Ballmark Repair

Properly Fixing a Ballmark

1.) Insert ballmark tool into the turf at a slight angle just outside of the divot.

2.) Pivot the ball mark tool inward towards the center of the divot.

3.) Repeat the process on all sides of the divot.

4.) Using a putter gently tamp down on the repaired divot to ensure a smooth playing surface.

5.) Do not lift up on the turf.  Lifting up on the turf separates the grass from its roots and will kill the grass leaving a dead spot on the putting surface.

6.) Always tamp down repaired ballmark so there is not a raised bump in the putter surface that could potentially alters golfers putting line. 

7.) A Good rule of thumb is to fix your ballmark and one other ballmark to ensure a smooth playing surface and a healthy golf course green.

  

Golf Course Projects

Another warm and dry week is in store for central Illinois.  Drought stress and isolated dry spots have already developed about a month earlier than normal.  The last few weeks water demands for plant health have kept the green department on handwater duty most of everyday.  Low relative humidity values, high winds and bluebird skies made evaportranspiration (ET) rates scary at times.  Evapotranspiration rates in central Illinois were reportedly as high as 0.4" to 0.45" inches per day.  In two days you would need an inch of irrigation water just to keep up with plant wilt.   Last month we have observed higher than average temperatures, with a record breaking day on Sunday May 6th, a high of 90 degrees.  

The Green Department has stayed busy with regular mowings and the preparation for the U.S. Open Qualifier and the upcoming Member Guest.  In addition to normal golf course preparation we have managed to work on some much needed detail work around trees, flower beds and worn cart path edges as you can see in the pictures below.    

                                                                (Before Picture Behind #18 Green)                 

(After Picture Behind #18 Green)

(Before Picture Behind #14 Green) 

(After Picture Behind #14 Green)