Divot questions

[Clugnut]

So I have a divot question for you guys. I was at the range on Sunday, hit shots off of a grass range. Usually I hit off of mats, because the ranges close to me are all mats. Anyway, I was hitting the ball very well, stiffing my wedges and hitting my long irons accurately. I stepped back to line myself up, and I noticed that all of my divots were pointing very slightly left of the target. I checked my alignment, made sure I was starting my swing with the lower body, etc. I just could not get a divot to point right. I hit the ball pretty straight, and can turn it either way if I really need to. I have a really short backswing, and if I get long, I start to push the ball. Does anybody have any suggestions, or do I just suck?

[JEFF4i]

It's generally a tell-tale sign of a fade, and if you are taking a shorter backswing it might not be that apparent.

The reason for this being the club is traveling from the outside to the inside.

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by Clugnut

I noticed that all of my divots were pointing very slightly left of the target

This is the normal divot path. Slightly being the key word.

[emc]

If you don't notice it glaring 40 degrees l;eft of the target, it's nothing to worry about. With wedges and 8i, 9i the divot can be aiming left as it promotes a fade and softer landing on the dancefloor. You should be swinging around your body anyway.

[dave.]

Mine point left,slightly

[gold nugget]

You're probably casting from the top with your arm when you try to lengthen you backswing. You might also not be shifting your weight back to your left side enough. This weight shift is easy to forget when you try to lengthen your back swing as well.

For me, my psychology is to hit with the lower part of my body first, to initiate the downswing. This helps me to not cast with my arms first (always a push to the right)

A fast backswing is a tough one to overcome. Try working on a good rotation with the left side of your body. This should help to slow down your tempo, and give you a fuller backswing. Just remember to get back on your left side as you initiate the downswing. If not, this can result in a push to the right.Hit with the lower half of your body first and your arms will follow suit.

GN

[Eracer]

Since the path that a shaft travels in a proper golf swing is a tilted circle, the divot will naturally point slightly left of the tangent target line. Look at the pros; their divots go mostly left, and they draw the ball as a rule.

This is one case where it doesn't pay to overanalyze. You're getting good results. That's what matters.

[Davebud]

Not to worry, come stand next to me at the range some day, my divot paths look like the Japanese Rising Sun flag, including the middle where I chunk out more landscaping than most gardeners do in a month.

[Clugnut]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I guess that an in-to-in swing would have a divot that goes left a little. I just wanted to ask to make sure that everything I'm doing is correct, and I wasn't sure. That's why I ask. Thanks again. Jon

[JEFF4i]

Aye, I sort of jumped the gun, as long as it is only "slightly"