Advice Please: New Driver or Lessons?

ok. so here we go. i am a 13 handicapper and i can't hit my driver. i currently use a 2 iron and hit it around 240-250 off the tee. i would like to gain the distance i used to have (310 with driver) when i played a few years back. so my question is this. should i take a few lessons to help with the driver i have (Callaway FTI) or buy a new one. i have heard the new technology really helps.

Lessons,Lessons,Lessons, get the new driver after you have the new swing down so you can really take advantage of the new technology, truth is you still have to put a good swing on the ball even with the latest equipment.

does the swing differ much from an iron swing. i am pretty consistent with my irons. i just dont understand why my driver is crazy haha

Before you purchase a new driver, try reading some great threads:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/44307/hitting-up-or-down-with-the-driver-in-an-inline-pattern

and similar advice

When you say you can´t hit your driver, what is your problem exactly? Is it a matter of missing fairways? Aren´t you able to hit it dead center?

It´s strange you can hit a 2 iron consistently well and not your driver, a much easier club in my opinion.

If i were you:

1. Make sure your current driver shaft fits your swing specifications --> Shaft weight, shaft flex, shaft torque...

2. If you think point 1 is ok, I would go to the driving range and hit 80 balls with your driver. Make sure, at stance position, the ball is in front of your left heel. No more than half of the ball should be above the driver head. It would be good to know the ball flight you usually get.

I don´t know how old your driver is, a new driver may help, but considering your handicap and that you can hit a 2 iron..... i really believe that all you need is practice and be sure point 1 is not a problem.

Good luck!

I don't know what your budget is, but if it's like $400, I'd go with a new model from last year (TM R1, Callaway X-Hot, Nike Covert, Cobra Amp Cell) and spend the difference on lessons.  You should be able to get the driver for $150 or less brand new.

Just make sure you get fit so you know the proper shaft flex and driver loft (X-Hot only) before you buy one.

driver swing vid.

You'll want a new driver, that's sort of a given.  But you NEED lessons of some sort.  Most of us do.  Posting videos here, or getting signed up for Evolver can help if you don't want direct interaction with a pro.  I continually marvel at the number of people that seem so averse to taking lessons, I really don't know what the problem is.  It's not like it is all that big an admission of inadequacy.  ALL the pros have swing coaches, putting coaches, mental coaches.  It's okay to take lessons... really.

This is a very useful post--do this exactly. I was in your boat for a long time. I have a fast swing, specifically a fast transition. I used to rip my hands hard over through the ball and hit a very low draw with long irons. I could hit 1 and 2 irons all day, but my driver was either a pull hook or a completely wiped slice. This was back in 2003. I bought a Nike tungsten plug 3-wood with a steel shaft and could hit that thing a mile. I rarely played with anyone who could out drive me hitting that 3-wood. One day when traveling my driver head snapped off. Not wanting to spend a ton, I put a steel shaft in the driver. Guy at the golf shop thought I was nuts. I actually used that driver for another four years and hit it quite well. Eventually I had to slow my swing down a bit due to chronic pain in my left forearm (and became a lot more consistent as a result). Try some low spin heavier driver shafts. If that doesn't work then just use a 3-wood for a while.

sorry. haven't been on here in awhile. i ended up getting a callaway x hot driver with a little more loft and it really helped me out. I'm starting lessons in 2 weeks since i have a busy schedule. also i focused more on leading my downswing with my hips not my arms and it has really helped me stay loose in my swing and therefore I'm getting about 275-290 on my drives and they are mostly in the fairway. i still have a very slight fade. thank you everyone for the replies. i'll try to get a driver swing video up middle of next week.

For some of us, it's not an aversion persay, but, at least for me, after taking lessons with different instructors and having a couple bad experiences, you become a bit wary of the whole thing.