How to Take a Divot When Hitting a Golf Ball

To take a divot when hitting a golf ball, you need to make sure you’re striking the ball with a descending blow. The key is to hit the ball first, followed by the ground. This technique is typically used with short irons or wedges.

To achieve this, ensure your stance is correct, the ball is in the proper position, and you are making a clean, solid contact with the ball. The club should come down at a steep angle, and your body should rotate smoothly to allow the clubface to meet the ball just before the ground.

Statistical Metric	Value/Range	Note
Average Clubhead Speed	85-95 mph	Varies based on experience level and club used.
Typical Swing Path for Divot	Steep/Descending	Important for clean ball contact and divot creation.
Average Golfer’s Handicap	15-20	Indicates level of consistency in shots.
Impact Position for Divot	Ball-first, then ground contact	Proper positioning ensures a clean divot.
Club Used for Divot	Wedge, Iron (9-iron, pitching wedge)	Most common clubs to take a divot.
Divot Size for Proper Contact	1-2 inches in length	A well-hit shot should take a manageable divot

Why Is Taking a Divot Important?

Taking a divot is important because it shows that you are hitting down on the ball, which is crucial for generating solid ball flight and distance. Here are a few reasons why taking a divot is necessary:

• Better Ball Contact: A divot indicates that your club is making solid contact with the ball, rather than just skimming the surface or topping it.
• Proper Angle of Attack: A divot demonstrates that you are hitting the ball with the correct angle, where the clubface strikes the ball first, then the ground.
• Ball Control: A well-executed divot allows for better control over the ball’s spin, trajectory, and distance.
• Improved Consistency: Taking a divot helps ensure that you are consistently hitting the ball in the same way, leading to more reliable shots.

How to Take a Divot When Hitting a Golf Ball: Step-by-Step

Now, let’s break down how to take a divot when hitting a golf ball. This process requires a good stance, the right club, and a precise swing technique.

1. Set Up with Proper Stance

Your stance is crucial in ensuring that you are positioned correctly to take a divot. The following steps will guide you to get the right setup.

• Feet: Position your feet shoulder-width apart for stability. This is especially important when hitting with irons or wedges.
• Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward in your stance, just inside the left heel (for right-handed golfers). This allows for a more downward angle of attack.
• Posture: Bend at your hips and knees to get into a comfortable, athletic position. Your spine should remain straight, with your arms hanging naturally from your shoulders.
• Club Selection: Choose an iron or wedge if you want to take a divot. These clubs are designed for ground contact.

2. Focus on a Steep Angle of Attack

One of the most important aspects of taking a divot is ensuring that your angle of attack is steep enough. This means your club should be coming down toward the ball at a sharp angle, which helps ensure the club strikes the ball first, then the ground.

To achieve a steep angle, focus on the following:

• Swing Path: Keep the club path slightly inside to square through impact. A slight in-to-out swing path helps deliver the clubhead at the proper angle.
• Clubface: Make sure the clubface is square to the target at impact, ensuring that you hit the ball cleanly without missing it or topping it.
• Body Rotation: Rotate your body to drive the motion, ensuring that the clubface doesn’t come across the ball from outside-in. This promotes a more downward strike.

3. Make a Solid Downward Strike

The goal is to strike the ball with a clean, downward blow. As you begin your downswing:

• Lower Body: Start by rotating your lower body first. Your hips should lead the movement, followed by your torso and arms. This promotes a proper weight shift and downward strike.
• Hands and Club: Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball at impact. This ensures that the leading edge of the clubface makes contact with the ball before the ground.
• Follow Through: After contact, follow through with your swing. Your hands and arms should continue toward the target as the club completes the motion.

The result should be a well-timed hit with the clubface striking the ball first and the ground second. A divot will naturally follow.

4. Practice with Different Clubs

Different clubs require different swing approaches, but the principle of taking a divot remains the same. Practicing with different clubs will help you understand how each one reacts with the ground.

• Irons: Irons are the best clubs for taking a divot. Focus on striking the ball with a descending blow to ensure a solid impact.
• Wedges: Wedges, like pitching wedges or sand wedges, also require a downward angle of attack. The divots might be slightly smaller with wedges, but the principles remain similar.
• Hybrids: Hybrids are designed to be more forgiving, and while you may take a small divot, it’s less pronounced than with an iron.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced golfers can fall into bad habits that prevent them from taking a clean divot. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

• Flat Swing Path: A flat swing path, or one that is too shallow, will lead to a sweeping motion that doesn’t take a divot.
• Poor Weight Shift: Failing to transfer your weight to your front foot during the downswing can cause you to strike the ball too early or too late.
• Incorrect Ball Position: If the ball is too far back in your stance, it can lead to hitting behind the ball. On the other hand, a ball position that’s too forward may cause you to top the shot and miss the divot.
• Swinging Too Hard: Trying to hit the ball too hard can result in an out-of-control swing, making it difficult to hit down properly. Focus on control, not power.

Practicing Divot Technique

Taking a divot consistently requires practice. The more you work on your swing, the more natural it will feel. Try these practice tips:

• Use a Line on the Ground: Lay down a line of tee markers or a clubhead to visualize where your swing should come into contact with the ground. This helps you see where the divot should form.
• Take Half Swings: Start with smaller, controlled swings to get the feel of hitting down on the ball. Gradually increase the swing length as you become more comfortable.
• Use Impact Tape: Applying impact tape to the face of your club can show you where your club is making contact. This feedback helps you refine your technique and adjust your angle of attack.
• Practice with Short Irons: Shorter irons are easier to hit with a steep angle, so practicing with a 9-iron or pitching wedge can help you develop a better feel for taking a divot.

Understanding the Divot’s Effect on Ball Flight

The way you take a divot affects the ball’s flight. A clean divot with a steep angle of attack leads to the following:

• Trajectory: A well-executed divot typically results in a higher trajectory with more spin, especially when hitting with wedges.
• Backspin: When you hit down on the ball and take a clean divot, the ball will spin more, allowing it to stop quicker on the green.
• Distance: A proper divot strike generally leads to better distance control. It ensures you’re hitting the ball with the correct loft and angle.

Why am I not taking a divot with my golf shots?

If you’re not taking a divot, your swing may be too shallow, or you could be lifting the ball before making contact with the ground. Ensure you’re using a steep angle of attack and focusing on striking the ball first, then the ground. You might also need to adjust your ball position slightly forward in your stance.

Does the divot size matter?

The size of the divot can indicate how clean your strike is. A large divot suggests a steep angle of attack, which can be good for controlling ball spin and trajectory. However, the most important factor is the proper ball-then-turf contact, not the size of the divot itself.

How can I practice taking a divot?

You can practice taking a divot by making practice swings at a driving range. Focus on striking the turf after hitting the ball and aim for a ball-first impact. If you’re struggling, try using an Impact Pre-Set Drill to help you practice achieving the correct impact position with your club.

Can I take a divot with a driver?

No, you generally should not take a divot with a driver, as drivers are meant to sweep the ball off the tee with a shallow swing. If you’re taking a divot with a driver, it indicates that your swing may be too steep. For driving shots, focus on a sweeping motion and minimal ground contact.

How do I avoid fat shots?

Fat shots happen when you hit the ground before the ball. To avoid this, ensure that your weight is shifting properly during the downswing. A slight weight shift toward the front foot during your downswing can help you avoid hitting behind the ball.

What’s the role of my trail foot in taking a divot?

Your trail foot (the back foot) plays an important role in maintaining balance during your swing. A strong and stable trail foot helps you maintain good posture and ensures a proper angle of attack. Avoid excessive weight shift to the trail foot, as it can cause inconsistency in contact.

How can professional golfers make consistent divots?

Professional golfers make consistent divots by focusing on proper motion and club head speed. They execute their golf swing with excellent balance, ensuring that the clubhead at impact strikes the ball first, followed by the ground. They practice rotation through impact and refine their swing path to ensure the ball-first, then-divot contact.

Does the clubhead affect the divot?

Yes, the clubhead plays a crucial role in how the divot forms. Clubs like wedges (pitching wedges or sand wedges) are designed to dig into the ground, leading to deeper divots. The club at impact should contact the ball first, then enter the ground for a clean divot. The loft and design of the golf club impact the depth and size of the divot.

What is the correct impact position for taking a divot?

The correct impact position involves your hands being slightly ahead of the ball, with your weight shifted toward your front foot. The key is to strike the ball-first, followed by the turf. This ensures the clubface remains square, generating solid contact and a proper divot.

How do I avoid inconsistent contact with the ball?

To avoid inconsistent contact, work on your balance and wrist angles during the swing. Focus on making clean, centered contact with the ball, ensuring you don’t slice or hook the shot. It’s also important to practice making solid contact with the center-faced clubhead.

How do seasoned golfers consistently take divots?

Seasoned golfers consistently take divots because they’ve refined their swing mechanics over time. They understand how to align their body at impact, ensuring a proper divot and ball-first contact. Their constant game practice on courses like Eagle Lakes Golf Club and through golf instruction helps them maintain consistency.

How does the ball position affect taking a divot?

The ball position is crucial for taking a divot. If the ball is too far forward or too far back in your stance, it can affect the angle at which the clubhead approaches the ball. A correct ball position will help you strike the ball first and then the ground, allowing you to take a clean divot.

Can practicing on a driving range grass help me take better divots?

Yes, practicing on driving range grass is excellent for learning how to take divots because it simulates real course conditions. However, practicing on range mats is also beneficial to develop the right swing path, though it may not replicate the true feel of hitting grass.

How can I improve my golf game with divot control?

Divot control is essential for improving your golf game. By practicing divots with wedges and focusing on hitting ball-first, then turf, you’ll achieve cleaner strikes and gain more control over your ball flight. It’s a good idea to incorporate a practice routine that includes drills for controlling your divot and improving consistency.

Should I practice with a sand wedge for taking a divot?

Yes, practicing with a sand wedge is a great way to focus on making clean, controlled divots. The sand wedge is designed to dig into the ground and will help you practice the digging motion required for taking a divot.

Final Decision

Taking a divot is an important part of a solid golf swing, particularly with irons and wedges. By focusing on proper stance, swing mechanics, and body rotation, you can ensure that you’re hitting down on the ball and producing consistent, accurate shots. Avoid common mistakes like a shallow swing or improper weight shift, and take time to practice with different clubs to refine your technique.

The more you practice taking a divot, the more natural and effective your golf swing will become, ultimately leading to better performance on the course. So, grab your clubs and start practicing your divot technique—your game will thank you!