[EdZ]

A long, wide, thin divot with an iron implies a sweeping motion with the ball struck near low point, and too large a clubhead path radius coming into the back of the ball, which means #2 throwaway and not hitting the inside of the ball. I don't see how a down and out Impact with an iron can lead to a long, wide, thin divot. I've seen good players with relatively long divots, but they were also deep.

That depends on how you position the circle relative to the ground and the amount of right elbow and right wrist bent, as well as ball position and thrust angle.

No doubt that 'more' divot can be more margin for error, yes.