Good divot start point = Pro contact

[gotgolf?]

I remember reading a while back either on golf.com or golftipsmag.com a lesson (can't remember under what category) discussing divots, their starting point and their relation to where you address/tee up the ball. I was hoping to work on the start point of my divot recently (my divot usually starts a bit behind the ball - of course there are shots where I do not take a divot at all) but cannot find the same lesson I was looking for.

Does anyone remember seeing this lesson? Also does anyone have good pointers on taking an ideal divot (starting AT the ball and not behind). I envy Tiger's ability to rip up the field, but even smaller "LPGA" divots will keep me happy.

[philipy]

Just try to hit the ball first with a downward blow. The divot will be in the right place - whether it's shallow or deep.

[dogfood10us]

Trying to make a perfect divot probably isn't going to help you hit the ball well. The right mechanics will produce a good divot. The first step is to have some foward shaft lean because without that, you won't be taking any divot.

[gotgolf?]

There was a lesson online about divots and their position. I just figured tha since I do take a divot on some shots, I could use this lesson to work my mechanics towards pushing my divot forward and getting cleaner contact.

[greenail]

I take a ball and place it outside my swing path the same place in my stance as the ball I'm striking, this way you can see how fat you hit after your swing and not have to guess.

[TheSuperCaddy]

i made a threaad about this a while ago but just make a good swing and really fully extend your arms. a few weeks a go i couldnt make a divot with a sand wedge and now im destroying the turf. divots should be about and inch infront of the ball.

[td67mustang]

I saw an article in golf magazine, (this month or last) suggesting to put a tee next to the back of the ball. Then hit the shot, the begining of the divot shouldnt start before the tee. Keep adjusting till you get it right. This worked for me.

[Leek]

I remember reading a while back either on golf.com or golftipsmag.com a lesson (can't remember under what category) discussing divots, their starting point and their relation to where you address/tee up the ball. I was hoping to work on the start point of my divot recently (my divot usually starts a bit behind the ball - of course there are shots where I do not take a divot at all) but cannot find the same lesson I was looking for.

To strike the ball properly, you must have a flat left wrist (for righties at impact) and the low point of your swing needs to be 4" past the ball. Because of that, your divot should begin AFTER the ball, with the low point 4" past the ball.

[EGS]

This is probably really poor mechanics, but I hardly ever have a follow through when taking a divot. When I find myself 135 and in I find myself concentrating on striking down on the ball. This produces a nice high shot that stops and backs up everytime, and takes the perfect divots. My finish usually does not come up past my hip on my left side. The mechanics are likely off, but it has produced great results that leaves me with a two putt and the most.

[Leek]

This is probably really poor mechanics, but I hardly ever have a follow through when taking a divot. When I find myself 135 and in I find myself concentrating on striking down on the ball. This produces a nice high shot that stops and backs up everytime, and takes the perfect divots. My finish usually does not come up past my hip on my left side. The mechanics are likely off, but it has produced great results that leaves me with a two putt and the most.

Nothing wrong with that that's a punch shot.

[EGS]

I suppose that is it. For some reason I always had it in my head that a punch was a low flying ball resulting from a half swing further up in your stance, but I guess it has more to do with the follow through than anything. But like I said, it works!

[nyjets2806]

yea i always considered a punch shot to be a low shot thats used to get under/through trees, etc. id probably consider a really high shot with alot of spin from 130 in to be more of a pitch or flop shot. just my thoughts though.

as far as divots go i personally never take one. not for any shot but ive never had a big problem with GIR and if im not really having a problem i dont see any reason to change to divots.

[gotgolf?]

Thanks for the replies. At the range yesterday instead of worrying about my divot I worried about fine tuning the other parts of my swing (grip, shoulder tilt, spine angle etc) and it seemed that automatically set me up for a nice divot.

[benny]

In Bobby Clampett's book he maintains that the deepest point of your divot needs to be 4 inches in front of the ball. He points to a study (sorry, don't have the book with me)which showed how player handicap was related to divots. Went something like: Pro 4 inches in front, scratch 2inches, single digits at the ball, double digits before the ball. Don't hold me to these, but you get the idea.

Ben

[Leek]

In Bobby Clampett's book he maintains that the deepest point of your divot needs to be 4 inches in front of the ball. He points to a study (sorry, don't have the book with me)which showed how player handicap was related to divots. Went something like: Pro 4 inches in front, scratch 2inches, single digits at the ball, double digits before the ball. Don't hold me to these, but you get the idea.

I don't know if your numbers are exact, but I'll tell you this. You will never see a TOUR player who regularly takes no divot, or takes one even with or in front of the ball.