Taking too much divot..........is it wrong?

[rylesso1]

First time poster.....As I use to be a 12 handicap, I am now a 22. Ex. I will shoot 100 with 12 penalty strokes. I have taken a few lessons to really work on my swing path.

What i noticed recently and would like feedback...

When I hit my 9,PW,LW, and Gap wedge, I tend to take a super big divot (like 6-12 inches), and deep. But, my ball goes where I want it and the distance I want. Why am I taking such divot, and what would be causing me to do this. Should I fix and is there a fix?

Secondly, is the divot mark suppose to be in line with the direction? I have notice lately that my divots tend to go right, but my ball still goes where I want it to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated......

[rylesso1]

I meant "my divots tend to veer LEFT"

[mvmac]

Going by what you said and by what you're shooting, good chance the path is too far to the left.  Recommend taking a look at these videos to help get the path less left.  Basically what is happening is the club head is swinging down and to the left, the weight is probably not forward enough to allow the club head to ascend out of the ground properly.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/61376/5sk-video-thread/90#post_836200

http://thesandtrap.com/t/61376/5sk-video-thread/90#post_846019

I wouldn't worry too much about the direction of the divots because they can be misleading.  You can draw the ball and have the divot be straight or even slightly left.  For more on divots go here http://thesandtrap.com/t/53952/divots

[tomvk77]

Well if you have huge divots it means you hit down on the ball well. I don't see a huge problem. Look on the tour. players hit big divots also. as long your not digging in the ground your ok

[iacas]

Well if you have huge divots it means you hit down on the ball well. I don't see a huge problem. Look on the tour. players hit big divots also. as long your not digging in the ground your ok

I'd suggest that players tend to take very shallow divots on the PGA Tour. With long irons they often barely get into the dirt, and with short irons the divots resemble, in the words of Moe Norman, bacon strips, not pork chops (IIRC).

It really depends on what he means by "big" divots, but a very steep AoA can be indicative of a lot of things, and if they're well to the left, it's more likely that the OP is coming over the top and swinging down and left through the golf ball.

[Mr. Desmond]

OP, I would listen to iacas and mvmac.

They deal with swing issues of golfers on a daily basis.

At the same time, depending on the shot, I like a shallow-medium divot in the shape of a dollar bill and after the ball.

[c peterich]

Agree on the shallow divot part. Had a long time teaching pro tell me that the goal should be able to pick the ball clean...almost if you were hitting off of your kitchen table. You wouldn't want to slam into the table..but pick it clean. So many theories on divot or no divot..but when I really start gouging it..that is when I'm playing very poorly and really have to rely on the short game. One of those self monitoring things by u..maybe the area u play or practice is experiencing a "wet season" of some sorts..or maybe your clubs aren't fit properly for u A million reasons,...just think it thru mate

[GaijinGolfer]

Divots are good, deep divots are not.

[mvmac]

I'd suggest that players tend to take very shallow divots on the PGA Tour. With long irons they often barely get into the dirt, and with short irons the divots resemble, in the words of Moe Norman, bacon strips, not pork chops (IIRC).

It really depends on what he means by "big" divots, but a very steep AoA can be indicative of a lot of things, and if they're well to the left, it's more likely that the OP is coming over the top and swinging down and left through the golf ball.

Speaking of shallow divots, love the way this shot sounds.  Rare to see a good player taking a "deep" divot.