Hitting the driver.?

Question

I hit my irons pretty well. But I have difficulty with my driver and my 3 wood. Any advice. Do you do anything different from swinging a driver than an iron. Isn't it the same swing.

thanks

Answer 1

The driver is the longest club in your bag, and normally has a 10Deg. loft, so when you play a driver shot, you should always play the ball off of your left foot with the tee set quite high, the reason for this is the arc of the club after descending is starting to rise from the ground as it approaches the ball. If you imagine a circle stood on its end, then your club after the back swing, starts it's journey at 2 o, clock it then travels down the clock to six o, clock where it is closest to the ground, it then strikes the ball at about ten to seven, and the club then follows through to 10 o,clock or more depending on your style. When the club is approximately descending to five o, clock you transfer your body weight to your front foot and without taking your eye off the ball you hit through it! I hope this helps your game. Have a great day!

Answer 2

No. Different angle of approach.

Answer 3

Yes, but the only difference is the clubs are longer.  Most who have trouble with driver usually hit 3 wood better because of the loft is higher.  I know I do.  In some instances I rarely hit driver(depending on where I'm playing).  Try switching ball position.  Play it closer to your left heel(if you're right handed) for both driver and 3 wood.  Remember low and slow on your backswing and transfer your weight to your front foot on the downswing.  It's all one simultaneous movement.

Answer 4

A driver can be the most frustrating club in you bag if you let it.

The tendency, of course, is to wack it with everything you have. Just the oppisite is true. Grip, stance and a good fluid tempo with practice will produce what you are after. Straight and in the fairway. This will build confidence and start to produce more distance as time goes on. Confidence is not talked about enough. Confidence, concentration and commitment on every shot is key. Think about it. One wasted drive or 3 wood in the rough or worse can take a par or bogey and can turn one hole into a real mess. Golf is one game you don't want to play catchup on. It will compound. Always try to stay in control of your game and play within yourself. This will lead to lower scores and much more fun.

Hope this might help. It has for me.

Answer 5

The fundamentals of the swing are the same, but the position of the ball at address is further forward.  You don't want to hit down on a driver or 3 wood shot like you do with an iron.  You want to "sweep" the 3 wood, and actually hit a little bit up on the driver.

Answer 6

WOW THERE!!! The driver swing is completely different to an iron swing - there's your first problem! Think about it - with irons you are trying to hit down on the ball and create a divot whereas off the tee - your are trying to hit the ball on the upswing with no divot!!

Driver - tee the ball up quite high (assuming you have a respectable 460cc driver). Widen your stance (from that of an iron shot). The ball should be in line with your left heel (unless you're a leftie). Concentrate on hitting the ball on the upswing. Useful tips to help are to keep your weight behind the ball for as long as possible and also lift your left shoulder as you come into the ball - after some practice this will give you the desired ballon effect ball flight and the 8 second Vijay hang time!!

Good luck

Answer 7

The golf swing should be similiar for the driver and 3 wood as it is with the iron. You will be standing closer to the ball at address when hitting the iron. With the iron you will set up at address with the ball almost to the middle of your stance, so you will be hitting down at the back of the ball, hitting the ball and then the turf.  With the driver, the ball is positioned just inside the sole of the leading foot  and you will be hitting it slightly on the upswing.Tee your ball so that just slightly more than half will be above the top of your club head.. The 3 wood position at address is in between the position for the driver and that of the iron so that you will be sweeping the ball from the surface as the downswing ends and the upswing begins.

Answer 8

I had the identical problem for years.  Most of the other answers address the mechanics and they are correct.  However, the mental aspect of hitting the woods is important.  I suspect you hit your irons well because they are your "accuracy clubs"and you likely have smoothe tempo.  The driver and 3, however, are typically the "bash it" clubs and our tempo seems to get lost.  I finally came around when I realized that I was not turning as well with my longer clubs, and despite my best efforts, was swinnging too hard.  The woods are the clubs where you really must realize that the club does all of the work