A preliminary study to determine methods for analyzing ball mark volume and recovery was performed on the NTEP bentgrass putting green. Two ball marks were created in each plot with the golf ball launcher at 40 psi. A red golf ball was placed in each ball mark and digital images were obtained using the newly developed ball lie device. One image was taken in the direction of the balls impact, and a second image was obtained from the opposite side. These images were analyzed to determine the percentage of ball above the canopy. These two values were averaged to determine the percentage of ball above the turf canopy. A single TDR measurement was also recorded for each plot to see if moisture levels affect ball mark size.
Ball marks were not repaired for 3 to 4 hours to allow turf within the ball mark to become injured. Ball marks were repaired with a standard ball mark tool. To determine recovery of ball marks, digital images were obtained with a light box of ball marks 2, 5, and 8 days after creating ball marks. These images will be analyzed using SigmaScan software to determine the time required for ball marks to recover.
Following 8 days of recovery, some of the ball marks appeared to be completely healed, so images will no longer be collected on the test area.
Corrections that should be made for future studies. To ease the time it takes to collect digital images for recovery, I should mark two corders of the shield, so I know exactly where ball marks are and where to place the shield. If dollar spot symptoms are evident, it becomes difficult to distinguish dollar spot symptoms and ball marks. However, ball marks appeared to have darker color in most cultivars compared to dollar spot symptoms.
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