Switch from Warbird to Sumo 5900

[topspin4hand]

I just changed 90% of the clubs in my bag. I started playing in 1999 right out of grad school. Stopped after about 3 summers b/c of a wedding then consecutive yrs of leg surgeries from hoops injuries.

I returned to golf this spring. I had a 10 yr old Big Bertha warbird (10° loft regular loft) that a buddy had given me to start back in 1999. After testing some clubs at a recent demo day, I'll pull the trigger on several Nike SUMO clubs including the 5900 driver.

I've always hit my driver relatively well from day 1 without lessons. No problem getting it in the air, drastic hook or slicing, etc. I hit the 5900 (10.5° reg flex) well on the demo day with a couple low balls or grounders but they only had the really short tees so I attributed them to that. Nike has sent my new clubs but I am hitting about 20-25% of my drives at the range too low (not getting above 10 feet in the air) or on the ground! The warbird's head is teeny compared to the SUMO, and I was wondering whether that's a contributing factor?? Both clubs have regular flex shafts. The new 5900 has a 10.5° loft. I don't know my exact swing speed but I believe it's a fairly smooth athletic swing. I've purposely worked to tone down the speed to help consistency. Any thoughts on this? I'm going to the range to work out this kink before I get the new clubs on the links this Saturday. Thx guys.

[Guest]

What you are probably experiencing is that the Larger Head is probably throwing off your backswing a little bit.

There is no way to truly modify that, if the ball is going straight then you are 90% there.

I would adjust the position that you are lining up to the ball. Play the driver off you front foot no more than about 6 inches off the inside of your heel.

...0..........

I I

Imagine the Two I's as your feet and the 0 the ball, to illustrate.

This will cause you to connect with the ball further forward in your swing adjusting the angle that the club face is striking the ball.

If you do this correctly you should see a 10.5 go sky high.

Hope that helps.

M

[topspin4hand]

Thx man. I played yesterday and hit my driver beautifully (3.4 of my drives in the fairway averaging 240 yds) ... the best of all my clubs, sadly, but I've been on an actually less than 10 times. I think my earlier problems were the results of a couple things ... (1) like you said, with the old small headed warbird, I was used to lining the ball up much further back in my stance and I could feel how the clubhead moved during my swing so to speak, and (2) the range where I practiced only had the one height rubber tee.

Thx for the tip though.