Driver help!

[TitleistPosterBoy]

SOmething very bad has happened here in the heartland.................ive lost my driver swing!

If your looking at the face of a driver I would say around 80% of the balls ive hit are leaving marks on the top right part of the club. Closet to the hosel. I seem to have lost distance and have developed a snap hook at times. I think I have to severe of an inside out swing.

[blackxpress]

I had the same problem. I solved it by setting up with the ball lined up with the toe of the club rather than the center of the club face. Your mileage may vary, of course, but it works for me.

[mrobbie]

I experienced the same not that long ago - tried the setting up at the toe which helped mask the issue, but wanted to find the real cause... Tirned out I was swinning VERY steep. By swinging more around the body I was on a better, more consistent plane which solved it.

[trjohnson2]

I had a similar problem about 6 mos. ago. Really simple for me, I was swinging too hard. I was working on elongating my backswing for more power, but I was also amping up my swing speed, making me come in steep. Slowed it down and no more problems.

[barrycuda]

what is the ball flight when u don't have a snap hook?

[chingali]

Something else to think of is your balance when in your setup position, perhaps your weight is more towards your toes than perfectly even.

Whilst in your setup position get a friend to stand behind you and give a gentle shove between your shoulder blades, if you fall forward then your weight is too much towards your toes, try the reverse if you think your weight may be back towards your heels. If your weight is evenly spread then a gentle shove won't cause you to move at all.

[Hoselrockets]

Sounds like the swing is a tad to steep. Try to focus on your shoulder turn and get the back to the target. Usually for me if I don't get enough turn with my driver I hit those 300 yard drives 100 yards out, 100 yards up and 100 yards back down....good luck!

[Kiin Yang]

I'm doing the same I think, but it severely starts off left and comes round to the right. 99% of the time its on the fair way so I'm not too bothered. I line the ball up to my left little toe and not inside my left heel anymore, I find this alot better for my swing, and my swing is not a good sight to be honest!!!

[Avid Golfer]

SOmething very bad has happened here in the heartland.................ive lost my driver swing!

I've seen many golfers move toward the ball with their bodies (loosing balance) during the downswing. Many others get their arms blocked (from loosing posture, or getting out of sync), and as a result their arms move away (toward the ball) and raise up. Both actions move the club so that impact is toward the heel, and distance is lost. I'd recommend focusing on making sure you get setup with good balance and posture, and then pay attention to keeping both relatively stable during the swing.

[pcitygolfer]

I have similar problems - especially the snap hook.

Did you use to play baseball? If yes, my guess is you may be swinging your hips well ahead of the ball. Also, check you grip of the right hand. Have someone look at you - specifically the line formed by the line between your index finger and thumb - the line formed by each hand should be aimed directly at your right armpit. There is a chance your right handing is too strong - too far to the right

If your right had is too strong, it will cause the club to close way to early. The right hand is just along for the ride. Too much right hand - el hooko.

Here a tip that will solve your problem in less than a bucket of balls. Start by slowing your swing and hitting 40%. This will get you back in the groove. As you get the results you like, give it a little more. My standard swing is 75% now. I lose 10-15 yards, but I hit the fairway 80+ percent of the time.

Look on the bright side, most people can't hook the ball. Fixing a hook is usually much easier than a slice.

One final point - when I address the ball, I allign the ball towards the toe of he club - not the middle. Here is why. If you address the ball in the middle of the swing, the downswing pulls your arms further away from you - extending your club another inch (centrifical force). I just say an article that showed not one pro had the same swing plane. they averaged 3 degrees flatter - farther away. Try moving the ball an inch further away. I have been doing this for years, and it works for me.

[TitleistPosterBoy]

Well turns out its all of the above. I just got back from the range and it wasent much better. Half the time I was falling forward after impact, my swing was steep, I tend to slide to the left at times causing a deep fly to center field. I kinda started to get it back when I started to take the club back lower. Still isnt good though. My swing plane is a mess! I was going to post a video but I dont know how to post one.

[Avid Golfer]

I was going to post a video but I dont know how to post one.

You could upload it to a file sharing site (like drop.io), or put it up on a site like

www.swingacademy.com . (You could also send it to the Jim Mclean Academy for free analysis at www.golfdigestchallenge.com ).