Golfhacker

I'll throw my hat in the "ballstriking" ring also. The really bad shots (OB, hazard, 40-yard wormburners) have a much greater impact on score than the occasional missed putt. As those started to go away my handicap went down. In fact, I'd say the remaining bad shots I have left are the reason I'm not sub-5 yet. Over time my short game has been very consistent: consistently streaky, that is. Obviously all parts of the game contribute to a good score, but better ballstriking will knock off more strokes in less time ... unless you have nothing but free time to play and practice everything.

Hitting 3-wood to par-5s can be fun ... until you wait for the group ahead to clear the green then you proceed to duff your shot. Who's ever done that? My Keys: 1) Relax and slow down - going for the green in two on a par-5 can get you too amped up and cause you to overswing (this is usually my mistake). Purposefully slow your pre-shot routine down to compensate. 2) Move the ball back in your stance a little and swing like it is a 3-iron. On a tee you'll play the 3-wood off your left heel to get that slightly ascending angle into the ball, but slightly ascending on the grass = topped. Hitting with a slightly descending angle, like an iron, should get the job done.

I feel your pain - I have the exact same issue with the occasional straight block or duck snorting hook with the driver. Don't overthink this if you are hitting your other clubs well. 9 times out of 10 this problem is caused by standing too close to the ball which throws off the timing of your wrists (that appears to be the case in the video, too). Either they are late and your inside-to-out swing pushes the ball or they roll over and you get that awful, diving hook. Try it out: Take your normal stance with the driver and then step back a couple of inches. Then bomb away and see what happens. I have some other ideas if that doesn't work, but sometimes the easiest solution is the best.