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.

the key to a good draw with driver or fairway wood is a propper and complete release, ball position and swing plane. When I want a 5 to 10 yard draw with driver or 3 wood I play the ball closer to the middle of my stance. An in to out swing plane and a complete release will create gear effect on the ball giving it the draw spin you desire. The easiest way for me to hit a draw is to possition the ball, grip a tad strong to encourage the hands getting all the way thew and putting a nice smooth swing on it. (If I overswing trying to get more distance I tend to block a bit firing the hipps too hard and don't get a full release) As for the draw stopping sooner... Not sure I would use that plan with a wedge. My playing partner plays a draw and does get a ton of spin. He tends to use way more green than I do to get the ball stopped. I like a one hop stop personally.

I think Jacklee is onto something after reading your explanation I was going to ask if you where making a full shoulder turn. I know sometimes if I don't make a full turn, I get a little "army" and find myself finishing shots in the back seat or off ballance. Get a good shoulder turn to start the swing and a steady tempo and the rest should happen as its supposed to. (given that you have solid fundamentals.)

sand can be a tricky medium. I think being comfortable and relaxed is just as important if not more so than actual technique. I got out of 3 bunkers today quite successfully. Practice a bunch and get comfortable with the sand. As the texture changes you will find other methods work better than others.

I use my 60 with 8* of bounce. Try to think of splashing the ball out. very verticle swing and think of the bottom of the wedge hitting flat behind the ball and let it bounce off the sand. I try to think of all my energy stopping at the ball and my follow threw is very relaxed. another key for me is the entire swing is very controlled and relaxed. Like a 30 yard pitch shot.

I hope it works for you! The other thing I do that really is just as important for me is; as I address the ball I smile and tell myself to "enjoy hitting this golf shot". First seeing the posative outcome in my mind then allowing myself to swing freely without worry of negative results.

if you sole the club with 14* bounce you will see the leading edge is about 1/8 inch off the surface. On a tight lie that gets in my head. (99% of why I don't pitch with it) The other reason is I play my 60 very well for a stop and drop and my 52 for a lower role out shot. What do you play out of a bunker? Ultimately you will learn to hit your clubs and I hope you love them as much as I do mine. its hard to go wrong with any vokey.

I play 52, 56 and 60 vokey's. Being left handed, I can't get a 56 with less bounch. I play my 60 8*bounce out of the sand most of the time. Typically I pitch with my 60 to stop it, and 52 to roll out and only use my 56 for specific full swing shots. (because of too much bounce) Maybe hold off on the vokey's until you know what you need/want?

One thing that has been helping me lately is spot aiming. I tee the ball up behind a divot or other noticable mark on the T box. Then when I take my stance I can see the line my feet make and the line the ball and the "spot" make. It really helps me keep the club on plane. Other wise I tend to slip into an out to in swing path. (resulting in pull or slice) Ks88 has some great tips as well. good luck

I find less room for error with utley. our bodies don't have any straight lines, why should we try to manufacture one?

$7 to walk! ($300 season pass)