Flared Divot
Also known as: fanned divot, wide divot
A flared divot is wider or more angled at its start than at its end. It indicates the clubhead was rotating (opening or closing) through the strike rather than moving cleanly along a single path.
A flared divot widens, angles, or "fans out" at its starting edge compared to its finishing edge. It does not form a clean strip of turf of consistent width. The divot is a direct physical record of how the clubhead met the ground through impact. So its shape reveals information about face rotation and path that a golfer usually cannot feel directly during the swing itself.
A flared shape usually indicates the clubface was actively rotating, either opening or closing, as it moved through the strike. The face did not stay fairly stable relative to the path. This differs from simply reading divot direction, which shows path. A flared divot adds information about face behavior during the strike itself, not just before or after it. Take a golfer with a very active hand release. Their divot might start narrow, with the face still somewhat open early in the strike. It then flares wider as the face closes through the ball.
Divot direction (pointing left, right, or straight) is the most commonly discussed divot diagnostic. Divot shape, including flaring, is richer but less commonly used feedback. Better players and coaches sometimes use it to see how actively the face was rotating, not just where the club was moving. For example, it can help tell a straight-path shot with an actively closing face from one with a passive, stable face through impact.
Example
A golfer's divot starts narrow near where the ball sat and widens noticeably toward the target-side end, suggesting the clubface was actively closing through the strike rather than staying stable relative to the path.
Why it matters
Divot shape adds a layer of feedback beyond simple direction. It helps tell an actively rotating face from a stable one, even when the overall path looks similar. Motion Lab does not read face angle, path or divots from video. Reading your divot beside launch-monitor face and path numbers gives a fuller picture of the strike itself.
How it shows up on video
Photographing or filming the divot after the shot, alongside down-the-line swing video showing face rotation speed through impact, is the most direct way to connect a flared divot shape to the underlying face behavior that produced it.
Common mistakes
- Reading only divot direction and ignoring shape — direction shows path, but a flared or non-uniform shape carries additional information about face rotation during the strike.
- Assuming a flared divot always indicates a swing flaw. Some amount of face rotation through impact is normal and even necessary for a proper release. The diagnostic value is in comparing the pattern across many swings, not judging a single divot in isolation.
- Not photographing or reviewing divots systematically — this is a free, always-available piece of feedback on any grass practice ground that many golfers overlook entirely.
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.
- Deep DivotA deep divot is an unusually thick chunk of turf taken on an iron shot. It indicates a steep angle of attack or a low point too far behind the ball, and both cost distance and consistency.
- Thin DivotA thin divot is a shallow scuff or bruise in the turf rather than a proper strip of removed grass. It indicates a shallow, sweeping angle of attack, which may suit some clubs but signals an issue for others.
- Club PathClub path is the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving through impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. Positive is in-to-out (a draw bias); negative is out-to-in (a fade or slice bias).
- Face AngleFace angle is where the clubface points at impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. It determines roughly 75–85% of the ball's starting direction.
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