Is it Ok to hit the driver with a decscending blow

[pholmes]

Because thats is what has happened since I committed to stop making a big move off the ball. I am really straight, but like 20 yards shorter.  I know its a downward strike, because I tee the ball below the clubhead and hit it in the middle.  That tee height has now become best for solid contact.

[joekelly]

Glad 2 hear it.

[bwdial]

Actually, I've seen Trackman numbers that say that most pros hit their drivers with a slightly - like a degree or less - descending blow.  Of course, that doesn't mean going at your driver like a nine iron.

[ThatGolfGuy]

With a desending blow, I'd think about trying a higher lofted club unless your hitting it at a fair height. Might help recover some distance.

[xmanhockey7]

By hitting down on the ball you're losing distance. Tiger and Charles Howell III both hit down pretty severely with their drivers because they're not concerned with hitting big drives. While the average on the PGA Tour is -1* angle of attack (descending blow) that is only the average. Many guys swing up on the ball like Bubba and others swing way down on the ball like Tiger.

If you don't believe me, look it up. Trackman talks about it.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by pholmes

Because thats is what has happened since I committed to stop making a big move off the ball. I am really straight, but like 20 yards shorter.  I know its a downward strike, because I tee the ball below the clubhead and hit it in the middle.  That tee height has now become best for solid contact.

Yes it's ok but not optimal for most.  Guys that swing 110 plus can get away with it.  And you don't really know your angle of attack until you get on a Trackman or Flightscope.

[pholmes]

Thanks, thats what I thought, I think I have become too steep.  I like it because I cant make it go left.

[mdl]

As Mike said, you don't know your exact numbers unless you get on a trackman, which I haven't done and examined my AoA in a good while.  But I've been working on getting proper extension and closing the face fully to finally eliminate my pushes and push-fades.  With the driver I've found it easier to do that moving the ball up in my stance.  I used to play it a good 4+" behind my front instep, now it's pretty much right in line with my front instep.

I'm definitely hitting the ball with an more positive AoA, getting a higher ball flight, and adding serious distance as long as the wind's not in my face.  For the longest time I drove the ball with a mid to mid-low flight with the driver and got carry+roll averaging in the 270s.  I've only gotten to play a few rounds with the new setup, but I bet I've added 10 yards at least on average on a calm day.  First hole the other day with at most a half club helping wind I put my drive out to 330+ with mid-high ball flight off my 9˚ driver.  Put another one into a similar speed straight cross wind slightly uphill to 305, 150 out on the handicap 2 hole.  I play that hole all the time and am almost always in 5i-2h range around 190-210 out.  More positive AoA can do wonders for driver distance!

But again, you can look up optimal launch angle for your swing speed and then tune it on the Trackman if you want definitive answers.

[Missouri Swede]

Related thread:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/44307/hitting-up-or-down-with-the-driver-in-an-inline-pattern

[pholmes]

Thanks mdl, I think mine is a swing issue ad not ball placement since my swing has become steeper with every club and my ball is moved up already.  Glad to see you figured it out.   Hope I can get a similar result.