Practice Divot!

[Slab]

Do you or anyone you know do it on a regular basis?

Not meaning when its a 'miss hit' practice swing (what a great concept, a fluffed practice swing!)

Anyway back to the point, a guy a play with often takes one and it drives me up the wall to see the damage & I've just seen the clip of Rose get a penalty when his practice divot hit the ball (took practice swing from directly behind his ball, clip in Rules forum for those who want a look)

I'll guess he has a good reason to take one but not sure what it is

 

[woody69]

I don't (unless I've practised my "fat" shot), but then I rarely take a divot anyway, but if you always take one on your normal stroke, then I guess it makes sense to take on on the practice, after all you're practicing your shot and your shot routine. If you don't take one on the practice, but you do on the normal, what would be the point of the practice swing?

 

[Region3]

Never intentionally on a full shot, although for some chips and pitches I'll nick the turf on purpose to get the right feeling for the shot.

 

[jp5]

Guilty of this I'm afraid. Take a divot on my full shot so, as you say, taking a practice swing means I take one there too. Always put both of them back. Would like to cut down and also play a bit quicker so I'm working towards not taking a practice swing at all.

 

[garyinderry]

no, I would get banned from most courses. the ground is getting soft already and I am getting back to taking big pork chop divots with my wedges.


I don't really see the point in taking a mahoosive divot. the practice swing for me is only to get the feel and loosen me up for the real shot.

 

[tsped83]

I understand and accept totally taking a divot on your SHOT, but on your practice swing? That seems unnecessary and just ruins the course for no need at all. Tht would annoy me.

 

[One Planer]

Speaking for myself.

When I set up and make a practice swing, I don't focus on a a full shot, nor taking a divot, but making a small bruise on the turf in front of the ball. It's a small mental note, more a confidence thing, with my swing to make a clean contact and divot post strike.

Sometimes it's a very light bump to the grass. Sometimes I take the top layer (... Not on purpose), on the odd occasion I'll hit a full divot (.... Again not on purpose) but always repair any significant damage I cause.

 

[Mav281]

Only ever do this accidentally, and I always ensure I replace the turf after hitting my shot.

 

[jp5]

I understand and accept totally taking a divot on your SHOT, but on your practice swing? That seems unnecessary and just ruins the course for no need at all. Tht would annoy me.

Maybe golf clubs should ban practice swings then would certainly help speed up play as well.

 

[Foxholer]

I've known 1 that used to take 2 practice swings with divots the same 1 foot long 4" wide and 3" deep as the one of his shot.

We tried to convince him to reduce the damage, but Khazak Oil Billionaires tend to be a bit single-minded!

 

[la_lucha]

Personally I try to replicate my real shot. Generally I try to sweep the turf as I try to do on my full shot. If I miss the ground or take a divot on my practice swing then I'll try again as neither of those result in a good shot. At the end of the day I'm practicing what I want to replicate in my shot.

 

[cookelad]

I've known 1 that used to take 2 practice swings with divots the same 1 foot long 4" wide and 3" deep as the one of his shot.

We tried to convince him to reduce the damage, but Khazak Oil Billionaires tend to be a bit single-minded!

Probably how he discovered the oil in the first place!

 

[tugglesf239]

Probably how he discovered the oil in the first place!

Made me laugh that

 

[lyden]

I cant understand anyone taking a practice swing divot unless by accident, its called a practice swing not a practice strike?

 

[woody69]

I cant understand anyone taking a practice swing divot unless by accident, its called a practice swing not a practice strike?

What are you trying to achieve from your practice swing if not replicate/visualise actually striking the ball? If your practice is completely different to your actual swing, what's the point?

 

[la_lucha]

I cant understand anyone taking a practice swing divot unless by accident, its called a practice swing not a practice strike?

As per my previous post, I'm practicing the shot I want to make good contact with the Ground (No Divot) to replicate the shot that I'm trying to play. If I take a practice swing and don't make the contact with the ground I am probably going to go on and thin the ball. If I go from a long club to a wedge I think it's pretty critical to ensure that it meets the ground.

 

[lyden]

What are you trying to achieve from your practice swing if not replicate/visualise actually striking the ball? If your practice is completely different to your actual swing, what's the point?

Irrelevant you don't have to square the club face on a practice swing so trying to replicate your actual shot is futile as the club face will be open 99% of the time. That's why most peoples practice swing divots are straight when the actual divot points left for slicers. My practice swings are to loosen my muscles and wrists and gauge the power I'm delivering......nothing else.

 

[Imurg]

Haven't taken a divot with a practice swing in years but that's mainly down to not taking a practice swing....
Overrated in my book.

 

[John_R7]

Practice swings just slow the game IMO.
Pick a spot, address, hit the ball.

I have played with guys that do it EVERY shot as if it was the shot. I used to start walking as I thought they had hit! Had to stop and wait on the real shot.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I try to replicate my real shot. Generally I try to sweep the turf as I try to do on my full shot. If I miss the ground or take a divot on my practice swing then I'll try again as neither of those result in a good shot. At the end of the day I'm practicing what I want to replicate in my shot.

So how many goes will you take with your practice swings to get it right? No wonder golf is slow if you are taking so many practice shots