Do all pro golfers take divots?

I don't take one at all, I pluck the ball off of the ground usually without making a mark, I've always done this and I don't know why, maybe so no energy is lost but digging up the grass.

From what I've seen on tv, many pros take a lot of ground with their shots.

P.S. when I land in a bunker, it's usually a panic situation since I can't ground the club and I'm not use to getting under the ball.

 

Depends on the shot... but yes, in most cases a "perfectly" struck shot from the fairway leaves that shallow dollar bill divot. Pros hit down on the ball with their irons a lot more than amateurs to create all that backspin.

Now, chunking your shot and spraying a shovel full of earth into the air doesn't always exactly count as a divot.

 

Pros hit "down" on the ball, while I try to connect with the ball just as I'm coming up with the club.

Should I try to incorporate a divot? Is there a benefit?

 

The proper way to hit the ball is hitting "down" on the ball and taking a divot. This is not only for pros. The reason for the divot is so you can connect with the "sweet spot" on the center face of the club. You can't do this if you're "scooping" the ball off the ground. That's my understanding of it at least.

 

But usually divots don't start till about an inch after the ball, you hit ball first then the ground.

 

Oh! So I have to be accurate and consistent?

I'll give that a try.

 

Yes. Trying to scoop the ball is not good and usually with lead to lots of "topping it".

 

A couple of years ago I did that often but now I don't at all. Do you recommend taking a divot anyway?

 

yes, a proper iron shot requires a divot - if you are not taking a divot you are not getting correct, solid impact or contact.

 

I thought so. Thanks gents.

 

Hitting "down" on the ball creates more lift than trying to scoop it because of the angle of the clubface.

Also, as mentioned above, the other advantages to hitting down on the ball are more backspin, as well as hitting the sweet spot on the clubface.

The way I do it is to try to literally hit the ball into the ground an inch or two ahead of where it lies, it pops up nicely and you get a good size divot. Just remember to have a nice follow through (ie. don't try to bury the clubface in the ground.)

I also find it easier to take a steeper angle of attack (therefore bigger divot) with the shorter irons (8,9,P) and a "flatter" angle (smaller divot) with the long ones.

Hope that helps.

 

All good points, thanks for the post.

 

A good golf shot (hitting the ball long and straight).... requires relaxation of the arm muscles. As your muscles relax, the club gets longer and that's why you take a divot.

Golf involves a lot of Physics - mainly "Centrifugal Force". As your arms relax, CF lets the club design do its job. This is why you'll notice your longest straightest shot of the day, comes when you don't try, and are most relaxed (or have no pressure like at the driving range).

The opposite happens when you squeeze your hands, arms or shoulders... muscles contract... the club shortens and you hit thin (no divot) or top the ball. The muscle tension slows down club head speed, and causes problems with direction because it counter-acts CF and the club can't preform as it was designed to.

Remember- Hitting down sends the ball up. Hitting up sends the ball down. Its funny to watch a guy who has a problem topping the ball, try to swing up to correct the problem (remember its opposites). Swing up puts the club head's center of gravity above the balls center of gravity and produces a weaker shot. So lack of divot is a sign of a problem.

My dad was a golf pro for 50 years. I spent 10 years in the business, before retiring with an injury.

Hope this helps