High driver shots

What could be the problem if my driver shots go very high? Ball is not placed too far forward, in fact it's a bit back, in line with the left heel. Shots are straight...

There are a number of reasons why the driver ball flight could be high.

1. You might hitting too much "on the up", even if it is back in your stance.
2. You might have an impact alignment that generates a decending blow on the golf ball, similar to a wedge, wherethe ball is too far behind the hands and the backspin generated sends the ball upwards.
3. Maybe you have too much loft on your driver?

Hi Graham,

I highly suspect it's reason number 2. I've post in another thread that I'm not even sure what "hitting down" on the ball means anymore. People always say to swing the same with all clubs, so I think I might be hitting my driver/woods like my irons.

How do I go about rectifying this? Is there any way to confirm that I might indeed be imparting too much backspin on my driver/woods?

Unfortunately Simon, to verify how much spin you're putting on the ball, you'll need to get on a launch monitor. That's the fastest step to finding out your optimal loft. After that, it's a swing issue. Of course, if you're hitting down, then getting new equipment will only be the solution until your swing changes.

You shouldn't swing the same with every club, that's bulls*t. It's amateur-teacing-amateurs stuff I'm afraid. You need to swing your woods differently that to your irons and your wedges differently to the rest of your irons. Your woods need to be sweptand the shorter the club gets, the more you need to hit down on it.

To check your spin rate, you need a launch monitor that can measure the ball spin rate.It shouldn't be more than 3000rpm with your driver. If you can get into the low 2000's, then you're cooking!

To make sure you 'hit up' on the golf ball with your driver is to make sure you hit the ball, tee'd up after the club starts to climb again after it reaches the lowest point in the swing. Everyone has a different 'low point' in their swing, but generally that's around the left heel (but not always!). You need to video your swing with the driver face-on so you can watch the driver and see where it bottoms out and where the best driver ball position is.

I hope this info helps.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

I disagree with that statement. I believe you do have the same swing withe every club in your bag. The only thing that changes is your setup. ie with a driver you place the ball more forward and it is tee up so of course your swing will be different. But it is this setup that is the change not the swing. Your basic motion is always the same.

This is precisely what's gotten me all confused. What does "hitting down" really mean? Does it simply mean the same sweeping swing but the ball is placed more back so the swing catches the ball while it is still on the downswing. And with the driver/woods it's just catching it on the upswing, right past the lowest point? If that's the case, doesn't it mean it's the same swing?

Or does "hitting down" refer to something more that you do with your arms or hands?

So, do you swing as far back with a wedge (i.e. to parallel) as you do with your driver with the same weight shift, same point of release, same finish position, etc.?

I have the same trouble. I swing fast and the guys on this forum told me to look at the kick of my shaft. i hit a 9 deg and mid kick. i am going to change the shaft I don't know any good teacher that tells you to hit all clubs the same. driver, woods, and long irons are to be hit with a sweep not a down hit. go see your instuctor he will fix it

Hmm please allow me to clarify. So hitting it with a descending blow will cause more backspin, and launch the ball even higher than if I were to hit it on the upswing? And the ball will go further if hit on the upswing than if hit down?

When you address the ball and lay your club down just before the Take Away, leave your club 2 inches short of the ball, and focus on that spot when hitting, that way you'll hit the ball on the up with the mid/lower part of driver causing forward spin which will produce more roll.

I've had a similar problem. Tee shots going way too high. In my case I changed my shaft - went up one flex and got it tip stiff shaft(ust proforce 65). Extemely pleased with the results. It was also recommended to me to try a heavier shaft to keep from overswinging. I'll be messing with that in the spring.

Heh I doubt our problems are similar - sounds like yours is a result of too high a swing speed - and I'm sure there's not something which I'm 'suffering' from

I am really tempted to go get a decent 460cc driver. If I'm going to fix my swing, might as well do it with a proper driver I'm going to stick with, right? My current one is a Maruman Proliner (titanium but small head) which comes in the set. Think I really need to replace that.

Forgot to add. It seems that even though I have teed the ball quite in front (at the left heel), my swing is still moving from the inside-out upon impact (hence the ball usually goes to the right with a bit of fade). How do I rectify that? By teeing even further in front (nearing the toes)???

Couple points first, I believe that the line of teaching that says you swing all the clubs the same, also includes: that you only change your distance from the ball (a lot closer to the ball with a wedge then a driver) and your width or your stance. (so even if the placement of the ball is off the left heal, the left heal is closer to the center of the body with a wedge then a driver) that the change of distance and the length of your stance causes you to hit down on your short Irons and sweep your driver. But the basic swing mechanics (takeaway follow through etc.) remain the same. Not sure which side is correct my guess is that they are closer then they think and it is a matter of which way it is easier to conceptualize the process.

Next, a true out to in swing should cause more of a draw. It would be my guess, that your not releasing the club (or squaring it) at impact and are pushing the ball to the right (slightly open club face) causing a fade.

Bob