why do i find driving difficult?

Zak Flaps

Hi. Was out playing in Swords today and got round in 89, my best score since i started playing again (6 months ago).
I am comfortable with an iron in my hand and usually hit them pretty well.
But my driving from the tee ( I use a 3 wood) is very erratic/unpredictable. I never feel confident when I'm about to drive. I think it's to do with the club being longer. Maybe not.
Are there any tips you guys can give me? Maybe some websites or youtube clips to look at which would help? Would love to have the confidence to hit my woods well.

Zak.

Su Campu

You've probably answered your own question right there in that you're not feeling confident over your driving but ok over the irons. For me they should be the same thing, in that you should treat a drive as just another shot and not let your head tell you otherwise.

But on the technical side, personally I have found that after a layoff I forget the same ole things every year. The most crucial for me is a proper shoulder turn. The last month or two I though I was turning properly (left shoulder passing under my chin), but on closer inspection I wasn't turning my right shoulder back by the same amount. So in reality all I was doing was arching my back around my spine, which was leading to all sorts of mis-hits, from fat duck hooks left to major shanks right. I finally copped this stepping onto the 14th tee at Grange Castle Sunday and it was like a miracle - from there on I played level par! It was as clear as that!

So make sure with the driver you're back is straight at address (bend forward from the hips and not just slouch your shoulders), and concentrate on getting that full shoulder turn. Also check your swing tempo, as it may be too fast. This applies for the irons too by the way! It's worked for me

Atlantic1

I'd recommend that you grip down 2 or 3 inches on the shaft when driving, or else, get your local pro to cut a few inches off the shaft. It'll improve your accuracy and you won't lose too much distance as a result.

Dr_Colossus

Atlantic1 wrote: »

I'd recommend that you grip down 2 or 3 inches on the shaft when driving, or else, get your local pro to cut a few inches off the shaft. It'll improve your accuracy and you won't lose too much distance as a result.

Whatever about gripping down the shaft to get gradually used to the extra length in the shaft, the recommendation of cutting a few inches off the shaft is just proposterous. Why destroy a good club, the shaft is a particular length for a reason, to get that extra distance. If you want a shorter club then get a rescue iron or 5 wood or something else in the interim.

Atlantic1

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Whatever about gripping down the shaft to get gradually used to the extra length in the shaft, the recommendation of cutting a few inches off the shaft is just proposterous. Why destroy a good club, the shaft is a particular length for a reason, to get that extra distance. If you want a shorter club then get a rescue iron or 5 wood or something else in the interim.

I totally disagree with you, Dr. And I'm speaking from experience. Driving has always been the weak part of my game. I hit irons, rescues and fairway woods very well and straight, but not the driver. The long shaft causes me to lose control and I tend to spray it left and right. A friend had a driver that he had shortened the shaft of, and I borrowed it. It made an enormous difference. Most drives were straight out the middle. Last year, I cut about 2 inches off my G5 driver and the results have been incredible. And, surprisingly, I've lost very little distance. I played with two 8 handicappers last week and I was never more than 10 yards behind them off the tee, and almost always on the fairway.

Don't be so quick to rush to judgement. I'm amazed you seem to think that driving is mainly about distance. Many would find that suggestion preposterous. On most courses, for the average golfer, position off the tee is much more important. With my shortened driver, I can still hit most greens in regulation. And the affect on shaft stiffening has been negligible. To follow your logic, hitting a rescue club off the tee all the time would be daft, when you consider the distance factor. To get distance with one, a player would have to use a low lofted rescue club, and for average golfers, these are harder to hit, even from the tee, than higher lofted ones.

Zak, I totally stand over my original post. Best of luck!

rafared

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Hi. Was out playing in Swords today and got round in 89, my best score since i started playing again (6 months ago).
I am comfortable with an iron in my hand and usually hit them pretty well.
But my driving from the tee ( I use a 3 wood) is very erratic/unpredictable. I never feel confident when I'm about to drive. I think it's to do with the club being longer. Maybe not.
Are there any tips you guys can give me? Maybe some websites or youtube clips to look at which would help? Would love to have the confidence to hit my woods well.

Zak.

Its hard to give advice when we dont now you or your game. There are so many reasons why your Tee shots are poor, it could be a mental thing, your swing, the long shaft or maybe the club doesnt suit you swing speed.
Why not go for a trouble shooting lesson with a local pro? They are the best people to get advice from and he/she should be able to tell if the club suits you. A friend of mine who is a 13HC signed up for a series of group lessons with a local pro over the winter and he has improved a lot. I can see him playing to 10 or even lower at the end of this season.
Lessons work if the player finds the right pro and then commits to the changes they suggest. Im a single digit handicapper and suffered a broken ankle in october 09 so im just getting back to playing full rounds now. In a few weeks I intend to have a couple of lessons with my pro to work on my swing with the intention of getting my HC down as low as possible.
By the way I would recommend a Canadian pro on YouTube called Clemshaw for good swing lessons.

kagni

Agree 100% with Atlantic1, a shorter driver can work wonders. I cut a driver down to 44" last year and it worked great for me. I found that, on average, my drives were just as long, the main thing is to hit the ball near the centre of the clubface, that is easier with a shorter driver.
Camillo Villegas' driver is only 44", maybe someone should tell him that he has "destroyed a good club".

heavyballs

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Whatever about gripping down the shaft to get gradually used to the extra length in the shaft, the recommendation of cutting a few inches off the shaft is just proposterous. Why destroy a good club, the shaft is a particular length for a reason, to get that extra distance. If you want a shorter club then get a rescue iron or 5 wood or something else in the interim.

+1 ,

stumpypeeps

I did a little research and it seems that the majority of tour players play shorter than standard driver shafts. My question is if they are playing shorter shafts surely amateurs should do likewise?

Giving up ten yards is no big deal if your in position more regularly.

kagni

stumpypeeps wrote: »

My question is if they are playing shorter shafts surely amateurs should do likewise?

Manufacturers are conning us into believing their driver hits the ball further.
If I added 2" to my driver and hit 50 balls, I will hit a few that will be 10 yards longer than what I can hit with my current driver. It's easy to let that make me forget the majority of crap ones I hit because the club was too long for me to control.
They did the same by changing the lofts in iron sets to turn what used to be a 7 iron into today's 9 iron. They can't lower the loft of a driver much so they make it longer.
The new TaylorMade Superfast is 46.5" long, in a few years drivers will probably be near the limit of 48" - Fore Right!!!

Zak Flaps

Su Campu wrote: »

The most crucial for me is a proper shoulder turn.

So make sure with the driver you're back is straight at address (bend forward from the hips and not just slouch your shoulders), and concentrate on getting that full shoulder turn.

Thanks Su Campu, I'll try this.

Atlantic1 wrote: »

I'd recommend that you grip down 2 or 3 inches on the shaft when driving, or else, get your local pro to cut a few inches off the shaft. It'll improve your accuracy and you won't lose too much distance as a result.

I tend to grip down a few inches when hitting my 5 wood off the fairway and it helps. I'll try that for my drives too. Thanks Atantic1.

Atlantic1 wrote: »

On most courses, for the average golfer, position off the tee is much more important.

Yes, I agree. For me it is anyway.

rafared wrote: »

Why not go for a trouble shooting lesson with a local pro? They are the best people to get advice from and he/she should be able to tell if the club suits you.
By the way I would recommend a Canadian pro on YouTube called Clemshaw for good swing lessons.

Thanks rafared, I'm going to a pro in a few weeks and will ask his advice.
I've watched a few of Clemshaw's youtube videos,he's very good. I even bought his dvd but haven't had time to watch much yet. Maybe now's the time!!

kagni wrote: »

Agree 100% with Atlantic1, a shorter driver can work wonders. I cut a driver down to 44" last year and it worked great for me. I found that, on average, my drives were just as long, the main thing is to hit the ball near the centre of the clubface, that is easier with a shorter driver.
Camillo Villegas' driver is only 44", maybe someone should tell him that he has "destroyed a good club".

That's great kagni. Maybe it's the way for me also. I'll try gripping the club down a few inches first, and if it works for me, I'll get my own club shortened. Actually, I'll be buying a whole new set of clubs in the next few months. I could get the guys in the shop to shorten whatever driver I get.

stumpypeeps wrote: »

I did a little research and it seems that the majority of tour players play shorter than standard driver shafts. My question is if they are playing shorter shafts surely amateurs should do likewise?

Giving up ten yards is no big deal if your in position more regularly.

Wow, I didn't know that. Well if it's good enough for them......!!!!
Cheers Stumpy.

stumpypeeps

I'd just like to back up atlantic's argument. Spent the last week hitting drives, with my grip dropped down an inch to an inch and a half. What phenomenal results.

I'd recommend everyone to give it a go. Might suit me because I have a very flat swing. But whatever the reasons i'm hitting it incredibly straight. I really don't think I'm losing much distance, 10 yards maybe. Better contact and better ball flight. I'll certainly get my driver shortened at some point.

Zak Flaps

stumpypeeps wrote: »

I'd just like to back up atlantic's argument. Spent the last week hitting drives, with my grip dropped down an inch to an inch and a half. What phenomenal results.

I'd recommend everyone to give it a go. Might suit me because I have a very flat swing. But whatever the reasons i'm hitting it incredibly straight. I really don't think I'm losing much distance, 10 yards maybe. Better contact and better ball flight. I'll certainly get my driver shortened at some point.

I'll be out at the range tomorrow so will definitely give it a go. Cheers.

L.O.F.T

stumpypeeps wrote: »

I'd just like to back up atlantic's argument. Better contact and better ball flight.

I'm going to agree to all that has been said on driver length. Ive been playing with a shaft length of just 43.5'' now for 2 years and Ive gained length from using a shorter shaft. The arc may be smaller but the more consistent center hits are what have done it for me distance wise. Yes a longer shaft creates a wider arc and more distance but not always straight and controlled. Get a shaft fitted and shortened and enjoy the benefits.

In_tuition

stumpypeeps wrote: »

I'd just like to back up atlantic's argument. Spent the last week hitting drives, with my grip dropped down an inch to an inch and a half. What phenomenal results.

I'd recommend everyone to give it a go. Might suit me because I have a very flat swing. But whatever the reasons i'm hitting it incredibly straight. I really don't think I'm losing much distance, 10 yards maybe. Better contact and better ball flight. I'll certainly get my driver shortened at some point.

I've done the same since reading this thread last week and during each round I've drove the ball exceptionally. I hadn't used a driver in a long time as I normally hit my 3 wood as far as an average driver would so it's never been a problem but like stumpypeeps amazed with the results.

Highly recommened and thanks to everyone for the heads up.

Zak Flaps

Great. Very keen to try tomorrow on the range so. Seems to have worked for you guys. Will let you know how I get on.

Zak Flaps

Was out at the range yesterday. Gripping the club down lower did help. Will try again on the course tomorrow.

In_tuition

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Was out at the range yesterday. Gripping the club down lower did help. Will try again on the course tomorrow.

If you visit the range regular I'd advise you check out Shawn Clement's page on YouTube.

Very helpful insights into your golf swing.

His putting advice is excellent. In most videos you'll be thinking to yourself 'dam that's me'. Very informative.

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