Fix High Drives

[FutureSound]

All of a sudden my drives are popping straight up and losing a ton of distance. Does anyone have any tips to help this. BTW I have tried lowering the tee height:)

[fusioncal]

Is this because your swing speed or your impact? If it's swing speed, you need to go with stiffer shaft. If it's impact, you need to go to a pro.

[gaz d]

Play the ball a bit further back in your stance. if it is too close to the front you will catch it on the upswing and give it more height over distance.

[Leek]

Is this because your swing speed or your impact? If it's swing speed, you need to go with stiffer shaft. If it's impact, you need to go to a pro.

Without seeing your swing, it's hard to be precise but, usually when this happens you don't have enough axis tilt.

[$2 Nassau]

Where are you hands?

I just brought my driver trajectory down to a very pleasing height by simply making sure my hands were in the proper place at address and then simply returning them there at impact.

If you sole your driver, and place the head square to your target, you'll notice slight forward lean of the clubshaft, towards the target (this is more pronounced with the irons, especially the wedges). Do not fight that forward shaft lean. It is ever-so-slight with the driver but it is there. My hands were always creeping back behind the ball at address, shaft actually leaning back a little, which adds loft to the clubface and actually pointed it a little to the right as well (bad recipe there). You then really need to do some hand manipulating to get the club to a square place at impact.

Instead, place your hands about even with the ball, maybe just a hair forward of the ball...utilizing the forward lean of the shaft. Then just concentrate on bringing the hands back to that position at impact, slightly leading the clubhead while keeping your body behind the ball. On takeway, make sure you take the entire club back, not just whipping the clubhead back with your wrists.

I couldn't believe the results. Hey, I'm not a teaching pro but it's a tip from a teaching pro and worth a try. Works great with all other clubs too, helps you hit down and through with your irons. I always fought the forward lean for some reason, caused a flipping motion, not good. Tried this at the range yesterday and can't wait to get out and play!!

I did some online research as well...took a look at pictures of pros at impact with their drivers...the all lead slightly with there hands, with the clubhead lagging behind.

This is probably something I should have known a long time ago, and I'm sure the better players on this board are saying "well duh..." but I'm a little thick-headed, you know

Give it a try.

[golfmonke]

Can you tell us more about your ball flight?

Does it start left of target, straight, right?

Curves left to right, right to left?

Where on the club face are you hitting the ball?

[digger21]

Isnt the pop up usually caused by coming in at a steep angle into the ball instead of a slight upswing? If you have sky marks on your driver I believe that is the cause. Of course nobody can tell without seeing your swing