Divot's?

[TipTopGolfer]

Hi all just thought i would make a post cause im really confuzed.

I must not be hitting my shots correctly,i went for a practice the other day and noticed something.

When i was taking a divot instead of it being straight it was going off to the left alot,im not sure what this means or what im doing wrong does anyone have any idea's?

 

[Imurg]

I think - you're hitting on an out to in path. Bet you're hitting a slice.
As to the cure - Uncle Bob??

 

[Doh]

The shape of your divots are usualy a very good indicator of your swing path you are coming out to in or over the top.

I am sure someone with much more knowledge will be on to explain.

 

[TipTopGolfer]

Its not much of a slice, but i would say it does fade its like that on my driver too!

How can i fix it lol

 

[birdieman]

Means your swing path is on an 'out to in' track. That often results in pulling or slicing dependent on how square the clubface is to target at impact.

Could be any number of things causing it such as -
-shoulders aiming left at set up
-casting clubhead out from top of backswing
-too steep a downswing.

Lead the downswing with the hips, shoulders and then arms in that order keeping speed under control, sounds like you could be leading with the arms. Good hip clearance through correct rotation should help.

However 85% or so of players play with that out to in swing shape so you could just learn to live with it like they do.

See a pro or watch a dvd/internet lesson for a cure.

 

[USER1999]

I would also bet your really bad shot is a pull left.

TonyN's 3 ball drill is the one for you.

Assuming you are right handed, on the practice range put 1 ball 6" behind the ball you are going to hit and about 3" further away, and then put a ball 6" in front, and 3" nearer to you. Then hit the middle ball, an groove a proper swing path. As you get better, move the other balls nearer, until there is just room for the club head.

Best tried on a day when the practice ground is quiet, as it easy to hit the balls all over.

On the other hand, just live with it, and play with a fade. Monty does, and it hasn't stopped him much.

90% of golfers fade, so you are not alone.

 

[TipTopGolfer]

Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated,i will try some of those drills out!

I cant live with a fade im a perfectionist lol i would love to hit the ball straight lol

 

[theeaglehunter]

I used to have this problem and it still occasionally pops up when things are going wrong.

Another good drill is to place a club / shaft / alignment stick along the ground behind the ball pointing to the right of your target so you can use it as a visual guide of the path your club head needs to travel on during the downswing. Also if you just try and feel like you are hitting the ball straight out right and do everything else the same it should get you a straighter divot / ball flight.

Over active wrists can also be a problem associated with left pointing divots if I remember correctly- so check your grip / release etc as well if the above doesn't work.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Careful!!! Are your divots parallel pointing left of the target....Or are they slightly crescent shaped starting square to the target then bending off to the left of the target?

If they are straight left the above advice would all be correct, however if the divot starts square to the target before coming inside, this is a natural path for the club head as you go into the follow through, you can attempt to extend down the target line after impact to eliminate your divot shape but if you are finding the target and hitting the ball well i wouldn't bother!

 

[bobmac]

I suspect this is your problem

Is that similar to your swing?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Sounds like the old OTT swing path to me but I'll leave it in the capable hands of Bob and others to give you a more detailed explanation

 

[mono217]

Just thought Id say what clubs do you take a divot with I take them with everything apart from my driver.

 

[TipTopGolfer]

I suspect this is your problem

Is that similar to your swing?

The blue line would represent my divot thats how they go instad of straight Bob.

Ive just looked at the picture again so im coming out then inside,my ball doesnt go left though like a few of the guys say i do have a light fade in it.

 

[RGDave]

I suspect you might need to quit golf....



Sort your path. If you can't do it yourself, go and see a pro.

 

[TipTopGolfer]

To tell you the truth i cant afford it mate!

Is there anybody around the Liverpool area who would fancy giving me a hand sorting my swing out lol

 

[bobmac]

Tip top, if your clubface is open enough, the ball will start straight or right, even if the swing is out to in.
How is your grip?

 

[TipTopGolfer]

I will take a few pic's later on to show you my grip.

 

[bobmac]

I will take a few pic's later on to show you my grip.

Better still, can you stick a video of your swing on youtube?

 

[TipTopGolfer]

Yeah i will do that tommorow, and upload it to youtube.

 

[janmolby]

TopTip I hope you don't mind if I jump on this bandwagon too, I was out yesterday & was slicing all my drives, I was also slicing my 3 wood & utility club from the ground, obviously not as bad as with my driver but it was still there.

The lad I was out with had a look at my grip & said it looked the same as his, he then watched me do some practice swings & hit 2 balls & said I was swinging Out to In. Divots in the ground seem to support what he was saying as they were heading straight left.

I will try the ball 6 inches in front & behind as suggested above to see if I have any luck with that.