driving woes

[muskegman]

I'm either hitting right or knocking it low left off the tee with a driver. I think my lack of confidence with the big stick is killing me. Any ideas?

[iacas]

I'm either hitting right or knocking it low left off the tee with a driver. I think my lack of confidence with the big stick is killing me. Any ideas?

"Right" is one of two things: open clubface or outside-in path. When you mention smothering the ball left, too, it makes me believe that you're coming at your tee shots from the inside a bit too much.

Do your shots go straight right and left? Curve right but go dead straight left? Dead straight right but snap hooks? Answers to those can change what I've just said. You could be coming too far outside-in too.

Where is the ball in your stance? And how's your takeaway - steep or long and low?

Can you pick out your shot types with open and closed clubfaces from the below list? It may give you a bit of a clue.

Swing Path - Outside to In
Clubface Open to Path. Pull/Fade. Ball starts out left (swing path) and ball curves right (Clubface)
Clubface Square to Path. Pull. Ball starts out left and stays on same line with no curve.
Clubface Closed to Path. Pull/Hook. Ball starts out left (swing path) and ball curves further left.

Swing Path - Down the Line
Clubface Open to Path. Fade/Slice. Ball starts out at target (Swing Path) and ball curves right (Clubface).
Clubface Square to Path. Straight Shot. Ball starts out at target and ends up on target line.
Clubface Closed to Path. Draw/Hook. Ball starts out at target (Swing Path) and ball curves left (Clubface).

Swing Path - Inside to Outside
Clubface Open to Path. Push/Fade. Ball starts out right of target (Swing Path) and ball curves further right (Clubface).
Clubface Square to Path. Block or Push. Ball goes right with no curve.
Clubface Closed to Path. Draw/Hook. Ball starts out right of target (Swing Path) and ball curves back toward target (Clubface)

[muskegman]

Here's my assesment and answers to your questions...
*Clubface Open to Path. Push/Fade. Ball starts out right of target (Swing Path) and ball curves further right (Clubface).
*Clubface Square to Path. Block or Push. Ball goes right with no curve.

I'll be doing the things describing above but then I'll over-compensate sometimes and block it low and left. My main problem is leaving the clubface open somehow so that the ball either goes strait right or will go strait right and then further right with a slice.

I fixed it for about 2 weeks but now my problems have returned. Today I was mostly hitting it left (occasionally with a hook) as a compensation for my main problem.

I'm all screwed up as you can see. My confidence is just shot off the tee. I need to spend some quality time at the range doing the right things but I havn't been able to groove the right motion lately. I feel tense on the tee and I'm sure that is causing some trouble in and of itself.

So I have two problems. A leave the clubface open problem and an overcompensation to that problem.

I hope that gives you some idea what I'm dealing with.

[muskegman]

I feel like I might be pulling my left arm in too tight through the hitting area on my downswing. Just an idea.

[gas_can]

How to cure a hook/slice is the 10 million dollar question in golf, everyone goes through one or the other at some point in their career. Just a few tips which may help:
Develop a pre-shot routine. It may sound dumb but get in the habit of taking your grip with your arms held out (perpendicular) from your body, pointing the face at the target, and then setting up your body around that. It will help you later as you get better.

Make sure you're holding the driver correctly. Does your grip have an alignment aid? Try a grip with a promient one like Golf Pride's V-55 (www.golfpride.com/golfgrips/new/vff.asp) they're pretty cheap $5 installed. Woods can be tricky to hold square, many people leave them closed/open. If you have to, get someone who looks like they know what they're doing to check.

Check your alignment (www.golfedmonton.com/golf_lessons/Glen_Erickson/alignment/squarefaceonlg.jpg) using two clubs as shown in the picture. Your feet and the line to the target should be parallel. If the club face is pointed one direction and your feet are pointed in another slices/hooks can occurr. I still do this every time I'm at the driving range.

Keep your grip strong (www.juniorlinks.com/imageLibrary/instruction/grip_strong.jpg) Make sure both v's made by your index/thumb point to your right shoulder. This will help you keep the clubface square at impact.

Hope that helps.

[iacas]

I feel like I might be pulling my left arm in too tight through the hitting area on my downswing. Just an idea.
With any club, try to think of "swinging down the line." The longer the club, the more this matters.

[muskegman]

I've slowed down my backswing considerably and that is giving me way more control all around. I think I may have been rushing myself a little. I left my driver in the bag for nine holes this afternoon, using my 3-wood off the tee on par fours and fives. I felt pretty darn good about the whole thing. I feel concentrating on my short game has led to some gains all around. I might just lay off the driver for a while and bask in a little encouragement from my other clubs. Thanks for your advice folks.

[flap]

A bandaide for your driver that worked wonders for me.Ive allways had a problem releasing my hands with the driverand I have a interlock grip so now I interlock 2 fingers in stead of just the pinkie and WA LA driver is my best friend.

[skrumple]

With any club, try to think of "swinging down the line." The longer the club, the more this matters.

My coach has a thing called a laser traner that goes at the end of the grip and when you swing you try to keep the laser on a line. We were inside on a baketball court but you could use anyline edge of cartpath or parking lot line it is a great tool you should try it. Ill try to find a link

[skrumple]

http://www.practicerange.com/product/lst100_laser_trainer.asp

This is it this one also has another laser to show path this would be great for you.