How to Take a Divot in Golf

What can you do if you have no problem hitting a golf ball off a tee with an iron, but you can't hit the ball off the fairway? The problem oftentimes stems from the thinking that you have to help lift the ball off the ground and this thinking is not right.

When a golf ball is on a tee, you end up hitting the ball with the upward part of the golf swing. However, you cannot do that when the ball is on the ground. You must hit down on the ball, pinching it between the clubface and the ground, causing it to slide up the face of the club, and launching it up into the air. But if you are trying to help the ball get airborn you will end up swaying backward causing you to either hit the ball fat, or the club will bounce off the ground and hit the middle of the ball causing you to skull it or top it. Been there, done that!

And you can tell a good swing by the divot you make. If you take the proper divot you will have hit the golf ball correctly. So improve your golf skills by learning how to take a divot the right way. Divot improvement will improve your golf game!

Here is a simple drill that you can do to help you to be able to allow the loft of the golf club do the work and to take a proper divot which should begin after you hit your golf ball:

How to take a divot: Lay a tee on the ground about one inch in front of your golf ball. Now concentrate on hitting the tee instead of the golf ball. Totally take your mind off the golf ball and do your best to hit the tee with your golf club. Don't think about trying to lift the tee, just try to hit it.

If done correctly, this golf swing tip, will allow you to hit the golf ball first, and then your clubface will hit the ground causing you to take a divot after the ball has already taken flight. (See photo above) This is how to take a divot and hopefully this drill, along with the proper golf swing technique, will end up helping you to do that!

Don't forget to improve your game by looking for free short game golf lessons.