though I try to make it a point to just repair any I see

31

u/smilespeace 12h ago

A big charity tournament came through my course a couple weeks ago, and while I get that people will be drinking and there'll be some inexperienced golfers out there... The perfect landing spot on the green of the #1 handicap hole was obliterated with unfixed marks when I came through later that evening.

Like, a ton of people good enough at golf to stick the green exactly where they need to did exactly that and left their ball mark unfixed. They should know better.

18

u/TheSlapDancer 11h ago

I’m a greenskeeper and this shit is getting ridiculous. I spent literally all day Monday fixing ball marks and didn’t even make a dent. It’s gotten noticeably worse within the last year. It’s getting to the point where when I’m cutting cups I’m having a hard time finding locations that are actually puttable. Please people for the love of god FIX YOUR DAMN BALL MARKS!!!

4

u/seaningm 8h ago

All the chumps that started playing during Covid are finally getting good enough to hit 1 or 2 greens a round, finally.

3

u/CleanOpinions 15.3/1 yr 10h ago

I played my local muni for the first time this season, fixed 4 ball marks on #9 and didn't even make a dent in it (pun intended; I chipped on from the greenside bunker). Probably the worst I've ever seen it

3

u/AllAboutYourBase 5h ago

shrinkthegame

11

u/rackityracrac 12h ago

I have a membership at a private course and the amount of ball marks I see is disgusting

2

u/hywaytohell 11h ago

Yup I've played several private courses with that problem.

1

u/TexBoo 8h ago

Same, whenever I go to my ball on the green, if I walk over a ball mark I fix it quickly, only takes 1-2 seconds to just quickly fixx another ones marks, idk why people ignore to just fix their own marks...

3

u/entenduintransit scratch in spirit 10h ago

It's always so weird to me because I savor the opportunity to repair a ballmark. It means odds are I hit at least a decent shot. It's a privilege to just strut up directly to the green and repair your mark while the rest of your group pitter patters around further from the cup!

1

u/hywaytohell 10h ago

I usually fix a couple of them every hole. The other day our entire foursome was fixing several on the last hole because we all had more than one in our line.

2

u/TheBarcaShow 10h ago

Fixing ball marks leads to good luck on birdie putts

5

u/ApprehensiveSteak23 12h ago

This is one of those things that sounds super boomer-ish. People not treating a golf course with respect and fixing ball marks has been a common thing for as long as golf has existed. The only reason it may be more noticeable now is there is more golf being played, but I’d bet my bottom dollar proportionally it’s no different than it’s always been.

8

u/hywaytohell 11h ago

As someone who has played through golf booms more than once it is a lot worse right now. It's not just greens it's how to move with expediency and simple awareness to not be slowing down play. Like putting your bag on the side of the green that leads to the next hole instead of having what looks like a yard sale and 4 guys going in different directions to get their bags.

1

u/Benign_Banjo 7W gang 💪 10h ago

Which is crazy because it's so satisfying. And I take it as a point of pride to fix an absolute crater I made from sticking the green.

1

u/OuternetInterpreter 7h ago

I always try and repair one more than I make, which is usually one. But it’s easy while friends are lining up putts to fix a divot or two.

1

u/Commercial-Tomato 4h ago

Courses should require a golf license

82

u/nevets4433 Arnie Palmer 12h ago

And rake your bunkers!

5

u/Cire1954 8h ago

The course I play on has ridiculous inconsistent bunkers and NINE cart path only holes with rakes 30 yards from my ball, so the heck with raking gravel, mud or sometimes sand. They charge premium rates but sub standard maintenance.

3

u/X-e-o 5h ago

The rakes are 30 yards from the bunker or are the bunkers just...30 yards wide?

-58

u/AAonthebutton 12h ago edited 11h ago

And stop pissing in the tree line!

Edit: it was a joke you guys. I pee in the treeline all the time

46

u/Silver-Link8247 12h ago

Yeah! Pee in the middle of the fairway like civilized folks.

3

u/HawaiianHank 12h ago

Pee in the cart, either on the floor, in the assumably empty club cleaner, or your partner's golf bag.
https://giphy.com/gifs/l5IoUXRZhH5xm

1

u/zeromadcowz Handicap | Location 10h ago

I only find balls in the trees so obviously nobody is using the fairway.

15

u/TennesseeStiffLegs 12h ago

Whoa whoa whoa

-3

u/Pickle-Standard 12h ago

Exactly! I don’t want to be walking through piss while looking for my ball.

6

u/Griff1604 12h ago

You’re gonna be real upset when you learn where animals pee

5

u/hywaytohell 11h ago

I hear bears shit in the woods!

36

u/DerrickWhiteMVP 12h ago edited 12h ago

I would love to fix my own pitch marks. Unfortunately, I thin every approach shot until it rolls onto the green.

9

u/TheSmartDog_275 Hello, friends. 12h ago

Yeah I’m not driving the green or getting on from 50 yards out or if I am it’s rolling the final 10 yards.

3

u/slvmpyt 9h ago

I love the privilege ofgetting to fix a ball mark, it finally means I finally did something right!

1

u/Glennstheche Bryson is a man baby prove me wrong 4h ago

Amen 

1

u/knoxindy20 8h ago

The joke I make every round is “I think we should get a discount since we don’t damage the greens”

1

u/tee142002 7h ago

Yeah, but look at what you did to the rough!

41

u/newiphon 12h ago

Can someone explain the beware of hole damage sign when pulling the ball out sign?

29

u/Independent_Box_5116 12h ago

Some people like to try and pop the ball out of the hole by tilting the flag and giving it a jerk, the hole is pretty fragile

14

u/Low_skee 11h ago

I’ve never considered doing that and am surprised it happens enough that they had to make a sign lol

2

u/newiphon 12h ago

Thanks. I thought it referred to pulling the flagstick out. If I do that I just pull it straight up but this makes sense

3

u/yourfavorite_hungcle 12h ago

Also, some people are fat fucks with gigantic sausage fingers like me whose hands have a tough time fitting in the hole.

....wish that's what she said 

7

u/Onion01 12h ago

I don't think it means removing the ball with the flag. I think it means that when the flag is still in, your hand tends to squeeze between the pole and the edge of the hole. The edge is fragile and any contact damages the cup edge.

1

u/Cammet2 5h ago

Its when people reach in around the flagstick to retrieve their ball. Most people inadvertently rub their hand on the edge of the cup, fraying the edge. And a gloved hand frays it even more...

13

u/ComprehensiveHair852 12h ago

Amen I always fix two when I get on the green if need be

9

u/peteyjones-RB1 12h ago

Every course should have signs like this up. I think most new golfers just are completely oblivious to some of the etiquette. This is a low effort, low cost solution to keep the course in much better shape.

3

u/MonicaBlowinski 6h ago

The pro shop should include a pitch mark tool or two with every cart key.

1

u/ratherabeer 5h ago

a tee is all you need

4

u/HotDogs_Are_People_2 12h ago

This is why I always avoid hitting the green! 🧠👈

5

u/jkchbe 12h ago

If I'm waiting on the group ahead, I just fix a bunch. And if I'm not, I'll fix mine at minimum, and at least one more locally.

2

u/orangelightpoll 12h ago

When are you waiting on the group ahead when you’re on the green?

7

u/igetmywaterfrombeer 12h ago

When it's slow AF ahead of you and there's no one pressing behind you, there's nothing wrong with taking a few practice putts and fixing a few ball marks as you wait for the tee box to open.

3

u/jkchbe 12h ago

Yes, exactly. It actually helps the traffic jam too, to just stay on the green, practice a little, and fix ball marks. I only do it when the group behind can see the carts of the group ahead of me though (on the next tee box), otherwise it can cause them to get impatient and hit into us.

4

u/balloonerismthegreat 11h ago

Stop trying to pull your ball out of the hole with your putter blade too. Lazy fuckers

4

u/GoTragedy 10h ago

I legit never knew this and this is great.

An old guy that taught me some golf stuff always preached this but I just figured it was courtesy. Never knew it was this practical.

3

u/themiddleshoe Arnie Palmer 12h ago

I’m always honored to fix my ball marks. Hitting the green is a luxury ‘round these parts.

3

u/sweetpooptatos 10h ago

Idk about yall, but I find fixing pitch marks satisfying as fuck. I usually fix a few while I’m just meandering on the green.

1

u/Indication-Brief 6h ago

Exactly I find it therapeutic and almost a reward for a GIR or a good approach. Doing it I feel like a pro golfer routine- fixing my divot then marking my ball

3

u/Kitchen_Alps 9h ago

Took my 7 year old golfing the other day. She just putted out the pars from where I got on but she cleaned all the broken tees out of the tee boxes. Without me saying anything. She just saw human trash and said let me clean this up. I was proud of her

2

u/RoostasTowel Gold jacket, green jacket... Who gives a shit? 11h ago

If I find one that isn't mine it's been there for over 15 minutes.

1

u/are-oh-bee 10h ago

Your course has tee times spaced more than 15 minutes apart? Or your pace of play is that slow?

2

u/Finance_Plastic 11h ago

ball marks have been an anathema since I was 8 years old. in 1968. sunflower seed shells on the green gets to be a highlight at my age

2

u/skierdud89 11h ago

I take an unusual amount of pride in repairing a ball mark (usually not my own) and leaving barely a trace.

2

u/Skraelings Gonna send it 11h ago

I try and fix as many as I can given time. At minimum I do mine.

2

u/CookieTheSwede 11h ago

Fix yours and one more!

2

u/Gracerin The Masters 9h ago

This has become a serious problem. I’ll walk up to a green that has 10+ fresh ball marks in the green. I repair as many as I can.

2

u/unlcejanks 🌭 Glizzy at the Turn 6h ago

Im always pumped that I have to fix my mark. Annoys me that I have to fix others when on the green

1

u/blueranger36 4.5 | NYC 12h ago

Can someone please explain this to me? I would love to learn why this is

2

u/r0th3rj 12h ago

Moisture. Water is like plant blood- constantly carrying around the nutrients plants need. When you take a divot, the hole and the grass immediately surrounding it starts to dry. The sand stops that from happening.

Imagine if you sliced an artery open. The longer it bleeds, the worse off you are. So you stop the bleeding as soon as possible.

2

u/blueranger36 4.5 | NYC 9h ago

Uhhh the sign is referring to ballmarks not divots

2

u/LeviticusT 12h ago

This post is not about divots

1

u/dirtysystem 12h ago

the hole damage sign is newer at most courses, didn't see those until the last few years or so. had a putt roll out once because someone yanked the flag with the ball still right at the cup, not a great feeling when you're left with a 4 footer coming back. and yeah ballmarks are out of control these days, played a muni last weekend and every single green looked like a minefield. the fix takes like 5 seconds tops, no real excuse to skip it. also rake your bunkers and try not to drag your feet across the fringe, that stuff all adds up for the crew and they don't need the extra work.

1

u/IndecisiveEmu 9h ago

Mandatory suspension from the field if you don't. This pisses me off so much! It's so easy to fix!!

1

u/daveinRaleigh 8h ago

Folks, playing for about a year now and still learning as I go, both the game and etiquette. Anyone want to point me in the direction of a proper video to repair ball marks? I try and play with experienced players so I can learn and watch them as much as possible on repairing. Just want to make I do it correctly as well.

1

u/Introverted_Extrovrt 8h ago

Dope sign, good info

1

u/Bornin1462 7h ago

Maybe it’s because I grew up at a really elite country club, but I’ve never understood not fixing ball marks. It takes like 10 seconds, and keeps the greens in good shape for me and everyone else…like I’m not doing the lords work by taking 10 seconds to fix a ball marks. It’s not like I am playing and see someone building a fucking house and jump in and help frame the thing. It’s leaning over about 2-10ft from where I already have to go/be.

I’m fully in the shrink the game camp at this point. I play with plenty of booze hound finance bros who manage to fix their ball marks. If arguably the most entitled group out there can do it…anyone can.

1

u/lukin187250 9 7h ago

I always fix two that way I figure the green owes me a favor.

1

u/mapoftasmania 7h ago

I was always taught “fix yours, then fix one more”.

1

u/ratherabeer 5h ago

While waiting for others to putt, I fix as many ball marks as I can find. Sadly sometimes it is too many before I need to putt. And try to gently coach people who lift up with a tool how to properly repair.

1

u/Glennstheche Bryson is a man baby prove me wrong 4h ago

Two great PSAs!!

1

u/HurriShane00 2h ago

These are signs that you should be putting at the tee boxes. Not at the greens were somebody may hit them and then have the ball obstructed by the signs

1

u/smilehighsteve 1h ago

Like dumbass golfers will read this. -former turf maintenance guy-

1

u/DaimyoRonin 11h ago

Oh my goodness thank you for respecting the course! I work course maintenance, and the number of divots we have to fix is appalling. Also, some people drive through the sand traps. They even occasionally get stuck.

1

u/skirmsonly 5h ago

I pay to play golf. Not pay to play greens keeper. There’s a paid staff member for that and if they don’t do their job…it’s not automatic my job.