Options for a driver

[browndog]

Very new golfer. Decided to take some advice I read here as well as from others and put away my driver for now. I started hitting my hybrid 3 iron instead and have to say that I'm on the fairway much more. You gotta know the range is not all that I'm anywhere from 177 - 200 yards. I'm thrilled.

I have tried my fairway woods but find I still slice those pretty bad (just like my driver)

Anyway, any other club that I could hit off the tee box to replace my driver that might give me a little more range than the hybrid 3 iron? I have to say my score has gotten better by 10 strokes easy. Guys on my leauge are saying "Hey look, he got smart and put away the driver" What convinced me is we have a gent that is around 70 had a stroke and can barely clear the female tee's He pars or better every time on each hole.

Thanks in advance

[PiKapp23]

The next logical step is to try choking up on driver by at least 1-2 inches and try swinging more controlled. If you can hit it 10 yards past your 3H in the fairway then that's at least something. Most players hit the ball much better by choking up on driver (or even having shaft cut down to under 45"). Doing this shortens up the swing making it easier to hit the sweet spot on the driver (it's not just a myth... ) and also effectively stiffens the shaft, making it easier to control.

There are other options such as getting a lower lofted hybrid (I carry a 17* 2H, which I sometimes use off tee), but you're going to want to hit the driver at some point anyway. Leaving it in the bag all the time is not helping you to learn to hit it, but choking up and swinging more in control will. If nothing else get a lesson (or more than one) on driving. Using a different club on tight driving holes is always a good option, but it's nice to be able to pull out the proverbial 'big dog' on those long holes to help put you in better position to score.

[SquareIT]

Like PiKapp23 is saying with gripping down on driver, do the same with fairway woods. I started out in the same situation as you and worked at the range until I felt pretty good about moving up a club at a time, 3I to 5W to 3W to driver. I also had to really resist the urge to swing harder with a longer club.

Also based on the type of Hybrid you are hitting (if it's more wood like or more iron like) can help you decide what club to move up to before getting to driver. If it's more wood like you might do well with fairway woods or go for a stronger hybrid. Whatever helps you have more fun playing. Good luck!

[mhodar13]

I'd say to also work on the tempo of you're driver swing as well. If you swing hard and you have a regular flex shaft it could be working against you. as long as you can hit your driver shots consistenly in the first cut of rough not more than 10 yards off the fairway you should be alright 250 in the very slight rough is most likely a better lie than 170 yards in the fairway. You don't have to muscle your second shot as much in that case. But if you're just hitting OB every drive than maybe coke down or if not and if you're still all over than either get the shaft cut down or just keep using the hybrid.