Knowing how to fix a ball mark on the green is one of the most fundamental — and courteous — actions any golfer can take on the course. There is a right way to do this, and definitely a wrong way, as to preserve the health of a putting green for all to enjoy.

I asked this question to our Twitter followers this week in the form of a poll. Listed were the most common ways people try to fix a ball mark. The results were promising, as the first option is widely regarded as the “proper” path to take.

Greenskeepers across the globe will agree that the best way to fix a ball mark is to insert your divot repair tool on the outside of the mark and push inward. More specifically, you’ll want to start at the “back” of the ball mark — where most of the grass has been pushed aside — and work inward. This is one of the easiest methods to use, so it’s almost a no-brainer.

If you don’t take the time to properly fix a ball mark, there’s a very good chance the grass around the mark can die and scar the green. This leads to all sorts of cosmetic and playability issues that can take weeks to repair.

Here’s a helpful video on the proper technique to use when fixing a ball mark, along with an explanation as to why it’s so important to prevent scarring on the green.