Should You Take a Divot with Your Iron Shots in the Lever Swing?
As Lane "The Lever," I guide golfers toward the effortless power of the lever swing—a smooth, rhythmic motion where speed flows from precise arm and wrist timing, not forced body rotation. In this feel-based approach, iron shots thrive on a sweeping release with a long backswing arc, creating compression through tempo rather than a steep descent. The question of divots arises often: a divot is the turf displaced when the club strikes the ball on a descending path, ideally starting just after the ball for optimal contact.
The Role of Divots in Effective Iron Play
Yes, you should take a divot with your iron shots, but in the lever swing, it's a shallow, sweeping divot rather than a deep chunk. Irons—like a 7-iron or 9-iron—are designed for approach shots to the green, demanding a slightly descending angle of attack to compress the ball against the turf. This produces the crisp, penetrating flight that lands softly.
- Benefits of a Proper Divot: It confirms clean, descending contact, maximizing spin and control. Without it, you risk thin shots—where the club strikes the ball too high, sending it low and short—or flips that lack power.
- Lever Swing Nuance: Our method emphasizes a sweeping arm release, so the divot is shallow and forward of the ball (about the width of a dollar bill). This harnesses wrist timing for effortless speed, avoiding the steep dives common in rotation-heavy swings.
- Ideal Divot Characteristics: Shallow (1/4 to 1/2 inch deep), starting after the ball, and equal on both sides of the swing path for rhythm players with natural tempo.
How to Develop the Proper Divot in Your Lever Swing
Focus on feel and sequencing: extend your arms in a long backswing, then release wrists smoothly through impact like uncoiling a spring. Here's a step-by-step process:
- Setup for Sweep: Ball positioned center to forward in stance, weight balanced 50/50. Hands ahead of the ball at address for a slight shaft lean.
- Backswing Rhythm: Sweep back long and low, maintaining arm extension—feel the arc widen like a pendulum.
- Downswing Tempo: Initiate with a smooth shift, letting arms drop while preserving lag. Release wrists at the right moment for a shallow brush.
- Impact Feel: Clubhead bottoms out after the ball—imagine sweeping a broom under a newspaper without disturbing it first.
- Finish Flow: Full, balanced release, celebrating the effortless path.
Recommended Drills for Timing:
- Tee Drill: Place a tee just after the ball; graze it post-impact without hitting behind. Builds forward shaft lean.
- Line on Turf: Draw a line through the ball's center; divot should start on the forward side for compression.
- Slow-Motion Tempo: Practice at half-speed, feeling the shallow sweep—gradually accelerate to groove the rhythm.
Common Misses and Corrections
The lever swing's timing sensitivity can produce divots both ways: too early (fat shots, chunky turf before ball) or too late (thin contact). Use game-improvement irons with cavity-back designs for forgiveness on slight mishits—these perimeter-weighted clubs like modern sets from major brands help maintain ball speed even with minor nicks or off-center strikes.
- Fat Divot (Behind Ball): Slow your tempo; feel arms leading the release.
- No Divot or Thin: Extend arms longer in backswing; avoid early wrist flip—trust the sweep.
- Equipment Tip: Opt for cavity-back irons or wedges for higher handicaps; they tolerate shallow paths better than blades.
Key Takeaway
In the lever swing, embrace a shallow, post-ball divot as confirmation of your rhythmic mastery—it's the hallmark of effortless iron compression through arm-wrist timing. With patient practice on tempo and feel, this sweeping contact unlocks consistent approaches, turning iron play into artistry. Master it, and watch your scores flow as smoothly as your swing.