If you’re new to golf, you’ve probably heard the term “divot” mentioned. Maybe someone reminded you to fill in an allotment or warned you not to take too big an allotment. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what a golf split is, what it can reveal about your swing, and whether getting a split is necessary for your game.
What is a golf break?
A golf chip is a piece of terrain (grass and dirt) displaced by your golf club when you hit a golf ball. It is common to hit a divot with an iron or a wedge, but not common to hit a driver.
The golf swing should come after the golf club and ball are connected. The best players get a divot behind the ball.
Divots can be long, short, shallow or deep. Analyzing a split can give you valuable information about your game.
Why do golfers get splits?
Golf splits occur because of the angle of attack a golfer takes when hitting the ball. The correct angle of attack (under iron and wedge) helps compress the ball, improve spin and maximize distance and control.
What can a divot tell you about your swing?
There are three things to analyze about your golf swing: direction, depth and consistency of the shot.
- Direction: If the direction of the split is straight, it indicates a straight swing path and proper alignment.
- Depth:If a split is too deep, it can tell an angle of attack that is too steep. An almost non-existent separation or ball clean solution can be a problem with very shallow swing.
- Location: The consistency of the split shows that you can make the right ball contact early on.
Using a golf training aid like Divot Board it can help you see exactly what your partition looks like and if the model is correct.
| Separation feature | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Direction: Straight | Neutral swing path, which usually results in straight shots. |
| Direction: left | The swing path from the outside to the inside, often leading to slices or pulls. |
| Direction: right | The in-out swing path, which can cause hooks or thrusts. |
| Depth: shallow | Proper contact with the first ball is a sign of hitting the ball hard, no separation could mean the swing plane was too shallow. |
| Depth: Deep | Too much ground displacement indicates a steep swing angle, leading to fat shots. |
| Location: Behind the ball | Early contact with the ground, resulting in fat shots. |
| Location: Behind the ball | Proper contact with the first ball, a sign of hitting the ball hard. |
| Shape: Deep to the heel | Deeper splits on the heel side can indicate a flatter swing plane. |
| Shape: Deep toe | Deeper splits on the side of the toe can signal a high move. |
Partition repair
When you make a split, it is your responsibility as the golfer to repair it. There are two ways to repair a split and you should check with the course you are playing to see which they prefer.
The first method is to find the part of the terrain that has flown from the separation and put it back in place. In most cases, you’ll want to trample it to make sure it stays in place and new roots are established.
On some golf courses this method is discouraged due to the type of grass the course uses. In these courses you will want to use a sand/seed mix. This is given to you by the golf course so you can fill in the gap and leave it as a cleaner, more playable surface for future players.
Should I do a split?
The average professional player has the end of his swing arc a few inches in front of the ball. Amateur players often have their swing arc behind the ball.
Taking a divot with the irons and wedges is fine as long as the split is behind the ball and pointed in the right direction.
Here is an interesting clip from Tiger and Scottie Scheffler about golf swings and whether they are necessary. You can see Scottie looks a little surprised that Tiger says he doesn’t get a divot when he hits it well. However, we have seen many great shots from Tiger with big flights.
Final thoughts
Don’t focus on making golf scores. Instead, work on proper swing mechanics. Take care of the golf course you are playing and always repair any splits you make. If you start to break up with your driver, check your angle of attack and ball position.
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