Developing Consistency off the tee?

[bkoguy07]

Hey guys, I usually hit a decent amount of fairways for my skill level (about 7 out of 11 holes that I hit driver on) but what I'm concerned about are my misses. I hit a lot of straight powerful drives right down the fairway but those 4-5 fairways that I do end up missing NASTY slice out of bounds or into water, which in that case those are my "blowup" holes. They are single handedly destroying my score. Sometimes I use irons off the tee on holes with pretty rough hazards and tight ob, but I'm wondering how should I eliminate this slice with my driver that comes back randomly and rips me apart? How did you develop that last little bit of consistency to avoid those blow up holes? I understand we all have them, but I expect only 1 - 2 a round, not 3+. Basically when I miss its a bad one lol. I just wanna learn to be a little bit more consistent of the tee box.


Thanks!

[double_j]

Learn a swing that you can rely on to counter your worse mis-hit on the holes where it would hurt you. For example, if you know that your normal miss is a big slice and you have trouble right off the tee, learn how to hit a draw (or even a semi-snap hook) to keep it away from the worst possible trouble. You might sacrifice some distance or prettiness but you'll ensure that you have a playable second shot.

Otherwise, just don't hit driver on the holes where your normal mis-hit will hurt you too much.

[whatwhatwhat]

I think mindset has alot to do with it, if you stand on the tee box with the worst hazards and are thinking "dont go in the hazard, dont go in the hazard" you're probably going to end up in one place. Something that help me massively is to not focus on the swing on the tee box just the target, it may seem obvious but golf is a mind game for the most part.

[tshapiro]

I find the best way to eliminate a bad thing (casting) is to focus on what I should be doing - leading the transition and downswing with the left hip (or both hips together if that works for you). If you can get consistant with that one action and don't let your ball creep back too far in your setup than you should be able to keep that slice in check. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done

[bopanic]

if we could all develope more consistency off the tee would would all be much better off. if you think about it EVERYTHING in golf starts with this idea...

[bkoguy07]

Yeah I agree probably most of my problems are mental but its tough to see 3 great driven fairways then one slice wayyyyy out of bounds. I'm really consistent with my irons and distances (aside from windage which can give me some troubles) but just slicing one out of bounds is so tough mentally for me to deal with I guess. Throws me off my entire game. I was just wondering what certain people did to combat missing "badly" that way I can turn that mean slice into a fade or some sorts. I agree with the idea of don't hit it in the water don't hit it in the water... AW WHAT THE HELL I HIT IT IN THE WATER. Happened yesterday... lol

[brgolf]

Mental problems become physical. Big hazard on the right and we make compensations which typically result in a cut shot.

Between good players hazards don't really cause as much fear. If there is a big pond before the green I don't doubt my club. Avoiding unwanted fades/draws which could cause me trouble are another matter.

[bkoguy07]

Mental problems become physical. Big hazard on the right and we make compensations which typically result in a cut shot.

Yeah it doesn't happen to me a whole lot, BUT the unwanted random slice, that really bugs me.. which is what I'm trying to kill into maybe a fade at best.. or something to correct my miss to where I'm not punished as much.

[Leftygolfer]

I have much of the same problem. My good ones are great, but my bad ones are horrid and at best cost me one shot.

Cure?? I don't have one. For me, I hit big pushes now if I don't complete the backswing and my sequence of events gets messed up. I think the only way to fix this is have a good consistant move where your misses are still ok. That is the goal at least.

[ks8829]

I believe there is no quick fix with your driver and the 3 bad holes unless you begin to understand what causes your big slices.

[David in FL]

The hardest thing in golf, at least for me is to hit the ball perfectly straight. When you're trying to do so, you're pretty much aiming down the center and hoping for the best. That takes half the fairway out of play for you. Pick one, fade or draw (I'm a fader) and stick with it unless the hole absolutely doesn't allow it. Set up correctly and you double the amount of fairway available to you.

I take a lot of money off of people who laugh at what they refer to as my "cheesy little cut"........ 240 in the fairway beats the heck out of 280 in the woods all day long.

[Paradox]

my biggest miss is a straight slice so I know that if I'm hitting that...my path is ok but my hands are not getting the club square. So I always try to aim down the left-center of the fairway and that way I can be safe if I hit my usual straight shot and not find too much trouble if I do slice or fade the ball. on fairways where going too far left can get me into trouble i.e. I can run out of fairway or the left side really drops off then I'll just aim more for the center and swing easier.

There are days when none of this works but for the most part, it suits me just fine.

[saevel25]

Wrong, your path is wrong your clubface is still a bit shut.

If you close your clubface you will do a pull slice, and if you close it to much you will pull it. The reason is that you hit it starting off straight so your clubface is square to your target line, but your swing path is outside which means the clubface is open to the swing path, ie slice spin.

[jl923]

Do you guys think a draw or fade shot shape is preferable when trying to limit the damage of a slice?

[saevel25]

To limit the damage of the slice, fix whats causing the slice. Its hard to shape the shot when you have a slice.

For example, the difference between a push draw and push fade is how open the clubface is. If your trying to slice you either do a pull fade or a pull draw. Which is harder to time because your hands have to work againts your body.