Irons · Tip
How to Hit Out of a Divot
Part of our irons programs for topped or thin, weak contact, uneven lies. Build a program with it
Sometimes a good drive ends up in a divot. You have to play it as it lies. The hardest version has the ball near the rear edge of the scar. Play it farther back between your feet. That gives you a steeper strike, so the club gets down to the ball. Think punch shot. Make a shorter follow-through. Expect a lower flight with extra roll, so plan for that. And please fix your own divots for the next player.
Step by step
- See where the ball sits in the divot.
- Move it back in your stance.
- Hit down more steeply.
- Use a short, punchy finish.
- Plan for a lower flight and more roll.
Why it works
A ball in a divot sits below the level of the turf around it. A shallow swing can hit the front lip of the divot first or catch the ball thin. Playing the ball farther back and hitting down more steeply lets the club reach the ball before it touches the ground. That strike delofts the club, so the ball flies lower and rolls more.
Common mistakes
- You leave the ball in the middle or front of your stance.Move it back toward the middle of your feet or slightly behind, so the club meets it on the way down.
- You try to lift the ball with your hands or lean back.Keep your weight a little forward and let the downward strike and the loft of the club get the ball up.
- You swing fully and finish high, which makes the strike shallow again.Use a shorter, punchy swing and stop the finish at about waist to chest height.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on your target line and flies lower than normal.
- You feel the club hit the ball first, then the turf just after it.
- Your new divot starts at or just in front of where the ball was, not behind it.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Take one or two extra clubs of loft, such as a 7-iron instead of a 5-iron, and aim to get the ball out safely rather than far.
Harder: Practice from a ball sitting near the rear edge of a divot, and pick a landing spot so you plan the lower flight and extra roll.
Common questions
Where should the ball be in a divot?
Play it farther back in your stance, around the middle of your feet or just behind. This helps you hit down steeply enough to reach the ball.
Should I use a more lofted club from a divot?
Often yes. The steeper strike lowers the flight and reduces effective loft, so a more lofted club helps you get the ball out and still carry trouble.
