Dumping the Driver

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Gubog

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Ive been reading an articale about dumping the driver, but as I read further, it started refering to it as dumping the woods & a high handicapper replacing them with hybrids, I can hit hybrids well, I dont mind losing the driver & 5 wood, but im not sure about the 3 wood for tee shots, which can be abit up & down with results, I havent put this into practice yet, but wondered if anybody else has tried & hits tees shot with hybrids & improved their game, till I become better with the woods.
 
I can see the reasoning behind this for higher handicappers. Using the easier to hit clubs to keep you in play has got to help your scoring.
But what happens when you do get better. You'll need the woods to get the distance required on some holes but if you can't use them then you're going to reach a stalemate.
Rather than ditch them altogether I'd persevere practicing with them - not necessarily the driver but certainly the 3 wood.
 
I'M in the against this camp i find the driver one of the easiest clubs to hit if you are able to hit a long iron or hybrid u should be able to hit a driver in my opinion i think the problem may be that people have drivers with too long shafts and too low loft or the wrong shaft there is one out there to suit every swing.
Mike
 
Dumping the driver is an option if you cant hit it at all,however you will always have to come back to it at some stage so i would say work through it but maybe dont use it on all the driving holes use your 3 wood for driving as well especially the tight driving holes and use the driver for the nice open spaces until the feel and confidence comes back.
 
I honestly cannot see the difference between driver and 3 wood, they both have to be hit the same way and apart from an inch or so in the lengththey are the same. If you cannot square the face of a driver, then you cannot square the face of a 3 wood, you can slice/hook a 3 wood just as easily. Grip it 'n' rip it. In the words of Mark Calcaveccia "It always comes down somewhere".
 
Ive been off 12 for years, and at the start of this year in particular, I struggled with any Driver in my hand.

Dropped it from the bag, and used a TM R7 Steel shafted 3 wood, and my very aged WarBird 5 wood instead.

Result - I finally reached Single figures :cool:

make of that what you will, whatever your HC.
 
The pro I had a driver lesson from recently thought dropping the driver was a daft idea. He thought that you should just get a driver with a 3-wood loft (they are out there), partly I think as there are then no psychological barriers to get over.
 
The problem with a driver is that infinity becomes the goal.
Most players work out fairly quickly how far they can hit their 3 wood so swing nice and freely with it when they have to.
A driver? If you swing fast enough and hit the ball hard enough, you are bound to clear that stream at 280 yards out aren't you?
And that's where the problems start
;)
 
I was 'forced' by my playing partners to ditch my driver as a beginner.
Best thing i ever did. The three wood helps you develop a swing and develop consistency and to be honest as a beginner the difference in distance wasn't all that great but the consistency was, hence a drop in score.
I would recommend any beginner to drop the the driver and play until they feel comfortable with a three wood.
Also any player who's hit a rough patch with the driver, retire it from your bag for a few rounds.
 
I can sympathise with this thread. I got back into golf this year (im 25) and couldn't hit the driver for love nor money. I used to be able to nail it. I've been having lessons to improve on my bad habits and im very consistent with my irons and can hit my 3 iron consistently far and straight.

I can't be far off doing the same with my driver, its just practice. I usually play with my driver at the range until I feel confident. I had a Ping G5 9 degree which is clearly to shallow for me and again something backed up by our pro. I ended up buying an 11 degree Nike SQ2 5900 because its a lot more forgiving on mishits. It arrives tonight so I'll let you know how I get on!
 
I used to play exclusively with a 3 wood when I started, then when I put the driver in the bag, I learned quickly not to hit it at least until 9. That way I was fully warmed up and swung in when I used it.

After that I gradually reduced that number until I was really confident. But I will go back to my 3 wood if the driver isn't working on a particular day.
 
I honestly cannot see the difference between driver and 3 wood, they both have to be hit the same way and apart from an inch or so in the length they are the same.
Click to expand...

the main difference is the 5 inches....between the ears!! :D :D
 
I was 'forced' by my playing partners to ditch my driver as a beginner.
Best thing i ever did. The three wood helps you develop a swing and develop consistency and to be honest as a beginner the difference in distance wasn't all that great but the consistency was, hence a drop in score.
I would recommend any beginner to drop the the driver and play until they feel comfortable with a three wood.
Also any player who's hit a rough patch with the driver, retire it from your bag for a few rounds.
Click to expand...
Hi,
There is only 3 degrees of difference between your 3 wood and driver so there is not going to be much difference how far they go but the driver has such a bigger sweet spot that if you are making the same swing with both there should not be a problem just use the same awing for driver and 3 wood.
Mike
 
When I got my driver I was absolutely ripping it culminating in driving into a greenside bunker at a 287 yard par 4. Ever since then it's been slicing. Massively. The worst part is that I don't feel like anything has changed in my swing. I feel a lesson or two coming on once the white stuff shifts.
 
The longer the ball travels the more your faults are exaggerated.

Not used a driver for 2 years now, having a think about getting one but personally I find I can hit a 3 wood quite well for my standard (28 hcp).

I don't think you do hit a driver the same as a 3 wood.In my experience most golfers tee the driver up high and a 3 wood fairly low in comparison which must have an effect on where in the swing ball and club meet. Personally drivers just look huge and I always find myself trying to smash it.
 
To me dumping your driver is the same as leaving your putter at home just because you missed a couple of 3-footers. If you can't hit a driver why not take the time to learn? Isn't that the game?
 
I like to use both the driver and the 3 wood during a round. For me it all depends on the feel I'm getting with the strike at the time and the type of shot I want to hit. I'm not a long hitter but I'm usually pretty straight and if the driver doesn't feel right I move to the 3 wood which I hit very nearly as far as the driver when my game is on(!!). Have to say that my new Ping G15 3 wood is a beautiful club and sounds fantastic, so that's probably giving me more confidence. Wonder what the G15 Driver's like?!
So NO I wouldn't ditch the driver cos when I do catch one it feels grrrrreat!
 
To me dumping your driver is the same as leaving your putter at home just because you missed a couple of 3-footers. If you can't hit a driver why not take the time to learn? Isn't that the game?
Click to expand...

No it's not, you'll use a driver around 14 times a round. If you can get round the front 9 in 14 putts then you'll be beating the PGA tour average.

I have every intention of using a driver but I feel I'm better served learning the game on the actual hole I'm playing not the next fairway.
 
In the summer I actually dump the 3 wood in favour of an extra wedge. I agree that apart from a raised level of expectation there is only a matter of a few degrees in it. Dependant on how often you play, your ambitions etc there are several options

1) Dump the driver and rely on 3/5 woods and hybrids. Not a bad option in the summer but in the heavy Winter conditions puts pressure on your game to hit mid/long par fours

2) Get a higher loft. It may be you are simply using something not suited to your game. Also have a look at the draw options if you aren't in a position (fiscally or prepared to invest the time) to get a lesson

3) If you can afford to see a pro then a lesson will benefit not only your driving but your overall game.

4) Carry on and force yourself to love the driver. High risk strategy if you are struggling.
 
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