jaggy13

If you are getting lower back paint I would venture to say you are tensing up and over swinging a bit. Typical for a swing or grip change to try and "swing for the fences" It could also just be new muscle groups getting a work out. I switched from a 2 plain swing to a 1 plain this season and noticed some new muscles getting a work out for sure!

Thanks for the replies. Its good to know I'm not alone. As for the tech specs, I, like many others here am probably ashamed to admit even to myself how many drivers I own (have owned) in the last season... I have tinkered with flex, torque, loft and even length. What I have found is tempo and balance win over all. Accuratly driving 250-270 Bomb and gouge 270-290 Over the last half of the season I did some experimenting with balls, comparing different brands and compressions, It certainly made a difference and I think I have reined in most of the tech specs for my particular swing. Aside from all that mumbo jumbo its different when there is OB left and water right and an elevated tee box... It still takes some Moxie to execute. I too have found that with no thoughts of distance just good tempo and balance I have achieved some of my best drives. (this is usually when I think about giving it a little extra) As for my physical attributes, I am 6'4" and just under 200lbs. Swing with a driver is mid 90's. I can swing alot harder, and used too... My longest drive is 364 yards down wind flat hole, Over swung a R flex callaway war bird. (that should date that drive sufficiently...) Also at that time of regularly driving withing a wedge of most any par 4 I had never broke 90. The malady I was referring to is the "never being happy with what you've got" mentality. Thanks for the posts, I like the replies about dealing with it, knowing its common but somewhat unattainable. Chief Boom hit the nail on the head for the most part. Thanks to all for letting me know I am not alone!

I'm a Realtor and my playing partner is a bartender. We play mon-thursday. It works well for both of us, we avoid the high traffic days, know all the pros and do most of our volume of work durring the busy time at the course. Some days get a little long for both of us but its worth it!

For the last 2 seasons I have been playing a kind of "jekyll and hyde" with my driver. I'm not the biggest hitter and it seems like I am never quite happy. For example 250 and fairways is all I could dream of when I'm missing fairways but as soon as I start hitting that number I can't think of anything but getting more distance. I have had a few rocky months with the driver this season and am currently content to be just keeping it in play. I am currently playing a 5 to 10 yard draw and feel fairly confident on the box. Ending the season any day now I'll be content with 250 and fairways for now. Is 280 down the middle too much to really ask for though? (See... here I go again)

I had a similar issue this year with the hozzle of the driver face. No matter how far I got away from the ball I could still over reach and hit the heal of the club. Try tilting your shoulders more at address. Take your normal address position then tilt your spine so that your front shoulder is an inch higher. This should give you more launch angle and help you catch it on the upswing a little more. Play around with it a little. You should find your shoulder angle will be similar to your launch angle.

without trouble as you described is a 9 to 3 swing with my 52 (with a full release of the club). to cary trouble I would move the ball forward in stance and open a 60* and swing 3/4 wedge with no weight transfer. I prefer the lower running shot when a flop is not needed.

my playing partner and I have discussions about how important our wedges are almost daily. I actually did exactly what you are asking last year. (took 5 wood out and use 4 wedges. p, 52,56,60) I am a firm believer that the closer you get to the hole the more important the shot is. currently I am playing with a 5 wood and all of my wedges but have a gap around a 4 iron. As for alternate "off the tee" I like a 2 hibrid. keep it low and ussually a very predictable shot. I still don't hit as many greens as I would like and rely on my wedges around the green to get up and down. I love having all the options I can for pitching or chipping. I don't mind choking down on a 3w or laying up if needed from 225 (my 5 wood gap). On long par 5's my typical birdie seems to be pitch it close and make a put.

Quail hollow is my home course. I get out to shadow, falcon crest and banbury on occasion. I have a pass for quail and boise rance, so 90% of my rounds are there.

If there is no snow, shadow will be playing very well. What brings you here?

Thanks to all! Making the shot was great, Shooting my best score to date then following up the next day with an even better score was by far what had me on cloud 9! As for "How to hit one?" I was just glad to hit the green! You fly, I buy!

I just made my second hole in one this year. 150 yard uphill par 3. hit a 7 iron. didn't get to see this one go in, but was still a surreal experience. The best part of the day for me was finishing with my best score to date. (2 over.) Only to top that today by following it up with an even par. Our season will be ending any day now, I couldn't be happier ending the season this way. Cheers!

I have the same tendency. for me its mostly in short chips/pitches and putting. If you have found a way that works for you, I say go for it.

If you're stripping it well when choking down then you are definatly missing it when you impart top spin. Try keeping the choked down swing in your bag and when you have time to practice start out with your strongest shot and test out other methods. keep going back to your standard shot to make sure you are staying callibrated.

I don't try and work the ball that much. I find my best scores are when I use better coarse management and just try and hit fairways and greens. I do sometimes try and play a higher shot to cary danger. I tee the ball a little lower and try and swing verticly. A solid release and lower impact on the face gives more backspin and gets the ball nice and high. For lower I just play it back in my stance a hair and think about just getting threw the ball. (ussually ends up being a slight drawing flight)

Off a tee I am only about 20 yards further with my driver than 3 wood. Keep hitting the 3 wood, you'll be very happy with it later.(eat par 5's for lunch) I would also recomend demoing some of the square drivers or others with the same idea. I think You'll find that even your misses are enjoyably playable. Sometimes I choke down on my driver for a layup shot instead of swing 3w off the tee just because its so easy to hit.