Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

[Bobby P]

Hi Group,

I'm a weekly player and finally broke 90 last month which was great for me. For the past two weeks I'm closer to 100 not because of out of play balls but fat shots. Straight fat shots with no distance. Any club in the bag (not the driver) I hit up to 3 inches behind the ball. The fairway divot is straight and I move my ball back in my stance to correct the problem but it screws up my balance. So the next hit is a topped worm burner. By the end of the round my lower back goes into spasms.
My pro told me the swaying caused it and corrected the problem on the driving range. Considering the different lies we encounter in a round balance is a key point especially for weekender like me. Any routine or setups while on the course anyone can recommend would be appreciated.

I'm 190lbs., 5ft 10" with the 48 year old love handles package.

My good game. Driver 220 yds w/fade. 3 wood 175 to 200 yds straight. 5 wood 150 to 160 yds w/fade. 3, 4 irons stay in bag. 5 iron 150 yds, 6I 140 yds...PW 90 to 100 yds. Also they are low shots
Bad game are the fat shots and push fades. Last week I hit the hosel on my 3 wood but in play.

Take me back to the basic alignment with ball placement using a 7 iron to PW and then Driver and fairway woods. Move my stance width or ball position??? I'd like to break 85. I have the strength but 10 years of baseball may have been embedded in muscle memory.....

I'll see my pro tomorrow evening too.

I can't send a video so I hope this describes my issues

Thanks ahead,

Bobby P.

[Mr_Change]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

Fat shots can be caused by having the ball to far in your stance, by keeping your weight on your backfoot, or releashing the club to early.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

As Mr Change says it can be lots of things, without seeing your swing it difficult to tell.

However I find the best way to stop hitting the ball fat is keep the front foot (left foot) planted firmly on the ground in the backswing this should stop some sway, but should keep you over the ball better.

I suggest you try this and then come back on line if you are no better, but I think this should help.

I would like to say one thing about divots the are only perfectly straight when you try to steer the clubhead, the divot should curve slightly to the left.


Ian.

[thebigman]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

(for right handed players) keep your right knee flex throughout your swing. When you raise up in the backswing you automatically have to raise back down, and its so easy to do it too much. So try keeping your angles

[Mulligan Al]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

I was doing this also and the pro said I had the ball too far forward and I was dipping my right shoulder rather than letting my hands drop. When I focused on the shoulder coming around and not down I started to hit cleaner shots.

[gord962]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

If you have made all the adjustments (body wise) that they have mentioned above and are still hitting fat shots, Al's suggestion will be the best solution. If you are wondering how far back you should move the ball, use the beginning of your divot as your guide. You want to hit thte ball before you make your divot, so take a practice swing making a divot. Now, remember where the divot STARTS in your stance and line up so the ball would be balanced on where the the divot started. This should give you a nice descending blow on the ball and a divot AFTER you strike the ball, which is what should be happening.

[Bobby P]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll take a lesson tonight and try the feedback from everyone. Weather permitting I'll put it together for a round Friday. Wish me luck.

BTW (by the way) this is a very good site.

[LowPost42]

Re: Divots behind ball "fat city" ++

As you have stated Bobby, you've been identified as swaying. If you sway back on your backswing, but don't sway forward, you'll hit fat. I've also noticed (taking practice cuts in my basement and worried about hitting the ceiling) that if your hips don't clear, you'll be way behind and hit fat.

Try sticking an umbrella (or stick, or old broken golf shaft, or yardstick, or little kid) in the ground next to your right leg. On your backswing, don't hit the stick with your leg - if you do, you'll know you're swaying. This forces you to not sway, which encourages turning over the right leg.