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  1. #1
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default My Quest for Total Driving Improvement (and a lower cap!)

    Driver has always been my weakest club in terms of consistency and I have recently come to a low point where something needs to change. I've tried all sorts of drivers over the years (looking for a quick fix) - even no driver for a while! However I really want to have more confidence off the tee and I don't want to avoid playing a driver anymore.

    If I'm honest with myself I would be lucky to hit 3-4 fairways a round on average (most of those with my 4 wood) and I can't remember the last time I hit 50% of fairways in single round. My home course pretty severely punishes you for missing fairways which is killing my handicap as generally my irons and short game are much better than my current 17.6 cap would suggest. My previous low of 11 was when I was a member of a more open course (less trees) which did not punish my errant tee shots.

    Therefore I am setting a short term goal over the next 3 months to vastly improve my game off the tee and particularly improve my driver. I feel that even if I could average 50% fairways off the tee I would likely shave 4-5 shots off my cap by virtue of less recovery shots per round.

    My current assessment of why I am poor off the tee:
    1. Swing Tendancies
    I tend to get quite far inside on my backswing and then flip it at impact (not good for consistency when hitting a driver). I think I get away with it with my irons but it shows more in my driving. I do try to counteract this with a wider takeaway and smoother transition but old habits return fast.

    2. Confidence
    As with anything if you suck at it for a long period of time you lose confidence leading to even worse performance. This has led to quite a bit of anxiety off the tee. I feel much more settled on second shots. I need to turn this around.

    I do have a coach who I will see to make some technical swing changes and to work on the mental aspects but I'm not looking to rebuild my swing from the ground up either. This post is more for me to track my journey and keep me accountable to progress. I'll keep my fairway stats for each round moving forward so I can track the progress and report back.

    I wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation and turned their driving around to make it a strength of their game? If so what what worked for you?
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  2. #51
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hatchman View Post
    If your striking a lot from the toe you may be reaching too much at address.Check how many hand spaces from the butt end of you club to your gut. Any more than 2 hands and your reaching. This is promoting a repeating toe strike.While we’re on the subject of hands make sure you have 1/2”- 1” of grip free from your left hand palm pad to the end of the grip. There is always a tendency for the hands to creep up the grip resulting in the LH palm pad to sit on the butt und of the grip. Result is loss of shape at the top of the swing (club drops past parallel). To recover the hands throw back out. Pulls and toe strikes can come from this too. Speaking from plenty of experience.
    Will definitely take the spacing on the grip onboard mate. I'll check if I'm reaching for the ball. It's quite possible. This may also help me swing a little more upright and reduce the big left ball.
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  3. #52
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    This is what feels like my natural setup. I feel based on what you are saying I might be reaching a little..
    Attached Images
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  4. #53
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    Default

    Unless it's the camera angle, you look set up for a draw in that photo, particularly your lower body. Back foot is backwards and more open than the front.

  5. #54
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobsYourUncle View Post
    Unless it's the camera angle, you look set up for a draw in that photo, particularly your lower body. Back foot is backwards and more open than the front.
    My perception is that I'm standing slightly open or neutral, but as you point out I do look slightly closed This could be part of the problem!
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  6. #55

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flavzz View Post
    This is what feels like my natural setup. I feel based on what you are saying I might be reaching a little..
    I think youre too far from the ball.
    A good test of this is to simply take your right hand off the club and let it hang loose.
    Then place it back on the club.
    If you have to lift the hand upwards, youre too far away.
    Another test already mentioned in another post is one hand span from body to butt of club.
    A hand span being from thumb to tip of first finger.

  7. #56
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Quote Originally Posted by slim View Post
    I think youre too far from the ball.
    A good test of this is to simply take your right hand off the club and let it hang loose.
    Then place it back on the club.
    If you have to lift the hand upwards, youre too far away.
    Another test already mentioned in another post is one hand span from body to butt of club.
    A hand span being from thumb to tip of first finger.
    Just checked and I fail both those tests. Will work on this and get my stance open at the range this week. Thanks gents.
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  8. #57
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flavzz View Post
    Just checked and I fail both those tests. Will work on this and get my stance open at the range this week. Thanks gents.
    You're giving me a migraine lol

  9. #58

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flavzz View Post
    Just checked and I fail both those tests. Will work on this and get my stance open at the range this week. Thanks gents.
    Regarding your stance.
    Another photo with a club on the ground touch your toes, together with a club on the ground
    through your intended target line will show if you are closed.
    If the club through your toes tapers in towards your target line then your feet are closed.
    Only then can you ascertain how much closed or open the rest of your body (knees, hips, chest) is.
    By taper I mean the end of the club nearest to your target.
    If conversely, the other end tapers closer to your target line, then your open.
    Last edited by slim; 7th February 2021 at 07:36 PM.

  10. #59
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by slim View Post
    Regarding your stance.Another photo with a club on the ground touch your toes, together with a club on the groundthrough your intended target line will show if you are closed.If the club through your toes tapers in towards your target line then your feet are closed.Only then can you ascertain how much closed or open the rest of your body (knees, hips, chest) is.By taper I mean the end of the club nearest to your target.If conversely, the other end tapers closer to your target line, then your open.
    I did a few tests today in the backyard. Took an aim point, setup as per normal. Dropped the club at my toes then placed an alignment stick at my aim point. I did this 3 times and was setup slightly closed each time. I also took a few practice swings at an imaginary ball closer to me. It feels more balanced. Will see how it goes on the range later in the week.
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  11. #60

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    Flavzz

    some good suggestions here.

    I wonder whether your centre of gravity is too much towards the ball, ie more on your toes than on your feet.
    What is your balance like when you swing? Do you keep your balance, or fall into the ball?

    Benje

  12. #61
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Benje View Post
    Flavzzsome good suggestions here.I wonder whether your centre of gravity is too much towards the ball, ie more on your toes than on your feet.What is your balance like when you swing? Do you keep your balance, or fall into the ball?Benje
    It would definitely be more on my toes, I can fall forward slightly after a bad swing which may be due to reaching for it. As I said, I felt much more balanced when I brought the ball towards me. Good pickup Benje.Thanks all for your suggestions.
    WITB
    Driver: Ping G410 Plus 10.5 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 65g S
    5 Wood: Ping G425 w Tensei Orange AV Raw 75g S
    4 hybrid: Ping G w Alta R
    Irons: 5-PW Ping i210 w PX LZ 5.5
    Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 50-10*, SM8 58-10*
    Putter: 2022 Bettinardi BB-8W, 35 inch
    Bag: Jones Original Carry Bag

  13. #62
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benje View Post
    Flavzz

    some good suggestions here.

    I wonder whether your centre of gravity is too much towards the ball, ie more on your toes than on your feet.
    What is your balance like when you swing? Do you keep your balance, or fall into the ball?

    Benje
    Quote Originally Posted by Flavzz View Post
    It would definitely be more on my toes, I can fall forward slightly after a bad swing which may be due to reaching for it. As I said, I felt much more balanced when I brought the ball towards me. Good pickup Benje.Thanks all for your suggestions.
    As what Benje has mention and you've confirmed being on toes a bit often results in the dreaded Reverse Pivot. Very guilty of this myself. A lot of pulls can come from this too as the top half tries to recover the poor balance at the top and starts unwinding before any hip/leg movement. If you get over the top of it you pull it and if you get trapped behind it's a big block. The transition of top v bottom is happening in micro seconds and it's only the end result that give away what is happening.

    Bit of practice on the range with alignment sticks standing a little more upright with hands in closer and weight neutral or more towards heels will have you flushing it in no time. It might feel awkward and cramped up but stick with it until it feels normal. Try to stay loose and relaxed when doing this as any tension will stop the chain of movements required. If your getting it right the results will convince.
    Hit Them Well or Hit Them Often

    W.I.T.B


  14. #63

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    10 squats every day for a fortnight can help you with a better posture at address Flavzz.

    I recognise the loss of balance, but Hatchman's explanation was more detailed than my knowledge.
    High block, or low pull. I can recall resembling that.


 

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