Best divot repair tools to keep your greens in great shape

Best divot repair tools – closer look

Here’s a closer look at some of the tools from the table above. Whether you prefer a simple two-prong tool or a folding gadget with a built-in ball marker, any of these will do the job as long as you actually use it. Pair a good divot tool with the right golf ball and a comfortable stand bag, and you’ll be set for a lot of stress-free walking rounds.

Golf Divot Repair Tool - Foldable Golf Repair Kit with Sturdy Handle & Magnetic Pop-up Button Ball Marker

Rating: 4.3 ★ (50 reviews)

$5.99

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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Blue Tees Golf 6-in-1 Premium Divot Tool & Ball Marker - Bottle Opener - Club Tee - Groove Cleaner - Putting Alignment - Designed to Be the Ultimate Tool for the Green - Black

Rating: 4.3 ★ (765 reviews)

$15.99 $3.03

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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Links Golf Golf Divot Tool – 7 in 1 Multipurpose Divot Repair Tool – Lightweight and Compact Golf Divot Repair Tool with Ball Marker

Rating: 4.5 ★ (49 reviews)

$14.99 $19.99

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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Golf Divot Repair Tool, 3 in 1 Compact Ball Marker Divot Tool, Foldable Golf Divot Tool for Repair & Maintain Green, Golf Essential, Ideal Gift for Golf Enthusiasts

Rating: 4.3 ★ (57 reviews)

$15.19 $19.99

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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GreenHaven 2-6 Pack Golf Divot Repair Tool for Golfers Foldable Metal Green Tool with Magnetic Putt Alignment Ball Marker Pop-up Fork Tine with Sturdy Aluminum Alloy Handle

Rating: 4.5 ★ (414 reviews)

$7.19 $8.21

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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Mile High Life Golf Divot Repair Tool, All Metal Foldable Divot Tool with Pop-up Button & Magnetic Ball Marker, 2-6 Pack

Rating: 4.5 ★ (2706 reviews)

$8.59

This tool appeared in our search for popular divot repair tools and has solid feedback from other golfers. If it fits your style and budget, click through to see up-to-date reviews, color options, and any multipack deals.

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How to choose a good divot repair tool

You don’t need a fancy gadget to fix a ball mark, but a little bit of design goes a long way. The right tool feels natural in your hand and disappears in your pocket until you need it. As you’re picking one out, keep these details in mind. If you’re newer to the game in general, it also helps to know which tees you should be using so you’re not making life harder than it needs to be.

• Comfort and grip. Look for a shape that’s easy to pinch between your thumb and forefinger without slipping, even if your hands are a little sweaty.
• Prong shape. Slim, slightly rounded tines slide into the turf easily and disturb less grass than thick, blunt ones.
• Foldable vs. fixed. Folding tools stay out of the way in your pocket. Simple fixed two-prong tools are nearly indestructible and often cheaper.
• Extras. Built-in ball markers, groove cleaners, and bottle openers can be handy, as long as they don’t turn the tool into a heavy brick.
• Visibility. Bright colors are easier to find when you drop the tool on a tee box or leave it on a cart seat.

The best divot tool is the one you actually reach for. Spending a couple of extra dollars on something you like might be all it takes to turn fixing ball marks into a habit instead of a chore.

How to repair a ball mark correctly

Most of the damage you see on greens isn’t from people ignoring ball marks—it’s from people “fixing” them the wrong way. The goal isn’t to scoop the crater out of the ground. You want to nudge the grass back into place so the surface can heal quickly and stay smooth for everyone.

1. Find your mark. Look for the small depression where your ball landed, not just any scar on the green.
2. Work from the outside in. Insert the prongs at the edge of the mark (usually the low side) and gently push the surrounding turf in toward the center.
3. Don’t pry up. Avoid lifting the middle of the mark like a plug. That tears roots and makes the spot take much longer to recover.
4. Tap it smooth. Once the grass has been pushed back together, tap the area lightly with your putter so it’s level with the rest of the green.

Done correctly, a repaired ball mark can recover in a day or two. Done poorly, it can look like a burn mark for weeks. If you’re not slowing anyone down, fix one or two extra marks while you’re waiting—you’ll help the groups behind you, and you might even help your own putting if you’re chasing a better average golf score.

If you’re using a classic two-prong tool, the technique is identical. The St Andrews Links blog has a simple visual guide that’s worth a quick look if you want to see the motion step by step.

Related reading

• Best golf GPS watches – get quick yardages and speed up play.
• Best cheap golf balls – solid performance without overspending.
• Best golf stand bags – lightweight options that are easy to walk with.
• What equipment do you need to take up golf? – a simple checklist for new golfers.