Taking a divot
 

Why do pros take divots (after impact, of course) during a real shot, but not a practicing swing, yet the amateurs do the opposite (or either no divots or before impact)?

Maybe they don't want to clean the clubface between th practice swing and the real shot.:)

Airing it out
 

They do take divots on there practice swings: "Air Divots"!

Divots Are Good
 

I believe it has to do with the weight of the golf ball. The ball weighs a little over an ounce and a half and the Clubhead weighs about six ounces. When taking a practice swing through the air many players allow the Clubhead to lightly brush the grass. When making the same swing through the golf ball the collision of the ball and lofted Clubhead forces the leading edge into the ground. The more loft on the Clubhead the further it is pushed into the ground creating a deeper divot.

Watching the pro's on the range it varies, some will take a divot other seem not too.

I thought it was more out of consideration for play, others and theirs for the 4 days at tournament, since most seem to play from the same area. As it is on day 4 it is pretty much a mess in alot of the landing areas, just think if all 144 pro's took a practice divot or two.

I was always under the impression that if you are going to take a divot when hitting, then you should practice that way, at least I try to do that on practice area, probably less on the course.

Bingo.
 

"The more loft on the Clubhead the further it is pushed into the ground creating a deeper divot"

120 point out of 100!!:salut:

The more the loft and the solider the impact, the stronger and further the pushing force (from the reforming ball off the club face) and the deeper the divot.

Something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7syE...elated&search=

"Impact derailing"!!

Wind Resistance
 

I better not take my practice swing over the ball then :eyes: .

I think the simple answer is because pros aren't practicing or rehearsing taking a divot.

Nor should they. Per 7-6 - BASIC PLANE ANGLES: "So, you never TRY to "take" -- or "not take" -- a Divot. It must be the automatic result of Ball placement AND Plane Angle" [emphasis added].