On my last three rounds, I made a decision not to touch the driver, just to see how I'd do. I already knew that my "percentage" shot would be to tee off with the 3W, because I usually hit it pretty straight, and my 3W is only 10-20 shorter than my straight drives (and those only happen about 25% of the time).

The result: First, my score improved by several strokes, because I didn't miss any fairways. Not even one. But the other result surprised me. By sticking with the 3W and not switching back to the driver "for the hell of it," I started getting more distance with the 3W. By just grooving my swing with the 3W, I am simply striking the ball better. I find that I'm now hitting about 240 yards with the 3W, and straight. With my driver, my best hits were 260, but they weren't common. More often, if I got a straight hit it would go about 240 anyway, so I haven't really given up any distance. What I've mainly given up is trees. And my 3W is an inexpensive (surprise!) Intech club with a fairly whippy shaft.

My plan is simple. Until I get to the point where there is a *reliable* advantage to using the driver, it will stay in the bag. Or in the car. As everyone says, it's all about knowing my own limitations and what shots *I* can make, as opposed to what someone else can do.

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Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller