In the final round of the
1998 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club, the late Payne Stewart hit a perfect tee shot down the middle.
When he arrived at his ball, he found it in an unrepaired divot mark. Bad break! But
that's golf. GOLF TIP by Bob Benning
PGA Golf Professional
Bob Benning School of Golf
Round Hill, Virginia
(703) 589-1443
"Hitting Out of an Un-repaired Divot"
In the final round of the
1998 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club, the late Payne Stewart hit a perfect tee shot down the middle.
When he arrived at his ball, he found it in an unrepaired divot mark. Bad break! But
that's golf.
How would you play it?
Take a club stronger than necessary for the distance required. If a normal lie would require a seven iron, hit a six. If you're a long distance from the green, take out the five wood, seven wood or whatever has the most loft among your woods. Play the ball in the center or slightly back of center of the stance. On the takeaway, break the wrists earlier than normal. On the downswing, hit down on the ball and hit it HARD. Follow through as much as the lie will allow.
On longer shots, you'll see the ball come out lower than usual and with some roll. With a short iron, the ball will probably spin back when it hits the green.
The shot will not be as predictable as from a normal lie. But with a little practice from divots, you'll have an idea of what to expect.