Driver advice

[rfox20]

I am hitting the driver fairly good around 240. I hit straight with a slight draw problem is I play the ball in the middle of my stance. I don't think I get a great amount of spin. If I put the ball foward in my stance I get a slice but not severe and lose distance. I would like to keep everything the same swing speed high 90's just would like alittle more top spin for alittle more role. I have a 10.5 degree driver, I tee the ball alittle less than half exposed. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: Driver advice

240 on the fairway is way better then 300 into the trees.

Have you thought about trying a 3/4 swing without the 90 degree shoulder turn and a minimium of hinging in the wrists(Don Trahan swing)? I recently went to this swing and I get the same distance I did with a full swing but the ball goes straight down the middle now. You can check out the swing at www.peakperformancegolfswing.com It works for me so it may for you as well.

On another note, using this swing method allows me to connect with the ball perfectly every time and has added 15-20 yards to my 7 iron.

[golfshooter]

Re: Driver advice

I had a similar problem, lining up straight, face aimed at the target and ended up with a fade / slice. I don't seem to have it much now but when it reoccurs I close my stance a little and close the face of the club a little.I know it does not sound right closing the stance meaning your facing more towards where you don't want the ball to go but trust me it works. I think it might have more to do with not having my body in the correct position at impact but if you need a quick fix during a game and don't have the time to experiment the above will work. Hope this helps
Regards Peter

[BrianW]

Re: Driver advice

It is not possible to obtain top spin with a good shot, that would duck the ball straight down into the ground. What you should be looking for is a fairly low spin rate, an upward attack angle and hitting a draw shape. Draws and hooks roll farther than fades and slices due to their lower ball flight and greater smash factor.

[SurlyScarab]

Re: Driver advice

Draws and hooks roll farther than fades and slices due to their lower ball flight and greater smash factor.

Could anyone explain this a little more? I don't doubt it because I see it written all over the place but I'd like to understand the 'why' and a little of the physics behind it.

[BrianW]

Re: Driver advice

Could anyone explain this a little more? I don't doubt it because I see it written all over the place but I'd like to understand the 'why' and a little of the physics behind it.

When you hit a draw or hook the clubface rotates closed as it comes through impact, the more closed the clubface the less the loft ( grab a club close the face behind a ball and see how the loft is reduced). This creates less oblique contact with the ball giving a lower flight that rolls more, just like using an iron with less loft.

When you fade or slice the clubface is open through impact which increases loft, creating a higher flight that stops up on landing, just like higher lofted clubs.

I hope this explains.

[SurlyScarab]

Re: Driver advice

I hope this explains.

It totally does, well... except for how turning the club face effects loft, but I guess I can go check that out for myself after work.


p.s. This whole 'job' thing is really getting in the way of my golf!

[darrenneil]

Re: Driver advice

It totally does, well... except for how turning the club face effects loft, but I guess I can go check that out for myself after work.


p.s. This whole 'job' thing is really getting in the way of my golf!

Get a new job as a golf instructor

Watch how you complain about it from an OD.

[rogue]

Re: Driver advice

Smash factor is basically the ball speed ratio to clubhead speed. Usually a better strike or change in impact physics provides a better smash factor. The higher the number the more efficient your swing is, but this can be misleading.

Brian W is right as a generalisation of how smash factor works, and how a fader has a more open face and hence more loft and hence less smash. But some of the people with the highest smash factors actually hit fades and pulls (especially iron smash factor). The steeper angle of attack of a fade (out to in path) can compress the ball a lot more than a shallower swing of a drawer. More compression more smash.

And its all relative anyway, a drawer can sometimes hit the ball with an open face and draw it (if clubface is 2 deg open and swing path is 5 degrees in to out tha ball will draw). These are usually players that hit the high draws that land soft and this shot has a poor smash factor due to the club being so shallow through impact, and open face. This type of shot does produce a nice flight however and more roll through lowered backspin. often this shot is favoured amoung the better juniors and ladies, basically players with less swing speed as it gives them the best distance.

As swing speed gets up to tour level a player will become more of a compressor of the ball 'increasing smash factor' as this lets them keep control of the trajectory better and keep the ball down.

Just a little more info really. Smash isnt always what it seems. players with steeper angle of attacks usually have better smash but this isnt conducive to the average jo as with a steeper angle of attack with a low swing speed may actually cut distance.

Swings and rountabouts