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31342ANALYZING YOUR DIVOTS from a practice session is like evaluating a crime scene: There
are clues in the turf that indicate flaws or mistakes at impact that lead to less-than-desirable
shots. Looking at these clues under a magnifying glass can quickly improve your contact.
During a lesson I’ll often draw a white line on the turf with spray paint and ask my
student to place a ball on top of the line and hit some shots. Through the course of this
exercise, divots appear, and a pattern begins to develop. I use the location, depth and
direction of the divots to start my analysis of my student’s impact. The ideal location of
the divots should start on the white line and move forward toward the target. The divots
should be relatively square with the same shallow depth from start to finish.
Ideal divots are a rarity at first. A lot of recreational players start their divots behind
or in front of the line. They point too far left or right. Sometimes they’re very deep and
other times the club never touches the ground.
By analyzing the divot pattern in reference to the white line, you can start to form
your corrections to improve your ballflight. CSI isn’t just reserved for crime scenes.
Learning from the clues left behind at impact can solve your iron problems for good.- Behind the line
The ball is too far
forward in your stance;
the club swung too
much from the inside;
your body was slow to
turn through or you
released the club early.
2. In front of the line
The ball is too far back
in your stance; the
club swung too much
from the outside; your
body turned through
too quickly; your hands
were late to release.
3. Too far right or left
This could simply be an
aiming problem (you’re
pointed left or right of
the target at address)
or you exaggerated
your swing path in one
direction or the other.
4. Too deep or no divot
If it’s deep, your
downswing is too
steep, or your body
is dipping toward the
ball. No divot: your
swing is too shallow,
or you’re pulling up.
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS
SELF-HELPBy: Tim CusickTOP 1O O20 19TEAAMCEHREICRSA InFOUR BAD DIVOTS—AND WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THEMTHE GAME IS
JUST A GAME
By: Charles Howell IIITHINGS I’VE LEARNEDThere’s going to come a day
when none of us have a tee time
out here anymore, so don’t take
yourself seriously. The game
is too hard. Life is too short.
We’re lucky to be doing this.
This philosophy has helped me in
the later stages of my career, but
not when I was younger. I’d never
have listened when I was 21 or 22.
I would have said, “No, I’m gonna
grind, and grind some more.” I wish I
could go back and tell myself, “Hey,
man. It’s just a golf shot.” I know,
at times, we all want to make this
life and death, but it’s just a game.
Having two kids, and wanting to
raise them how I wish I had been
at times, has been the biggest
influence on my new perspective.
During the years when I wasn’t
winning on Tour, I’d calm myself
by remembering that this is just
a game. Winning the RSM Classic
last fall—11 years after my last
PGA Tour title—was more of a
relief than anything. But it was
also a reminder of how good
these guys are around me. I’m 40
now. I’ve got to keep pressing to be
good. I want to stay out here a bit
longer. —Interview by Evin Priest