There are few better feelings in golf than making crisp, ball-first contact and taking a nice divot. But have you ever considered what you can learn from these flying bits of turf? In the video and article below, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Andrew Reynolds provides some simple advice that could help you decode your divots.
Your divots often hold clues as to how the club is working through impact and there are three types in particular to look out for next time you are on the course. Here they are...
Heel deep
The first is heel deep, which is when the heel of the club digs into the ground more than the toe. If you notice this type of divot, it's likely the club is closing through impact, forcing you to miss shots left and even, in extreme cases, causing a hook.
Shallow, square divots
This is the holy grail of divots. If your divots are shallow and even in depth from heel to toe, point towards the target, and are square at the exit and entry point, your swing is likely in a very good place.
If your divots look like this but you're not hitting the shots to match, it might be worth checking if the clubs you're using are right for you and your swing.
Toe deep
If the toe is deeper than the heel, that will cause problems. The toe digging into the ground will encourage the face to open up through impact and mean you're more likely to hit blocks or slices.
Solutions
If your divots are either toe to heel deep, your first port of call is to check your address position. Take care over your body alignment and set an athletic posture with your weight over the balls of your feet (not on your heels or toes). In the ideal position, the butt of the club should be a hand’s width from your thigh.
If you feel like you are in a strong, athletic address position but your divots are still not good, it is time to get your clubs checked. If the lie angles of your irons are not right, heel or toe deep divots are the evidence. Speak to your local PGA professional to make sure your irons are the perfect spec for your game.
