Golf Etiquette: Golf Divots

New to the game or an old timer, we’ve all been instructed to always repair our ball marks while on the putting green. As my golf coach always said, “Fix your mark plus one more.  Always help leave the green in better condition than when you got there.” Makes sense because there are so many golfers who are too lazy to bend down and repair a major dimple their ball left which is such a pain because right when you have your most clutch putt it’s always perfectly aligned with the worst mark on the entire putting surface.  So this leads me to think about whether or not it’s against the rules to leave your ball mark… or is this just something that’s tied to the etiquette of the game? I’ve done my homework and here’s what I’ve found:  There are no official USGA governing rules that require golfers to repair their ball marks or spike marks on the putting green. Shame. At any rate, the USGA’s official statement in Rule 16-1 is centered on spike marks but does hold some keen intellect into their position on repair.  Although it would be beneficial for golfers to repair the surface of the green much like required to do so in a bunker, there are no rules permitting someone to simply walk away and make no attempt to leave the green the same as when they found it. This all falls down to etiquette and the education of golfers to be considerate of other fellow golfers.  Golf is a game of integrity and respect, held with traditions that can be related to religion.  Let’s champion the “fix yours and fix another” concept and maybe lobby for an awarded stroke to those who take the six seconds to make this happen. Is it too much to ask that you please repair your ball marks?  For goodness sakes you are damaging our sacred ground that the keepers are meticulously trying to maintain for everyone’s enjoyment. What’s your approach to reminding players to make the fix?  Comment below and share how you handle this touchy situation.