Each year $170 million dollars are spent by golf course superintendents to repair damaged greens resulting from golfers who improperly repair their ball-marks. Cranman Golf Products of Atlanta, GA, has introduced the MarkMender™, a lightweight, pocketsize ball-mark repair tool poised to revolutionize the way ball-marks are repaired.

It is estimated that only 12 percent of all golfers know how to properly repair their ball marks and the subsequent damage can take weeks to heal. The MarkMender™ is easy to use and repairs any ball mark quickly and correctly regardless of a player’s skill level. The product’s prongs surround a ball mark and reach into the green. A golfer simply needs to squeeze and the ball mark is quickly and correctly repaired without further damaging the roots.

With the MarkMender™ “you can’t do it the wrong way, that’s why I think it will have such a huge impact on the game” said Brian Katrek a golf radio and T.V talk show host in Atlanta. Roy Cranman, the inventor and president of Cranman Golf Products recently said, “This is the kind of quality innovation that could improve golf the same way soft spikes have. If golf clubs across America can ban the use of metal spikes, it seems logical that they would want, at the very least, to encourage the use of the MarkMender™. It simply works better and is capable of preserving their greens and improving the playing experience for all golfers. Regrettably, many golfers now inadvertently use the traditional forked tool to go gardening on the green. There had to be a better way.”

According to the USGA website, they have spent over 21 million dollars on 215 projects since 1983 studying turf-grass issues. In a June 2003 USGA sponsored report, titled Ball Marks on Bentgrass prepared by Rutgers University, whether they are "poorly repaired, or not repaired at all, ball marks are a major factor that limits the quality and playing conditions on putting greens."

While there are other larger mechanical repair tools available, they are generally too large or require the course staff, at great expense, to make repairs long after the damage is already done. However, golfers can carry the MarkMender™ comfortably in their pocket or clip it on their belt loop so the repair can be done correctly and right away.

In addition, the MarkMender™ can also hold a cigar and keep golfers’ grips dry in wet conditions. The introductory product is made of a proprietary, space-age polymer that is harder and stronger than many metal alloys and retails for $6.95.

The product is available with customized 4-color domed corporate or golf course logos and customized 4-color magnetic ball markers. A newly designed slimmer anodized aluminum product will also be available Spring 2005.

See a short video at www.markmender.com.