Golf thread - I can't drive straight

[fustercluck]

I'm trying to get into golf more these days (which is hard because it's like 200 degrees out everyday) but when i play golf or go the range i always suck at hitting my driver straight. I can hit my irons straight, but not my driver. I can drive 300+ yards, but it's no use if i'm never near the fairway. I go to the range much more than i play golf, so i've been practicing on driving it straight with my driver for a while, just can't do it. Sometimes i can hit it straight, but in the wrong direction, I do that a lot actually 😛 - My driver is by far the most expensive club in my bag, i got it about 3 years ago for $130, so it's not a real piece of junk or anything.

Golf if friggin hard 🙁 - Any advice? I've got the basic mechanics down pretty well. Shifting my weight, clubface is good, left arm is straight, etc. etc.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I'm trying to get into golf more these days (which is hard because it's like 200 degrees out everyday) but when i play golf or go the range i always suck at hitting my driver straight. I can hit my irons straight, but not my driver. I can drive 300+ yards, but it's no use if i'm never near the fairway. I go to the range much more than i play golf, so i've been practicing on driving it straight with my driver for a while, just can't do it. Sometimes i can hit it straight, but in the wrong direction, I do that a lot actually 😛 - My driver is by far the most expensive club in my bag, i got it about 3 years ago for $130, so it's not a real piece of junk or anything.

Golf if friggin hard 🙁 - Any advice? I've got the basic mechanics down pretty well. Shifting my weight, clubface is good, left arm is straight, etc. etc.

for me, i realized, i was standing too upright to hit my driver, i was able to hit my irons straight but my driver would either fade right or just yank left.

fade right was because i was too upright and my swing would go out to in putting a right spin on the ball.

yank left would be when i didn't get my hips around and my hands would get around too fast.

so, i cured my fade right on my driver by bending a bit more at the hips.

 

[RichUK]

I found that i would always stand too close to the ball when teeing off. Thus hooking it off to the left each time. Now using the driver is my favourite club, ive been practicing down the range for quite some time.

The worst part of my game is definitely putting 🙁

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: RichUK
I found that i would always stand too close to the ball when teeing off. Thus hooking it off to the left each time. Now using the driver is my favourite club, ive been practicing down the range for quite some time.

The worst part of my game is defiantly putting 🙁

Putting is crazy hard :x

Thanks for the help. Sounds like i'm doing what you used to do, Platinum, i'll have to work on that next time i go to the range.

 

[stevent76]

This is going to sound akward but it helped me a lot. I am right handed and was told that my right hand was too dominant. A friend told me to shift my right hand over the top a little. It helped a lot! It feels weird but it sure works.

(if you are right handed) when you grab your club and setup on the ball, take the right hand and turn it slightly on the club to where it is over the top a little. It might not work for you but it sure worked for me.


Hope that helps.

 

[lykaon78]

I had a wicked slice until some one pointed out that I was chopping down at the ball like a baseball swing. The fix was to keep my right elbow close to my body during my swing. This helped me sweep through the ball and straighten out me shot.

 

[DaiShan]

You are probably swinging too hard, at the top of your backswing your club needs to be parallel to the ground or less, if you are swinging past parallel, then it makes it much more difficult for you to get your hands around and sqaure the club at the bottom of the swing. If your backswing is too long it will usually manifest in a slice (hit to the right) also if you are hitting it straight, but in the wrong direction, change up your pre-swing routine.Something that I do that helps me get my alignment right is to stand about 3 steps directly behind the balland face where I want to hit it, then I walk up and lay the club face down along the same line. Alternatively, while you practice you can lay a club down at your feet when you have your stance set, then backoff and look where the club is facing. That is where the ball is going (assuming you don't hook or slice it) If you're hooking the ball, it could be a few things: Your swing could be too flat, your left hand grip is too weak, or your right hand grip is too strong. Each hand should go only halfway around the club and your thumb should be on top, if you've got white knuckles after you swing, your gripping too hard 🙂

 

[rbV5]

Are you right handed and slicing right with your driver? Usually it's from hitting the ball with an open club face because you swing the driver with an outside/in swing plane rather than the inside/out swing you probably use with your irons.

You go the range often, so try slowing down and not kill it with your driver/woods. I find it much easier to hit with my 5 wood, and I fight a slice with my driver as well. Usually its because Im trying to punch out a nice long tees shot instead of just hitting the ball.

 

[dethman]

it depends what you mean by not straight. which direction does the ball start, right, middle or left? where does it curve, right or left?

to simplify, there are essentially two variables, path of the clubhead, and whether your clubface is open or closed and that is what affects ballflight.

my advice, take a lesson or two it will help you greatly.

 

[richardycc]

300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

i'm sure there are people here who can hit it 300+, it's certainly possible. but you're right if a guy can't hit a drive straight he clearly has no chance.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

Hey, because you cannot hit 300+ does not mean that others cannot. Think about it. If someone can hit the ball 280+ then surely they could hit the ball 300+ at least one time.

And yes, I can hit the ball 300+. Do I do it every time? Hell no.

 

[Injury]

My boss is an avid golfer and gave me this advice.

Take two handtowels to the driving range with you.


Put one under each arm pit and hold your arms close enough to your body that they don't fall.

When you swing, focus on holding them there. If they fall, you did it wrong.

You won't be able to drive as hard, but it will condition you to hold your arms properly.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: Injury
My boss is an avid golfer and gave me this advice.

Take two handtowels to the driving range with you.


Put one under each arm pit and hold your arms close enough to your body that they don't fall.

When you swing, focus on holding them there. If they fall, you did it wrong.

You won't be able to drive as hard, but it will condition you to hold your arms properly.

Good advice! Another thing to check is your shaft. Take it to a local golf shop and have them put you on the machine to look at your swing and ball flight. Your shaft might be the right stiffness but wrong torque or it could be defective. I have a slice if I try to kill the ball but if I swing fluid and slower, it is fairly straight.

 

[thirdlegstump]

For me it turned out to be too much flex in the shaft of the club and standing a little close ot the ball. I can only drive about 200-220 but after adjusting my stance back 1 inch or so and getting a stiffer driver, I'm about to hit it straight and sometimes with a slight draw. I don't use an oversized head so maybe that can help too.

 

[fustercluck]

I'm not necessarily slicing it or hooking it, i'm just doing everything but hitting it straight. Sometimes it'll slice, sometimes it'll hook. Think I hook a lot more though (hook is when it goes left right? I always forget). When i do hit it fairly straight, it goes in the wrong direction, which is always to the left. Aiming with my shoulders/feet, and it seems ok. I can't really explain it well, i just suck basically and i'm doing everything wrong with my driver swing 😛 - I think i'll just have to change my whole routine, or i might just forget about my driver, since it's got me stumped. Like i said i can usually hit irons straight so i'd be better off without my driver when playing real golf. I've already had a few lessons and am signed up for 2 or 3 more, so i'll have to ask my instructor if he can help me out, i don't like the way my lessons have been going so far though, seems like i'm doing the opposite of what i did my previous visit each time i go 😛

Driving 300+ yards is not as uncommon as most people think, hell, Michelle Wie can drive 300+, and she's a skinny 16 year old.

Thanks for the advice people.

 

[shimsham]

keep your head down!
keep your head down!
keep your head down!

pulling up my head to watch the ball, and trying to hit it too hard were my worst habits when driving.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

uhh.. what?

I've seen guys drive the ball close to 400 yards in long drive competitions. The longest registered drive on the tour is 478 yards.

Personally, I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something.

More than likely, if you are slicing its because you are swinging on an outside-in plane. I had this problem because I used to try and swing too hard, which resulted in said swing plane.

 

[OdiN]

Bend your knees, maybe move back from the ball a little, keep a good grip on the club, follow through, keep your head down - don't look up. Don't try to slam the ball as hard as you can. Keep a nice smooth motion in your swing. Keep that arm straight!

 

[DaTT]

Just got back from golfing a 40 in 9 holes......

 

[fustercluck]

I gotta move to play golf, i can't play golf here in Tucson, i'd have to be nuts. It's over 100 degrees by 7:15 in the morning so i can't even go out early anymore. I would LOVE to move...but that's another thread i guess 😀

The thing i hate about golf is there is too much to remember, i can't try and remember 50 different things while trying to swing. Though keeping it simple hasn't worked for me either.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

uhh.. what?

I've seen guys drive the ball close to 400 yards in long drive competitions. The longest registered drive on the tour is 478 yards.

Personally, I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something.

More than likely, if you are slicing its because you are swinging on an outside-in plane. I had this problem because I used to try and swing too hard, which resulted in said swing plane.

Sure you do.

The guys who are hitting it 400 in long drive competitions are using 48" clubs, train constantly, only have to get one of 6 in the grid and have swing speeds on 150 miles an hour. Using a normal 44-45" driver on a real golf course very few people that claim to hit it 300 actually do. See, it's the "I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something." quote that proves you're a liar. NOBODY that can average 290 and hit 350 when they "lay into one" tops the ball.

OP, take some freaking lessons. Trying to get golf advice from lying children on an internet forum is like trying to get girl advice or sex advice from lying children on an internet forum. If you slice you suck, see a pro and fix your swing.

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

uhh.. what?

I've seen guys drive the ball close to 400 yards in long drive competitions. The longest registered drive on the tour is 478 yards.

Personally, I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something.

More than likely, if you are slicing its because you are swinging on an outside-in plane. I had this problem because I used to try and swing too hard, which resulted in said swing plane.

Sure you do.

The guys who are hitting it 400 in long drive competitions are using 48" clubs, train constantly, only have to get one of 6 in the grid and have swing speeds on 150 miles an hour. Using a normal 44-45" driver on a real golf course very few people that claim to hit it 300 actually do. See, it's the "I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something." quote that proves you're a liar. NOBODY that can average 290 and hit 350 when they "lay into one" tops the ball.

OP, take some freaking lessons. Trying to get golf advice from lying children on an internet forum is like trying to get girl advice or sex advice from lying children on an internet forum. If you slice you suck, see a pro and fix your swing.

Why is the assumption here that everyone are children?

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

uhh.. what?

I've seen guys drive the ball close to 400 yards in long drive competitions. The longest registered drive on the tour is 478 yards.

Personally, I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something.

More than likely, if you are slicing its because you are swinging on an outside-in plane. I had this problem because I used to try and swing too hard, which resulted in said swing plane.

Sure you do.

The guys who are hitting it 400 in long drive competitions are using 48" clubs, train constantly, only have to get one of 6 in the grid and have swing speeds on 150 miles an hour. Using a normal 44-45" driver on a real golf course very few people that claim to hit it 300 actually do. See, it's the "I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something." quote that proves you're a liar. NOBODY that can average 290 and hit 350 when they "lay into one" tops the ball.

OP, take some freaking lessons. Trying to get golf advice from lying children on an internet forum is like trying to get girl advice or sex advice from lying children on an internet forum. If you slice you suck, see a pro and fix your swing.

ROFL. What part of that doesnt make sense. It doesnt take much swing speed (~120mph) to hit 290 yards. Most pros average in the high 200's, but im sure if they really tried to crush one, they could easily hit it over 300. Theres a reason they dont though: because the probability of error increases dramatically when all you are trying to do is swing as hard as you can.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: richardycc
300+ yard drive again!? stop BSing, noone from this forum can drive 300yards, ever saw those regular pros (non long drive pros) in the long drive charity event? they average about 250-280yards. with you slicing and hooking the ball, no way you can drive 300yards. Anyway, here are some tips, you need to hit the ball in an ascending, and from the inside to outside blow. try that and report back...

uhh.. what?

I've seen guys drive the ball close to 400 yards in long drive competitions. The longest registered drive on the tour is 478 yards.

Personally, I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something.

More than likely, if you are slicing its because you are swinging on an outside-in plane. I had this problem because I used to try and swing too hard, which resulted in said swing plane.

Sure you do.

The guys who are hitting it 400 in long drive competitions are using 48" clubs, train constantly, only have to get one of 6 in the grid and have swing speeds on 150 miles an hour. Using a normal 44-45" driver on a real golf course very few people that claim to hit it 300 actually do. See, it's the "I average 290 yards, but if I really try and lay into one, I can hit it close to 350. I just dont try and kill the ball normally, cuz i'll usually fvck up and top it or something." quote that proves you're a liar. NOBODY that can average 290 and hit 350 when they "lay into one" tops the ball.

OP, take some freaking lessons. Trying to get golf advice from lying children on an internet forum is like trying to get girl advice or sex advice from lying children on an internet forum. If you slice you suck, see a pro and fix your swing.

Damn those lying internet children!

Seriously though, why's everyone getting bent out of shape in a simple thread? Take it easy. Also i'm hooking much more than i'm slicing (at least i think i am, as i forget which is which). Just hitting left in general a lot. Also i already mentioned i'm in the middle of golf lessons.

Golfing here is a B, crazy hot and no good driving ranges there are anywhere near where i live.