The Divot

When lessons begin, folks like to share, and that's good: information is always worthwhile. Many folks ask about backspin which I explained in an earlier blog is the result of a proper golf swing, nothing you must add. The same is true for divots. Some golfers take slight divots, others deep, but in all cases good golf swings produce some sort of residual grass rippage due to the club's aggressive action during the downswing, just prior to beginning it's upswing.

Where is the divot, for right handed golfers it's under the left shoulder, the bottom of your swing, just ahead of the golf ball. I am not talking about tee shots where we use a lifter, (tee). In that case we choose to hit the ball on our upswing. Of course we cannot do that with a ball sitting on the grass, there's dirt underneath! That's why we hit on the downswing, to "cover" the ball on the turf: doing so forces the ball to work it's way up the blade of the club a little bit, and the scoring helps spin the ball. This is why divots and backspin are closely connected, one gives the other. If you're taking turf you will realize backspin. If you're seeing backspin, you're probably taking a little bite of dirt!

Please do not construe the downswing to appear as a chop or hatchet move. The club is coming down to be sure, but on an angle. The club, depending on its length, is traveling forward and down simultaneously. This angle determines ball flight, (launch angle), and depth of divot etc. You do not need to be concerned with these factors: the club you've selected to hit the shot determines what happens. Hopefully you make the same move with each swing, only changing clubs to alter shot arc and yardage.