Three Basic Tips on How to Compress the Golf Ball

Only a shallow angle of the swing is needed

We often hear the term, “compress the golf ball” and wonder what it means. It is nothing technical but just a way of rating the density of the ball. In other words, it means how hard or soft the ball is. When the club hits the ball, the side of the ball which faces the impact is squashed. Afterwards, the ball comes back to normal shape. The softer ball or the ball with low compression will be squashed more. On the other hand, the ball with higher compression will be squashed with much stronger impact. Players, who have a high swing speed, take low compression balls and vice versa. When we are talking about compressing the ball between the turf and the clubface, it means something else. Let us see how.

How to compress the ball?

Most iron players normally leave a divot while hitting a shot from a shallow angle, whether the ball is on the turf or it is teed up. It makes a shallow and long divot about the size of a hand. On the other hand, the high-handicappers commit a common mistake. Either they take a steep downswing which leaves a crater in the turf or they do not make a divot at all. Both these mistakes lead to a poor shot and inconsistent impact. It is crucial to compress the ball between the ground and the clubface to achieve a good impact of the ball. It can be done by making the angle of your backswing shallower. It will help you to hit the ball at a shallower angle and thus make a thin and long divot. Another trick is to turn the knuckles of hand on the top to the ground during the impact. This indicates that you are trying to compress the ball between the turf and the clubface; and the divot will be formed on the front of the ball.

How to practice making a divot?

Practice on a real golf course, not on an artificial turf. Try these tips while you practice:

  1. When you begin the downswing, the body weight should come on the left foot. The left foot should naturally roll off the ground slightly.
  2. The right foot should rise gradually from the ground and the left hip would automatically rotate. No pressure should be given on the right leg.
  3. Now, hit the ball and you will see that the clubface will enter the turf at the front of the ball, making a perfect divot.
  4. Your top hand should also face the target in the follow through.
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