Trouble with Driver

[ptoulme]

Hello, I am new to golf and have been playing for a month. I played my first nine holes today. I am not bad with the irons and wedges. I am terrible with the driver! Every drive, except for 2 which hooked right, were either knicked and went 5 yards, or went really flat to the right, or went flat straight.  I am using the  interlocking grip. I am trying to keep my head still and use my core muscles. Can  anyone help me "sweep it off the tee"? Thanks.

[dchoye]

I think you have to play longer and just get the feel for the driver. I like interlocking and use that grip too however when tee up I feel more confident no interlocking and squeeze my right pinkie on the shaft and let me right forefinger stick straight out. Also I trying to hit a bit on the upswing unlike my other regular golf shots I also start off with a lateral side bend I do this sometimes with my 3wood off the tee if I tee the ball higher on the face or at the crown

[dchoye]

Also I tend to oppose my hands more with the driver , so my right hand is weak and left hand is stronger.  only with the driver

[imcheesehead1]

I can only guess and I'm no pro. But whenever I am topping, it is because I am swinging to hard causing my body to be to far in front and my head to come off the target. Which in turn causes me to top the ball. So let the club do the work, swing faster not harder, and keep your head on the target. Since you are keeping your head still this might not help, but it does help me sync my body with my swing.

So another thing you might try to get the upswing with a driver is pronounce the dip of your right side, assuming you are right handed. So you might lay the driver directly behind the ball on the tee after you have your feet positioned. Grip the club with your left hand. Bend the knees and without turning your body or moving the club back enter your right hand to the grip. This will naturally dip your right side, forcing an upswing.

Best of luck

[DrvFrShow]

You're a rank beginner? My recommendation? Play your irons and wedges on the golf course. Leave your driver and woods in the bag. The driver is a hard club to hit well. You'll score better. You'll lose fewer balls. You'll have more fun, too. There is no rule that says you have to hit a driver off the tee. Your goal right now is to score a 5 on a par 4. You can do that hitting a 7 iron off the tee, and on the fairway. The idea is to advance the ball and not look for the ball. I sometimes hit a 5 iron off the tee.

Talk to some golfers in your area and get some names of who is good. Take a few lessons to get yourself started.

Practice what the pro tells you to practice at the driving range. Also use the driving range to learn to hit your driver, woods, and hybrids. Do that before you start hitting them on the golf course. When you can control where the ball goes most of the time, start using them on the golf course.

Good luck.

[mvmac]

Hello, I am new to golf and have been playing for a month. I played my first nine holes today. I am not bad with the irons and wedges. I am terrible with the driver! Every drive, except for 2 which hooked right, were either knicked and went 5 yards, or went really flat to the right, or went flat straight.  I am using the  interlocking grip. I am trying to keep my head still and use my core muscles. Can  anyone help me "sweep it off the tee"? Thanks.

Welcome to the site and welcome to the game!

Check out this thread to help with the driver.

Also feel free to start a member swing thread.

http://thesandtrap.com/f/4180/member-swings