Are you a scooper?

[Dave3498]

Do you scoop the ball off it's lie, like I do, and many other amateurs? Or do you hit down into the back of the ball, taking divot just ahead of the ball position? It seems to me that that is one of the fundamental differences between the amateur and the pro. Look at the pictures of the 16th. tee at Augusta during the Masters. It's riddled with divot holes even though they are using tee-pegs. Now compare that to par 3 tees on your own course. If they are anything like mine, there's not a divot to be seen. Is this something that we should concentrate on improving in our amateur game, or is this simply the difference between us and them? Good Ball striking.

 

[EchtLoon]

Do you scoop the ball off it's lie, like I do, and many other amateurs? Or do you hit down into the back of the ball, taking divot just ahead of the ball position? It seems to me that that is one of the fundamental differences between the amateur and the pro. Look at the pictures of the 16th. tee at Augusta during the Masters. It's riddled with divot holes even though they are using tee-pegs. Now compare that to par 3 tees on your own course. If they are anything like mine, there's not a divot to be seen. Is this something that we should concentrate on improving in our amateur game, or is this simply the difference between us and them? Good Ball striking.

Dunno where you play, but I've never seen a tee that was divot free, just the opposite in fact.

 

[CarpeDiem]

You have to be careful though not to force a diviot otherwise you'll end up balloning the into the air losing distance. However timing is key to taking a diviot as this then shows that your syncronisation is good and everything is working well just like the pros, and you wont lose distance maybe even gain some!

 

[njc]

I tend to take a divot on most shots to be honest.

Not saying it's always a straight one though

 

[Dave3498]

Dunno where you play, but I've never seen a tee that was divot free, just the opposite in fact.

Yes I was a bit careless there. Of course there are divots on our par 3 teeing areas, but nothing compared to those that have just been played by professionals. That was my point. And of course I'm talking generally. I'm sure there are many amateurs who always take a divot at the correct point.

 

[Sneds]

I am/was a scooper. It was my punishment for playing without lessons. I am working hard to get this out of my game. A good coach should work on your swing with you and a winter of practicing it should get you on the right track.

 

[USER1999]

It always worries me when there are massive divots on the tee of a par 5.

I always try to take a divot, and if I don't then it is a sign that I have come off the shot. Well along with the stinging sensation, and the pull left, and low flight.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't take very deep divots even when playing from the fairway and manage to generate decent spin and so when I've teed the ball up there is even less chance of me taking a divot on a par 3

 

[TonyN]

I only take divots with my short irons really because the ball is back in the stance hence me striking down, i normally dont take a divot with any long iron above a 6. Depends how I am feeling though. If I were to play a 130 yard par 3 with a tight green I would take an easy 8 off a slightly higher than usual tee and not so much scoop but take little divot if only brush the grass.

 

[MVP]

i take a divot on every fairway shot now, i used to be a bit of a scooper when i started !!

 

[Herbie]

It depends on the shot I want but I usually take a divot.

 

[Smiffy]

I too like to leave my mark on the course

 

[viscount17]

a scooper. I rarely take divots and then not always in the right place. I think it is very much to do with learning and practicing on range mats - you soon learn to avoid the ground contact which also tends to encourage thinning.

 

[Ronnoc1980]

I can and often do take a slight divot with my driver only ever on my practice swing tho not sure what makes this happen??

 

[Mawgan]

Talking of divots on tees, I remember David Howell coming on to the 14th tee at London GC during the European Open this year. Threw his ball down on the sward, plucked a gentleman's persuader from his bag, biffed it 230 yards down range, proceeded on his way with nary a blade of grass disturbed... Who needs a tee peg? Cool, or what...?!

 

[theeaglehunter]

I no longer fit into this category. Having begun taking lessons on grass I can honestly say I will never have another lesson on mats unless it is for my driver which I would consider. My reason for this is I have now developed a very good strike of the ball and take a nice shallow, square and full divot after most iron shots.

 

[andiritchie]

I always take a divot with every iron though been trying for the last year to get a little shallower at impact to take a bit of spin off

 

[RGuk]

I'm glad you posted this Dave.....it's an interesting discussion.
I've struggled with this all my golfing years and it seems to come and go in various strains. I went to see a pro once (at a good club) and the lesson lasted under 1/4 an hour, after we got into a heated discussion about "how" I hit the ball. In short, I was really hurt that he accused me of "trying to get the ball in the air" which I have NEVER consciously tried to do, I may only be a dodgy 12 h'cap player to a pro, but I know enough about golf to understand the sound principles etc.etc.

I've been re-trying an old drill my pro gave me in 1995 to strike down with a hooded face (short clubs) on 1/2 swings. It's a great drill and after a few sessions on this, I was a) hitting the short irons miles and b) taking nice divots. The drill is supposed to get your hands in front of the ball at impact. All well and good EXCEPT that my woods went totally down the toilet...I was hitting punchy 170 yard drivers.....no good at all.

I believe most players would like to take a divot, but many don't either because they come up too much on the backswing (straight knees, lift head etc.) or have simply developed a style that favours hitting the ball a bit thin over risking the dreaded fat shot.

It seems to me that most average players can't have it all....unless they have talent or a really good basic technique.
I know guys that can wallop their drives but can't beat me for short irons and vice versa.

I always try to take a small divot with my mid/short irons, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I could practice to make it permanent (like I did in the summer with a great drill recommended by Shawn Clemshaw) but as I get steeper and cleaner with my irons, the woods lose the consistency that has been the backbone of my game, albeit short distance compared to many players off 10-20.

 

[Herbie]

There is nothing wrong with either shot, again its what naturally suits the individual.

The irons are designed to do both, I do do both but more often take a divot.

The object of the game should be to take as few shots as your ability allows, to improve that ability doesnt mean you have to do one or other type of strike, but find the one that works the best for you.

Hit the ball consistantly accurate for line with any method you chose

Get accurate distances with your chosen clubs

And finally, putt really well.

Those three are all you need really, how you achieve them matters little.

 

[RGuk]

The object of the game should be to take as few shots as your ability allows

and once you've done this....???? where do you go....

I want improve my ability.....not just play the best with "what I have"......been there and done that.....