Replace or sand?
As a golfer, replacing your divot or filling your divot with sand is your responsibility. At Highlands CC, we ask that all divots be replaced and then lightly topdressed with sand to help smooth the imperfection and prevent the edges of the divot from drying out. This is something we are constantly promoting because many members and guests do not replace divots. This is unfortunate because it's one thing you can do to keep the golf course in great shape.
One reason that many golfers at HCC fail to replace divots (in my opinion) is that they are more accustomed to playing golf on Bermudagrass or Zoysiagrass fairways; two grasses that are impossible to take a divot from. These grasses have dense canopies and a strong network of rhizomes and stolens that keep the grass knitted together. When you hit from a fairway like this, the tiny void left is better filled with sand because these grasses are extremely aggressive and heal within a matter of days.
Bentgrass is a much more delicate grass compared to its warm-season counterparts. It isn't aggressive compared to these other grasses and an unrepaired divot will take a month or more to properly heal. This why replacing the divot is best policy.
What about sand?
Filling divots with sand should only be done if your divot "explodes" on impact. Otherwise, as mentioned above, the sand is only used to lightly topdress the divot you replaced on your last shot. The sand in the bottle on the carts is just sand, no seed mixed in with it. This is because we don't want bentgrass seed getting in the Kentucky Bluegrass rough on the golf course. We are challenged with that as it is, and don't want to exacerbate that situation.
What about on Par 3 tees?
If you create a divot while teeing off, this is the one place divots are not replaced. In this case, you're welcome to fill the divot with sand or, do nothing. The golf maintenance team fills divots a couple times a week and after they put a sand/seed mix down, they will use a hand tool called a "Levelawn" to be sure the sand and seed mix is nice and even. Maintaining a smooth surface on tee boxes in a priority and that's why it is best left for the maintenance team.
Summary:
In fairways, replace your divot and lightly topdress over it with the sand provided in carts.
On tees, you're welcome to fill the divot with sand, otherwise, do nothing and let us handle the tee divots.