Can't hit my driver to save my life!

[BogeyBeGood]

A few years ago I was hitting my driver consistently high 290's to occassionally over 340yds, I drove the green on a 345yd par 4 on my home course several times during one season.  I now find myself unable to hit it at all on the course but at the driving range I clear the fence which is 275 consistently but when I get on the course I can't hit it without a hook or slice.  I can take my 4 iron off the tee regularly 240yds+ so I'm not overly concerned about my driver but considering I spent well over $200 for it I'd like to get use out of it!  Obviously you can't see my swing here but any suggestions or people with similar issues?  I may be over swinging and turning my wrist because of torque knowing what I can do with my driver but I'm not 100% sure!

[saevel25]

Create a "My Swing" thread here, http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings

Here are some guidelines on how to video tape your swing, http://thesandtrap.com/t/38240/my-swing-video-threads-rules-please-read

[ks8829]

I believe when you have problems with your driver it all in the back swing or take away.  I practice hitting balls off the fairway or grass with my driver and when you can take the club back and swing thru and hit the ball consistent with the driver off the deck you have found the ideal back swing for your driver.

It works for me and maybe for you too.

[boogielicious]

A few years ago I was hitting my driver consistently high 290's to occassionally over 340yds, I drove the green on a 345yd par 4 on my home course several times during one season.  I now find myself unable to hit it at all on the course but at the driving range I clear the fence which is 275 consistently but when I get on the course I can't hit it without a hook or slice.  I can take my 4 iron off the tee regularly 240yds+ so I'm not overly concerned about my driver but considering I spent well over $200 for it I'd like to get use out of it!  Obviously you can't see my swing here but any suggestions or people with similar issues?  I may be over swinging and turning my wrist because of torque knowing what I can do with my driver but I'm not 100% sure!

Welcome to the forum @BogeyBeGood .  +1 on the recommendation from Matt, @saevel25 .  Also check out these threads.

[14ledo81]

I believe when you have problems with your driver it all in the back swing or take away.  I practice hitting balls off the fairway or grass with my driver and when you can take the club back and swing thru and hit the ball consistent with the driver off the deck you have found the ideal back swing for your driver.

It works for me and maybe for you too.

Welcome back.  I notice it has been awhile since you have been posting.

[brice]

I've heard that a lot of people get tense and don't finish their backswing when they get nervous which can lead to a whole mess of problems. Do you have a preshot routine you do before ever swing? They do a good job of taking your mind off the situation

[Pingzalot]

Square feet-check... square hips-check... square shoulders??? Use some alignment rods or an iron to assure your feet are aiming at the target. Make sure your hips are squared the same direction. Then when you are ready to swing through the ball at set-up, have a friend align another rod or iron along the path of your shoulders. Step back then and see if that path is truly equal to your feet and hip path. It may be out of alignment and surprise you. (to the left)... or secondly, even if your shoulders are aligned correctly, when you swing, you may be turning your shoulders farther left too soon, which your friend can watch for at the point of contact. If so, the clubface will follow at impact, and your drives will produce a hook or slice as you describe, especially as you get frustrated and add unneeded power to compensate. Keep the backswing slow and smooth, the power doesn't even start at the beginning of the downswing. I don't mean for this to come out wrong, but I do agree with you, you're more worried about what you can do with your driver, than what your driver can do for you... next tip... if you grip down a half inch, grip down an inch... if you grip down an inch, grip down an inch and a half, etc... you'll gain control   :)

[Aflighter]

I don't wanna sound mean or change subject but you hit your 4 iron 240 and your a 20 handicap?To get your driver straight again maybe you just need to slow your swing down to where you got control and then increase power lil by lil till you start straying again.Even the pros are not straight with their power more than 60% of the time.Todays pros miss fairways left and right .

[wadesworld]

Quote:

A few years ago I was hitting my driver consistently high 290's to occassionally over 340yds

Congrats!  You'd rank in the top 50 of the PGA tour.

[Hammer 4]

Long hitters aren't that uncommon. There's more than a few guys at the range I go to that average over 300 yds. The difference between them and the PGA pro's is...the pro's are way more accurate...

[iacas]

Long hitters aren't that uncommon.

No, they're pretty uncommon. I don't know what you're talking about.

[mvmac]

Do this

[Hammer 4]

Long hitters aren't that uncommon. There's more than a few guys at the range I go to that average over 300 yds. The difference between them and the PGA pro's is...the pro's are way more accurate...

No, they're pretty uncommon. I don't know what you're talking about.

O.K...maybe not that uncommon was the wrong choice of words...Is it safe to say, there are more out there than we may think there is..?

[inthecup]

I am always confused by the handicap / driver distance relationship.

If I could hit it over 300 it would be difficult for m to have a high handicap.

Now if it is long and wrong I get it.

I did play with a guy that could hit it 300 for sure.  It was in a invite tournament.  I think he hit one fairway and it was impressive.  For the most part his drives were never seen again.

[mvmac]

I did play with a guy that could hit it 300 for sure.  It was in a invite tournament.  I think he hit one fairway and it was impressive.  For the most part his drives were never seen again.

That guy is pretty rare. Most high handicappers hit it on the short side, poor mechanics equals less distance.

[Aflighter]

Yeah if im a 20 hcp then driving the ball 290 is least of my concerns.

[Jameson]

Yeah if im a 20 hcp then driving the ball 290 is least of my concerns.

Why? I think if I could hit the driver properly, to the fairway (at 220), I will drop my hp suddenly... I´m struggle with it, and it´s quite hard :(

[saevel25]

Yeah if im a 20 hcp then driving the ball 290 is least of my concerns.

Yet if you are able to gain yardage you will substantially drop your handicap because you are nearer to the hole. Don't discount distance, it is much more important than accuracy. Since it is extremely difficult to get that much control over the driver, 20 yards of distance equals 1 degree of accuracy. I would say it is very hard for a golfer to get 1 degree of error on their driver. So go with distance, BOOM IT!!