3wood And Driver

I just started playing in June of this year and have made pretty good progress but struggle getting driver and 3 wood in the air and slicing them teriibly. My 7 iron distance is around 140 with ten yard gaps pretty much between irons. However, I only take a controlled half-swing with my irons. Any suggestions as I am embarrassed when I go to the course and tee off with 19* hybrid or 5 wood! 5 wood goes about 210-220 and hybrid covers 180-200. I know eventually I'll need a lot more distance to score well. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

you hit the 5 wood a long way for a new player, I dont think it is any difference between hitting 5 or 3 wood. it may be that you are more positive about 5 wood and need the same mind set for 3 wood. Check to see and the shaft of your driver / 3 wood are the same as your 5 wood.remember that with woods / drivers you hit the ball on the way up (unlike irons where you hit down on the ball), so ball should be positioned further forward than with irons.

Actually, my driver/3wood are graphite and my five wood is steel regular and about half-inch shorter than standard. Five wood seems more consistent and easier to hit. Can a 16 degree hybrid replace my three wood?

Yes. It's a modern 1 iron hybrid.

I carry one just to get on par 5's in 2.

Maybe I should try the 16 degree hybrid for more distance. I have been told by many don't bother going to a course if you cant drive at least 250-260 yards consistently.

"I have been told by many don't bother going to a course if you cant drive at least 250-260 yards consistently."

who has told you this? if that was the case 95% of us wouldn't play. I play of 6 and drive the ball no more than 235 carry with my driver. dont listen to others telling you they hit the ball a mile and half! most par fours are around 400 yards, this means a 235 carry and 20 yards roll will leave you a 8 or 7 iron to the green. it is better to drive the ball 230 yards in the middle than 350 yards in the woods.

I actually get about two hundred ten carry and roll with my 19* hybrid or five wood usually and usually keep it in play. So I am still about 180-200 yards away from the pin for my second shot on most par 4's.

thats good enough for now. if you think about it most par 4's are less than 400 yards long, and in the summer you will get lot more roll.

I would say you are doing exceptionally well for someone playing 5 months.

Most golfers take a time to be confident with a driver, some never become so. I would suggest you work on your 3 wood first, it will give you the distance you need. You say that you slice the ball with it at the moment and that is normal for a new player, you will need to work on your grip, stance and swing mechanics, you will probably be swinging on an out to in path now and will need to learn how to swing down from the inside.

Have you taken any lessons? If not start now, it will be money well spent if you want to improve and stop bad habits in your golf swing.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

In golf one should never be embarrsed. Its a beautiful game and everybody is not Tiger. I would sugest you should look into a 460cc driver with 11 degree loft and peg it high and place the ball inside your left foot, in line with left heel. Swing the club with same easyness as you do with your 5 wood. Do not squeeze on the grip that means no presure on the grip.This will help you not to get tense.

Thanks. Actually I currently have a Callaway Biggest Big Bertha 11* and I will practice with it until I get better then purchase a newer one as this is one of the first that came out. I have tried the drill where you keep a towel from falling from under my right armpit throughout the swing. I guess this helps promote swinging down from the inside??

Towel under the armpits helps to swing the club with arms with the body it will be good practise for SW and PW shots swing freely for a driver.

Chris,

Never be embarrased. You don't have to draw pictures. It's not how, it's how many.

Put the driver in the bag and don't take it out until you can use your 3 wood effectively.

The swing for woods and long irons is likened to a sweeping motion. The shorter irons is steeper/upright.

The ball position for the former is closer to the inner front heel (driver). The shorter irons are from the centre of your stance.

Good luck