Divot Repair Tool
A divot repair tool is a small, fork-shaped device golfers use to fix the small craters left on the putting green when a ball lands from a high approach shot. The name is a quirk of golf language: the tool actually fixes ball marks on the green rather than the chunks of turf cut from the fairway by an iron.
What is a divot repair tool?
A divot repair tool is a pocket-sized accessory, usually made of metal or plastic, with a grip end and one or two short prongs at the other end. Its job is simple: restore a putting green after a ball has landed and left a depression in the surface. Those depressions, called ball marks or pitch marks, form when a high, lofted shot drops onto soft turf and dents it. Without repair, the dent stays for days or weeks, knocking putts off line and creating an entry point for weeds and disease.
Almost every golfer carries one. Most courses sell or hand them out for a few dollars, and they are a regular giveaway at charity events and corporate outings. The tool is small enough to live in a pocket all round and is often paired with a ball marker that clips magnetically to the grip end.
The shape is recognisable. Two metal prongs sit close together at the head of the tool, with a flat or contoured grip designed to fit between the thumb and forefinger. Some tools are single-pronged. Others have a switchblade mechanism that hides the prongs until needed. Different brands add their own design touches, but the core repair function stays the same across the category.
How a divot repair tool works
The tool repairs a ball mark by moving the surrounding turf inward toward the centre of the depression. A golfer inserts the prongs into the firm ground just outside the rim of the mark and gently pushes the top of the tool toward the middle. Working around the edge a few times closes the dent. A tap with the putter head or the sole of a shoe smooths the surface flat.
Inserting the prongs around the edge matters more than golfers often realise. Ball marks compact the soil under the surface and bruise the roots beneath the dent. Prying the bottom of the mark upward tears those roots and kills the patch of grass, leaving a brown scar. The inward-pushing technique keeps the roots intact and lets the green heal naturally. The USGA reports that unrepaired ball marks can take weeks to heal, while a properly repaired mark typically recovers within roughly 24 to 48 hours.
Divot vs ball mark: the naming confusion
The biggest source of confusion around this term is the word “divot” itself. Strictly speaking, a divot is a piece of turf sliced out of the fairway by an iron during a swing. A ball mark is the round depression left on the green when a high approach shot lands and pock-marks the turf. Different problem entirely. The “divot tool” is built for the second case, yet the name stuck.
| Feature | Divot (fairway) | Ball mark (green) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it happens | Fairway, rough, tee box | Putting green |
| What causes it | An iron clipping turf during a swing | A ball landing from a high shot |
| Typical fix | Replace the turf or fill with sand-and-seed mix | Push surrounding turf inward with a divot tool |
| What the divot tool does | Nothing (wrong tool) | Repairs the depression |
Several other names exist for the same tool: ball mark tool, pitch mark repair tool, ball mark repair tool, divot fork, and divot fixer. None has displaced “divot tool” in everyday use. Golf Compendium notes that the divot-tool label dominates pro shops and golf retailers despite being technically a misnomer.
Types of divot repair tools
Most divot tools fall into one of three families. The differences come down to design and convenience rather than how well they actually fix a mark.
| Type | Design | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two-prong (fixed) | Two metal prongs permanently extended | The classic shape. Heavier metal versions give extra purchase on firm greens |
| Single-prong | One prong, often plastic, with a thumb groove | Lighter, easier on the pocket, preferred by some golf course staff |
| Switchblade / retractable | Spring-loaded prongs that fold into the body | Avoids snagging pockets and stops the prongs poking when sitting down |
Many modern divot tools double as multi-tools, packing in a magnetic ball marker, a club groove cleaner, an alignment guide, or a bottle opener. Golf Digest’s tool reviews note that these extras are useful, but the prong design and feel in the hand still matter most for actual repair quality.
Why divot repair matters
Repairing ball marks is one of the few course-care actions explicitly written into the Rules of Golf. Under Rule 13.1c, players are allowed to fix almost any damage on the putting green, including ball marks, spike marks, and dents from clubs or flagsticks. The rule lets players use a hand, a foot, a tee, a club, or a dedicated repair tool to do the work. The 2019 modernisation broadened this rule from older versions that only permitted ball-mark and old-hole-plug repair.
The case for actually doing it is practical as well as procedural. Unrepaired marks cause balls to bounce off line and create openings for weeds, according to the USGA. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) recommends a gentle inward push with the repair tool, followed by a tamp with the putter, and warns specifically against the prying motion that tears roots. Pebble Beach Golf Links assigns ball-mark repair to its mowing staff during championship preparation as a matter of routine course care, treating it as a daily greens-maintenance task (USGA Green Section Record).
Etiquette covers the rest. The standard expectation across clubs and courses is that a golfer fixes their own mark and any unrepaired ones they spot nearby. The tool fits in a pocket. The repair takes ten seconds.
Related Golf Terms
- Dimples — The small indentations on a golf ball that create aerodynamic lift.
- Divot — A piece of turf displaced by the clubhead during a swing.
- Dew sweeper — A golfer who plays the first tee time of the day.
- Divot repair — Fixing the mark left on the green by a ball landing from a high trajectory.
- Dispersion — The spread pattern of a golfer’s shots around a target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a divot repair tool the same as a ball mark tool?
Yes. “Divot tool,” “ball mark tool,” “pitch mark tool,” and “ball mark repair tool” all refer to the same device. Divot tool is the most common name, even though the tool is used for ball marks on the green rather than fairway divots.
Are golfers required to repair ball marks?
The Rules of Golf permit repair under Rule 13.1c but do not require it. Most courses, country clubs, and tournament organisers expect every player to repair their own marks as a matter of basic etiquette.
Can a tee be used instead of a divot tool?
A tee can substitute in a pinch and is allowed under Rule 13.1c. The shape is less ideal for the inward-pushing technique, so a dedicated tool tends to do a cleaner job.
Where do you get a divot repair tool?
Most golf courses sell them at the pro shop for a few dollars, and many give them away free. They are also stocked at every major golf retailer and are a common giveaway at charity tournaments and corporate outings.
Why is it called a divot tool if it does not fix divots?
The name comes from older usage of the word “divot,” which once referred to any piece of turf, including the displaced turf in a ball mark. The label stuck even after “divot” came to mean the chunk of turf cut by a club on the fairway.
Does the material of the tool affect performance?
Metal tools are heavier and tend to last longer, especially on firmer greens. Plastic tools are lighter and cheaper. Both work fine when used with the correct inward-pushing technique.
Sources
- United States Golf Association. “Repairing Ball Marks: 5 Things Every Golfer Should Know.” usga.org. Accessed May 2026.
- United States Golf Association. “Rule 13.1c: Improvements Allowed on Putting Green.” Rules of Golf. Accessed May 2026.
- United States Golf Association. “Major Change: Repairing Damage on the Putting Green.” Rules Modernization documentation. Accessed May 2026.
- United States Golf Association. “The Pebble Beach Process for Ball Mark Repair.” Green Section Record, Vol. 61, Issue 13. Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Ball mark repair guidance, cited via Predator Ridge. Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Digest. “Best Divot Repair Tools for Golf.” golfdigest.com. Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Compendium. “The Divot Tool (Ball Mark Tool) in Golf and How to Use It.” golfcompendium.com. Accessed May 2026.
- Caddie HQ. “What Is a Divot Tool Used for in Golf?” caddiehq.com. Accessed May 2026.
