In this episode, Mike Malaska and Certified Coach Austin Graham from Cleveland, Ohio respond to a question from John Valentino and dive into one of golf’s most overlooked diagnostic tools: the divot.
Mike explains that when he was learning the game, long before launch monitors and data tracking, he relied on divots to read the truth about his swing. Divots revealed face angle, path, low point, and angle of approach. In short, the turf told the story.
Austin demonstrates how to practice without a ball by focusing on the shape, direction, and depth of your divot. A proper divot starts just after the ball, moves slightly down the target line, and subtly arcs left, matching the natural arc of a good swing. If the toe or heel digs unevenly, it signals issues in face angle, swing path, or balance.
Together, Mike and Austin explain that divots offer immediate, repeatable feedback. They are a powerful skill-development pathway, helping players of all levels train instinctively, simply by paying attention to the ground.

In this lesson you will learn:
•    How your divot reveals swing path, face angle, and impact quality
•    Why a square, centered divot means the toe and heel are working together
•    How to practice swing patterns without a ball using divot feedback
•    Why divots are your best on-course feedback tool if you do not have tech

They leave golfers with a simple but powerful reminder:
"We didn’t have TrackMan. We had divots. And they told us everything: path, face, angle of approach."

— Mike Malaska, PGA National Teacher of the Year
This Makes Sense. Own Your Swing.