divot starting slightly behind the ball

**shortstop20** · May 11, 2009

I notice my divots always start right at the backside of the ball or even a little bit just before it. I still get decent distance but I know I'm leaving distance and spin on the table. I would like a higher ball flight as well and a better strike should give me that.

For example, I hit my 9 iron 130 yards consistently.

I've been experimenting a bit lately and it seems by doing a little hip bump at the start of the downswing my divot moves up a little bit more in my stance. I wouldn't say I really had any hip bump before experimenting with it.

I've also noticed it doesn't make any difference if I move the ball back in my stance I still leave a divot in the same spot(in relation to the ball). Not only that but I can't really move the ball back in my stance anymore anyways since I already play short irons and wedges in the center of my stance.

What can I do to improve the location of my divots for a more pure strike? Should I just keep practicing the hip bump since it's working?

Is it even possible for the divot to start in front of the ball if you don't have a little hip bump to move the bottom of the swing arc in front of the ball?

Any tips on how to analyze divots as well? So that I can judge whether the heel/toe is digging, steep/shallow angle of attack, etc.

***iacas*** · May 11, 2009

Rather than a hip bump, my instructor has me working on a huge hip slide. He says "your hips will turn (they do), so don't worry about that. Just move your hips as far forward as they can go."

So... do that? Or go see an instructor yourself.

**jambalaya** · May 11, 2009

The hip bump is a basic part of the golf swing for many people. Yes, it will help move the low point of your swing forward. If you are comfortable with the move I would stay with it because it is fundamentally sound. I would say it is difficult to get into a proper impact position without thethe hip bump. The hip bump is just part of the process of shifiting your weight to the front foot. I've always had problems hitting just behind the ball as you. Releasing the lag to soon or flipping the club is a problem too. If you can hold that lag just an instant longer to allow your hips to clear that will help too.

**pittpanther** · May 11, 2009

For example, I hit my 9 iron 130 yards consistently.

Did you happen to watch the Players Championship, 17th hole (island green)? Pretty much every pro was selecting Pitching Wedge, for a 134-yard hole. That says to me you are only 1 club shorter than the pros.

Why exactly are you worried about distance loss?

**anthonykim3** · May 11, 2009

not at all pros can hit there 9s 165 or more if they want did you see there pw swings like 40 % fore sure they can hit a pw 150 it they swing

**divottool** · May 12, 2009

You can also try to look at a piece of grass an inch or so in front of the ball instead of the ball. That helps me to hit down and through.......plus it seems to take the hit at the ball away some. The ball then just gets in the way of the swing.

**shortstop20** · May 12, 2009

Why exactly are you worried about distance loss?

Who said I was? I just figured if I could get my divot in a better spot I'd have better ball striking, spin and trajectory. The average tour pro is hitting their 9 iron much further than 130 yards. I'm happy with my distance for now but if I can get more distance why not?

I experimented tonight in my backyard hitting balls into the net. I tried the Hogan method on ball position, putting the ball inside the left heel for every club and moving the back foot according to the club I was using. Results were good, I will experiment more when I get a chance to hit the range(tomorrow hopefully).

**bjw181** · May 12, 2009

Have you tried moving the ball back in your stance??

**shortstop20** · May 12, 2009

Yes I have. I just end up sub-consciously compensating for it though and leaving a divot in the same spot(in relation to the ball). When I was hitting balls into a net tonight moving the ball forward in my stance actually improved the position of my divots and my ballstriking in general. I'm going to experiment with it some more next time when I get to the range(hopefully tomorrow). The closest driving range is 30 miles away. I don't get a chance to go there but once every week or two.

**chspeed** · May 12, 2009

It sounds to me like you are releasing the lag in your swing early. That may be why your divot begins behind the ball no matter where your ball placement.

When I was doing thisi my instructor had me do the following: Put the ball on an uphill lie, and stand so that you'll hit the ball up the hill. Grab a SW, and take swings by letting your arms just fall towards the ball on the downswing without manipulating the club. It should feel like your hands are very passive, and that the clubhead comes down late into the downswing.

You'll know that you're doing it properly when you hear the "click" of the ball indicating you hit the ball first. The ball will also go pretty high because you are on an upslope and because you are hitting down on the ball properly.

Once you master this, try it on a flat lie, and you'll eventually feel that you are hitting the ball first, not the ground.

Good luck!

**CalBoomer** · May 17, 2009

Have you tried moving the ball back in your stance??

Yes I have. I just end up sub-consciously compensating for it though and leaving a divot in the same spot(in relation to the ball). When I was hitting balls into a net tonight moving the ball forward in my stance actually improved the position of my divots and my ballstriking in general. I'm going to experiment with it some more next time when I get to the range(hopefully tomorrow). The closest driving range is 30 miles away. I don't get a chance to go there but once every week or two.

You need to readjust your subconscious or think more about hitting through the ball rather than striking it. Try swinging with no ball to determine where your natural divot begins (should be just before the low point of your swing. Then put the ball with the front just overlapping where the divot starts. Try to swing concentrating just in front of the ball.

The ideal iron shot results when the clubhead contacts the ball just before the turf. Thus the old adage, "Hit the little ball before the big ball." A divot that begins behind the ball results from a shot with less than optimal distance because the clubhead will lose some speed before contacting the ball.

**bogeyhitter25** · May 17, 2009

Flex your knees a little more at the setup.

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divot starting slightly behind the ball

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