I've never been a member of a private club, so I can't speak to the politics of public humiliation. I do know, however, that private clubs get one iota of the play that public and resort courses do, so they simply shouldn't have a ball mark problem. I encountered it at a private course this year for the first time in my storied golfing career and it stunned me; to be fair, it was a lower-end private club that could easily be mistaken for a very nice muni, in terms of its overall appearance (clubhouse, aesthetics, practice facilities, course layout).
As for public courses, I'll be honest...you guys are letting me down.
Mac, you are absolved, as you made your "I get it" statement.
Jeff, with all the traffic that public courses get, tossing in 30 walking rounds a week is so minimal that the course wouldn't notice it...it's the equivalent of 1 foursome a day, and you could restrict it to before 8 or after 5. If not the super, who works long hours, one of her/his assistants.
Mark, if caddies rake bunkers, why should repairing ball marks be any different? You're paying for a service that lightens your (the golfer) load. I call it the pussification of the walking golfer!
Sean, public courses don't have members. Alternatively, my plan substitutes brigades for members. By working on the course, the kids gain a sense of ownership and pride that your members-proposal would also demonstrate.
Jon, how did that junior membership plan work out? Also, why don't you carry sand and seed versus a divot? Divots don't grow back.
Adam, I always like your sense of humor.
Mike, Bethpage had a scandal the last 4-8 years where guys were golfing the course on benefits while they were supposed to be working...they put an end to it, play is down to a suitable level and the course has improved its conditioning. The locals told me all about it this July.
Sev, the program is not supposed to be a replacement for reparation, but a supplementary act. Put up all the signs you want, hand out all the free tools you please, the same guys will always repair (or not) their pitch marks. ALSO, I guarantee you that both you and I have repaired old pitch marks (older than the limits you provided) and they looked a damned site better than before. I've read all that crap about "if left for..." and we're not discussing oxygen to the brain. There is no ball mark, no matter how old, that cannot be repaired.
Clint, not an excuse, a supplement. Don't publicize it, although even if you do, most golfers would respond "what's a pitch mark?" and look for the cart girl.