Hovering the driver

[Dave B]

After reading this thread:

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?40581-This-article-cured-my-driver-slice!

It got me thinking about higher tee heights, a shallower angle of attack and reduced spin rates.

Bubba Tee's his ball higher than most tour pro's and hovers the driver which if I have my theory right creates a shallower angle of attack, less spin and more distance.

I generally hit the ball quite high and get good distance but I tee the ball quite low compared to some people however I do hit it out of the middle. fairly consistently

If I tee the ball high it goes very high and I loose distance.

If I move the tee back from my left heel I tend to push the ball right so after reading this article and thinking about Bubba I am now considering trying the hover.

Does anybody else use it and if so what effect has it had on your game.

The only other option I have to lowering my trajectory is by swinging more around my body to give me a shallower angle of attack but my concern is, if I do this I will very likely loose accuracy and spend more time in the rough.

If Bob or anybody else can offer any tips to lower trajectory without moving tee position please advise.

I don't want to go for a lower trajectory driver as I used to use 9.5 degrees but during a fitting was told I should be using 10.5 degrees, therefore I need to work on my technique rather than looking at other clubs.

 

[ScienceBoy]

My favorite way to get the ball hit on the upswing is simple. At the range tee the ball up as normal, line up and move your left foot (right handers) so it inside the line with the holes for left handers on the tee mat. Move your right foot as normal. Pretty much imagine a line between the two sets of holes and stand behind that but with the ball on it.

This gets pretty much EVERYTHING behind the ball and its almost impossible to not hit the ball on the upswing! Its a good drill and worked great for me.

The ball should not go too high as you should hit it when the clubface is not open, the path should be on line and you are almost forced to rotate in to out to reach the ball! Just remember to keep your weight more on your toes/balls (the pads behind your toes) when using this drill.

 

[pbrown7582]

Hoovering is an idea been around for a while Greg Norman used to use this method I did try it recently after reading an article that this method can reduce tension and aide control but didn't work for me.

 

[Dave B]

Scienceboy.

I'm pretty sure that I am hitting the ball on the upswing as allignment and set up are fine as I hit the ball straight. Some have mentioned teeing the ball lower and moving it back in the stance however if I move it more than a few inches back, i.e. more than 4 ins inside my left heel it doesn't give me time to close the club face properly and tends to push the ball right, (generally straight but sometimes with a bit of fade).

My head is definitely behind the ball as this and my body allignment is something I've been working on for the last few weeks.

There isn't a great deal wrong with my driving, (220-240 yd average), it's the quest for those extra few yards and a bit more roll now that the fairways are drying out.

 

[tagnut69]

Jack Nicklaus hovers his driver too, for him he beleived there was less friction on the back swing as ther is no ground contact therfor a faster swing giving more distance

worked well enough for him

 

[garyinderry]

You don't hit anything on the backswing, so why rush it?
- Doug Ford

 

[DaveM]

You don't hit anything on the backswing, so why rush it?
- Doug Ford

True. But the set up and backswing are the only parts of the swing you have full control of. You have little or no control of the downswing (its over to fast). It is just a reaction to the set up/downswing. So good set up. smooth on plane controlled backswing and away you go.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I've taken to hovering the driver and I feel I now have a better ball flight than before. However, this is only one of several changes I've made - I don't think there's any single panacea although it was actually a grip change that seems to have given me significantly more consistency.

My two swing thoughts with driver are getting into the "right" position at the top of my backswing and hitting straight through the ball. I believe hovering the driver helps with the latter, I "feel" the height I want to be at impact and have a smoother start to the swing.

 

[Imurg]

I've tried hovering the driver and, for me, it creates tension....

And it's no good if you have a TM R11 or R11s as the "lie" plate doesn't sit on the ground....

 

[FairwayDodger]

I've tried hovering the driver and, for me, it creates tension....

And it's no good if you have a TM R11 or R11s as the "lie" plate doesn't sit on the ground....

I have the R11. I address the ball with it on the ground, take my grip, hover the driver, swing back, and through.... then walk 300 yards up the fairway.... ahem....

 

[Foxholer]

I've tried hovering the driver and, for me, it creates tension....

And it's no good if you have a TM R11 or R11s as the "lie" plate doesn't sit on the ground....

I hover as I feel leaving it on the ground creates bad tension.

And I think 'the plate sitting on the ground' as 'not hovering.

 

[sev112]

i hover for the reason of ensuring i am in balance fore/aft and left/right - i believe this gives me much more chance of being in balance at the top of backswing and start of downswing, and hence a greater chance of hitting the ball at the bottom of the swing

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not for me. It doesn't feel right. Never had a problem taking it away from a position on the ground behind the ball. had a few issues once it goes the other way and hits the bloody thing mind. If it works then fine. If you've never tried it, give it a go.

 

[pbrown7582]

I have the R11. I address the ball with it on the ground, take my grip, hover the driver, swing back, and through.... then walk 300 yards up the fairway.... ahem....

Only 300????!!!!!