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Hitting off heel of driver

post #1 of 19
4/22/09 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
Im having a problem hitting off the heel of my driver. Im hitting everything else solid pretty much but It seems I always hit it off the heel even when I draw the ball. It really has be puzzled does anyone know what I might be doing?
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post #2 of 19
4/22/09 at 3:09am

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Check your setup, you may be standing too close the ball?
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post #3 of 19
4/22/09 at 12:13pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

I have the same problem. When i misshit, its off the heel. It seems like the further I stad away from the ball, the more likely I hit it off the heel. Cant figure it out.
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post #4 of 19
4/22/09 at 4:12pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

You might be standing too far from the ball and instinctively moving towards the ball to compensate on the downswing.
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post #5 of 19
4/22/09 at 5:05pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

I believe coming over the top (outside-in swing) can cause that. Had some bouts with it myself. Still do sometimes.
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post #6 of 19
4/22/09 at 9:09pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

When I tee up the ball with my driver, I don't line up center square with the driver head. Instead, I line up the ball at the heel of the driver because when I hit the ball that's how I make contact center of the club.

Watch Vijay driver set up and he doesn't set up ball and driver club face on center but the end result is center solid contact.

You can try to fix your swing to cure the problem but in the meantime try aligning the ball at the toe of the driver at set up and you will hit the driver on center.
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post #7 of 19
4/22/09 at 9:34pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Originally Posted by JetFan1983 View Post
Check your setup, you may be standing too close the ball?
This is my guess. If it isn't this then you might be standing too far away and your mind is compensating for the distance but to be honest that is rarely the case.
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post #8 of 19
4/23/09 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Originally Posted by shortstop20 View Post
You might be standing too far from the ball and instinctively moving towards the ball to compensate on the downswing.
I think that might be it. My Uncle has said sometimes it looks like im standing to far away from the ball with my driver.
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post #9 of 19
4/23/09 at 2:57am

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Let's get techy! Where is the ball in relation to your feet?
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post #10 of 19
4/23/09 at 3:47pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Originally Posted by Seven Iron View Post
Let's get techy! Where is the ball in relation to your feet?
You should always have the ball lined up with the heel of your left foot so that you are able to properly turn behind it on the downswing. By doing this correctly (and standing at a proper distance from the ball) you should hit sweet spot everytime.

For me, I don't know if anyone else does this, my pro told me to put my driver club face up to the ball so that the ball is towards the top middle of the face.
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post #11 of 19
4/23/09 at 4:24pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Originally Posted by Seven Iron View Post
You should always have the ball lined up with the heel of your left foot so that you are able to properly turn behind it on the downswing. By doing this correctly (and standing at a proper distance from the ball) you should hit sweet spot everytime.

For me, I don't know if anyone else does this, my pro told me to put my driver club face up to the ball so that the ball is towards the top middle of the face.
I totally agree with that. Setting up with the ball towards the heel or toe of the club can subconsicously make you "move" to get to the ball.
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post #12 of 19
4/23/09 at 5:25pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Thanks for these replies because my friend has this same problem so I will direct him here
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post #13 of 19
4/24/09 at 1:36am
Thread Starter 

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Thanks for all the help guys, I was playing 9 holes today and by the end of hole number 5 I figured out I was straighting out my right arm causing me to hit it off the heel. The last 3 holes I finished birdie, bogey, birdie, and I only bogeyed the hole because I nailed my pitching wedge and hit it over the green.
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post #14 of 19
4/24/09 at 2:05pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

When I have this problem it tends to be a weight distribution issue. I kind of lunge at the ball and move closer to the ball in the middle of my swing. This will cause you to hit off the heel.

Pay attention to where your weight is in the swing also. Just a thought.
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post #15 of 19
4/24/09 at 2:57pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Hitting the heel of the driver is most likely as someone said, an over the top issue, as the left arm folds too soon before impact the body comes forward to catch the ball at least on the heel. Really work on flattening the swing by making practice swings 6 inches above the ball. Take the club back, then over and down to the ball in slow motion keeping the left arm extended all the way up and down until past impact. Club cannot get outside if you maintain the left arm extension through impact and note you make center contact. The lost of balance forward follows the OTT move. Setting up with the upper body tilted back from the target so the weight is on the rear foot at setup helps flatten the swing and minimze the OTT move.
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post #16 of 19
4/24/09 at 3:01pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

One further note, a violent right shoulder move outwards, ie., OTT, will in and of itself cause the body to move forward so as to catch the ball on the heel, no matter how far or close you are to the ball. Good players drop the right shoulder down in the downswing, not out, so they rarely fall forward or lose their balance.
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post #17 of 19
4/24/09 at 8:48pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

I have the same problem. Seems no matter where I place the club head in relation to the ball (at the toe, just outside of the toe), I seem to hit it on the heel.

Based on the posts, I need to keep my left arm extended and my right elbow in, good weight distribution (60% right leg, 40% left leg), and nice smooth swing. Did I miss anything else I need to concentrate on?
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post #18 of 19
4/24/09 at 10:26pm

Re: Hitting off heel of driver

Be aware of your balance and any body movement during the swing, you don't want your weight shifting on your toes or heels or your upper body swaying towards or away from your target.
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