Hitting my driver too high?

**grizfan** · August 12, 2009

I'm a high-handicapper, but I'm coming off of lessons and a fair amount of practice this summer. My game is improving greatly, and I'm hitting the ball much more consistently. I'm even improving with my driver. I'm a lefty, and when I'm hitting the driver well, I'm playing a slight right to left fade. But, I seem to be getting what I consider too much height on my drives. When I'm hitting well, I estimate I'm getting about 230-240 on my drives, but I'm getting more height than I do on my 3 wood, 7 wood or 4 iron. I'm worried that this height might be costing me distance. It seems like most other people I watch on the range (at least the ones that look like they know what they're doing) are keeping their drives much lower. I've tried varying the tee height, but once I go below having half the ball above the crown of the club (when resting the driver on the ground), I lose considerable accuracy and distance. I'm hitting a Cleveland Hi-Bore 10.5* stock shaft driver, but I've only had it for about 3 weeks (really starting to like it, though).
Any common causes for this or am I worrying about nothing?

thanks!

**senorchipotle** · August 12, 2009

sounds like all your weight is on your back foot instead of your right foot. that would also be the reason why you're fading it, because you're pushing the ball by leaving your club out to the left instead of bringing it through down the line, or a slight bit to the left of the line if you want to play a draw. sounds like you've got some quick hands though if you're able to rescue your shot from being a push/slice. next time you go to the range, try and get your weight to go from inside your left foot on the backswing, to flat on your right foot in the follow through.

**leo3** · August 12, 2009

Without numbers from a launch monitor, specifically launch angle and swing speed, it is impossible to tell if you are hitting it "too high". You may be hitting your 3 and 7 wood too low, but who knows. Before making any radical changes, try moving the ball 1 inch back in your stance, and see if you get a lower flight, and not lose distance.