Evaluating Ball Mark Severity and Recovery Using Digital Imaging Analysis.

Ball marks reduce aesthetic quality and playability of putting greens.  Many golfers fail to repair ball marks prolonging their deleterious effects.  To date, digital imaging analysis has been used to determine variations in turf color and coverage and to evaluate golf ball lie of various grasses maintained at different mowing heights.  Digital images were captured with a modified ball lie device of a red golf ball placed in ball marks generated by a pneumatic golf ball launcher.  Digital imaging analysis was also used to determine the rate of recovery.  A purple frame was centered on the damaged area, and an image of the area was obtained to determine the percent of turf coverage.  Subsequent images were collected until scars were no longer visible.  Ball marks were more severe in plots with greater volumetric water content.  The mean percent ball exposed (ball mark severity) was 68%.  On average, ball marks required 18 days to recover completely.  ‘Penncross’ and ‘T-1’ creeping bentgrasses were completely healed within 13 days.  These methods will be employed in future studies to determine ball mark severity and recovery on creeping bentgrass putting greens subjected to low mowing heights, rolling, and foot traffic.