A good divot is usually a sign of a good iron shot. Since the clubs are designed to hit the ball on the descent, irons usually scrape off a thin layer of the turf in front of the ball. They often tell the story of the shot the golfer just hit, with the best ones being linear, the width of the clubhead and right in front of the ball at rest.
However, Tiger Woods? He’s built differently. In a recent video by TaylorMade, the 15-time major winner is warming up with Dallas’ Scottie Scheffler. He then noticed that the spot where Woods was striking his irons was remarkably divot-less. When Scheffler asked him about the lack of marks, Woods responded in the most matter of fact way possible.
“Why do you need to take a divot?”
It was a question that befuddled Scheffler and likely plenty of golfers that watched the interaction. The answer is supposed to be obvious: divot equals a good shot. As stated before, irons are supposed to sweep up some turf. But when pressed, Woods simply brought about more confusion.
“If I’m swinging it well, I don’t take divots.”
“Have you always been like that or do you just practice it?” Scheffler asked curiously.
“No when I’m flushing it, I don’t take divots,” Woods responded. “It just is what it is.”
It was a brief interaction, but one that left many golf fans confused. A Youtube search quickly reveals that Woods has left some massive divots throughout his storied career. PGA Tour has a 30 second video of him warming up at Farmers 2020 where Woods leaves some noticeable marks in the grass.
So was that an off day for the legend? Was Woods merely talking about thick, long divots? Will Scheffler suddenly start practicing not hitting divots with his irons? Was the conversation simply just the old veteran playing mind games with his younger companion? There are so many questions, but unfortunately no way to answer them.
