My Driving is killing me! Any help appreciated

BraveDonut

The rest of my game is fine, but I can't put a round of golf together because I am putting myself into so much trouble off the tee.

Week in week out is the same - I usually get a range session in where I am hitting driver just fine - straight and long, but I cannot transfer this to the course.
I seem to have too many swing thoughts and freeze up on problem holes.
I went and got lessons last year from the club pro and even he admitted that he gave me too many different things too work on and ultimately added more confusion.

My bad shot was losing the ball right with a big fade and therefore a huge fear of any hole with Out-of-Bounds right (of which my course has a number)

What I think I need is a reliable routine and thought process to go to on the tee to have the confidence to just hit it.

(I know I could just go back to an iron off the tee, but I really want to fix this rather than ignore)

At the moment, no one would believe that I play off 8
thanks for any help.

DiegoWorst

is it just the driver, can you get a 3-wood in play off the tee?
If so, use the driver only on holes where a push fade is not so destructive to your scorecard, until such time as you gain a bit more confidence with the club.

cgh

I was in the same boat. still am
been too lessons and the reason for my hitting the ball left to right was both grip and swing.
my grip was too weak and swing was too steep.
I've been working on it and well its not perfect but its getting there.

So look at your grip and swing first.

Sean_pop

Whenever I need to hit a ball straight I always tee it down a bit lower. Works for me most of the time.

If you are hitting a fade/slice you are probably taking the club back too far on the inside. My advice to you would be to drag the club back along the ground keeping the club on plain.

BraveDonut

My bad shot was losing the ball right with a big fade

Sorry - should have been more clear.
The fact that I have been trying to correct the fade with so many swing changes has meant that I have all kinds of other bad shots now. What I am looking for is any advice on mentally approaching the shot to not fear it and to let my good (range) shot show up, if you know what I mean.

alxmorgan

A tip which really helped me was to tee it up on the side where the trouble is.
So tee it up on the right side and aim down the middle or even left edge of fairway on the problem holes you mention. That way if you miss right you will still be ok unless it is a massive miss right.

This approach might give you back some confidence standing over the ball which may be the main issue holding you back.

Hope this helps

BoardsMember

How about watching someone on youtube whose swing and ball flight/shape is something you can relate to. Watch this over and over again, so you have a mental image of the shot shape you want to hit. There's loads on youtube, this is the first one I found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW3FV4yvicI

In your pre-shot routine try to teach yourself to pick a target and then imagine your shot shape, and just hit it. It'll take a lot of practise but you should be able to stop or reduce mechanical thoughts or negative thoughts. Maybe try speed up the pre shot routine, or start thinking about that nice shape before you even arrive on the tee box. And be calm/relaxed. It's only a game, and relatively speaking we're all pretty good/crap/it doesn't matter.

Russman

BraveDonut wrote: »

My bad shot was losing the ball right with a big fade

Sorry - should have been more clear.
The fact that I have been trying to correct the fade with so many swing changes has meant that I have all kinds of other bad shots now. What I am looking for is any advice on mentally approaching the shot to not fear it and to let my good (range) shot show up, if you know what I mean.

I feel your pain, I've been through the "driver going all over the planet" syndrome.
Couple of things you could try:
1) Hit it much quicker, simply pick a target and pull the trigger before you have time to think of anything at all. Someone once described this to me as "hitting the ball before it knows you're there" ! Incredibly hard to do.
2) Just relax and remember the worst thing that can happen is you hit a bad shot and lose the ball. Nobody is going to die and, ultimately, it doesn't matter.
3) Try a different pro for lessons, maybe one that isn't so technical.
4) Try to play a definite shot and commit to that shot. Even aiming waaay left or right and trying to play a huge slice or hook, just to get a feel for controlling the ball again.

Remember, the range is very far removed from real golf. We always have another ball to hit (apart from the last one) and we relax and just swing away. Make your range sessions more like golf by picking targets and nominating shots each time. That will replicate some of the feelings from the golf course.

unjedilike

Have you considered a 1 or 2 iron. I can't use the driver at all because of the fade but the 2 iron gets fair distance and doesn't fade at all

Loire

Hi OP.

For me, anytime I fade the driver (or slice, more likely) it's a result of not comitting to the shot. By this I mean not squaring my hips to the target...I tend to hit the ball "open" fading out the ball. Mentally, I try to finish "high" as per the classic golf finish with my belt buckle facing the target. The other thing I do on holes where there is OOB or significat trouble like lots of trees / water is just to club down to a 5 wood. You could still have a decent chance of a par with bogey at worst..

Loire.

stockdam

Sounds like the gremlins have got into your head.

All I can suggest is that you spend a lot of time on the range grooving your swing so that it is repeatable. Concentrate on a pre-shot routine that prepares you and quiets the gremlins. Maybe even try humming or singing into yourself to stop any swing thoughts.
Try a more closed setup which enables you to eliminate the big slice.

On the course you need to use your pre-shot routine and have no swing thoughts during your swing. Be very aware of standing open or shuffling open. It can be dangerous to aim away from trouble on the right as the tendency is to stand open. It's best to aim at a target and make sure that you setup square or closed to this target; aiming away from the right is too vague.

You may be better aiming down the right and learning to draw the ball back. If you have a decent swing then it is hard to slice from a closed setup unless you panic and do everything wrong.

So I'd aim right at a specific target, make sure that you are slightly closed then hit a relaxed shot down the right and the ball will draw back.

WacoKid

Loire wrote: »

Hi OP.

For me, anytime I fade the driver (or slice, more likely) it's a result of not comitting to the shot. By this I mean not squaring my hips to the target...I tend to hit the ball "open" fading out the ball. Mentally, I try to finish "high" as per the classic golf finish with my belt buckle facing the target. The other thing I do on holes where there is OOB or significat trouble like lots of trees / water is just to club down to a 5 wood. You could still have a decent chance of a par with bogey at worst..

Loire.

It is easier to commit to the shot/squaring the hips at the range as there is nothing to lose. I suffer this problem and find commiting more to the shot on the tee box helps instead of backing off at impact for fear of a big spray!

FixdePitchmark

Well go back to an iron on these key holes till you are back.

In a round I hit only 9 driver - and can go to 7 sometimes. I know it is course related.

But - for me with the same problem .

I was totally concentrating on milling driver - and was not balanced.

1st of all make sure your grip is right.

But to just get the ball back in play - close your stance for a very slight draw. Very slight - the room this gives for you to make an inside approach - makes you think of an inside approach . Keep at this the the ball comes back in play.

Worth an effort - I totally turned around my driving in a few weeks , from the same problem.

I know we are all different - but worth a try.

By the way - when set up for a draw - the big secret is not to be afraid of the right hand side of the course.

GCW

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

By the way - when set up for a draw - the big secret is not to be afraid of the right hand side of the course.

Yeah that can be challenging when you're aiming at that Gorse Field that you usually slice your ball into but as an earlier poster says what's the worst that can happen. Oh to be still able to play without fear 😱

Dtoffee

I went through hell with the driver about ten years ago and most of it was blind fear in my head ...... I tried everything and I have to say the worst advice was swing slow and relax - it just made me freeze altogether.

In the end I had to ignore all the well meaning advice and retrain my brain. I established a new routine from the start, holding the driver in my left hand (right hand by my side) - setting it down for a practice swing, then setting my feet and stance and finally putting the right hand in place for a half speed practice swing. Once that was done, I just repeated the set up behind the ball and the last thing was the placing of the right hand ... which triggered the swing. My swing thoughts were nothing other than to swing through the ball and to hell with where it went .... bingo, it worked and my confidence immediately returned. I still use that routine if I need to steady up and can honestly say that it is so easy to have bad habits creep into your swing. One other thing, if you are using a driving range .... dont bother watching your shots as bad shots often look OK with no OB or danger to worry about.

It may not work for you, but I can understand your frustration and really just want you to know that you will get it sorted .... its just a matter of trying to retrain your brain. Best of luck.

HarshOstrich

Shorten your backswing to about 3/4 of a swing and then follow right through as normal, try it a few times, I changed my grip while doing this and it's the best change I ever made.

dan_ep82

Are you checking where the ball is striking the face?

Could be more strike than path or a combination of both.

Rare I see a ball going right now, if it does its a heel strike. I used to slice everything, then just the driver until I learned to hook the ball. Now I've a new bad shot but it still goes left most of the time

morrga

BraveDonut wrote: »

My bad shot was losing the ball right with a big fade and therefore a huge fear of any hole with Out-of-Bounds right (of which my course has a number)

I had the same problem and after a lesson picked up a top spin tennis shot approach i.e. by following a semi circle swing. With starting point of swing at top of arc and consciously bringing club inwards before starting follow through with arc of swing bringing club around to your left on follow through. Helps bring weight of swing to your left and reduces fade.

Has hugely improved my driving consistency.

Golf365

Understand your plight, I play off 9 and my weak shot was a slice. Got plenty of lessons & worked hard in the driving range but inevitably the slice returned until a buddy of mine on the 14th in Slade Valley who was standing behind me told me ' your not getting it on the inside '.
I didn't understand but he explained what none of the Pro's should have. When striking the ball you have hit it on the inside as if you are going to hit it down the right.
My routine now is an immediate shoulder turn ( NO SWAYING ) , on downswing keep right elbow in , strike ball on the inside & follow through with the right shoulder going past the target, try finish with the driver high......BOOM !!

Note: don't try & murder the ball , the distance comes from pushing your hips towards the target .

Best of luck ⛳️

BraveDonut

Thanks all - some really useful information here.
dtoffee - As far as I can tell, you seem to have come closest to what I need to do.

Cheers

Loire

Dtoffee wrote: »

established a new routine from the start, holding the driver in my left hand (right hand by my side) - setting it down for a practice swing, then setting my feet and stance and finally putting the right hand in place for a half speed practice swing. Once that was done, I just repeated the set up behind the ball and the last thing was the placing of the right hand ... which triggered the swing. My swing thoughts were nothing other than to swing through the ball and to hell with where it went .... bingo, it worked and my confidence immediately returned. I still use that routine if I need to steady up

I do this when I'm putting badly! I square up to the hole with only my left hand on the putter. I take my stance and once I am ready, I place my right hand with my left hand and that triggers my stroke. Great for nervy short putts IMO.

Loire.

Dtoffee

Loire wrote: »

I do this when I'm putting badly! I square up to the hole with only my left hand on the putter. I take my stance and once I am ready, I place my right hand with my left hand and that triggers my stroke. Great for nervy short putts IMO.

Loire.

Bingo .... I actually practice putting with my left hand only and being naturally right handed, the right hand has a habit if taking over and trying to steer my putts. Another old trick was to put a comb inside your watch (on the outside if that makes sense) and practice putting as it will stop you breaking your left wrist and strenghten your stroke and control. All of this is nothing new of course, its just we all tend to get over complicated with so much advice / instructions freely available on d'net.

mickelson

your shoulders are too open. i had same problem

stockdam

mickelson wrote: »

your shoulders are too open. i had same problem

Maybe but the problem is that the club face is also probably open.

Use a structure to the setup. Aim the shoulders, hips and feet slightly to the right. Aim the club face at the target, centre of fairway so that it appears closed. Now take your grip; it may feel strong but that's because it was probably weak before. Many people grip then aim; you should aim then grip (not you personally Mickelson, I mean the OP).

Keano

I don't think it's just the driver - the driver just shows up the swing flaw most. I know only too well, having put a huge effort to fix my OTT, I still aim the left side of the fairway and the slice does the rest! I just will not aim down the middle of the fairway as it's too risky. Knowing what I am doing off the tee has helped me finally put decent scores together this year.

mickelson

before i used to aim down left side of fairway and try to fade drive into middle of fairway. my club face was closed and shoulders open. if i swung too hard which happens alot. drive went straight left. alot of frustrating rounds. people telling me to keep the driver in the bag. personally blaming the driver........ had enough. got a lesson, best money i ever spent on golf. explained my problem and i could see what i was doing wrong.

now i still aim my feet and hips to the left of fairway or middle of fairway. shoulders closed or more in line with target. club face open. left shoulder higher than right like tiger photo above. felt really weird until i start hitting balls.

basically my shoulders were too level and open