Driver result not consistent with rest of clubs.

[hors limite]

Bit of background. Used to play regularly 30 years ago with handicap c.18. Started again last September, handicap now 22.7. Consistency is the problem especially the driver. Have had some lessons but have found it difficult to get rid of a push/slice. As indicated in the heading, the rest of the longish clubs, 3w, 3h, 5h fly pretty straight. A couple of weeks ago I was experimenting on the range and found that if I strengthen the grip on the driver, to a quite significant degree, I start to see an improvement.

Two questions:

Have other players found the need to have a different grip with the driver?

My driver is a Titleist 910d2 which is set at neutral. Any experiences of experimenting with closing the face?

 

[Pin-seeker]

No I tend to grip all the clubs with the same pressure. But if it works for you then go with it.

 

[hors limite]

Sorry Pin-seeker did not express myself clearly. I should have clarified "strengthen the grip" - I meant to place the hands on the shaft in such a way as to move the Vs ( between thumb and forefinger so that they point further towards the right shoulder).
I have been trying to use Practical Golf by John Jacobs as a guide to self improvement and mistakenly assumed that his strengthen/weaken the grip definition was universal.

 

[woody69]

I know very little, but surely strengthening your grip is just covering up the problem rather than resolving it? It's like aiming more left to compensate for a big slice. If it works for you though, then go for it, but I'd be tempted to have a lesson or two to see if anything is obvious with your set up and swing etc

 

[Pin-seeker]

No worries mate,tbh I don't think I do anything different, I don't really think about it tho. If what you're doing is delivering the face square at impact & giving better results then go with it & see how you get on.

 

[Foxholer]

I know very little, but surely strengthening your grip is just covering up the problem rather than resolving it? It's like aiming more left to compensate for a big slice. If it works for you though, then go for it, but I'd be tempted to have a lesson or two to see if anything is obvious with your set up and swing etc

Strengthening the grip is not a case of 'aiming' the face differently, but will encourage the face to close through the hitting zone.

Cause could really be a number of things and may be happening in other clubs, just less evident - as the Driver is the longest club, any fault is likely to be most evident.

Could be that you are 'holding off' so leaving the face open at impact, or simply stopping the swing prematurely - which does the same. Could also be that your right hand (presuming rightee) gets underneath the left, which also opens the face.

Changing the setting might help, but doesn't seem like it will be eliminated. Unless you set up with it closed, the effect is reduced as well.

I'd suggest you make sure you commit to, and finish, the swing and that the right hand finishes above the left (as a Tennis player, I think 'top-spin down the line').

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I have got a "Frankenstein grip" with my driver....its the only club I hold grip this way.

Basically, I rest the club on the ground to show me where I should grip it....I then turn the club in my left hand to shut the face, I then grip the club in a "strong" grip with my right hand......that pretty much works for me.

Last weekend I hit 4/5 drivers in the 270 yard range (a VERY long way for me) just because (I think) that I've been working on transferring my weight properly from back to front.

At my level I find what works for ME and then just go with it.

 

[woody69]

Strengthening the grip is not a case of 'aiming' the face differently, but will encourage the face to close through the hitting zone.

You've misunderstood what I was saying. I wasn't saying aiming left was related to grip strength, I was merely highlighting it as another example of doing something to suppress the outcome rather than sorting the actual problem. I slice, therefore aim left or, I slice therefore strengthen my grip etc instead of sorting out why the face is open at impact. (or closed if his swing is out to in)

 

[Foxholer]

You've misunderstood what I was saying. I wasn't saying aiming left was related to grip strength, I was merely highlighting it as another example of doing something to suppress the outcome rather than sorting the actual problem. I slice, therefore aim left or, I slice therefore strengthen my grip etc instead of sorting out why the face is open at impact. (or closed if his swing is out to in)

No I didn't. That was why the 'aiming' was in the apostrophes.

I pretty much agree with you though. The strong grip is the 'quick fix/bandaid' that will get you round until the root cause has been identified and resolved. I'm all for solving the root cause - as per my (blind) suggestions.

 

[woody69]

No I didn't. That was why the 'aiming' was in the apostrophes.

Oh right OK. Don't know why you quoted my post then? I misunderstood you it seems.

 

[G.U.R]

I tend to push my drives on occasion, I did find that narrowing my stance seemed to straighten the drives. Someone may know why this is but it worked for me.

 

[Foxholer]

Oh right OK. Don't know why you quoted my post then? I misunderstood you it seems.

It was marginal whether to quote or not - it was the 'aiming vs encouragement to close' that swung it for me.

 

[Roops]

For me getting everything lined up straight is vital for good strikes with the driver. Hips in a straight line, shoulders in line with the hips, ball aligned inside the left heel, club face square to the line etc etc. Also, making a full shoulder turn is important, partial turns to guide the shot can result in unreleased clubs that can cause a push. HTH.

 

[MattM]

With exactly the same problem I wanted to fix an out-to-in swing fault (which I knew would take some time) whilst keeping the ball in play on the course.

So I:

1) Changed to a stronger grip (left thumb right round to 3 o’clock position) – made it easier to close the face at impact
2) Got a driver with a 1deg closed face for the same reason – the MD Superstrong is a great bit of kit and doesn’t break the bank, but assume you could self adjust your club
3) Spent time on the range and course working on an in to out swingpath.

As my swing changed my ball flight would became less fade and more draw so I’d then readjust my grip slightly to be less strong, and continue embedding the swing.

The process worked well for me. I’m now at the point where my grip is neutral, I’m consistently driving straight or draw, my bad shot is hook. I very rarely fade / slice. I’ve still got the 1 deg closed face on the driver but if I was going to change driver I'd go with a neutral setup.