Pick the ball? or divot?

[kacyb6]

So I was on the mats last night at the driving range trying a few different ball striking techniques...and the best feel, and best distance, came from me picking the ball off the mat. Now I know hitting off of a mat isn't the best way to learn to take divots (:P) - which I never done in my swing. I've always had problems hitting the ground behind the ball - so I've worked on moving the bottom of my swing further ahead. But I have so many mishits trying to hit the ball like that. And chunks.

 

How many of you ladies use the 'picking' technique with not much of a divot? I know it's Karrie Webb's style....I wonder if it's strength related?

 

My only hesitation with attempting this shot is the potential top the ball.

 

I need a lesson...Monte are you available? ;)

[kacyb6]

And just bc it was daid sexy at my driving range last night... so pretty...

[attachment=1905235:cp-100713.jpg]

[MountainKing]

I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer here....reference the tour guys for this one, you see a variety of clean pickers and huge divot takers in the winners circles week in and week out. If it works good for you to pick it clean then I say go for it.

[kacyb6]

My assumption was divot..divot..divot. Instructors always say 'take a divot' and 'you'll know by the direction of your divot'... i watched a vid of Stricker's iron swing and he barely brushes the grass.

I could spend a year working on one thing that doesn't even work for me --- this sport makes me nuts.

[MountainKing]

I've heard it go both ways, I think for a weekend golfer they'd be better off trying to become pickers of the ball rather than a digger. You're results on a thin shot will generally be a lot better than a shot you chunked because you wanted to take a divot. If you're swing naturally doesn't take a divot and you hit it good, you might introduce some swing flaws as well trying to take a bigger divot (over the top?).

[golfnut9922]

I tried becoming a divot guy and it really messed my game up. I have always been a picker and had the same thoughts as you I need to take a divot. If Stricker can do it so can we. You can still have a decending strike on the ball being a picker.

I will bruise the grass from time to time or even take a small divot, but I dont try. What works for you works for you, dont try and change something if it doesnt need to be changed. Trust me I have tried it.

Gary

[gambit]

I'm a picker too. Trying to take a divot and it's chunk city. Kuchar is a picker too and pretty good.

[Aimee]

Another picker here. Although sometimes small divot on short wedge shots. Like someone else said, when I tried to "hit down" more since we've been told that is "better", I hit it fat.
Actually, I noticed when it's really soft/muddy I am taking divots, so probably my normal shot "bruises" the grass like the poster above notes.

[goobers80]

[color="#800080"]​ My divots get smaller as i go froms wedges to my 2 utility club. Divots basically stop at my 5 irons. I much rather hit balls slightly thins thans fat.[/color]

[Jericho]

I was a picker by way of flipping and noticed my playing partners of equal strength always hit their irons so much further than me and weren't all that affected by the wind. I took probably a year to correct it (my backyard was a wreck from practicing taking divots) but now I am soooo much better off. Of course you can hit it fat but thats more due to lateral shift in the backswing. As long as you dont sway back you typically dont it fat. If you're comfortable with your current distance and trajectory then by all means keep it but if you're looking for more distance and a more piercing trajectory then I'd suggest switching over.

The bigest downside I've found is on the range. 1) Because I forcefully hit down, I cannot hit off a mat. Though they are fluffy, mentally I cannot hit down knowing whats under it. I've tried many times and always hit the top of the ball. I recently was hitting so badly off the mat that I started to doubt myself. Threw the next ball on the ground on a sandy lie and absolutely stroked it. 2) If you tear up the grass, you run out of space relatively quickly on a range lol.

[dicko999]

For me, it all depends. Wedges and short irons generally produce a flying beaver pelt, mid irons a little less turf, long irons are usually brushed or a tiny divot at best, hybrids and woods graze the surface on an ideal shot.

I cannot hit off mats when I practice. I played a round several weeks ago and jacked up my wrist hitting a simple 9 iron. I play cold out of the gate if there is no grass to hit on the range.

[march11934]

Wouldn't it really be how steep the swing is that determines if you are going to pick the ball or take a divot? A shallow club path would not need to take a divot since the arc the club face follows is much longer along the bottom of the swing while a more upright swing has a much shorter arc at the bottom of the swing so by taking a divot gives a higher percentage of striking the ball as long as it's hitting the ball first. Just my understanding of it all. I am actually in the process of going back to a steeper swing after two years of failed attempts of trying to learn the flatter swing of the Hogan era. I'm 6'2" and it just seems easier to come in at a steeper swing and strike down just behind the ball. Distance was never an issue with either type of swing.
Regards.

[Fab_Colon]

There should always be a shallow divot on every shot hit with an iron. If you are working on getting your divot ahead of the ball, I would continue to work on it and consult with your local pro on the best ways to do so. The LPGA pros who have shallow impact conditions still have the bottom of their swing a decent amount ahead of the ball. Once you can get your divot to be ahead of the ball, then you can tinker with whether a shallow or more steep pattern is better for your game. Neither is bad but both have trade offs and your pro would be able to explain that to you.

[SimplyGolfing]

For me, I know that the few times I've been able to get a divot it has been a phenomenal shot. Although, I'm having a tough time getting consistent with it. The most difficult part is learning how to press forward.

I'm open to any advice for getting better at this.

[Scaldy]

I have picked the ball most of my golfing years. The last few years I have tried to hit a divot. For me it's visualizing the club impact that helps along with driving the butt end of the club into the ground. I was kind of blown away when I started hitting divots. The contact was addicting. It's still a work in progress but improving none the less.

[SimplyGolfing]

[quote name='Scaldy' timestamp='1428893526' post='11344767']
I have picked the ball most of my golfing years. The last few years I have tried to hit a divot. For me it's visualizing the club impact that helps along with driving the butt end of the club into the ground. I was kind of blown away when I started hitting divots. The contact was addicting. It's still a work in progress but improving none the less.
[/quote]

I definitely appreciate the visualization. As a total mental game believer, I think that's the first step to getting the stroke you want. I guess I should put that into practice. Thanks for getting my gears going!

[Guia]

I have always been a picker. The only negative I have found in picking is that when you are off there is a tendency to hit up on the ball, causing additional gain in loft and inconsistency in distance. I have never been able to take divots, just not my thing.

Some famous pickers: Nicklaus, Weiskoff, Couples (I think).

[Grayback1973]

Pick it clean.Divots are bad news,plus they tear up the course.

[MK7Golf21]

I have always been a picker. The only negative I have found in picking is that when you are off there is a tendency to hit up on the ball, causing additional gain in loft and inconsistency in distance. I have never been able to take divots, just not my thing.

 

Some famous pickers: Nicklaus, Weiskoff, Couples (I think).

 

They picked some of their shots like irons off the tee but for the most part they all took divots with irons in fairway

[Jack Pearsall]

Light divot. Ideally he’s staying down on the ball thru the shot.