Inconsistent isn't the right word. Driver woes.

[Heisenberg]

So for the last two months I have been getting really into golfing. Going to the range a few times a week, getting to a course once sometimes twice a week.

When I first walk up to a tee, whether on a green or at a range my first few shots are cruddy. Which is fine, I need to find my groove. Here is where it goes bad.

I go to a range and after a few fizzle out, top out, or slice at ungodly angles I start getting into my rhythm. I can put the ball 250+ on a fly with a pretty good location that would be on the fairway or just into the rough, if said course was straight. Once in my rhythm I do ok. I will still have a couple cruddy shots sprinkled in there.

Fast forward to a course. 1st tee. Ok its my turn. Set up tee, practice swing. SWOOSH!

Miss/ topped/ dramatically hooked/10 foot roll you name it.

Thankfully I usually golf with my dad and its ok to just swing over but it is so damn embarrassing. I don't try to kill the ball, especially as of late. I just want to be able to make contact and put it in play. I don't get it. I would have thought by now making contact with a golf ball should be no problem. It shouldn't even be an issue. I have put in the practice.

Agh.. Idk. frustrated with yesterdays 9. I had 3 good drives. One of them cleared the 250 marker on the fairway on a par 4 and set me up for a nice PW shot. 2 putted it to make par but that's not the point =D

I don't know. anyone have an experience like this?

Please help

[Mr Smell Good]

If you're having problems just making contact it could be something as simple as moving your head too much during your swing?  For me, making contact isn't the issue but hitting fairways is an issue for most golfers with the driver.  Didn't Phil Mickelson just win a tournament recently while not including a driver in his bag?  If he doesn't feel confident hitting fairways with it, I don't know if I ever will.

Try focusing on these 3 things when you practice with your driver next time:

1)don't move your head

2)choke up a couple inches because drivers are long

3) weight transfer - don't move your weight too far back to your right leg (assuming you are a righty) during your backswing.  Make sure you have a good percentage of your weight forward at impact.

[Heisenberg]

thanks.

I feel the problem has to do with my positioning. As of now I am somewhat far from the ball, but I don't choke up on the driver at all. My left hand is all the way up and I have an interlocking grip with the right. Maybe I'll try choking up.

But my only problem is, once I get "settled" I am having great contact and fairly straight. its almost like a mental barrier but it might be in my address.

Idk I watch golf a lot, I look at videos, tips, read about it, browse this forum.

Sometimes I think I have too many things going on in my head at address. Its like I run a check list in my head.

ball on tee

position ball so the top half is over the club head

get in position

left arm straight

shift weight

make sure my stance is wide enough

make sure grip isn't too tight

keep head still

make sure back is straight

etc

etc

[Mr Smell Good]

Have you seen that youtube video with over a million views that's called "the best driver video" or something like that?

I feel you on the thinking too much during my swing thing.  With my irons and wedges I can clear my mind a little better and even get away with a mistake if something doesn't go right during my swing but with the driver there is no forgiveness.

[Heisenberg]

I have never seen that video, I will look it up now thanks.

exactly. I feel my iron shots are so much more clean and free of thought. like my mind is at ease and settled. whereas at the tee I feel like a cluster of tips and tricks and hints and strategy mixed with not wanting to miss my ball mixed with not wanting to be embarrassed if i miss.

yesterday I made some of the best iron shots I ever had EVER. lol

My swing was more fluent and aside from under or overpowering distance wise, my balls were on line and had great loft.

felt like I could have played the whole round with my SW =D

but then it was time to drive anddddd. ugh.

[Mr Smell Good]

I have never seen that video, I will look it up now thanks.

exactly. I feel my iron shots are so much more clean and free of thought. like my mind is at ease and settled. whereas at the tee I feel like a cluster of tips and tricks and hints and strategy mixed with not wanting to miss my ball mixed with not wanting to be embarrassed if i miss.

yesterday I made some of the best iron shots I ever had EVER. lol

My swing was more fluent and aside from under or overpowering distance wise, my balls were on line and had great loft.

felt like I could have played the whole round with my SW =D

but then it was time to drive anddddd. ugh.

Remember there is no shame in teeing off with a 4 iron until you get the hang of a consistent driver swing.  That being said I never actually follow that advice... haha

[Strandly]

I played yesterday and had a little bit of a breakthrough with my driver.  I watched quite a few videos and read multiple articles and became so paranoid about swinging over the top that my driver swing actually became too flat .  I made it a little bit steeper, was able to hinge my wrists more, backed up from the ball about an inch, was able to swing harder, and found I was able knock it straight about 250 yards (total, not carry).

Anyway, if you are missing or topping the ball I'm guessing you're lifting your upper body during the swing, maybe to watch where the ball flies.  Try teeing up a ball and tell yourself you don't care where it flies, all you're going to do is stare at the spot where the ball is until 5 seconds after the swing ends.  Hit the ball and pay attention to how it feels.  If it feels like you've been staring at the spot for an eternity it was probably actually 2 seconds and the source of your problem might be failing to maintain a steady head.