Divot Question

[playfromthetips11]

How much of a divot do you take on your short to mid irons? I went to the range tonight and hit about 150 balls with my 6 thru LW. Granted it was a bit wet, but i was basically standing in a ditch when i got done. I have noticed when I am hitting the ball good i take a huge divot. But I wonder if it is too much. And if so, what could i be doing wrong? What are your experiences? Thanks.

[ham_man]

I'm a ball picker (i.e. divots are small), mainly due to the typically dry conditions here in Texas. If it's wet, my divots tend to get larger. I think that there is no right or wrong divot size; it just changes from person to person based on swing type and playing conditions. Whatever works, methinks...

[Dent]

I never take a divot at all, most of my shots are just grass swipes. Sometimes at the range i take little divots but they are just flings of mud.

[Calvey]

if you hit down on the ball a 2 to 3 inch divot is fine. as long as you catch the ball first.

[Big Don]

How much of a divot do you take on your short to mid irons? I went to the range tonight and hit about 150 balls with my 6 thru LW. Granted it was a bit wet, but i was basically standing in a ditch when i got done. I have noticed when I am hitting the ball good i take a huge divot. But I wonder if it is too much. And if so, what could i be doing wrong? What are your experiences? Thanks.

People regularly talk about taking divots like thin strips of bacon. However, providing the club strikes the ball then takes a divot I don't really see a problem with a deep divot. In fact it verifies that you are hitting down on to the ball squeezing it of the turf. If I remember rightly John Daly takes pretty deep divots? The only concern is it could lead to a wrist injury if you hit down in to hard ground.

[iacas]

People regularly talk about taking divots like thin strips of bacon. However, providing the club strikes the ball then takes a divot I don't really see a problem with a deep divot. In fact it verifies that you are hitting down on to the ball squeezing it of the turf. If I remember rightly John Daly takes pretty deep divots? The only concern is it could lead to a wrist injury if you hit down in to hard ground.

I've never seen many good or great players take HUGE divots. That would imply to me you're striking down on the ball a bit too much. As with virtually all things, a happy medium is usually best: not too skinny and not too thick.

Personally, again, I'm on the side of not taking much of a divot at all. I do with some shorter irons occasionally, depending on the shot I'm trying to hit, but not all the time. And virtually never with the 6-iron through the longer clubs. Then again, occasionally I take one with a 3W.

[lamebums]

How much of a divot do you take on your short to mid irons? I went to the range tonight and hit about 150 balls with my 6 thru LW. Granted it was a bit wet, but i was basically standing in a ditch when i got done. I have noticed when I am hitting the ball good i take a huge divot. But I wonder if it is too much. And if so, what could i be doing wrong? What are your experiences? Thanks.

Little to none, myself. I'm a picker - occasionally I'll take a divot with a mid-iron, but it's nothing you can grow a vegetable garden on. There's no

wrong way to take a divot, as long as you get consistent ball striking and the ball does what you want. It depends on your swing path - if you have a more rounded swing you're less likely to take a divot but if you come in steeply you'll be more likely to take one.

[Jeepthrills]

Add me to the list of pickers. I may take some turf with a wedge, but usually when I make any significat divots it's on a miss hit. Conversely, I tend to get a minimal ammount of backspin, a sign of ball first contact.

[lhshurdl3r]

i like my divots like i like my women--nice and thin

[billybaroo]

My divots get bigger as the loft of the golf club in my hands increases.
Not so much on longer iron clubs and definitely strips on my wedges.

Giant size divots in your mid to long irons might not be what you would want. It would indicate that your swing is very steep. This would, in my mind, increase your chance of mis-hits with those irons.

[Jeepthrills]

i like my divots like i like my women--nice and thin

I was affraid you were going to say deaf and mute.

[azgreg]

Then again, occasionally I take one with a 3W.

I know what you mean, I planted my 4 wood today. Could have planted corn in that divot. lol.

[iacas]

I know what you mean, I planted my 4 wood today. Could have planted corn in that divot. lol.

I don't take divots that big with a 3-wood... I wasn't implying that I sometimes hit my 3W fat, but that sometimes it's necessary to hit down a little with the 3-wood.

[bornfishy]

I'm a picker, also. A divot usually means I've caught it a little fat, with the exception of wedges. I'd hesitate to even call the mess created by a fatted shot a divot. As weird as it is, I just don't like the idea of cutting up all that turf...

I also find it fairly hard to even get a reliable divot with chunky game improvement clubs.

andy.

[sandtrap]

I like to be able to wear my divot like a mohawk..
Just make sure you hit the ball first and there is less chance of breaking your wrist

Beaver pelts for all of my friends

[LBlack14]

I cut RUG!!! The shorter the iron the deeper the divot.