Why does it look like golfer make a huge divot when they hit from the fairway?

Question

When ever i try to get under my ball i get a huge chunk of ground. Its almost like the only way i can hit the ball from the fairway is if i hit the ball clean of the tip of the grass.

Answer 1

swing down on the ball, it will make it easier to hit.

Answer 2

well you are adding loft to your swing when you hit under meaning you are hitting the ball up in the air more but you dont need to you can always hit a punch shot lol

Answer 3

The pros and better golfers hit DOWN on their fairway clubs & wedges.  This means the "sweet spot" of the club face makes contact with the ball on the DOWN SWING.  The ball is sort of trapped or pinched and shoots out at a little lower trajectory, but further than if the ball were "picked" clean.  

This also causes the club to take a divot in "front" of the ball, maybe even up to 2 inches in front where the ball lied.

Big difference than trying to "scoop" or hit UNDER the ball; which usually causes the novices to hit BEHIND the ball; known as hittinig the ball "FAT".  Hitting the ball "fat" causes the club head speed to drop the moment the clubface hits the ground (i.e. behind the ball) and you lose about 50% of your distance, depending on how far behind the ball your club hit the ground.

The correct way to hit fairway irons & wedges is to hit DOWN on the ball;  i.e. making CONTACT with the ball ono a DESCENDING swing.  it's NOT easy, but it's the best way to get the MAXIMUM distance with fairway shot.

Answer 4

An accomplished golfer will take a huge divot, especially with their short irons.  The difference between the accomplished golfer and the weekend hacker is that they take the divot after contacting the ball, thus trapping the ball between the club head and the ground.  That is the proper way to hit the shot, it will provide backspin when the ball hits the green.  Most weekend hackers are hitting the ground behind  the ball which of course is not good.  

Answer 5

If you had a better angle you would see that the divot takes place after the ball is gone.  whatever type of shot works best for you is the one to go with.  If you take a divot (provided it is after contact) or if you sweep the ball off the ground...as long as it works...Hooray for you!

Answer 6

Simple because this is the proper way to strike a ball.

Ball first, then peeling the turf, or creating the divot.