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When is driver off the deck a good play?


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My friend tried to hit his driver off the deck once....he was shopping for a new driver the next day

I've tried it a few times. Never in a competition though. The situation has never come up to use it.

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Unless I were Bubba Watson, I would never consider it with today's drivers.  They cost $400+ and the bottom edge is usually rolled to some degree.  Titleist 975 was the last driver I hit off the deck.  The 460s, no way....  Just hit a 3 wood 300 yards if you want...  That would be just as impressive as some of these driver off the deck stories.  Probably about as difficult too, but with less chance of needing a new 3 wood for the next round.

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Originally Posted by bunkerputt

Unless I were Bubba Watson, I would never consider it with today's drivers.  They cost $400+ and the bottom edge is usually rolled to some degree.  Titleist 975 was the last driver I hit off the deck.  The 460s, no way....  Just hit a 3 wood 300 yards if you want...  That would be just as impressive as some of these driver off the deck stories.  Probably about as difficult too, but with less chance of needing a new 3 wood for the next round.


He takes a 3/4 swing (for Bubba that was a 3/4 swing) and hits a low fade that a lot of good players could hit with a 3-wood (not a GI 3-wood though) or a 2-iron. He had the perfect conditions for the shot, practices the shot obviously, and gets his drivers for free. Three things not likely to occur too often for the vast majority of players, but he pulled it off and it made for good TV.

If someone wants to add this shot to their aresenal, I'd suggest considering a strong 3-wood or picking up a Big Bertha driver off ebay - look for the Warbird soleplate. Master that shot, then give a new driver a spin, but don't wreck your new baby working out the kinks.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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Well, y'all go ahead and believe what you want.  It's a great shot to have and it does work, but I guess all of you know better without ever even  meeting me - then so be it.  Like I said earlier, I've been doing it for more than 20 years, from the tiny heads on the original TM metal drivers to my current 460, and it still works.  I haven't owned a driver during that period which I couldn't hit from the deck.  I did qualify it earlier by saying that I don't try it from the tightest lies.  I need a little bit of a cushion under the ball, but still not much.  As another point I also tee my driver low, no more than 3/4 of an inch.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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For people who've never had any succes with driver off the fairway, or can really stripe a 3-wood, then it might seem ridiculous. When I used a 9 degree BB Warbird off the fairway a few times, I thought, "this low fade would be a great shot to have in the bag". The club is almost indestructible and I was putting it out there a long way.

But I still hit my newer 3-wood farther and can hit it just as low. I can also work it both ways - not just a fade. I can probably do it, but not worth wrecking a modern thin faced, soft metal one.

Different strokes for different folks. The OP was answered - there are certainly places and times when it's the right shot, for some people. There are also players for whom it is never the right shot.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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Originally Posted by iacas

In certain situations? An extra 50 yards. And even if I'm only half as "consistent" (what does that even mean? what are the parameters?) the 50 yards matters.

Just because something hasn't occurred to you doesn't mean it doesn't work. Bubba hit a driver into Kapalua's 18th, remember? He couldn't have hit that shot with his 3W. Guess he should move up a set of tees? That's the problem with speaking in absolutes...


I hope you are not hinting that your game is anywhere near the level of Bubba's... lol. Let me rephrase that, I'm sure your more knowledgeable on the swing than Bubba, but let's be realistic about the ability to actually pull it off like Bubba can.

And what real purpose does it serve when a 3 wood can do exactly the same thing with much better results. I understand speaking in absolutes, but it is absolutely unnecessary for an amateur golfer to attempt this shot in my opinion.

And it appears I am not the only one that feels that way.

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Originally Posted by CuppedTin

I understand speaking in absolutes, but it is absolutely unnecessary for an amateur golfer to attempt this shot in my opinion.

And it appears I am not the only one that feels that way.

Then you would be wrong.  There is no way I can hit the same shot with my 3W that I can hit with the driver.  The 3W flies higher and not nearly as far.  Just because I'm hitting it from the deck, that doesn't change the physics of the shot.  With a shaft which is some 2" longer (equating to a higher clubhead speed), and a face which is 3° flatter, the driver's trajectory simply has to be different for a given swing.  The driver flies lower, carries about the same, then rolls out a good 20+ yards farther than the 3W.  Typical distance for my 3W is 210 -220 yards.  For driver off the deck it's 230-240, which is about the same as off a tee.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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Originally Posted by CuppedTin

I hope you are not hinting that your game is anywhere near the level of Bubba's... lol. Let me rephrase that, I'm sure your more knowledgeable on the swing than Bubba, but let's be realistic about the ability to actually pull it off like Bubba can.

I never said I could pull it off as well as Bubba. Let's stick to what's actually said, okay?

Originally Posted by CuppedTin

And what real purpose does it serve when a 3 wood can do exactly the same thing with much better results. I understand speaking in absolutes, but it is absolutely unnecessary for an amateur golfer to attempt this shot in my opinion.

In certain situations, you can not get "exactly the same thing with much better results." If there is ever the case... guess what? I hit a 3W. If the opposite is the case, that the driver will work better, then guess what? I'll hit driver.

I continue to find the drawing of absolute lines about how people should play to be in poor form.

BTW:

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/11987/driver-off-the-deck (I don't play at Lake View as much so once every 4-5 rounds is now greatly reduced.)

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/11987/driver-off-the-deck/72#post_147783

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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Originally Posted by Fourputt

Then you would be wrong.  There is no way I can hit the same shot with my 3W that I can hit with the driver.  The 3W flies higher and not nearly as far.  Just because I'm hitting it from the deck, that doesn't change the physics of the shot.  With a shaft which is some 2" longer (equating to a higher clubhead speed), and a face which is 3° flatter, the driver's trajectory simply has to be different for a given swing.  The driver flies lower, carries about the same, then rolls out a good 20+ yards farther than the 3W.  Typical distance for my 3W is 210 -220 yards.  For driver off the deck it's 230-240, which is about the same as off a tee.


Then you must be teeing it up in the fairway my man, because 10 out of 10 shots there is no way you are better off playing this shot. Awesome, you get 20 yards farther on 2 shots and your other 8 go out of bounds... Why not simply put the 3 back in your stance and play the same shot and hit the fairway or green every time.

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Originally Posted by CuppedTin

Then you must be teeing it up in the fairway my man, because 10 out of 10 shots there is no way you are better off playing this shot. Awesome, you get 20 yards farther on 2 shots and your other 8 go out of bounds... Why not simply put the 3 back in your stance and play the same shot and hit the fairway or green every time.


I draw the line at you calling someone else a liar. Knock it off, dude.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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N.A.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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Originally Posted by CuppedTin

Then you must be teeing it up in the fairway my man, because 10 out of 10 shots there is no way you are better off playing this shot. Awesome, you get 20 yards farther on 2 shots and your other 8 go out of bounds... Why not simply put the 3 back in your stance and play the same shot and hit the fairway or green every time.

Have you ever seen me play golf?????  No.  Have you any idea what I can do?  No.  All you have is your own tunnel view of what's right or wrong for the game, and everyone has to toe your line.  I suppose I'm also wrong for not having a LW?  Or for carrying 2 hybrids and having no iron longer than a 5I?

I'll just have to wish you a good day.  Bye now!

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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the head flew off my 910D3 the next day after I hit a few drivers off the deck on the range.

i'll never do it again.

Bag:
Driver and 3-wood: Titleist 910D3 9.5* + 910Df 15* w/ Aldila RIP 80 X flex
2-iron: King Cobra II Forged DG-x100

3-Hybrid: 20* Adams 9031DF DG-x100
4-9 irons: Bridgestone Tour Premium DG-s400
Wedges: Vokey 200 series: 48, 54, 60 DG-s400
Putter: original Cameron Newport gunmetal blue
 

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Originally Posted by B of H

the head flew off my 910D3 the next day after I hit a few drivers off the deck on the range.

i'll never do it again.


What did you do?  Try to take a 6" divot with it?  I've been doing it for a long time and never damaged a club in the process.  I've never lost the head off a club ever, for any reason, in more than 30 years playing golf.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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Originally Posted by B of H

the head flew off my 910D3 the next day after I hit a few drivers off the deck on the range.

i'll never do it again.



I've broken drivers at the range before; that's why I rarely go to ranges that only use mats.

-Rich

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Originally Posted by iacas

I never said I could pull it off as well as Bubba. Let's stick to what's actually said, okay?

In certain situations, you can not get "exactly the same thing with much better results." If there is ever the case... guess what? I hit a 3W. If the opposite is the case, that the driver will work better, then guess what? I'll hit driver.

I continue to find the drawing of absolute lines about how people should play to be in poor form.

BTW:

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/11987/driver-off-the-deck (I don't play at Lake View as much so once every 4-5 rounds is now greatly reduced.)

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/11987/driver-off-the-deck/72#post_147783





Originally Posted by Fourputt

Have you ever seen me play golf?????  No.  Have you any idea what I can do?  No.  All you have is your own tunnel view of what's right or wrong for the game, and everyone has to toe your line.  I suppose I'm also wrong for not having a LW?  Or for carrying 2 hybrids and having no iron longer than a 5I?

I'll just have to wish you a good day.  Bye now!



Look man, I'm not meaning to call you a liar as I really don't care how you play, but if you can't shoot par and I'm just taking a wild stab that you can't, then how in the world can you consistently hit a driver off the deck? That's all I'm saying.

And I'm done posting on this thread as well, because it's just the same 5 or 6 people that continue posting on all of them. I guess I am just more about consistency than novelty shots...

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Originally Posted by CuppedTin

Look man, I'm not meaning to call you a liar as I really don't care how you play, but if you can't shoot par and I'm just taking a wild stab that you can't, then how in the world can you consistently hit a driver off the deck? That's all I'm saying.

And I'm done posting on this thread as well, because it's just the same 5 or 6 people that continue posting on all of them. I guess I am just more about consistency than novelty shots...



Are you saying you doubt certain forum posters' claims of hitting driver off the deck consistently as far as they do off a tee? What are you basing this doubt on?

I'm just asking because I feel offended every time someone claims that any amateur who claims to be able to drive the ball consistently farther than Brad Faxon or Ben Crenshaw (OFF A TEE) is a GD liar - ironically . . .

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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I'm going to agree with CuppedTin and highly doubt that someone is hitting the same off the ground as they are off the tee.  If you hit your driver 240 off the deck and 240 off the tee then you have poor off the tee mechanics.  The fact that you have to hit driver on your second shot usually (not always) means that you hit a sub par tee shot.  If you couldn't hit a good shot off the tee why in your train of thought would you think you could now hit the same club off the deck.  If you watch Bubba Watson's shot you will see that he took quite a bit of divot.  He is strong enough to pull off that shot.

I don't get why people are getting on him for questioning what some one says.  When people question everyone who says they average 300 yards off the tee.  He probably has experience with the shot and knows how difficult it is to pull off.  Seeing as he is an 8 handicap I  am sure that he has a good swing and can play a vast array of shots.  Hitting a driver off the deck is hard.  Also a claim that you can hit a driver 50 yards farther off the deck then your 3 wood seems strange to me.  I can't even hit my driver 50 yards farther than my 3 wood when I use my driver off the tee.  I average 235-250 off the tee, and when I was consistantly hitting my 3 wood I would average in the neighborhood of 210-220.   And my 3 wood is a persimmon wood.

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