What Is a Divot Tool Used for in Golf?

That little metal fork in your pocket is one of the most important pieces of equipment you'll ever carry on the golf course, yet most golfers don't know how to use it correctly. A divot tool is essential for maintaining the health of the course and ensuring a fair playing surface for everyone. This guide will walk you through not only what a divot tool is for, but the right - and wrong - way to repair a ball mark, turning you into the kind of golfer everyone wants to play with.

What Exactly Is a Golf Divot and Pitch Mark?

First, let's clear up a common point of confusion. The terms "divot" and "pitch mark" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different things.

• A divot is the slice of turf you displace from the fairway or tee box when you swing, primarily with an iron or wedge. This happens after you strike the ball, which is a hallmark of solid contact.
• A pitch mark (or ball mark) is the small crater or indentation left on the putting green when your golf ball lands from a high-arching approach shot. This is what you use your divot tool to fix.

Why Repairing Pitch Marks is So Important

Fixing your pitch mark isn't just a suggestion, it's a foundational piece of golf etiquette. A properly repaired mark heals almost completely within 24-48 hours. An improperly repaired - or completely ignored - mark can take two to three weeks to heal, leaving behind a nasty scar and often killing the grass entirely.

From a player's perspective, there’s nothing more frustrating than stroking a perfect putt only to have it knocked offline by someone else's ugly, unrepaired pitch mark. Mending your mark, and any others you see, is about taking responsibility for the course and leaving it in great shape for the group behind you. It's a simple act of respect for the game, the golf course superintendent's hard work, and your fellow golfers.

Types of Divot Repair Tools

While the goal is the same, not every divot tool is built alike. There are a few common styles you'll see, each with its own fans. Choosing one often comes down to personal preference.

The Classic Two-Prong Fork

This is the workhorse of divot tools and the design you'll see most often. It’s simple, effective, and usually inexpensive. It consists of a handle and two straight, sturdy metal prongs. Given how common they are, you'll often get these for free at charity tournaments or pro shops. Their simple design gives you excellent leverage for repairing even stubborn marks in firm greens. The only downside is that the sharp prongs can sometimes poke you or your pockets if you aren't careful.

The Folding "Switchblade" Tool

A popular and slightly more sophisticated option is the switchblade-style tool. With the press of a button, the prongs spring out from the handle, just like a pocketknife. This design is fantastic for safety, as there's no risk of stabbing yourself in the leg when it's folded away in your pocket. These tools often come as a multi-tool, featuring a magnetic ball marker, a small brush for cleaning club grooves, or even a rest for your cigar or club grip. They are a great all-in-one gadget for a golfer's pocket.

The Single-Prong Tool

Less common but praised by many greenskeepers is the single-prong tool. Proponents argue that a single, sharp prong is less likely to damage or tear the sensitive grass roots around the pitch mark when used correctly. The technique is a bit different, focused on making smaller, more precise poking motions to gently lift the compacted soil. While extremely effective, they can be harder to find than their two-pronged counterparts.

A Note on Using a Golf Tee

You’ve seen it done, and you’ve probably done it yourself in a pinch. Can you use a golf tee to fix a pitch mark? The simple answer is yes, but it’s far from ideal. A plastic or wooden tee is much more likely to snap under the pressure needed to repair the mark properly. Furthermore, the sharp, pointed end of a tee is better at tearing roots than gently pushing soil. Using a tee is certainly better than doing nothing at all, but a proper divot tool is designed for the job and will always deliver a better result.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Repairing a Pitch Mark

Here’s the heart of the matter. Knowing how a divot tool works is one thing, using it correctly is what makes all the difference. Get this little routine down, and you'll be helping the course and earning some serious karma points with the golf gods.

The #1 Mistake You Absolutely Must Avoid

Before we learn the right way, let's talk about the absolute wrong way. Nearly all well-intentioned golfers make this mistake: they insert the tool into the ground and pull straight up like a lever. Never, ever do this. When you pry upwards, you are ripping the grass roots from the soil underneath. This tears them, exposes them to air, and effectively kills them. You might make the surface look level, but you’ve just created a dead spot that will take weeks to recover. It's often worse than leaving the mark entirely.

The Correct Technique: Push It Forward and Tuck It In

The correct method is all about pushing, not pulling. Think of it like you're pulling the curtains closed on the hole or gently tucking the grass back to the center.

Step 1: Insert at the Edge

Take your divot tool and insert the prongs into the raised collar of turf around the outside edge of the pitch mark. Angle the tool slightly away from the center of the mark.

Step 2: Gently Push Forward

This is the most important part. Gently push the handle of the tool forward, toward the center of the ball mark. This action pushes the healthy turf and soil on the outside of the mark back toward the middle, filling in the depression without tearing roots. It effectively "closes" the hole.

Step 3: Work Your Way Around the Circle

Pull the tool out, move it to another spot around the circumference of the mark, and repeat the gentle forward-pushing motion. Continue this process from all sides, moving around the mark until the depression is completely filled in and the surface is relatively level. It usually only takes three or four pushes on a small mark.

Step 4: Tamp It Down Smooth

Once you’ve closed the hole, gently tamp down the repaired spot with the flat bottom of your putter or your shoe. This smooths out any remaining bumps and helps the repaired roots make good contact with the soil underneath. When you’re done, the mark should be almost invisible.

What About Those Big Slices in the Fairway?

Remember that a fairway divot is different from a pitch mark on the green, and it requires a different approach. Your divot tool isn't meant for these, but good etiquette still applies.

If you take a nice, clean divot that stays in one piece - often called a "pelt" or a "bacon strip" - you should always try to replace it. Pick it up, place it back into its scar (make sure it's facing the right way), and firmly press down on it with your foot. This gives the turf the best chance to re-root itself.

If your divot explodes into a million pieces and can't be replaced, look for a sand and seed mixture on your golf cart. Most courses provide bottles filled for this exact purpose. Simply fill the void with the mixture until it's level with the surrounding turf. This protects the soil and provides a healthy base for new grass to grow, speeding up the healing process considerably.

Final Thoughts

Properly using a divot tool to repair pitch marks is a small action with a huge impact on the condition of the golf course. It’s a simple skill that instantly signals you as a respectful, knowledgeable golfer who cares about the game and the experience of others.

Understanding these finer points of the game - from etiquette to strategy - is what helps you play with more confidence and poise. That's precisely the kind of comprehensive golf knowledge Caddie AI delivers right to your pocket. While we can't physically fix the pitch mark for you, our app can give you the right play for a tricky lie, an unfamiliar hole, or a tough club selection. We take the guesswork out of the complex parts of the game, letting you focus on hitting with conviction and enjoying your round.