How come I can not hit a driver off the tee, but I can hit a three wood fine off the tee?

Question

I am a left handed golfer. Learned to hit a 3 wd off the tee but never a driver. When I try to hit a driver off the tee it just sounds dead and goes no more then 2-5 feet off the ground. any pointers?

Answer 1

Most drivers these days have graphite shafts.. 3 woods usually still have a steel shaft.  

With a steel shaft, you can rely on your power for accuracy.. Your swing doesn't always have to be perfect to get a good drive.

With graphite, you need a more focused, smooth follow through to be accurate...

Always remember, its all in the hips. In a drive, your power comes from those hips.  Move those hips!

Answer 2

Most golfers find it easier to hit a 3-wood off the tee versus a driver.  Even the skilled golfer.  

What degree loft is your driver?  What is the flex of your shaft?  Where is the shaft kick point?  Is the shaft designed for some one with a quick powerful swing or some one with a smooth tempo?

These are some of the things I have learned about selecting a driver and "shaft" over the years.  They all factor into your ability to launch the ball with distance and accuracy.  The shaft is often overlooked.  The characteristics of the shaft are very important and often overlooked.  Most  people just look at stiff versus regular.  It is a little more to it than that.  

  Regarding your swing:  With the ball only rising 2 - 5 feet off the ground, it is possible that at impact you are sliding ahead of the ball and holding on to the club attempting to create lag.  These two things combine will de-loft the club considerablely and make the ball come out low with right to left movement since you are left handed.

  However, with your ball comming our "so" low, I don't think the shaft and/or loft in that club fits your swing.  The loft may be to low for your swing speed.  The culb may be to stiff for your swing speed.  The kick point may be inaccurate for the launch angle you want.  With the dead sound, the head may be defective.  Or a combination of these things.

Go to a demo day at a local course and try differnt drivers and see if you get the same results.  If you do, then you have a swing flaw.  Consider taking a lesson.  You can get one for $25 to $75 depending on your location and the skill level of the pro.  If you do not get the same results, they normally have launch monitors at the demo day.  Work with the club pro using the launch monitor to determine which loft, flex, and kick point works best for your swing.  If your swing is bad, he may even give you a pointer or two.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The driver is kind of tough club to hit for beginners, it has less loft on the club face, and it requires an upward swing to the ball to use it effectively.  There are several drills to use, and I would suggest finding a pro to get a lesson or two, but also a baseball type swing alos helps a bit.

Answer 4

The driver has less loft than a 3-wood, and is the only club that you should be hitting on the up-swing. If you are struggling with the driver, then what I would recommend, is to setup with your head behind the ball, take a shorter backswing, and on your forward swing, try and feel your hands extend through the line of you target. If you do this with a shortened backswing for a while until you are comfortable with the idea of hitting the ball on your upswing, you should come right.

Good Luck

Answer 5

The less loft a club has, the harder it is to hit; e.g. hitting a 2 iron versus hitting a 9 iron.  The more loft a club has, the lesser the amount of side spin a club will be able to generate.  Try slicing a 2 iron and then try slicing a 9 iron.  Loft generally nullifies side spin which causes slices and hooks.

Answer 6

It is quite common for beginners to have this problem.  You dont yet enough clubhead speed to properly "launch" the driver.  You need a higher lofted driver, and probably one with more flex in the shaft. Or just continue using the 3 wood until you acquire the skills to hit the driver.

Answer 7

Move the ball forward in your stance.  Don't make a simply game technical like most of these answers here.  Line the ball to the inside of you front heel.  Sit the driver on the ground and allow the natural loft of the club to lift the ball.  Let the ball sit on the tee with half of the ball above the driver when the club is lined .  It doenst mean it will go straight but thats something else to work on!!!!!