Is what I'm thinking here correct?

[OzzDOA]

The thing with the driver and woods is that they are different from the other 11+ clubs in your bag. They are longer and the weight is distributed differently. I am working on straightening out my driver now and am starting to understand that because of the difference between the woods and irons/wedges you in effect need a different swing. With my irons I have a more verticle swing plane and it works just fine with those clubs, but due to the length and weighting of the woods the more verticle swing will lead to an outside-in swing path. Controlling the club with the driver and woods is much more critical. I have to stay conscious that I need to make a lower, more horizontal, sweeping swing with these clubs to affect the in-out-in swing needed to hit the ball straighter and with consistency. What I'm not so sure of is should I have "different" swings? To me it seems like Tiger, Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington etc. don't swing any differently unless they are trying to play a specific shot. Then again, this may just be my lack of expertise in recognizing differences in the swings.

[golfmentalist]

believe only what you hear form coaches

[Leftygolfer]

The only difference is set up and ball position. The swing is the same and the differences neccessary would be addressed with a good set up and ball position.

[Shindig]

The only difference is set up and ball position. The swing is the same and the differences neccessary would be addressed with a good set up and ball position.

+1. You're farther away, and the ball is a little farther forward in your stance, but otherwise, it's the same swing.

[OzzDOA]

If the only difference is setup and ball position then why do I hit my 4h to SW perfectly straight 95% of the time but slice my driver and fairway woods? Think about it geometrically. Looking from behind you towards the target and picture an angle being formed by a line from the shaft of the club down to the impact point and a line running parallel with the deck. You'll see that the longer the shaft gets the flatter that angle becomes. If you think about it isn't the swing plane defined by the angle of the shaft in relation to the impact point and the deck? So if you have a flatter angle to begin with wouldn't you need a flatter, more horizontal or "inside" swing to return the club to a squared position at impact?

[Leftygolfer]

It is a result of the set up. The longer shaft is going to be swung with a flatter plan as a result of the ball being farther from you. Maybe you could move a bit farther from the ball with the woods to promote a more flat swing.

[OzzDOA]

I have noticed that I do hit the ball with the woods towards the heel of the club. I'll try setting up a smidge towards the toe and see what happens. I also plan on doing lots and lots of gate drills to make sure my swing is controlled and on plane.

[CG031]

I have noticed that I do hit the ball with the woods towards the heel of the club. I'll try setting up a smidge towards the toe and see what happens. I also plan on doing lots and lots of gate drills to make sure my swing is controlled and on plane.

When I'm hitting my woods/driver on the heel I try to get the feel of swinging 'towards right field and with a high finish.' This gets my down swing on a flatter plane - it generally seems to work, certainly worth a try.

[iacas]

I have noticed that I do hit the ball with the woods towards the heel of the club. I'll try setting up a smidge towards the toe and see what happens. I also plan on doing lots and lots of gate drills to make sure my swing is controlled and on plane.

Could be your weight is on your heels at setup, too. Your body will lean forward ever so slightly on the downswing, and you'll hit some heelies and some pop-ups (as well as some fat and thin) if you can't adjust on the fly.