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What do golf courses use to fill divots?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 06, 2026

Mix grass seed and sand to fill the divot wells. The sand is used to improve seed-to-soil contact, stop seeds from blowing/washing away and to aid drainage of water during the process of germination and establishment.

Why do we put sand in divots?

A pure sand mixture allows divots to heal by providing a growing medium for the surrounding turf to spread into. Using pure sand also eliminates the risk of contamination in areas where seed is not desired.

How do you make a divot mix?

Profile Divot Mix Recipe

  1. 4 gallons (by volume) of topdressing soil.
  2. 1/2 gallon of AllGrow Compost.
  3. 1/4 gallon of Bentgrass seed.
  4. 1 gallon of Profile® Porous Ceramic (PPC) – Greens Grade™ or Field & Fairway™

How do you fix a divot on the green?

Insert the ball mark repair tool behind the ball mark and gently pull the top of the tool toward the center. Continue working around the ball mark, pulling the surrounding turf in toward the center of the indentation. Avoid using a lifting or twisting motion because this can damage turf roots.

How do you fix pitch marks?

Once you have circled your pitch mark, gently push the earth inwards towards the centre of the crater and then tap down any excess material with your putter to leave the smoothest possible surface. The video that comes with this article shows you how this can be done.

35 related questions found

What is the first basic etiquette rule in golf?

Whatever your groups' unique rules are, make them clear and make sure everyone understands before you begin. There are several golf etiquette practices that are universal: Lowest score on the previous hole tees off first. Player furthest from the hole goes first.

What sand is used to fill divots?

Divot sand is typically a special mixture of sand and grass seed. It is used to repair divots caused by the swing of a golf club on golf fairways and golf course ranges.

Can I mix grass seed with sand?

Patching Bare Spots in a Lawn

Mix 5 parts sand, 1 part sterilized, commercial soil and 1 part seed. To this add some slow release fertilizer. The instructions on the package will help you determine the amount but to give you some idea use 1 cup in 5 shovelfulls of sand, 1 shovel full of soil and 1 shovel full of seed.

Should I mix sand with grass seed?

Planting Using a Lawn Soil Mix

After clearing the area, you can now lay your lawn soil mix. Paul Allen Smith suggests a mix with a ratio of 5 parts sand, 1 part sterilized, commercial soil and 1 part seed. You can also add slow-release fertilizer. Broadcast the mixture to about 1/4 inch deep and add water.

Is it better to replace divot or fill with sand?

Replacing your divot is always the best option for repair, assuming it has some soil attached. If the entire divot explodes into pieces, look around for any other usable divot that can fit in your scar. Take your time fixing or filling divots.

What is divot mix made of?

Make divot mix by combining pre-germinated seed, sand, a drying agent such as calcined clay, and green dye. Many topdressing suppliers now will formulate a divot mix of sand, dye, and other amendments to make our jobs easier.

How fast do divots grow back?

"Research has shown that a repaired ball mark recovers weeks faster than an unrepaired one," said Cory Adams, the superintendent of Golf Village at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, which comprises 27 holes. "It takes 48 hours to recover if a ball mark is repaired properly. If not, it takes weeks to recover."

What are the most important shots in golf?

On the other side, many argue that the putt is the most important. One such advocate was the legendary teaching pro Harvey Penick, who strongly believed that the short game, around the green, was the essence of scoring well. He contended that a two foot putt counted just as much as a tee shot.

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down?

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down? Probably not. Some seeds on the soil's surface will sprout, but the germination rate will diminish, and you will not be left with ideal results.

Should I put topsoil down before grass seed?

Should You Put Topsoil Down Before Grass Seed? If you are seeding a bare lawn or a bare patch of soil, you do not need to add topsoil before spreading grass seed. Instead, you can prepare the soil by tilling and loosening it, making it perfect for grass seed.

Is builders sharp sand OK for lawns?

By adding Sharp Sand to heavy, clay-based soil it can help break down the soil, creating channels for excess water to drain through. Sharp Sand is often used as a top dressing for lawns, making a cost-effective addition to any garden.

Where do you stand when someone is teeing off?

There seems to be a lot of confusion about where you should stand when someone else is teeing off. Our opinion is that you are safest if you are directly in front of or behind the golfer – in other words, on the sides of the tee box.

What should you not do on a golf course?

9 Things to Avoid on the Golf Course

  • Don't Show Up Late. ...
  • Don't Flip Out After Every Shot. ...
  • Don't Step on Someone Else's Line. ...
  • Don't Hit the Ball into the Group Ahead of You. ...
  • Don't Leave Too Many Balls on The Practice Green. ...
  • Don't Give Unwanted Golf Advice. ...
  • Don't Stay Glued to Your Phone. ...
  • Don't Play from the Championship Tee Box.

How do you know if you're good at golf?

Good golfers typically keep moving and are ready to hit when it is their turn. They move quickly between shots and start to prepare as early as possible. They also know when heading to a short game shot, they remember to bring all clubs they might need as well as their putter.

How long does it take for a pitch mark to repair?

A Pitch Mark takes only 15-30 seconds to fix correctly, a Pitch Mark in-correctly reapired takes over 3 weeks to heal.

What is a chip shot?

Definition of chip shot

1 : a short usually low approach shot in golf that lofts the ball to the green and allows it to roll. 2 : a short and easy field goal in football.