LongIron

It always saddens me to see crappy golfers play from the back tees...its just illogical. For whoever said playing from the back tees doesnt really increase round time...are you serious? When someone is duffing it 100yds with each swing, using the furthest tee box really adds up the strokes. When you suck, use closer tee boxes, pick up your ball if you are lagging behind, and don't spend 15 minutes looking for that ball you drilled into the woods - you shouldnt be using pro-v1s anyways.

I used to drop and stop, but I'm more of a pitch and run player now. Have had better results this way.

Yes, I run my right index finger down the grip.

This thread has been quite enjoyable to read. You win though ^^^

Thanks for all the replies. I play x100s in my irons, but my driver is just stiff. Distance has never been a problem for me, and I definitely feel more in control with the xstiffs.

You sure about that 270? On shorter holes I tee off with a 3iron and hit drives longer than those with a driver. I carry my 3iron about 220/230.

Chipping is all about confidence and accelerating through the ball. I like to take three practice swings and then immediately address the ball and swing the exact same way I did with my practice swings. Don't give yourself time to think.

Why? In all clubs or just some? Did you try stiff shafts and then see an improvements with x-stiff?

Sorry, age 17 and 120ish pounds doesn't scream 300yd drives to me. Call me crazy. M11 is right though, distance isn't really what separates pros from amateurs. Every time someone compliments me on my swing/distance I tell them "unfortunately, there's only one number that matters, and its not distance".

In your first post, you said your drives carry 310-320+? I would guess that you don't actually hit it that far, but have a high swing speed. In which case graphite shafts (I'll assume not stiff) probably are contributing to your troubles. "Nice clubs" aren't nearly as important as properly fitted clubs. I would look into stiffening up your iron shafts. What are your iron shots doing?

I would try standing a little further away from the ball and just focus on your club path.

Downhill with wind. Good job. Swinging hard isn't necessarily bad. Swinging hard when you have poor mechanics just magnifies your existing problems. Are you hitting them straight, just not far, or are they slicing/hooking all over the place? Is it ballooning?

Thanks - its definitely something I should get nailed-down, but ball striking really isn't my problem (comparatively). My short game is killing my scores and I think that is based more on lack of practice rather than lie/length. I imagine I'll probably be similar to you in regards to not a lot of additional length, but substantial change in lie angle. What immediate change did you notice in your game?

Love when people talk about their distance, hah. Played with someone the other day who said they haven't hit their hybrid under 250yds...funny how it never even approached that when we played. Anyways, can I hit drives 300+? Yes. When someone asks me how far my drives go, do I say 300+? No.

I'm 6'5" and currently playing +1/2" long and 1* upright. Not sure what my proper fitting should be, but I hit the clubs well like this.

Played 9 the other day at a short course. I amazes how many people use driver in situations where it is completely unnecessary (reminds me of some pros...). I'm a fairly long hitter, so it was basically 3-iron/sand-wedge for me the entire round, but even for those that don't hit it long, it would still be a 5/6/7/etc.. for their 2nd shot. But nope, lets break out the driver on every hole and slice it into the woods (or on this course, the fairway parallel to ours)... I only carry a driver and 3-wood and I try to keep them in the bag as often as possible. I've always loved the feel of irons.

For now, I would try choking up a bit on the club to effectively reduce the length of the shaft.

Depending on the hole, I've recently been using a 56* - delofting it with hands forward and hitting a like 50-75yd pitch with great success.

Im 24, 6'5" 205lbs. Due to never having a properly shafted driver, Ive teed off with mainly a 3wood and 2/3irons throughout my playing time. Despite this, I've consistently out-driven or matched drives with those I've played with (who were using drivers). The key for me is proper posture - dont be afraid of your height. You shouldn't be hunched over - feel comfortable. Combined with a strong grip, quiet lower body, upright swing, and sharp snap of the hips, my drives are consistently in the 290-300range (with driver now). As others have said, stay relaxed and keep your swing fairly similar for all your clubs. When I first started trying to hit my new driver, I sucked for 9/10 of my bucket of balls. I made a slight adjustment to stand more upright...bombs away.

I dont mind carrying my fully-loaded stand bag. It doesnt feel burdensome at all - just get the 2 shoulder strap style and you are set.

That is a cool looking hole.

How do you come up short on a 30-60yd shot using a 56deg?...Other than completely sucking, you must have a problem with non-full swings, in which case, the suggestion for a higher lofted wedge with a fuller swing makes sense... You are quite quick to call someone stupid who has a legitimate suggestion.

35 ccs?..yea?

Maybe try to look for someone who is willing to trade down from stiff to regular? The first driver I bought had a regular shaft and I could not even put the ball into play. I have enough distance that I can always err on the side of stiff/x-stiff. Go go accuracy.

For the average golfer playing average courses I think its overrated. However, for the courses the Pros play on, there are numerous places where working the ball is crucial. Tough pin locations, protected greens, narrow fairways, etc... If you can work it, why not?