Simple Driver Set Up Tip

[Wisco-Kid]

Hey just thought I would share this simple but logical driver tip I read on http://golf.about.com/od/golftips/a/hitting460cc.htm

Here is the highlight tip from that page. Makes sense to me. After reading
this I was like ...DUH!

Set Up to Hit the Ball on the Center of the Face
Most golfers set their driver on the ground at address. This results in a high percentage of driver shots being hit on the heel-side of the face, especially when we tee the ball higher. Test yourself this way: The next time you are at the range and set up to hit your driver, once in the address position stretch your arms out and move the club up to the ball's height. Notice where the ball is going to contact the face of your driver? On the heel side – or possibly the hosel – of your driver.

This is a very common problem for golfers – and it's an awkward adjustment. The solution is very simple, however. Instead of setting your driver behind the ball such that the center of the face is aligned with the ball, move backwards a couple of inches (towards your back) such that the toe of your driver is aligned with the ball. Now do the test again. Stretch out your arms and pick the club up to the ball's height. Is the ball aligned with the center of the driver face? If so, put the club back down and fire! If not, keep moving back until it is.

Don't worry that once you set the driver down it doesn't align with the ball. The ball isn't on the ground - it's three inches above the ground!

[Matt P]

Seems like something to try. I will have to look at it when I go to the range. Thanks for the tip.

[DiverDown]

I had to laugh when reading this. It was a DUH moment for me also.

[Socrates]

I laughed when it said "3 inches in the air" - who tees their ball that high? It just leads to erratic drive patterns for most.

[iacas]

Most golfers set their driver on the ground at address. This results in a high percentage of driver shots being hit on the heel-side of the face, especially when we tee the ball higher.

I tee up off the toe, then prior to my take-away hover the club slightly. That way it's in the center of the face.

I agree, a lot of people address it off the heel. Then again, a lot of people come over the top, leading to contact towards the toe, so maybe it works out for them.

[J.P.]

I laughed when it said "3 inches in the air" - who tees their ball that high? It just leads to erratic drive patterns for most.

I think many people tee it up that high for a few reasons.

1. Higher tee height promotes a flatter swing plane - good with the driver. 2. The "tall face" club heads of today have sweet spots higher off the ground 3. Vertical Gear Effect improves launch dynamics - by striking the ball higher on the face - just above middle face - you launch the ball higher and with less spin - a condition that will maximize carry. Tee it high and watch it fly!

[lordnazgul]

I have to admit that this sounds really good. My bad drives are almost always out of the heel.

I will definitely give this a shot next time i play.

[Wisco-Kid]

Tried and True:
I tried this tip last night as I was practicing my driver. Before I hit some balls I cleaned the face of my driver (so I could see my ball marks). Then I hit a few like I normally do. Not lining up the toe with the ball but grounding the club and lining the center with the ball. And what a surprise, all of my hits were off the heel.

Then after lining the ball up with the toe lifting my club and seeing that it lined up center with the ball I hit a few. I was hitting the ball right in the sweet spot and I gained about 25+ yards! I was ecstatic!

Such a simple tip but it worked wonders for me.

Amazing how many things go into a golf swing, it is so hard to try and remember them all...

[scottlp03]

I line up all shots like this, driver to sand wedge and all in between!

[kurtbayne]

good find wisco

[kehanra99]

I've been doing this for a while now...kinda came upon it randomly at the range one day. It helps promote inside out swinging too.

[wheredidthatgo?]

I will give this a try.

[Avid Golfer]

Hey just thought I would share this simple but logical driver tip I read on

I believe that tip encourages people to stand too far away from the ball, and put too much tension in the arms. I see a lot of players that tend to move their body (hips, chest, and legs) toward the ball on the down swing and that often causes them to hit the ball off the heel of the club. (Look at a lot of the beginner swings on

www.swingacadey.com to see examples of that motion). As far as addressing the ball off the toe. For a long time tour pros Greg Norman and Davis Love III walked up to the ball, stood extremely close to it, and addressed the ball toward the toe before they waggled and slid the center of the driver in line with the ball and began their swings. Greg Norman (driver): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iomvRx8KcoI Davis Love III (driver): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b06TAqOsxPY Notice that neither one of them is stretching out their arms, and they both are standing pretty close to the ball and tall. additional examples: Greg Norman (iron): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiysFPofSPM Davis Love (again with a driver): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkiU-4rE7fM

[lordnazgul]

Well i played a very quick nine holes this morning, and hit four drivers as per this new setup and was extremely impressed.

I didn't feel like i was stretching, just standing a hair further away. I was hitting a high draw, something i have always hit with every club except the driver. It's too early to call it definitive, but i was certianly impressed, and manged to shoot a 40 with 2 3 putts!