New golfer with a couple questions...(Driver doesn't work)

[jsb990]

So I started golfing last summer and was just using other people clubs and learned the swing and all that (fell in love and am totally addicted). At the start of this summer I bought my own clubs (Taylormade burner superlaunch series), and have been playing about once a week for the last 3-4 months. I started shooting in the high 90s, low hundreds, now I am upset if I shoot anything above 90. I'd say my average is about 86, with some rounds I've shot as low as 80 (cant break 80 tho). Would you say that is a good start for someone who has played as much as I have? Also do you think that the superlaunch series (massive sole - begginer clubs) will hinder my progress? I just turned 21 btw.

My biggest problem is my driver, I can't figure that club out. I'm naturally athletic and a lot of ppl have told me I have a very natural golf swing, I have no problem making perfect contact with any club, but for some reason my driver slices like crazy. Is it possible the flex in it (graphite shaft) causes this? I play routinely with a single digit handicapper, and he doesn't even know why I slice. It's brutal because I have retired my driver and just hit my 3 hybrid off the deck, which I can hit about 230 dead straight...but I can hit my driver 280, but 100 yards left too lol. I feel it would take my game to the next level. All my irons hybrids and wedges are straight, yet with a similar swing my driver just is out of control.

Last question, I have a real problem with approaches from about 100 yards. I will purposly hit the ball shorter off the tee to make sure my approach is about 115-130 where I can hit a 9 iron or pitching wedge with ease. I have a pitching wedge which I hit 115, and a 9 iron which I go for about 130, but at 100 I have no club. My sand wedge goes about 80, what club should I purchase for that distance?

[jsb990]

Ohh, and I have got my divot on my irons to be infront of the ball (apparently the correct area), but I can't figure out backspin. When my ball hits the green it doesn't really roll forward, but it also doesn't backspin, it might go like a foot or two forward after hitting the green. How do you put more backspin?

[jsb990]

Bahh sry, I just have so many questions, this sport is taking over my mind. What should I add to my bag so far its:

No name off the shelf driver (graphite, with some serious flex)

3&4 taylormade hybrids

5-P taylormade burner superlaunch irons

titleist vokey 56 degree wedge

no name ping clone putter (I love this putter tho)

[Jr1Zero]

What is your swing speed and driver flex? You could have the wrong shaft on your driver

[jsb990]

Never was that analytical about my swing, how could I calculate my swing speed?

[Jr1Zero]

If you don't want to pay anything go to a golf galaxy or Dick's or something like that and ask to test out a driver. The computer will tell you the swing speed and ball movement, etc. Anything over 85mph I would imagine you would need a stiff shaft driver.

[jsb990]

I have graphite irons and dont have that problem. Although I do think I'd like to switch to steel

[Jr1Zero]

I slice the hell out of my drive but my problem is all in the swing. I also have graphite regular flex irons and a stiff shaft graphite driver. I would just go to golf galaxy and test some stiff shafts and see what you think. If not post a video of your swing and people will comment on it and give you feedback. I did that and got great tips that I look forward to putting into my swing this weekend. Hope that helps

[jsb990]

Awesome, will do, thx for the reply

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by jsb990

I have no problem making perfect contact with any club,

(Snip.......)

I have a real problem with approaches from about 100 yards. I will purposly hit the ball shorter off the tee to make sure my approach is about 115-130 where I can hit a 9 iron or pitching wedge with ease. I have a pitching wedge which I hit 115, and a 9 iron which I go for about 130, but at 100 I have no club. My sand wedge goes about 80, what club should I purchase for that distance?

1.  - A reality check is in order. You clearly have considerable problems "hitting any club". There's nothing wrong with being realistic about your game.

For someone who is a single digit handicapper to say he has "no idea" why you slice is ridiculous. Any golfer with even the most rudimentary knowledge about the golf swing would be able to identify the cause of your slice after watching one shot. I'll bet you it's not equipment related.  Most beginners fight a slice. Accept that and realise that you have a swing flaw that needs correcting. It is a mistake to think that you hit every other club perfectly. Swing flaws are magnified the longer the club gets- and your driver is your longest club.

2.. - You don't have to hit each club a specific distance. Why not try hitting a slightly softer wedge or 9 iron shot?

You need to vary your shots a bit. The idea of purposely hitting shorter drives so that you are 115 to 130 means that you must be playing on an extremely short course, so your initial question about scoring doesn't mean much. The mid 80 scores on a course like that might be 110 on a more  lengthy course.

Get a lesson!

[x129]

It could be bad equipment as if your hitting it 280 probably need at least a stiff flex but in general slice is caused by an out to in path with an open face.  Without video I wouldn't guess why that is happening.

[Slowswing]

It is true that swig problems are magnified the longer the club but I would assume a slice would present it's self in other clubs as well. long irons, hybrid etc. Just keep practicing with that driver you'll get it. Do a YouTube search on how to fix a slice , maybe something will help you there.

[Spyder]

Shorty pretty much answered all of your questions in his reply. Chances are, if you're slicing your Driver, you're most likely slicing the occasional low hybrid or 3i or whatever it is that you are using. There is no "set in stone" method of correcting a slice without seeing the swing - because quite frankly, an "out to in path" is not the only way to sum up a slice. It is the most frequent cause, but not the "1 commandment" of a slice. I also have a slightly out to in path, yet I cured my slice by working on club release and timing/tempo while also being aware of my lead hand (left hand) position throughout my swing. I have a higher swing speed so beginning my backswing with an open club face usually promoted a general fade or slice as I personally would never recover the face to square at impact. (You can check this by simply grabbing your driver as you normally do and begin your backswing. Stop when the club is parallel with the ground and notice the club face position. Is it 90° to the ground or slightly open? If you're square, continue and stop again in this position on the downswing to check again). Again, this is only generic advice without seeing your actual swing.

If you're not willing to take a lesson or go to a golf store (Golf Galaxy, Golf Smith, Golf Tec, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc.), then you will definitely be in for quite a battle with the driver. I would only be able to recommend going to YouTube and searching for video tips on your driver and try different methods until you notice improvement.

[Grumpter]

Shorty really loves to roll out the welcome mat before he starts digging in to someone... or not. You will run into a few more like him if you stick around.

My advice would be:

1) Schedule a lesson at a facility where they have a computerized analysis system. They should be able to tell what you what the issue(s) with your driver are. Whether it be an equipment issue, swing issue or just mental issue they should be able to help you work on correcting the problem. No sense in us trying to correct your issues without being able to see you swing.

2) Gap between your wedges:

a) Looks like you have 11 clubs, including putter in your bag? You can have up to 14 including your putter. Many players opt to add a gap wedge (or two) to their bag. I have about a 30 yard gap between the distance of my PW and Sand Wedge. I added a gap wedge (50 degrees) that goes about 10 yards further than my Sand Wedge and I learned how to take 5 and ten yards off my Pitching wedge.

b) You should learn to hit shorter shots with clubs which will come in handy when you find yourself under the distance of your shortest club. In order to hit a 70 or 60 yard shot with your sand wedge, or a 105 yard shot with your pitching wedge I wouldn't advise you try shorty's suggestion of "hit it softer". In my experience that is going to lead to you doing inconsistent things trying to take a slower swing. My suggestion would be to 1) choke up about an inch or so to take about 5 yards off and 2) learn what distances you get with a shorter back swing. The key in my opinion is to accelerate normally through the ball. Once you start decelerating or taking softer swings you are most likely headed for inconsistency. There was a good thread on this a while back - http://thesandtrap.com/t/51018/wedge-game-was-disappointing-today-any-advice.

3) Backspin: I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point. You can try out different ball types as they offer varying amounts of spin. I stopped using Titleist Pro V's due to too much backspin for my liking on the courses I typically play.

4) Add to your bag: Besides a gap wedge or 2 I mentioned in point 2 above you might think about a Lob Wedge. I wouldn't suggest you try to take full shots just yet with a lob wedge but it is a great tool for flop shots around the green and for certain types of sand/conditions.

[jsb990]

I dont slice any club except my driver, I don't know why thats impossible to believe? Or maybe I do but its so small I dont notice. And shorty, I'm sorry the high end courses are also expensive (why would a college student drop 60-100$ on one round? LOL). Most of the par 4s at the course I play are between 360 and 400 (its rated 70.something), but that is irrelavent, because I'm asking how to hit that awkward gap I have, not for you to act snobby because I play an easier course. I actually played amabassador where the canadian tour championship was held and played off the same tees and shot a 90. I hit my hybrid off the tee about 230 no wonder I play a bit better than bogey golf cause I have no length off the tee, which is why I started this thread and admitted I have a swing flaw in my driver. But you sound like the typical 'good' golfer I see, make the game seem ridiculously hard for beginners because you're upset that you've peaked and have no future in the sport and it makes you feel better

The only difference really when I hit the driver is that I line the ball up with my front foot, as apposed to my other clubs in which I aline the ball to the centre of my stance.

Also, I have a real hard time 'taking some off' of my swing, I'll usually end up chunking it or hitting it a lot shorter than intended

I think I'll take lessons, thanks for the constructive responses. But now I remember why I hate a lot of golfers lol, so many *******s.

[Grumpter]

Don't let Shorty get you down. There are a few people that come off real cocky but otherwise there are a lot of really nice, helpful posters around here.

[jsb990]

No worries those guys are a dime a dozen. God forbid someone isn't good at golf after 3-4 months playing once a week lol.

Last question actually, is there an easy way to align yourself with your target. I mean I usually try and line my shoulders with where I wanna shoot, but sometimes the ball will go straight, but still off of where I wanted it.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by jsb990

So I started golfing last summer and was just using other people clubs and learned the swing and all that (fell in love and am totally addicted). At the start of this summer I bought my own clubs (Taylormade burner superlaunch series), and have been playing about once a week for the last 3-4 months. I started shooting in the high 90s, low hundreds, now I am upset if I shoot anything above 90. I'd say my average is about 86, with some rounds I've shot as low as 80 (cant break 80 tho). Would you say that is a good start for someone who has played as much as I have? Also do you think that the superlaunch series (massive sole - begginer clubs) will hinder my progress? I just turned 21 btw.

My biggest problem is my driver, I can't figure that club out. I'm naturally athletic and a lot of ppl have told me I have a very natural golf swing, I have no problem making perfect contact with any club, but for some reason my driver slices like crazy. Is it possible the flex in it (graphite shaft) causes this? I play routinely with a single digit handicapper, and he doesn't even know why I slice. It's brutal because I have retired my driver and just hit my 3 hybrid off the deck, which I can hit about 230 dead straight...but I can hit my driver 280, but 100 yards left too lol. I feel it would take my game to the next level. All my irons hybrids and wedges are straight, yet with a similar swing my driver just is out of control.

Last question, I have a real problem with approaches from about 100 yards. I will purposly hit the ball shorter off the tee to make sure my approach is about 115-130 where I can hit a 9 iron or pitching wedge with ease. I have a pitching wedge which I hit 115, and a 9 iron which I go for about 130, but at 100 I have no club. My sand wedge goes about 80, what club should I purchase for that distance?

Yes, you're off to a fine start, but it also sounds like you're in the toddler phase. Whassat? Whassat? Where'd that go? Why'd that one slice? Why can't I get backspin? No, even more backspin, like they do on TV!

Regarding the "perfect" contact with every club: that's not actually happening with "every" club now is it?!?