Driving Question

[Its In the Deep Stuff]

Hey guys. I'm just starting out golf and its great so far. I'm pretty obsessed already, even though I have only been on the range.

My irons are progressing, and even though I have cautiously not even touched the driver yet, I am wondering how I should go about learning to hit the woods. I mean, should I use my current crappy driver and get good with that? I imagine if I can hit it well I can hit a good driver better. Or should I get a nice driver that is very "forgiving" to get the stroke down and then work to the less forgiving drivers from there.

On one hand, I can hit straighter shots sooner with a nice driver, and on the other, I learn how to hit a tough driver and then later move on the the forgiving ones. Any tips on this? Thanks.

[MdGolfer1982]

Quit before it drives you crazy!!

haha- just kididng... kinda.

I would say it all depends on your financial situation and what you are trying to achieve as a golfer. If buying the newest coolest Driver is going to prevent you from buying your kids clothes- then I'd say go with el cheapo. If you have cash to burn, get the expensive one. The fact is- even buying the biggest, most forgiving driver on the market today isn't going to make you good at hitting it- practicing is.

Go midrange and call it a compromise.

[Lbob]

I don't think it's a good idea to "learn" on one driver then switch to another. Especially if it's a crappy driver. What you're likely to learn are bad habits. Go get a used driver that's decent but affordable and learn on that one. Then after your swing has developed try a few that you think you might like at a demo day.

[Its In the Deep Stuff]

Any suggestions for a good driver for a beginner? I don't know how much good drivers go for but I'd be willing to shell out $300 or so.

[knock-down]

Get some lessons!

[SuaSponteMn]

Any suggestions for a good driver for a beginner? I don't know how much good drivers go for but I'd be willing to shell out $300 or so.

You should be able to buy almost anything at 300.00, even the highend stuff like R7's, FT-3's, HiBore's, and Launcher Comps. Check out demo and used drivers as well.

And I second the suggestion for lessons. An hour with a golf pro will go a long way.

[Its In the Deep Stuff]

Well I've taken a couple of lessons, and they helped. But how many lessons should I take before doing it on my own? I'm also reading Ben Hogan's Five Lessons right now, which has helped a great deal. But of course it is not a substitute for someone studying your swing and telling you which changes you need to make.

[SuaSponteMn]

Well I've taken a couple of lessons, and they helped. But how many lessons should I take before doing it on my own?

It really depends on what you want to get out of the sport. Some people take a few lessons to an idea of the fundamentals and leave it at that; typically more recreational players would take that mindset. Others take them monthly regardless of skill level in an attempt to continue to improve. Keep in mind both of these scenarios are generalizations and there are plenty of people who are in between.

Also, if by saying, "doing it on my own" you mean playing, going to the range, putting & chipping, etc; I'd be doing all that from day 1 to help ingrain what you're learning in your lessons. Oh, and the book you're reading is a great starting point, that's the first intructional book I read when I decided to build a golf swing that would stand up to more than the annual or semi-annual round and hopefully bring me to the next level. Although finding a pro that you can learn from is far more valuable :)

[RoyalAv]

Some people might suggest that with a driver in your hands, it's a different swing. I'll go further than that ... I think it's a different sport.
I've been flailing away with the b.... thing for decades and I'm convinced even my "good'' drives are bad shots. The ones that work are pure random, halfway between my slice and hook.
Being a swing tragic, I've got one hundred different off-the-tee keys, 99 of which I quite regularly take to the golf course. There is one, however, that's reserved for the practice range. Here ... on some occasions ... something happens (at the top?) (in transition?). It's an awkward left hand/wrist/forearm sensation that sometimes feels like the handle is rotating in my left palm; almost like I'm re-gripping the thing. As alien as it feels ... and it seems to contradict every piece of instruction I've ever gleaned ... as soon as I feel it there's no need to even look where that ball goes. I know it's string-straight, medium height, down-the-line 225m plus.
Obviously, as soon as I try to consciously emulate the sensation I'm a dead duck but I'm positive if I can ever get a handle on it my score will improve by about a score.
The impossible dream ... makes life worth living, huh?
cheers Bob