Big Push With Driver

**spmurph** · July 29, 2009

Just started playing this year and am really enjoying learning and playing. My one big problem is that I consistently have a HUGE push shot with my driver. I can hit my irons straight most of the time but I hit a big push with like 8 out of 10 drives.

I've searched the forums, watched some instructional video, and tried to address some possible causes (mainly too much inside to out swing path) but to no avail. When I try to adjust my swing path I end up with a slice. Are there any obvious flaws that would cause this?

I intend to post a swing check video as well as get lessons. This is just a last ditch effort before I do that.

**deronsizemore** · July 29, 2009

Possibly check alignment? A lot of beginner golfers aim too far to the right of their target, hit the ball straight and think that they pushed it when they were actually just aimed there.

Don't know for sure obviously, but could be.

**spmurph** · July 29, 2009

Tried the allignment. I even aim more right of the target (I'm a lefty) anticipating the push and it still goes far left of the fairway.

**wrx_junki** · July 29, 2009

Where is the tee'd? Is it towards the middle of the stance or all the way to the leading foot?

**Amused** · July 29, 2009

Ball position. Try teeing up the ball a bit more forward, like a 1/2 ball at a time until you dial it in.

**prutkows** · July 29, 2009

Could you just not be releasing the clubhead? If your clubface is open at impact it will result in hitting a push. I struggle with this occasionally as well.

**spmurph** · July 30, 2009

I tee the ball up in line with my front big toe/heel.

I'll work on releasing the club better next time at the range. Any suggested drills?

**alf174** · July 30, 2009

I tee the ball up in line with my front big toe/heel.

Try it back to the inside of your right heel.

**Smarf** · July 30, 2009

I just wanted to ask a question. If a left handed golfer, like the OP, hits it left isn't that a slice? Or do just always call a shot to the left a push? It seems like that would be confusing because a slice would be fixed differently.

**alf174** · July 30, 2009

I just wanted to ask a question. If a left handed golfer, like the OP, hits it left isn't that a slice? Or do just always call a shot to the left a push? It seems like that would be confusing because a slice would be fixed differently.

Depends on the trajectory/spin of the ball; banana shaped (right to left for a lefty) = slice, straight left for a lefty is a push.

**jaragon126** · July 30, 2009

Was having this problem myself lately ... and I found it was because I was standing too close to the ball. I moved away a bit ... not so much that I missed the ball completely when swinging at it ... but enough to feel like I had to reach to get it ... and my push problem was solved.

I still swing in to out to get a nice draw ... I didn't change my swing path, and I didn't change my ball position (left toe/heal - right handed player). Just moved a bit farther away from the ball.

**spmurph** · July 30, 2009

Depends on the trajectory/spin of the ball; banana shaped (right to left for a lefty) = slice, straight left for a lefty is a push.

It's definitely a push, as it goes straight left. When I try to alter my swing path, I hit a slice.

**alf174** · July 30, 2009

I don't have much experience with a consistent push; you may already explored all of these causes (this is for a right hander):

Diagnosing the Push Grip The grip is not normally a factor with a push.Set-up Make sure you aren't aiming too far to the right of the target line, or that your shoulders are aligned too far to the right. Ball Position You might have the ball too far back in the stance. This causes you to make contact when the club is still swinging to right field. Backswing You could be taking the club back too far inside, pulling the club away from the target line. The club should track a gentle arc on the way back, not a rapid arc to the inside of the target line. Downswing The club might be swinging too much to right field at impact. Your right shoulder could be dropping too soon and/or your hips might be sliding toward the target, preventing the club from swinging back around to the left. Make sure your head doesn't move to the right in the downswing.

**enduro** · July 30, 2009

Without video it is impossible to tell. But I've had the same issue. What I found out after seeing a video is that I was opening the club head early in the swing making it hard to release the club fully, creating an open club face at impact and thus pushing the ball.

Some things I've done to correct this is to slow the tempo. This has allowed me a split second more time to get my wrists around and make a good shot.

Also, I've begun my release earlier. I had the club open a really long time and you could just see what was going to happen on video. Since I've started it much earlier the swing just feels different but great!

I feel like I'm coming right at it with a lot of power and the ball takes off. I've even had to be careful not to overdo it and pull the ball.

**spmurph** · July 30, 2009

Without video it is impossible to tell. But I've had the same issue. What I found out after seeing a video is that I was opening the club head early in the swing making it hard to release the club fully, creating an open club face at impact and thus pushing the ball.

I thought the release of the club was just supposed to happen naturally? How do you consciously release it early?

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