Funny Thing I figured Out at the Range Yesterday

[missin44]

Went to the range yesterday to try out my new/used clubs. I hit a few balls, whiffing a couple, hitting a couple nice shots, some hooks, slices, dribblers, etc; doing my best Tiger wood swing. Stopped for a short break a was watching and old guy, may be late 60's early 70's. All his balls were short but straight, and loked good. I noticed he was standing closer to the ball than I was, had his right elbow tucked into his waist and he was only taking easy 1/2 to 3/4 swings. So I tried it, viola. Started hitting them consistantly longer, sraighter and with nice loft. There were still plenty lousy shots, but by the time I was done - more shots were better than were bad.

[lamebums]

Similar thing here, today actually. I was hitting a bucket of balls to warm up, and this guy was almost finished with his, he mentioned he was 83, I think--he was driving the ball not particulary far - 175 yards at most - but they were all straight as an arrow. I asked, pretty incredlously, how he managed to do that (I am a hundred yards longer, but I spray my tee shots). He simply said that when he got older, he couldn't hit as far, so he worked on delivering the ball to the club in the middle of the sweet spot, and swing at about three quarters speed.

Sure enough, it worked I just dont know if I'd be satisfied with my drives coming up short of the ladies tee half the time, no matter how straight they were.

[teebuck911]

yep distance is not everything but it helps, personally i dont think you should ever swing the hardest you can, and always swing with in your self,

[Chairman7w]

Yep - and keep in mind too that when you don't swing as hard, any sidespin you impart will be much less severe, resulting if less severe slices & hooks.

I consistently beat my coworkers I play with, simply by doing just what you described. They keep banging away with drivers (even on little 340 yard par 4s) and going 260 yards long, but WAY left or right. I just pop a little 7-wood out there and hit from the short grass.

[cdriver]

There is definetly something to be said for straight. I find that if I start with shorter, more compact swings, I can build up my swings over several holes until I am fairly long and still straight. If I start out trying to power em, I get sideways left or right.....

[Thrdroc]

I just picked up a new driver yesterday and went to the range. When i would try to over power the ball i always got a slice on it. When i just swung nice and easy i got a great shot right down the middle.

When i first learned how to golf, my grandfather taught me to only take 1/2 to 3/4 swing and i always hit it great. He said that after i could hit 10 balls straight down the middle, then i can start to take the club back further. it worked wonders.