Drives high, left and short!!

[arny660]

I don`t know what has happened. I was driving really well until recently then, all of a sudden, I started hitting the ball in a big, weak, high loop to the left. I have stopped using the driver in the meantime if there are golfers on the fairway to the left of me - I just don`t trust myself any more. I have tried to figure it out but just can`t. I seem to be getting in under the ball and then rotating right through. The result is horrible! I have experimented with tee height, ball position etc but all to no avail. Can anyone offer me advice / drills please? Thanks.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Drives high, left and short!!

I assume your right handed...and a high, LEFT is unusual. Are you hitting the top of the driver face? To check, place some impact tape on and see where the ball is striking.

You should be somewhere around the middle to upper 1/2, but that's as far as you want. First thought is you are almost on the very top.

If that is ok, I suspect you are swinging the driver like an iron. Very steep attack and handsy. This is going to cause the flip through impact and most often the club beating your arms to the ball...this closes the face down making it go left.

But the hard one here is the hight. Usually this will cause low hooks. You are high. So, I have to think you are going too far under the ball and popping it up.

My suggestion is to try the following:
* Start to take the club back low and long -- just for the first 2 feet. This will shallow your angle of attack. Do not use your hands at all, just your shoulder turn for that portion. Then, you can set your hands and raise your arms in 1 smooth action to the top.

* In the downswing, relax. Do not try to attack with the hands for power. Forget about wrists as a source of power, but only for control...use them to just get back to square. Let the rotation of your hips and shoulders be your power.

* Last, adjust your tee hight to this new swing. Using the impact tape, put the ball to where you consistently hit the middle to upper 1/2 of the face.

[GoNavy]

Re: Drives high, left and short!!

Just a thought, but you might rule out equipment. Hit some one else's driver. The new drivers these days are very thin walled and often crack, or you may have a split in the shaft, if it is graphite, either of which can effect the performance. Equipment is always suspect when it is only one club doing something, otherwise I would aspect your 3W to do the same thing of the tee, or are you just going directly to the iron.

[arny660]

Re: Drives high, left and short!!

Thanks guys. Just read your replies - was away for a few days. I will try out your suggestions and see what happen. Thanks again.