Slowing down without screwing up..

[firstcut]

When driving, I've found that I seem to have a "secret speed" for success off the tee that changes from day to day. *Usually* that speed is somewhere around an %80-%90 swing. Although I've had streaks where swinging for the fences will work for a few weeks.

Regardless, I'm starting to run into a problem with my new driver. When I'm hitting well, I'm hitting somewhere between 250-280. If I come to a hole with a 240 +/- hazard, I try and slow my swing down and I usually end up shooting it off to the right somewhere. I actually lose control when I slow down too much. Obviously the right move is to drop down to my 3 iron (don't carry a 3W), but then I end up losing 30-40 yards.

I'm looking for some tips to slow down my driver speed when I'm already "in the groove" with it. I don't seem to have this problem with my irons so I can't simply transfer it.

And yes, I know this means I have a crappy swing and should fix that. But work and kids conspire against much practice.

Many thanks!

[m11]

When driving, I've found that I seem to have a "secret speed" for success off the tee that changes from day to day. *Usually* that speed is somewhere around an %80-%90 swing. Although I've had streaks where swinging for the fences will work for a few weeks.

you dont want to ruin your tempo or add tension to your swing. Instead of actively thinking to slow down your swing, try shortening your backswing and still making a full downswing through the ball. Because the distance that the clubhead travels decreases, the swing speed will be reduced and therefore the ball will carry farther. More importantly, you'll maintain the same tempo.

[agengo02]

try keeping your same swing, but choking up on the club a little bit. some of the more experienced folk may correct me if im wrong, but i would think intentionally trying to slow the club head down would make for some crazy slice/hook (not accurate) shots. now sometimes i have an easy swing that i use in such a situation, but i more think of swing plane and accuracy as opposed to speed of the club.

[firstcut]

Thanks for the tips guys. I tried choking down on the driver and the results were not pretty! I may give it a few shots on the range though...

The shortened backswing has some possibilities too. I have freind who recently went to a 3/4 backswing and he's hitting em' better than ever.

Thanks again!