Jackson Reid
There is a common misconception in golf that taking a divot is indicative of a good ball striker. While it is true that for most shots hit from the turf, great strikers of the ball take a divot a few inches in front of the golf ball, it is not always the case. The idea that a golfer needs to take a chunk of soil with the ball to be a great striker is not true. In fact, taking a divot can be caused by a flaw in technique. While some professionals like Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler take divots, it is not the only way to succeed in the sport.
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What You'll Learn
Pros like Phil Mickelson take big divots
While some golfers believe that hitting down on the ball is the key to better iron shots and taking a huge divot, others disagree. The conventional wisdom has always been that better golfers will take a huge divot with their iron shots, and the key to "compressing" the golf ball is to produce an extremely steep club path towards impact. However, pursuing a steeper golf swing can cause more harm than good by moving the low point of your swing behind the ball.
Modern pros like Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler definitely come at the ball on a steep angle and produce big divots. However, this isn't the only way to do it. For most shots hit from the turf, most great strikers of the ball take a divot a few inches in front of the golf ball. The club descent at the bottom of the swing, known as the attack angle, is about 4 degrees down for a 6 iron for tour pros.
When a player's centre of mass tends to stay on the back foot, with considerable rear side bend, the bottom of the swing arc can be too far behind the ball, and the club is ascending when it reaches impact. This shallow attack angle will not take much, if any, turf. On anything longer than a 7-iron, it's okay to make a sweeping swing that produces little or no divot. Today's irons are more forgiving low on the clubface versus high on the face, and when you sweep the ball, you're coming in on a shallower angle of attack. If you do happen to catch the ball a little thin or a little fat, you're going to get a much better result than the same mishit with a steeper swing.
Phil Mickelson is a well-known professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments and accolades throughout his career. He has a unique warm-up routine that includes a series of exercises to stretch out his hamstrings and low back. Understanding speed and spin has helped him adjust to different conditions and become a champion in both soft and firm settings.
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Recreational golfers may harm their game by trying to make large divots
The commonly held belief that golfers need to hit down steeply on the ball to produce a huge divot and better iron shots is not necessarily true. While it is true that modern pros like Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler come at the ball on a steep angle and produce big divots, this is not the only way to do it.
In fact, recreational golfers may harm their game by trying to make large divots. Without the necessary swing speed to impart extra backspin on the ball, they will end up hitting the ball lower and shorter than they should. The pursuit of a steeper golf swing can also move the low point of the swing behind the ball. Therefore, it is recommended that golfers hit the ball on as shallow an angle as possible while still aligning the iron's sweet spot behind the ball at impact.
Golfers can still properly compress the ball without taking a divot or a steep angle of attack with the golf club. To make better divots, it is important to remember that they should only be considered with a short iron in hand. On anything longer than a 7-iron, it is okay to make a sweeping swing that produces little or no divot. Today's irons are more forgiving low on the club face, and a shallower angle of attack will result in smaller misses.
Additionally, when the downswing is very wide and around, it becomes challenging to get a divot. In such cases, golfers can try standing closer to the ball and swinging more up, or hitting balls from a side-hill, below-the-feet lie, which can force a reach-up-and-hit-down motion.
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Divots are not necessary for compressing the ball
While it is true that golfers need to hit downwards to get the ball into the air, it is a common misconception that divots are necessary for compressing the ball. The idea that you need to take a chunk of turf with the ball to be a great striker is simply not true. In fact, hitting down into the ground will only compromise your contact with the ball.
Many golfers associate divots with compression and huge amounts of backspin, but this is not the case. The most common issue with those who take large divots is their inability to hit longer clubs. The pursuit of a steeper golf swing can cause more harm than good by moving the low point of the swing behind the ball.
It is possible to properly compress the ball without taking a divot, or a steep angle of attack with the golf club. To get the ball airborne, you need to hit down at the proper angle to create the launch and impact position. This does not mean getting ultra-steep, and the best golfers have the low point of their swing in front of the ball.
While some professionals do take big divots, this is not the only way to do it. It is possible to make a sweeping swing that produces little or no divot. This is especially true with longer irons, as today's irons are more forgiving low on the clubface. When you sweep the ball, you are coming in on a shallower angle of attack, and if you mis-hit the ball, you are more likely to get a better result than with a steeper swing.
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A wide downswing makes it difficult to take a divot
Taking a divot is not essential to a good golf shot. While there have been great ball strikers who took big divots, there have also been those who didn't take any. However, a wide downswing can make it difficult to take a divot.
A wide downswing can create a shallow attack angle, which may not come into impact steeply enough to take a divot. This can be corrected by standing a bit closer to the ball and swinging more up, as well as hitting balls from a side-hill, below-your-feet lie, which can force you to reach up and hit down more. Additionally, shifting your lower body weight into the lead side at the start of the swing down and maintaining the angle between the lead arm and the shaft until about waist-high can help ensure that the club bottoms out in front of the ball, allowing you to take a divot.
It is also important to consider the type of grass and turf conditions, as certain grasses and closely mown turf can make it easier to take divots. The speed of your swing will also impact your ability to take a divot, with faster swing speeds generally allowing for larger divots.
While taking a divot is not necessary, it is important to hit the ball with a square face and compress the ball properly. This can be achieved with a slight angle of attack and some shaft lean, which will provide maximum compression, distance, and spin on iron shots.
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Divots can be indicative of a technical flaw
While divots are often seen as a sign of a powerful swing, they can also be indicative of a technical flaw. For example, if a player tends to swing the club around their body, they will struggle to take turf, producing shallow attack angles that don't come into impact steeply enough. This can result in the player taking a divot behind the ball or taking no divot at all.
Additionally, when the downswing is wide and around, it becomes challenging to create a divot. In such cases, adjusting one's stance and swing can help. Moving closer to the ball and swinging more upwards can facilitate better divots.
The direction of the divot can also indicate flaws in the player's technique. For instance, if the divot points to the left of the target, it suggests the player has come over the top and hit a fade. Conversely, if it points to the right, it indicates an inside hit, resulting in a draw.
Analyzing divots can provide valuable insights for improving one's swing and overall golf game. By observing the location, depth, and direction of divots, players can identify flaws in their technique and make the necessary adjustments.
While divots can offer feedback on one's swing, it's important to note that their presence does not always equate to better performance. In fact, some golfers may unintentionally compromise their contact with the ball by excessively focusing on creating large divots.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, pro golfers do take divots. Their divots are straight at the target, as wide as the club, and can be replaced entirely.
Divots are taken to compress the golf ball. This means producing an extremely steep club path towards impact, which creates the launch and proper impact position to get the ball airborne.
The best golfers have the low point of their swing in front of the golf ball. They also have a swing that comes in on a steep angle, producing big divots.
A golfer should take a divot when using a wedge, short iron, or mid-iron. When using a long iron, hybrid, or fairway wood, a small divot can be taken, but it is best to avoid taking divots with a driver.
