Taking a divot

[Dr. Slice]

So far this year I've really been working on my divot and making sure its ahead of the ball.

I don't know if this is a problem but i can't seem to ever take a "real" divot. I might scuff the grass but never a nice pure divot even with my wedges. (even know i am hitting off on very hard grass which may be the reason)

I am hitting behind the ball but only slightly i start about right at the ball and my "divot" ends about an inch past it.

I was wondering what i could do to get that much plush divot that is a couple inches in front of the ball. I have been working a lot on moving my hips and body weight foreword but i haven't taken a look at my swing on video yet but it seems like i am exaggerating that move too much because the pros seem like they don't get all that much foreword movement and still take that huge divot.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[iacas]

Key #1: Steady Head plays a role in Key #2: Weight Forward (at impact). The third piece, Key #3: Flat Left Wrist - the shaft should not have passed the left arm before impact.

Evaluate which of the Keys you're missing and you'll take better divots.

[carpediem4300]

where are your current divots in relation to your stance?

perhaps your taking a good divot but playing the ball an inch or so to far forward?

I fat my irons/wedges alot and it wasnt actually a "fat" shot,.....just the ball was to far to the left and past the low point of my natural swing arc

[Apotheosis]

Iacas is right on with the three keys. If I had to guess your flipping through impact. Which causes your left wrist to cup prior to impact. Read the master thread on flipping. It helped me a lot!

[boogielicious]

Also, practice making divots. there's a drill for S&T; where you strike the ground without a ball and try to see where your low point is and keep it consistent. I do this drill in a field near work. It is great for seeing where your low point is an how weight forward helps move the divot forward. For me, my right elbow moving closer to my left and toward my belly button on the down swing helps me slide my hips forward. The divot moves with this motion. Try it slow first, like 50% swing or less.

[Ctp722]

I would also concentrate on BALL FIRST contact and hittig down on the ball.

If you really hit down on the ball it will make a divot.

[carpediem4300]

THIS,....................................i practice in the garden with half swings and quarter swings,....helped me no end

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Also, practice making divots. there's a drill for S&T; where you strike the ground without a ball and try to see where your low point is and keep it consistent. I do this drill in a field near work. It is great for seeing where your low point is an how weight forward helps move the divot forward. For me, my right elbow moving closer to my left and toward my belly button on the down swing helps me slide my hips forward. The divot moves with this motion. Try it slow first, like 50% swing or less.

[zeg]

You acknowledged awareness of this, but some turf just does not give divots like you see on TV. Sometimes a little scuff is all that you get unless you dig a hole, even with the same contact that would slice out a beautiful strip of turf on another course.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Just to add to the above, always (ALWAYS!!!) remember what you're hitting balls off. If you don't you may end up forgetting that the mat you're hitting off is especially shit and bare and try hitting down into the ball to create more spin resulting in:

(probable non-displaced scaphoid fracture in the left wrist) and 8-12 weeks recovery.

Did this yesterday. Go me!

[Timothyjack]

Originally Posted by MiniBlueDragon

Just to add to the above, always (ALWAYS!!!) remember what you're hitting balls off. If you don't you may end up forgetting that the mat you're hitting off is especially shit and bare and try hitting down into the ball to create more spin resulting in:

(probable non-displaced scaphoid fracture in the left wrist) and 8-12 weeks recovery.

Did this yesterday. Go me!

Ouch. that looks bad. I though you hit a root when I first looked at the image. The Tourstriker is perfect for this. Not necessary to learn to hit down, but a great tool.

[xmanhockey7]

For me when I was first learning golf and starting to hit ok shots I'd try to take the divot after the ball......didn't work. I found the best way to do it was try to make a good swing and it'll just happen.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Originally Posted by Timothyjack

Ouch. that looks bad. I though you hit a root when I first looked at the image. The Tourstriker is perfect for this. Not necessary to learn to hit down, but a great tool.

Yeah I won a couple of Tour Strikers on a competition on here actually; they're great!

The above was done solely through intentional excessive downward force to increase spin and add height to my shot; it was the fact that I forgot what I was hitting off that screwed me. :(

[Timothyjack]

Originally Posted by MiniBlueDragon

Yeah I won a couple of Tour Strikers on a competition on here actually; they're great!

The above was done solely through intentional excessive downward force to increase spin and add height to my shot; it was the fact that I forgot what I was hitting off that screwed me. :(

I hate hitting off mat. I was thinking about getting a mat to practice on in my backyard since I have a golf net and no grass, but I think ill just keep hitting of of the dirt. Its a bit messy, but you get to see how and where you impact the dirt. Good luck with that wrist.