Driver off the deck / fairway...

[MegaSteve]

Don't think I'd try it now but back in the day when I was a semi decent player... I had a low profile 11 degree driver [can't remember the make... Swilken perhaps]... Anyhow I'd often use this off the deck... Helped me post my best score ever... 81 at Downshire which was a par73 in them days with quite a few par5's... Had to wear the 'bandit mask' on the way home that day ... [Was off 18 then... Supposedly]...

 

[Dave3498]

It's a useful club off the fairway. Even if you duff it, it can go a considerable distance along the deck. If you catch it right, be prepared for a slice.

 

[kmdmr1]

Never used my driver off fairway,but my mate uses his at least 2 or 3 times a round, if he thinks he can get there in two ,out comes the driver...(or if he has had a dodgy tee shot) but his driver is a 425cc slightly smaller.
Dont think he does it in a medal round but in normal play it`s out the bag.

 

[garyinderry]

wouldnt dream of it. had a couple of wacks doing it and found it to be a waste of time for me. if you can use it then more power to you.

 

[Perry]

Bubba just done it at Tavistock

 

[Imurg]

At my previous club the 6th hole (par 5) had a long mound of rough running up the right hand side. It was a cobbled together bit of mound and there could be large stones or even bricks in there!
We had a local rule allowing pick'n'place on this mound.
I used to aim for it with the driver, pick'n'place the ball - teeing it up on a tuft of grass and then getting the driver on it again. It was the only way to reach the green in 2.
I've tried driver off the deck but it just doesn't work well enough to justify doing it regularly. From the rough there's a chance but not off the fairway

 

[Karl102]

I have never tried it! May give it a go! SOme of the guys in our regular roll up do it quite often, especially off their Winter fairway mats. Seems to work for them.

 

[SocketRocket]

I use the shot quite often. It's a good shot if you are under the branches of a tree and need a long shot up the fairway, comes out low with bags of roll.

I grip down a few inches and play the ball further back, you need to allow for a bit of fade.

 

[G1BB0]

do it quite often at our 10th, as its a little walk off the 9th green to the tee but then back again I leave my bag so when I top/duff one 30 yds its easier to give a whack with the big mofo than go back and get the appropriate club

(no wonder I do crap in medals)

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Ive done it a couple of times, but only when the ball is sitting well up in the rough and there is a good chance that the 5 wood will go under it and sky it

Both times went well, certainly use it again in similar circumstances, but I dont think I would want to hit it off the fairway...too much chance of a faux pas


Fragger

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I use to do it a lot when I had my old persimmon and even when the first metals came out. At this time of year, if you perched it up it was easy to get it airborne. With my deep faced 08 Burner and the sweet spot being so high up it isn't worth the risk. If I was needing to hit driver into a hole then I'd be looking at why and my strategy. I'll pull the 3 wood out if the risk isn't huge otherwise I'm afrain I lay up and trust in my short irons

 

[G1BB0]

thats a lot of trust HJS judging by your short game woes

 

[garyinderry]

i dont carry a 3 wood due to a BIG slice all the time with it. off the white tees there was maybe 3 holes i couldnt reach so i plotted my way using course management and took the bogey. it just isnt worth the risk. i was happier that i used this approach as i had shots on these holes and i sure as hell was going to use them.

 

[SocketRocket]

. If I was needing to hit driver into a hole then I'd be looking at why and my strategy.

Does your ball not sometimes take an unpredictable bounce under trees? Mine does and just about all the touring pros I watch.

 

[paddyc]

I have hit one a few times when it may be sitting up in the rough and the penalty for a poor shot is minimal.I usually would only use it on par 5's into a strong wind to keep it down and running.

 

[Heidi]

once
crap shot off tee from both me and the big man in a greensome. i opted to take his ball as it had a better lie and i couldnt be assed walking back to where we'd left our bags to go get my 3 wood, so i just whacked it with my driver

beautiful shot right up to the green!

never tried it again - but its relatively easy to hit off the deck!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I have used it a few times.
I only really do it if I need a fade and the ball is sitting up, on the spikey shorter rough, so's to get a chance to get the up a bit.
It's a very handy shot if you can do it.

 

[Whee]

No harm in practising it - It goes a country mile about 3 feet off the deck the whole way.

Only ever caught one 100% sweet, where my ball was propped up in the light rough. Get the big dog out and give it a clout.

I'm more confident with it going as far as I expect, in the direction I wish, than I am with my 3 wood.

That tells you everything you need to know about my swing...

 

[A1ex]

It's an underrated shot. A punch type driver from the deck will have a low flight and go miles. In the summer when theres a lot of run on the ball, I'll hit the driver off the deck on a long par 5. Theres minmal risk as long as you don't top it. Don't try a smash the thing either. Just concentrate on clean contact.