Driver Problem

[GoNavy]

Re: Driver Problem

Dant the best thing to do is get us some video. But in the mean time, let me ask you, after you hit these shots, what happens to your tee. Usually if your topping from not shifting your weight (swing arc low point too far behind the ball) your tee will still be there in the ground or flipped in the air like normal. If you are lifting up and swinging high, hitting the ball above the equator, the tee has a tendency to drive into the ground flush or even snap in two.

The third possibility which hasn't been mentioned yet, is you might be smothering the ball. This occurs when your club face is so hooded (extremely closed face) that the ball has no chance to get backspin and rise, but rather only side spin. This also will result in a driving force downward with extreme topspin looking shot. From what you describe, my guess would be that this is what you are doing. Try to hit a few shots in which you purposely hold the face open through impact, if your tee shots improve, that was your problem.

[dant]

Re: Driver Problem

Dant the best thing to do is get us some video. But in the mean time, let me ask you, after you hit these shots, what happens to your tee. Usually if your topping from not shifting your weight (swing arc low point too far behind the ball) your tee will still be there in the ground or flipped in the air like normal. If you are lifting up and swinging high, hitting the ball above the equator, the tee has a tendency to drive into the ground flush or even snap in two.

The third possibility which hasn't been mentioned yet, is you might be smothering the ball. This occurs when your club face is so hooded (extremely closed face) that the ball has no chance to get backspin and rise, but rather only side spin. This also will result in a driving force downward with extreme topspin looking shot. From what you describe, my guess would be that this is what you are doing. Try to hit a few shots in which you purposely hold the face open through impact, if your tee shots improve, that was your problem.

GoNavy
Alot of the time my Tees are snaped in two. About the video. How does one go about getting on the forum for someone to see. I have a video camera but what then. I mean as far as downloading it.
dant

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver Problem

You could upload it to either youtube or vimeo and then link to that.

[jambalaya]

Re: Driver Problem

Have you ever been told you have a reverse pivot?

[BrianW]

Re: Driver Problem

Mattney / Lowpost

I still say that the probability is that he is hitting the ball very low on the driver face, this will create a ducked shot that has either very little/no back spin or some top spin. The initial force will propel the ball forward and upward but it will soon loose velocity due to the poor coefficient of restitution created by the lack of loft and spring on the bottom of the drivers face, it will then dive sharply downwards. This is normally accompanied by a horrible doinking sound. It is the opposite effect from hitting the ball on the top edge of the driver where it will be skied.

GONavy is correct that another cause is a smothered shot where the clubface is very hooded thus removing loft and duck hooking the ball.

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver Problem

We're on the same page, Brian. I called it 'topping', but it amounts to the same thing - and extreme low face/leading edge hit above the equator of the ball creating the low duck hooker.

Faster swing speeds and hitting at or slightly below the equator can make for a 'one hopper low-liner' that's good for 150 yards. Not that I've done it or anything.

[onlinegolfequipment]

Re: Driver Problem

Yes - a big slide towards target on your downswing.

Well the best solution to this problem is to change the driver.

[BrianW]

Re: Driver Problem

Well the best solution to this problem is to change the driver.

Surely the best solution is to stop sliding

[dant]

Re: Driver Problem

Gentlemen
Just to give you all an update. This past weekend I went to Edwin Watts and purchased a new driver Taylor Made Burner (08) Specs belowHead PropertiesHead Size460ccLie Angle59°Face Angle10.5 = 1.5°
Head Material Face MaterialTitanium face featuring ICT, and PFCBody Material6-4 TitaniumConstruction2pc construction with PFCClub PropertiesClub Length46"Club Swing WeightD5Shaft PropertiesRE*AX SuperFast 50 by Fujikura Shaft Torque 4.5 ° (S, R), Shaft Weight50g

What I had before was a TM R7 460
NV 75 (Shaft)
Torgue 2.8
low - mid
78 gram
length 44"
Trajectory - High

A world of differance. They have a great area to test your club. Its like a little garage area heated where you hit out to the driving range. Spin between 3200 - 3800 rpm's, distance avg. 270 with range balls and cold weather. I'm happy
Thanks for all your help and suggestion. I will have to seewhat the upcoming season bring. But in the mean time I will keep hitting at the range (all stalls are covered and heated, great for New England weather
dant