Divot to start in front of ball

[Kumabjorn]

I discovered that most of my divots actually begin a tad behind the ball and then goes forward about four inches with the deepest part at the end of the divot. This makes me think that I have to steep a swing plane and my weight transfer to my forward (left) side is achieved too late in the swing. Ideally the divot should begin just slightly forward of the ball and only be marginally deeper at the front end, I believe.
I even bought a stone mason's chalk-line (blue chalk from a string of rope) to create a line and line up balls to measure my divots (do I get some kind of nerd award?) and I really have a hard time achieving the divot I want. However, when I d it the ball flight is just unbelievable (if the chalk line was long enoug I could follw the path).

Does anyone have any drills that will help me achieve a shallower path that hits the earth in front of the ball?

[LowPost42]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

The drill I was given when I wanted to know how to hit the ball properly was this:

Put a tee in the ground somewhere between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7 cm) in front of your ball. Focus on making sure you dig it out of the ground.

[Kumabjorn]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Did that yesterday, added a chalk line to measure where the divot begins. I was capable of removing the tee (how deep should it be inserted?) even when the divot begins a tad behind the ball. Not to be picky, but some of those divots start with something that looks more like the grass was "grazed" (burnt?) in the beginning. I am assuming that the only thing that can cause it is the club, not the ball being pushed (compressed) by the club?

[BrianW]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

You should check your ball position. Your swing should bottom out somewhere in the region of your left armpit at impact, that's the lowest point in your swing arc.

Let's assume you are using a 7 iron. Ball centre of stance, weight evenly distributed, the club should bottom out just forward of the ball, unless you are keeping your weight on the back leg at impact or are flipping your wrists at the ball in an attempt to get it in the air.

Using a 3 iron, the ball should be a few inches inside your front heel at address, the club will bottom out in line with the ball leaving no or little divot and the ball will be swept away by the flatter clubface.

I hope this is of some help to you?

[LowPost42]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Don't believe the hype. The ball is not compressed on the grass. It's compressed on the face. Touring pro's really have no idea, so they say they're trapping the ball between the clubface and the ground. While this may be a good swing thought, it's not truth.

That said, I've heard that a 'perfect' divot will leave the grass roots. A big pelt is great for lots of spin, but also means that you're steep. No divot (obviously) is too shallow, and takes spin off.

[BrianW]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Don't believe the hype. The ball is not compressed on the grass. It's compressed on the face. Touring pro's really have no idea, so they say they're trapping the ball between the clubface and the ground. While this may be a good swing thought, it's not truth.

That said, I've heard that a 'perfect' divot will leave the grass roots. A big pelt is great for lots of spin, but also means that you're steep. No divot (obviously) is too shallow, and takes spin off.

Hi LP,

Who said here the ball is compressed on the grass? Certainly not me. As I said the divot is created by the club bottoming out, if your hands were placed ahead of the ball at address then the bottom of the swing arc has to be below the surface.

[LowPost42]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Hi LP,

Who said here the ball is compressed on the grass? Certainly not me. As I said the divot is created by the club bottoming out, if your hands were placed ahead of the ball at address then the bottom of the swing arc has to be below the surface.

Hey Brian,

It wasn't a shot at you. Kumbajorn said

some of those divots start with something that looks more like the grass was "grazed" (burnt?) in the beginning. I am assuming that the only thing that can cause it is the club, not the ball being pushed (compressed) by the club?

I just wanted to dispel the myth - I thought the bolded part was a reference to trapping.

[BrianW]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Hey Brian,

It wasn't a shot at you. Kumbajorn said



I just wanted to dispel the myth - I thought the bolded part was a reference to trapping.

Sure Ben, no problem.

[slater170]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

I've heard that a 'perfect' divot will leave the grass roots

whoo hoo
at last im doing something right!

[bdbl]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

I've heard that a 'perfect' divot will leave the grass roots

whoo hoo
at last im doing something right!

Maybe Slats but I don't think it counts on putts

[Mox]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Maybe Slats but I don't think it counts on putts

Priceless!

[slater170]

Re: Divot to start in front of ball

Priceless!

jeez everyone is a feckin comedian