Out to In Divots!!!

[Shamed04]

I know Ive read about this in some recent threads but thought I would start one that is focused on it.

The last time I was at the range I did my usual routine; Streched, warmed up a little, then went right into hitting some balls. After hitting what seemed to be 10 beautiful balls. Ball flight was very nice, crisp feeling when struct, on my target line; I stepped back to set up to a new target and was disgusted by my divots. They were all pointing way left of my target (I am right handed). Even though my balls did not appear to be fading much if any, I was completely disgusted, and never did figure out what was causing this. Im sure it was causing me to lose some distance or something, w/e it is I dont like the looks of it. Please give me some advice of what could possibly be causing this.

[jambalaya]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

I suppose if you could repeat the swing exactly the same way and get a consistent ball flight at the target, then who cares about the divot. But, as we all know the fact that you are hitting good shots is probably b ecause you are making some kind of adjustment in alignment or your down swing the timing of which will probably get all screwed eventially making you pay for your outside-in swing path.

You are throwing your right shoulder outwards on your downswing rather than just rotating forward on the downswing the same way you went back. You push your club head away from your body and have to bring it back in to make contact with the ball. This gets us off balance and as everyone knows causes lots of problems.

Click this link and look at the video "Club Path Effect" and he demonstrates the different swing paths including yours.

http://www.golf.com/apps/instruction/V1Golf/archive.asp

I just joined this site and it has some really good video and stills of the golf swing. It's free. Sign up and you will be taken to a page with a list that has a heading called "Features". Click on "The Swing" and it will bring you to another page where you should click the heading "Swing Faults". You can find some stuff to help you there. Here the TPI link:

http://www.titleistperformanceinstitute.com/

Good luck.

[Shamed04]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

Thanks alot, that site looks like something we should all be looking at. I am very interested in perfecting the mechanics of my swing, so whether Im able to hit them straight with my swing or not I am always looking for mistakes.

[tonyc9]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

Hi buddy,

It is my 100% view that you should take a wedge out to the practice fairway and learn to hit with a straight divot.

THE ONLY way you can hit a ball straight with an out to in divot is if you don't release. Think about it the club path is moving to the left - the only way the ball can go straight is if the clubface is then pointing right!

If you don't learn to release you will never hit as long as your potential or as sweet.

[james.welsh]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

Another way to look at it though...

Not sure if the attached jpeg clears things up, but it's quite possible to have a divot going left and have a straight shot...

James

[Laserman]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

Guys,

This seems to be my exact same problem. I seem to release alot better with my driver and 3 wood. My divots are going left but I usually hit shots strait or a with a fade to the right. I have a Medicus Iron and a Momentus iron. I seem to straiten out my divots when I use the Momentus alot. What advice other than that corrects this swing problem.? I shot an 87 yesterday But with better putting and Pitching I could have easily shot on the high 70s ( My goal for the new year)? I missed quite a few greens in regulation becuase of this problem I should have made.

Laserman

[Shamed04]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

HEY Lesserman,
Ive been to the range the past couple days and believe I fixed my problem..whether yours is exactly the same or not idk...I watched a video of myself and noticed that my right hip was moving closer to the ball during my downswing...I was being far to aggresive with my lower body is all I can say, I didnt do any drills or anything except go to the range and try not to be as aggresive with my hips...anyways, whether that was the actual answer to the problem or not..i went from a small slice to actually having some draw for once and my shots seem to be smoother and carry farther, and my divots straightened out...go to the range and see if this works for you, or at least use a vc to see if this is your problem

[Mr_Change]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

My divots point left. I asked my coach why my divots point left and I hit the ball straight. he said that once I have hit the ball the club contacts the grouns at my centre point then it starts to swing back inside.

[tonyc9]

Re: Out to In Divots!!!

Guys we have the Johnny Walker Classic in my home town from time to time. I would go down to the par three's and look at the divots they made on the last two days. 85% were pointing at the target, 5% were to the left and 10% to the right.

Try this on the range. Learning to hit a draw is something you will need to need to do anyhow as you will need it on dog leg holes or tight pin placements.

Get a wedge and close the club face just a little bit then try swinging to take a divot that is pointing right of target. You will feel like the club is chasing the ball down the target line or right of it. After some time a nice little draw will develop and your divots will be straight or point right of target. You will get better contact and it should be able to teach you how to square the clubface at impact without hitting a push. If you try this swing without closing the club face a little you will just hit pushes.