Ball in a Divot
Also known as: ball in a divot, ball in a divot hole, hitting out of a divot, hit out of a divot, hitting from a divot, divot hole lie, sand-filled divot, ball sitting in a divot, ball out of a divot
To hit a ball sitting in a divot, play it slightly back in your stance with your hands a little forward. Make a steeper, shorter swing that hits down on the ball before the ground. Expect a lower shot with less spin and more roll, so allow for it. A divot hole is not ground under repair under the Rules, so you play it as it lies unless a local rule says otherwise.
Landing in a divot hole after a good drive feels unfair, but the shot is less difficult than it looks. The goal is ball-first contact. LPGA pro Lee-Anne Pace says the key is to hit down on the ball. Move it slightly back in your stance and hinge your wrists early in the backswing. Make a steeper attack so the club meets the ball before the bottom of the divot. GOLF Top 100 Teacher Krista Dunton adds a few setup keys. Set your hands slightly forward, with your sternum and nose over the ball. Then make a half swing with an abbreviated, punch-style finish. She suggests a short-to-mid iron such as a 7 or 8 and warns against swinging up to help the ball out.
The ball reacts differently from a divot. It comes out lower with less spin, so it rolls farther after landing. Allow for that when choosing your target, and avoid flags tucked just over trouble. Commit to the swing rather than slowing down into the turf.
Under the Rules, ground under repair covers areas the committee defines, holes made by the committee or maintenance staff, and material piled for removal. A divot hole made by a player is not on that list, so there is normally no free relief. A preferred-lies local rule may let you lift, clean and place the ball on the fairway within a stated distance. Check the scorecard or notices to see whether one is in effect.
Tips by skill level
Move the ball slightly back in your stance and push your hands a little toward the target. Make a shorter, firm swing down into the back of the ball.
Because the ball comes out low and with less spin, pick a landing spot short of the flag and let it release. From a deep divot, taking a little less loft and a punch swing gives more control than a full swing.
Example
A golfer's drive finishes in a sandy divot in the middle of the fairway, 140 yards out. He takes an 8-iron instead of a 9, plays the ball back, keeps his hands forward and makes a three-quarter punch swing. The ball comes out low, lands short of the green and runs up to 15 feet.
Why it matters
Divots are a regular part of the game. A simple setup change turns a frustrating lie into a playable shot instead of a chunk or a thin.
Common mistakes
- Trying to scoop or lift the ball out of the hole
- Keeping the ball in its normal position and hitting the back edge of the divot
- Decelerating into the ground
- Forgetting to allow for extra roll after a low, low-spin shot
- Taking a free drop from a divot hole without a local rule that allows it
Frequently asked questions
My ball is in a divot, how do I hit it?
Play the ball slightly back with your hands a little forward, and make a steeper, shorter swing that strikes the ball before the ground. Expect a lower shot with less spin and more roll.
Do I get relief if my ball is in a divot?
Normally no. A divot hole made by a player is not ground under repair under the Rules of Golf. You play it as it lies unless the committee has a local rule, such as preferred lies, in effect.
What club should I use from a divot?
A short-to-mid iron is easiest to hit down with. Because the ball comes out lower and runs more, plan for the extra roll when picking your target.
Sources
- GOLF.com: What's the best way to hit out of a divot? LPGA pro explains (Lee-Anne Pace)
- GOLF.com: Ball sitting in a divot? Here's how to hit it (Krista Dunton, Top 100 Teacher)
- The R&A: Rules of Golf, Definitions
- The R&A: 2025-26 Winter Rules FAQs (preferred lies, cleaning the ball, embedded ball, temporary water)
Related terms
- DivotA divot is the strip of turf taken after impact with an iron. Its location and direction reveal your low point and club path — a free, visible feedback tool.
- Punch ShotA punch shot is a low, controlled recovery shot, usually from trouble like overhanging branches or wind. A shortened swing and back ball position keep it well under normal height.
- Descending BlowA descending blow is contact made while the club is still moving downward relative to the ground. It is the standard, correct angle of attack for iron and wedge shots struck off the turf.
- Ball-First ContactBall-first contact means the club strikes the ball before it reaches the ground. It is the fundamental requirement for a clean, compressed iron or wedge shot.
- Ball Position — IronsIron ball position moves back as clubs get shorter: just forward of center for long irons, near center for wedges. It supports a slightly descending strike.
- Local RuleA local rule is a course- or competition-specific change adopted by the committee running play. It commonly covers embedded balls, temporary conditions like winter rules, or unique course features the standard Rules of Golf do not address.
- Hitting Out of the RoughTo hit out of the rough, first judge the lie, and play a ball that sits up much like a fairway shot. If it sits down in thick grass, take a more lofted club, play it slightly back and grip a little firmer. Swing more steeply so less grass gets trapped between the club and ball at impact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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