help with the driver

[RIduffer]

I'm in my 30s, in good shape, but I rarely get more than 225 yds off the tee. This puts tons of pressure on my short game, and leaves me hitting 3-wood into par-4s at times. I hit the ball extremely high, so I'm assuming there's some loft being added at impact.

As it is, I'm hitting a 9.5 stiff shaft Titleist 983E, just to get a somewhat lower trajectory. I realize the 983E is really designed for better players with high swing speed, but if I swing a 10.5 reg. flex driver, I'll hit it straight up into the clouds. Into the wind, the ball goes nowhere.

I've tried teeing the ball different heights, moving the ball position, flatter swing, but I always hit the ball high and short. I generally hit the ball pretty straight (slight draw, slight fade) so it's not like there's a ton of sidespin on the ball. But I guess I'm putting backspin on it?

Any suggestions for getting a lower, more penetrating ballflight? Interested in hearing any swing or equipment changes I could try. Thanks.

[uttexas]

I'd recommend going to your nearest flight monitor and have a pro select a driver/shaft/ball combination for you.

In the meantime, try putting the ball further back in your stance, tee it a bit lower, and swing flatter with a stronger grip.

What is your carry if you are hitting 225 off the tee? I'm guessing it is a very high shot with no roll.

[RIduffer]

I'd recommend going to your nearest flight monitor and have a pro select a driver/shaft/ball combination for you.

I was fitted once, but I think I was swinging alot different than I normally do. The club he recommended was regular flex, 10 degree, and I just ballooned it.

I have been trying a stronger grip, which helps with distance and ballflight, but I'm struggling to get accuracy. I will continue working on it. Yes, you are correct. My ball gets zero roll.

[uttexas]

The other swing change to try to get more roll, is to close your stance a bit. Drop your rear foot 6-12 inches behind your front foot. See if you get more distance.

[bsettle]

Ball Flight come from two sources:

Swing - adding loft, like you mentioned (really no reason to give swing advice on a forum, because I cannot see you swing) but just try and maintain a good wrist angle as far down in the downswing as possible and hit the ball with a square left wrist. This will ensure you are hitting the ball with the correct loft

Shaft - Try shafts with higher weight and higher kickpoints to lower your flight. Dont worry about the flex because manufacturers all have different flex standards; just try and match your swing speed with the correct flex as best you can. Remember higher weight = lower flight AND higher kickpoint or bend point = lower flight.

You are also probably creating a TON of spin which is why your balls balloon up with the wind. These types of shafts will help get your spin rate down, but a ball change may be a good idea. Look for a ball with low spin (TaylorMade TP Red) to help with that.

[ks8829]

Along with the previous tips, your backswing also may cause your high shots, without changing your swing to much, if you keep your backswing lower to the ground as natural as possible without swaying back, this will change the angle of contact on your driver and help promote a lower ball flight as well.

You could be picking up the club on the backswing quickly and this with the other suggestion might help the ball flight to be lower.

[RIduffer]

Appreciate the input guys. Just an update, I have recently been trying the S&T; swing and am so far seeing some improvement with the driver. I know not everyone advocates this approach (especially with driver), but having my weight forward is helping me to lower the ballflight. Many of my tendencies (overswing, sway, lifting the club quickly) are less of a factor with S&T;, and I have been hitting it pretty solid so far.

Thanks again.

[Vance87]

I don't know if this will work, but maybe you could concentrate on using the wrists through impact. I kind of figured out that if I feel like I'm powering my hands through impact (in effect, rolling my wrists over) I get alot more distance. When I hit it flush I can get it out to about 290 (and straight)...I'm working on getting that everytime, haha.

[Keep It Simple]

Hitting the ball too high means your hands are behind the ball at impact. This happens if you sway back out of position during your backswing and don't return to your address position during the downswing and/or you are trying to swing too hard from the top of the swing causing the club to unwind too soon.

Try the following:

1. Stay centered throughout your swing. Loading your right side is good, but not by swaying off the ball. A good shoulder turn and getting your left hip turning back (and not sliding right) will do the trick.

2. Take a couple of half speed practice swings with the clubhead well above the ground (so you are not focused on hitting) feeling the clubhead release in front of the ball. You will notice this can't be done swinging at full force from the top, but only by smoothly accelerating the club after transistioning into the downswing. I also use these practice swings to establish swing plane and shaking hands with the target on my follow through.

Good Luck !!

[RIduffer]

Hitting the ball too high means your hands are behind the ball at impact. This happens if you sway back out of position during your backswing and don't return to your address position during the downswing and/or you are trying to swing too hard from the top of the swing causing the club to unwind too soon.

Thank you. I think you have perfectly described the problems in my swing. I'm off-balance in the backswing, and my transition gets way too quick. Feels like I'm chopping down from the top instead of unwinding smoothly and accelerating through the hitting area.

[GolferNewb]

Keep the backswing straight and follow through with the emblem of the glove pointing towards the target as long as possible.