Huge Divots

[PooN]

I've been striking the ball better than I have in the past, but the divots I take are HUGE! When I go to the range and hit through my irons I leave behind a gaping patch of dirt... I look around and I seem to be the only one. I have just upgraded my irons (from Callaway X18 w/ Uniflex shafts to X22 Tour w/ ProjectX 5.5) and everything is stock (I'm 5'7"). I started taking huge divots last season with my old irons, but with these new irons it seems like every single shot is a battle with the turf. I make contact with the ball first, so the divots are in front of the ball like they should be.

Help! My hands, wrists, and forearms need some relief! Any ideas?

[muggs]

Honestly, it could be a lot of things. It would help to see your swing. You could be dropping your shoulder, dipping down into the ball, swinging over the top, ball position, too steep a downswing etc...etc... I have a feeling the issue is your angle of attack. Here, this may help, pulled from Golf Illustrated.

Too Deep Of A Divot
If you notice your divot is too thick, then you are coming into the ground steeply and must shallow out the impact. Shallowing the angle of approach will not only allow you to pick up additional yardage, but it will also give your body less of a jolt when you swing.

There are several ways to do this, but the easiest and most efficient way is to line up several golf balls on different tees. Imagine clipping the ball off the top of the tee without even hitting the tee.

If you do this and are still chopping down, then before you hit the next series of teed-up balls, make some practice swings about knee high above the ball, feeling as though you are hitting slightly up through impact. This helps to round out your swing.

If you are still not shallow enough, try practicing from a sidehill lie with the ball above your feet. The lie will flatten out your swing plane. This forces you to come into the ball more level, and you will cure the big divots.