Is it naughty/Bad etiquette to take a divot on a practice swing?

[turkish]

Just wondering if other forummers take divots on practice swings or is this a big no no since you're effectively digging up the course without hitting a ball?

I never used to but in practice recently (in the rough on the course and on practice area) I've liked taking a divot about a foot away from the ball and parallel to target to get and idea of ball and ground connection but am I likely to get growls or moaned at for doing this on fairway? I've found it's helped me with the strike.

 

[virtuocity]

Should be immediately banned from the club IMO

 

[drdel]

For me your first paragraph answers your own question.

Perhaps competitions apart I can't see that causing damage to the fairways with a practise swing is justified. Its made worse by the fact that fewer and fewer golfers can be bothered to replace the divot.

Given that golfers hit broadly similar distances if all golfers took just one additional practise swing in those 'popular' landing areas the fairway would be a ploughed field!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Absolutely a big No-No, practice swings that might risk taking a divot are IMO unnecessary. So my practice swing (if I bother) is more a 'waft' to get the feel of the shot I want to play - connect body to head. Though half the time there appears to be a total disconnect between head and body

 

[Canary_Yellow]

In my opinion, it's a big no-no when on the fairway.

Sometimes I accidently do it, but not intentionally.

In the rough it's more excusable, but I would still try not to.

 

[turkish]

NO No NO no no why do you all have to pee on my parade... it is good for my game it's all about me!!!!

Ah well I will have to just stop it. I knew in my head it was dodgy but was hoping you would all tell me it's fine

At least there's no danger of this now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ZlSOn-EW4

 

[garyinderry]

If you connect with the ground in any way this time of year you are bound to make a mark. in the summer you can pretty much swing away and unless you are very steep, you won't dig a massive hole.


Intentionally making a divot parallel to your ball for the purpose of aiding your actual shot is probably against one of the rules.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

In my opinion, it's a big no-no when on the fairway.

Sometimes I accidently do it, but not intentionally.

In the rough it's more excusable, but I would still try not to.

I agree. It shouldn't be done but I've certainly done it unintentionally. Mind you as long as the damage is repaired and there isn't too much delay faffing with loads of practice swings there shouldn't be a problem

 

[HDID Kenny]

NO No NO no no why do you all have to pee on my parade... it is good for my game it's all about me!!!!

Ah well I will have to just stop it. I knew in my head it was dodgy but was hoping you would all tell me it's fine

At least there's no danger of this now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ZlSOn-EW4

Schoolboy error from Justin, most pros stand behind the ball practice swinging at 90o to avoid this, bet he doesn't do it again in his career.

Anyway now for my pet hate, like many courses we go onto fairway mats over the winter months to protect the grass during non growing season. So along comes Mr Clown who puts down his mat puts ball on mat and proceeds to take 2 full bloodied practice swings (because that's his overly long pre shot routine and it must be followed for every shot) destroying the grass below, when pointing this out he says the rule says play from mat which I am doing.........grrr:rant:

 

[Snelly]

Practice swings are totally unnecessary, consequently, so are their divots.

 

[tsped83]

Practice swings are totally unnecessary, consequently, so are their divots.

Amen brother.

 

[Qwerty]

I find it best to take 3 or 4 'Practice Divots' of Varying depth on each shot just to get a feel for the interaction between club and turf.
Good idea to do it in bunkers too to get a feel for the sand.

 

[TheJezster]

If you want to practice, do so. If you take a divot, just repair it. Simples.

Job done.

 

[richart]

I find it best to take 3 or 4 'Practice Divots' of Varying depth on each shot just to get a feel for the interaction between club and turf.

Is that with the driver ?

We have divot bags now, so I can take as many as I like now. :thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I can't ever see why you would ever need to take a divot on a practise swing and I'm not sure if it's right to do it on a tee.

 

[richart]

I can't ever see why you would ever need to take a divot on a practise swing and I'm not sure if it's right to do it on a tee.

When I was a junior a few years back , if you took a practice swing on the tee you would get a right rollocking.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When I was a junior a few years back , if you took a practice swing on the tee you would get a right rollocking.

Are there any black and white pics to prove you were ever a junior golfer

 

[Qwerty]

Is that with the driver ?
. :thup:

Only if I'm manufacturing a Low Baby Stinger.
Baby Draws are So last Season

 

[Norrin Radd]

i have got a mate who takes a divot with his practice swing every time ,with his Driver.
and yeh he has got sky marks on his driver.

 

[Imurg]

If your shot requires you to take a divot then your practice swing must, by definition, take a divot too.
If it doesn't then its a waste of time as you're not practicing the shot you're about to try and make.
If you do take a divot, repair it.....

But far easier to just not bother with a practice swing at all......