For best results, place the DivotMat™ on a soft surface such as a DivotPad™, driving mat, or carpet and attach an image sheet to the convenient, pre-attached adhesive strip. Take your iron, address one of the ball images and swing away. The rubber base absorbs the force of your swing while the image sheet records exactly how and where you are striking the ball. Once you know what you are doing wrong, it's easy to make the corrections for better ball contact and improve your game. Instructional DVD After a few swings, you should begin to notice a pattern in the DivotMarks left behind by your swing. Now you can turn to another powerful solution in the DivotMat System: the Laird Small Instructional DVD. Laird Small, Director of the prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Academy, works with you in this DVD to help fix and maintain your swing. Many subjects are addressed, from taking a proper posture to curing the most common problem shots. Using the DivotMat System, Laird will help you to maximize your ballstrking ability and begin your journey to scratch golf. While the DivotMat is used to re-enforce the lessons, this DVD lesson plan with the #1 instructor in America can be purchased and used separately for $29.95.

How to Interpret the Results Some examples of the DivotMarks™ "Scooping", or releasing wrists too early Scooping can cause lack of distance, inconsistent ball contact, fat, thin or topped shots. To fix scooping, make sure the ball location in your stance is correct (refer to the instructional DVD) for the club you are using -- i.e., seven iron in the middle of your stance, five iron slightly ahead of center. Ball location in your stance is critical since the swing is on an arc and the club is square to the target line only for a short time. Standing too close to the ball Sometimes you are hitting on the far side of the ball because you have adjusted your posture or lengthened your arms to compensate for standing too close to the ball. Instead, check your posture and stance (refer to the instructional DVD) then move your feet farther from the ball while maintaining proper posture. Make sure your weight distribution is between the arch and heel of your feet. Standing too far from the ball Make sure you have "three bends" in your stance: 1) push back your hips joints until your breastbone points at the ball and your arms hang down; 2) flex your knees; and 3) lower your right shoulder. After you have verified that your posture and stance are correct (refer to the instructional DVD), move a few inches closer to the ball. Hitting it thin Usually this type of shot is caused by a swing plane that is too flat causing the club to barely hit the turf and even causing the occaisional topped shot. Check your posture and stance (refer to the instructional DVD) and make sure you are not too straight up and down at address. Slice or pull, depending on clubface Most of the time, a slice or pull is caused by a sequencing issue -- the shoulder has started ahead of the arm on the downswing. Practice by starting the club slightly above the ground and swing the club around you in an arc. A slice can also be caused by the ball being too far forward in your stance which will open your shoulders at address. Make sure you have the correct ball location and shoulder alignment (refer to the instructional DVD). Hook or push shot, depending on clubface angle Begin by checking your setup to make sure you are not too far under and the ball is not located in the back of your stance. To fix a hook or a push, look to see if your shoulders are parallel to your body lines and to the target: your arms will follow the lead of your shoulders. Make sure your feet, hips and shoulders are in the same parallel alignment. If your DivotMark points to the left, make an effort to feel like your lead shoulder points a bit to the right. Excellent contact Remember, golf is one of the few sports where a coach is not involved during the practice sessions. The DivotMat can act as your coach if you know what to look for. The DivotMat will not replace professional instruction, but it will give you immediate feedback and let you know what you are doing right, and perhaps more importantly, what you are doing wrong.