Why do people have trouble hitting a driver????

[Anthony]

I understand big hitters and the torque and force they exert with balls travelling 300+ yards, but for Short-Medium hitters like me? The fact I may only be 230 off the tee, means I have to use my driver all the time, as I can not afford the loss of distance.

There is no club I feel more comfortable off the tee then my driver and recently have consistantly been in the fairway (12-14 solid hits, 10+ of 14 in the fairway, others all just off, no wild slices or hooks). Not bragging, but maybe I need help with the rest of my clubs, as they are no where near as consistant. Yes the drive maybe a little left or right, I may not be properly set up, but I make contact.

Actually it is when I try and play smart and use a 3 or 5 woods that I usually screw up royally.

So why are there so many threads about people lamenting how they hit their driver?

[Dan_L]

With a bit higher clubhead speed, any variation of face angle, club plane etc is magnified.

If everyone took a nice easy controlled swing Id expect to see their fairway % a lot higher. Golf is a lot easier from the fairway but some people like to hit the ball a long, LONG way to have a good time.

[guitarman]

I understand big hitters and the torque and force they exert with balls travelling 300+ yards, but for Short-Medium hitters like me? The fact I may only be 230 off the tee, means I have to use my driver all the time, as I can not afford the loss of distance.

There is no club I feel more comfortable off the tee then my driver and recently have consistantly been in the fairway (12-14 solid hits, 10+ of 14 in the fairway). Not bragging, but maybe I need help with the rest of my clubs, as they are no where near as consistant. Yes the drive maybe a little left or right, I may not be properly set up, but I make contact.

Actually it is when I try and play smart and use a 3 or 5 woods that I usually screw up royally.

So why are there so many threads about people lamenting how they hit their driver?

I have the same problem. I hit nice and easy with my driver and it goes anywhere from 210 to 230. I then get in the fairway with a 3 wood and crack the heck out of it for another 200. Since this is my first season ever playing golf I'm going to go this way until I get comfortable with hitting. I just shot a 97 on the weekend, first time in the 90s. So this strategy is working for now. Every time I try to smack the driver harder I end up OB. Although I have had the rare shot go down the middle at between 250 - 260. Right now I'm having more fun playing it safe.

[golfinseb]

Thats like saying why do most people have trouble putting?

I don't know, but as always there are no points in golf for style. You just have to figure out which method helps you score the best.

[iyell4]

when i have to keep it in play (tight landing area, OB both sides, etc.) ... i opt for a 3/4 swing driver, choked down a bit on the grip and punch it low and down the middle ...:)
for me, my 3wood is not an option in this case,as I'm much more confident with the 'can't-miss' 440Ccc head of the driver.
my other option with be a 3 or 4 hybrid for teeing off into tight fairways if the landing area is out there 200 yards.

[Anthony]

Hey if I could putt better with my driver I'd use it..... Point was that I just read so many comments about people not using their drivers, which would be impossible for me and should be for 95% of golfers. I find the driver pretty easy to hit, and I don't understand the difficulty I read from others.... or as said why are the rest of clubs so bad?

[Pingnut]

Hey if I could putt better with my driver I'd use it..... Point was that I just read so many comments about people not using their drivers, which would be impossible for me and should be for 95% of golfers. I find the driver pretty easy to hit, and I don't understand the difficulty I read from others.... or as said why are the rest of clubs so bad?

You find the driver easy but only hit it 230 yards in the fairway? It's not hard to bunt in baseball either.

I guess your not winning any long drive prizes at the corporate tournaments - are you...:rofl:
Just kidding - I know that's a pet peeve of yours. I should keep the Smack talk to the Ryder Cup thread :)

[Anthony]

That's why I want a prize for the straightest drive...... at least I'll be in the fairway along with 70% of the other players.... You got me....;)

[guitarman]

You find the driver easy but only hit it 230 yards in the fairway? It's not hard to bunt in baseball either.

I guess your not winning any long drive prizes at the corporate tournaments - are you...:rofl:


Actually I won a prize for closest to the rope in a recent tournament. There was a long rope placed centre down the middle of the fairway. Closest one to land near it wins. It was about a 200 yard drive but it was dead centre.

[golfinseb]

Whats your handicap? I can't imagine possibly putting together a low round with only 23oyds off the tee. I hit my hybrid that long to stay in play. The main reason I would leave my driver in the bag is because on most holes I don't need the extra distance to get into scoring position. Not to say I am a great golfer or anything, but I know which clubs carry how far, and I know which clubs I am most confident in. I also like to try to shape shots to maximize the safety factor in certain scenarios.

[Anthony]

Congratulations to you. Unfortunately some of us do not play enough or practice or take the lessons to increase their length. Most of my friends also do not hit it that far. I have one who is a single digit handicap and he hits it like me on the drive and he too wants increased length.

When I have time to invest in lessons and 30+ rounds a year, maybe I'll learn to hit it further.

BTW I score between 83 & 100 on any given day on courses where I try and play 6,400 yards and with slopes of 122-135.

[guitarman]

Congratulations to you. Unfortunately some of us do not play enough or practice or take the lessons to increase their length. Most of my friends also do not hit it that far. I have one who is a single digit handicap and he hits it like me on the drive and he too wants increased length.

When I have time to invest in lessons and 30+ rounds a year, maybe I'll learn to hit it further.

BTW I score between 83 & 100 on any given day on courses where I try and play 6,400 yards and with slopes of 122-135.

I feel the same way. I think it is possible to get low scores with short drives. My drives range from 210 to 230 with some lucky hits of 240-250. But I'm in the fairway now 70% of the time. From the fairway I'm very confident with my 3 wood and can hit it mostly an additional 180 to 200 and stay in the fairway. That makes to the green in 2 on most par 4s. My scores have been coming down considerably and I can see the potential to get them down more. I do plan on working on having more confidence with my drives and not holding back. I feel I can get up to 250-260 drives but I'm content with playing it safe for now.

[jmr73]

I feel the same way. I think it is possible to get low scores with short drives. My drives range from 210 to 230 with some lucky hits of 240-250.

Absolutely. I am not that long with the driver but hit the fairway 90% of the time (210-240). Most of the guys I have seen hit it long have absolutely no control and the ball can end up anywhere (rough, hazards, woods, other fairways). I will gladly play my shot from 180yards out then have a 50% chance that I will even be able to play my next shot. Those extra penalty strokes will take away any advantage a longer hitter might have coming in from 120 yards vs. my 180.

[Anthony]

This is not a question of how far you hit the ball, it is about the ability to hit a driver. I think I swing hard, but make a number of mistakes, which affects my distance (including a cheap driver and non Pro V1 golf balls). I've seen good golfers who are incredibly erratic off the tee (including Tiger & Phil) and don't understand how all other clubs are hit beautifully, but not the driver.

Case in point how Tiger has been hitting his 3 wood. Why doesn't he do the the same swing with his driver and the extra 100cc head size and hit it an extra 20-30 yards? People pay $500 for a driver, but would never do so for the 3 or 5 wood they are hitting off the tee.

[guitarman]

This is not a question of how far you hit the ball, it is about the ability to hit a driver. I thnk I swing hard, but make a number of mistakes, which affects my distance (including a cheap driver and non Pro V1 golf balls). I've seen good golfers who are incredibly erratic off the tee (including Tiger & Phil) and don't understand how all other clubs are hit beautifully, but not the driver.

case in point how Tiger has been hitting his 3 wood. Why doesn't he do the the same swing with his driver and the extra 100cc head size and hit it an extra 20-30 yards? People pay $500 for a driver, but would never do so for the 3 or 5 wood they are hitting off the tee.

As far as my understanding, the driver is the least reliable club in the bag. This, I think somehow relates to the loft being the lowest of all the clubs. Thats why its reccomended for begginners and those with slow swings to go with drivers with a higher loft. My wife uses a 3 wood always off the tee. It was reccomended for her to do this and it has worked for her. I'm not clear as to all the reasons why.

[Cybergolfer]

Most high handicappers have problems with a driver
1) club speed is slow probably below 90 you need club head speed to launch the ball because of the decreased loft
2) Using wrong shafts in driver
3) driver shafts are too long yup if using a graphite shaft with ti head it's harder to swing due the longer shaft and has less control why do you think it's easier to hit 3 wood
4) weak golf muscles
5) poor technique
6) wrong type of golf ball
I'd rather be hitting a 9 iron in the light rough than a 3 iron in the fairway

[golfinseb]

Congratulations to you. Unfortunately some of us do not play enough or practice or take the lessons to increase their length. Most of my friends also do not hit it that far. I have one who is a single digit handicap and he hits it like me on the drive and he too wants increased length.

When I have time to invest in lessons and 30+ rounds a year, maybe I'll learn to hit it further.

BTW I score between 83 & 100 on any given day on courses where I try and play 6,400 yards and with slopes of 122-135.


I shoot the same scores from the same yardage and I may only hit my driver 2 or 3 times in a round. As for the length issue, I have taken a few lessons, play quite abit and also work out to gain more strength in my golf specific muscles (I'm not very big, 5'10" 160lbs, but I am getting stronger where it matters). Its not about money unless you are terribly poor. I don't make piles of money, but I go without certain things so that I can afford to golf. I find more personal enjoyment and satisfaction in golf than I do in many of the things others enjoy.

I also don't judge others on thier game, it is a great gift to be able to play golf at all. Anyone who plays and plays to improve thier game deserves the same respect, that to me is what makes the game what it is.

The reason most are so erratic with the driver is due to lower loft (more side spin, less vertical spin. Longer shaft, makes for less consistent contact. Finally we all love to hit the ball hard and that leads to problems.

Also according to several golf instructers they seem to say that most players, even up to the pro level are either better at hitting woods or better and hitting irons. Tiger and Phil aren't terrible with thier drivers, they are further of line because they hit the ball further, if you look at thier misses as a percentage of the total yardage you will find they are not really bad at all.

I'm not really saying that you can't shoot low scores while being short of the tee, but it makes it that much harder, and you better have some good short game. We see it day in day out on the PGA. Pavin and Funk are considered short hitters, but realistically they can bomb it past most of us pretty easily.

[Anthony]

When I say invest, I mean find time away from work & family.... Yes I am also tight, but want to play good courses (an oxymoron).

I watch Pavin play golf and it is tough watching how hard he seems to have to work being so far behind others.

Then conversely there are those bombers who can't hit a wedge....

In any case appreciate the replies.

[Flog]

Trouble with the driver is a relatively new development for me. I used to be okay with it, but now I've developed a slice. I'm much more consistent with the irons and have no slice, to speak of, with any of them-- even the long irons. In my case, it's due to being completely paralyzed on my left side for a while and having to develop those muscles all over again, including learning how to walk. After dealing with that, I'm just thrilled to be able to get out there with my two boys and enjoy a round at all. Correcting the slice is going to be a long haul, and will take a lot of practice, but it's nothing compared to what some people have to deal with everyday.

[goshawk]

A couple of years ago, I was playing with a group of older friends. This group of about 15 guys play 4-6 times a week together. They are all over 60, a few in their 70's. Not one of them can hit their driver past about 220, but they all (I mean ALL) are single digit handicaps. A typical par 4 for them is driver down the middle, 3 or 5 wood close to the green, chip and 1 putt. A typical par 5 is driver down the middle, 3 wood down the middle, mid to short iron on the green and putt for birdie or iron close to the green, chip and 1 putt. That's the way they play and it makes so much sense. On their home course (par 71), it is rare for any of them to shoot as high as 85. Mostly it's around 77 to 80. You don't have to hit 300 yard drives to score well. It's just a case of managing the course to fit your particular game. And DISCIPLINE!!

[laps]

I played with two older guys last week who were not long hitters, but kept it straight. iwas nto keepign track of their scores,but they sure were not hitting the ball as often as I was.

As far as Tiger, Phil and any other long hitters are concerned, you have to look at geometry - the angle of your shot vs a straight line. A 200 yard drive in the fairway need only be half as accurate as a 300 yard drive in the fairway. Any error will be magnified as you hit longer.

many people might be hitting their driver as well as their other clubs, its just that the error with the driver is more noticeable.

I will remember my 300 yard drives much longer than I will remember a bad shot - so I will keep taking out the driver as long as I can hit it far even if it means higher scores. I'd rather miss with the driver than with another club, the payoff of success is too high to ignore.

[BirdieGirl]

Out of all my clubs, I am most inconsistent with my driver. There are days when I am hitting so nice, straight and long (or long for 'me' anyway :))... and then others when I am literally 50 to 60 yards shorter or hitting off the toe or whatever... :mad:

[rotator]

I don't know if anyone touched on this earlier, but I may have missed it. It's true about the loft and length of club and other factors being reasons for the driver problems, but it could be answered by this too.

All of the great instructors in the business, pros, and the long drive guys have said this in their unique ways.

Golfers realize they have a nine iron, or whatever club, in their hands and they know they usually hit it a consistent distance, so they swing with normal relaxed tempo and speed, and they hit it well enough. As soon as you put the big D (for unlimited Distance) in their hands, they wring the grips, lock up their arms and shoulders, turn so they twist into a pretzel, and try to hit it out of sight. What they all say is to keep everything relaxed, good tempo, soft hands, and swing at 80%.

Faldo said he learned that early. He used to whale at the ball, and the coach told him to hit 6 balls as hard as he could, and then hit another 6 balls at 75%. He saw that the latter balls went consistently farther and more accurate, and was sold for life. Nicklau says the same. They all say that you can turn deeper into the backswing, and all that, but they do not want to swing harder.

Rotator

[goshawk]

Rotator, I tend to agree. After watching lots of pros, lots of students, and even experimenting on myself, I've found that when golfers use a nice, easy tempo/rythm, good swing mechanics, keep the upper body relaxed, and swing within themselves, they usually have their longest and most accurate drives. When trying to add that little bit more "force", tension usually results, which is the largest killer of distance and accuracy. I always try to tell students to just swing within themselves and not try to put the ball into orbit. It's not going to help with distance to swing so hard that you're falling over. The trick is to swing faster, not harder. Swinging faster is a result of being so relaxed that you just let the swing happen rather than forcing it. Swinging harder usually results in tension.

[LuckyLuke]

My first year playing golf, I would try to hit the ball with all that my arms could muster, and it went 220. My second year, I read a lot about technique and started adding my body in my swing, then my ball went 250. This is my 3rd year with my new 454 big Bertha and I give it with technique and power and hit it farther. Just last week I hit 310 at tam, I hit the fairway about 70% of the time and credit technique.:rofl: If you have a bad swing a pro will give you a quick fix like open your stance and close your club just to go straight, this is OK if you want to go 220 but if you want 310 or more I think a new swing with technique is your best bet. Oh by the way I'm only 5foot7.:eek: