Driver Alignment Question

[boogielicious]

OK, this may be a dumb question but...

For adjustable drivers, Manufacturers show the adjustments as for example: 1 deg closed or 2 deg open, etc. Are they saying you should align the club at address this way?

Even for regular versus "Tour" drivers, some companies show the club closed at address in their photos.

I find all of my clubs very easy to align at address except the woods and most drivers I have demoed. The front face is curved and it makes it more difficult. You'd think they would make it easier for the longest clubs.

[ks8829]

Most drivers have an alignment on the putter grip, If the driver is designed to be 2 degrees closed at address then keep it 2 degrees closed at address for your set up (this is true square set up for that driver)

I sometime play around with the difference degrees of open and close to see what results that I get with your regular swing that I can use on the course.

[drglew]

Yes, 2 degrees closed means that if you set up "normally" (i.e. without manipulation of your grip or clubface), the clubface should actually be a 2 degrees closed. This is part of how many draw-biased drivers are designed (and often by much more than 2 degrees; if i recall correctly, the "neutral" '07 TM Burner was 2 degrees closed, and the draw version even moreso).

This probably doesn't mean that in your actual swing the clubface remains 2 degrees closed at impact; otherwise you'll hit a big pull. However, considering the majority of amateurs' driver swings are outside-in (i.e. putting sidespin on the ball resulting in a fade/slice), the "preclosed" clubface of a draw-biased (or adjusted) driver will correct that swing path resulting in a straighter shot.

btw I play an adjustable driver...currently set at 1-degree closed; used to be at 2-degrees, but i started hitting hooks! Now i'm back to pretty straight or a slight fade.

[boogielicious]

Thanks guys. Reason I ask is if I set up neutral with my driver, I tend to overdraw or even hook (with weights in the neutral setting). My swing is definitely in to out with S&T.; I find I have to have the face slightly open at address to get a straight or a push draw shot shape. I want to look at new drivers and just wanted to know the details.