How to Hit the Ball First Then Take a Divot
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals
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Quick Answer
- Focus on a descending blow to compress the ball against the turf.
- Keep your weight forward through impact for a clean strike.
- Practice a smooth swing that naturally creates a divot after the ball.
Who This Is For
- Golfers who struggle with topping shots or hitting behind the ball.
- Players looking to dial in their iron play and get more consistent contact.
What to Check First: Ball First, Divot Second
- Clubface Square: Make sure your clubface is aimed right at the target when you set up. A closed or open face messes with everything.
- Ball Position: Check your ball position for the club you’re using. It’s usually a bit forward of center for irons. If you’re unsure, grab your manual.
- Grip: Your grip should be neutral. Not too strong, not too weak. This lets your wrists hinge and release naturally. A death grip? Nope.
- Stance: Get your weight balanced, maybe 50/50 or slightly favoring your lead foot. You don’t want to be on your heels or toes.
Step-by-Step Plan: Mastering the Ball First, Divot Second Technique
- Address the Ball: Place the ball slightly forward of your stance’s center. This position encourages a descending blow. Mistake: Ball too far back or too far forward, which can lead to hitting up on it or chunking it.
- Grip the Club: Use a neutral grip, hands not too strong or weak. A neutral grip allows for a natural release through impact. Mistake: Over-gripping or a weak/strong grip, which can kill power and cause off-line shots.
- Set Your Posture: Hinge at your hips, keep a slight bend in your knees, and let your arms hang naturally. This creates a stable base for your swing. Mistake: Slouching or standing too upright, both of which can disrupt your balance and swing path.
- Initiate the Downswing: Start your downswing by shifting your weight towards the target. Feel your hips turn. Mistake: Swaying your hips laterally instead of rotating them.
- Maintain Lag: Keep your wrists hinged as long as possible into the downswing. This creates speed and power. Mistake: Casting the club, releasing the wrist hinge too early, which kills distance.
- Impact Position: Aim to strike the ball first, with your hands slightly ahead of the clubhead. You should feel your weight transferring to your lead side. Mistake: Trying to “lift” the ball or hitting with the clubhead leading the hands.
- The Divot: After impact, the club should naturally dig into the turf, creating a divot that points towards your target. Mistake: Taking a divot before the ball (fat shot) or taking no divot at all (thin or topped shot).
- Follow Through: Complete your swing with a full release and a balanced finish, holding your pose. Mistake: Cutting your swing short or stopping abruptly after impact.
Common Mistakes
- Topping the Ball — Why it matters: Hits the top half of the ball, resulting in a low, weak shot that doesn’t get airborne. — Fix: Focus on a descending blow and keeping your head down through impact, imagining hitting down on the ball.
- Hitting Fat (Behind the Ball) — Why it matters: Striking the turf significantly before the ball, leading to a loss of distance and control. — Fix: Ensure your weight is forward at impact and your hands lead the clubhead. Think about hitting the ball then the grass.
- Casting the Club — Why it matters: Releasing the wrist hinge too early in the downswing, causing a loss of power and an inconsistent strike. — Fix: Focus on holding your lag and releasing the club through impact. Feel like the clubhead is trailing your hands.
- Too Much Spine Tilt Away — Why it matters: Tilting your spine too much away from the target at address can cause you to hit up on the ball or top it. — Fix: Maintain a more neutral spine angle, hinging from the hips with arms hanging down.
FAQ
- What is the ideal ball position for hitting the ball first then taking a divot?
For most irons, the ball should be played slightly forward of the center of your stance, roughly in line with the logo on your shirt.
- How do I know if I’m hitting the ball first?
You’ll see a divot after the ball, and the divot will be shallow and point towards your target. You’ll also feel like you compressed the ball.
- What does a proper divot look like?
A proper divot is shallow, starts just in front of where the ball was, and points towards your target. It’s not a huge gouge.
- Should I be trying to scoop the ball up?
Absolutely not. Scooping is a common cause of hitting fat or topping. You want to hit down on the ball.
- How much weight should be forward at impact?
Typically, 60-70% of your weight should be on your lead foot at impact for irons.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.