Should I put the driver away?

[tulip71]

Hi, I am new to golf and although I can use an iron, I find it totally impossible to use a driver. I have looked at all the different tips and hints in magazines etc but cannot use it. A friend of mine has said I shouldn't even be thinking of using a driver just yet, is he right? Or will it just click into place at some point?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

At this stage you need to be getting it in play and if that means using a 5 iron then go with it. The best thing to do is get a set of lessons and make sure your basics are right and learn a swing that works for you. It's easier to get into good habits now rather than me who is trying to get shot of 30+ years of mistakes and compensations.

Once you have something that repeats more regularly then you can look at woods and even then consider just a 3 wood to give yourself some margin for error.

 

[birdieman]

Stick with it, modern drivers are one of the easiest clubs to hit off a nice high tee.
Get the ball positioned correctly well forward in the stance and try to keep a wide arc so you don't get too steep on the downswing. Chest should stay behind the ball so you hit it on the upswing.
Do not hit at it with your arms, turn torso and shoulders then unwind slowly, let the arms be fairly passive throughout and you'll start to time it better.

 

[chrisd]

I find it totally impossible to use a driver.

Pretty much answers the question itself



Chris

 

[GeordieAggro80]

I think Homer is right mate. If your on the course there is no point you blazing balls all over the place with a club you can't hit. Go to the range, take lessons so you have the basics in order and practice from there. I honestly think a big problem with high and mid range handicappers is that they try and play 3,4, and 5 irons before they are comfortable. I'm only now hitting low irons and its a learning curve. Get totally confident with your 7,8,9 etc then work your way down!!!

 

[G_Mulligan]

I am with Homer on this one leave it out for a while and get a reliable swing from lessons and practice on the range for a while until it clicks. The course is no place to practice swing mechanics least of all with the driver.

 

[Whereditgo]

I voted to keep on trying for two basic reasons;

1 - If you don't persevere with your woods how are you going to get used to hitting them?

2 - This game is supposed to be fun and there is no more smile inducing shot than hitting the driver down the middle, sure you will hit plenty high wide and not-so-handsome, but the ones you get right.....

Might be different if you are playing in strokeplay and the driver isn't firing, that's the time to grab a hybrid or long iron off the tee.

Get some lessons so you have the basics right, then grip it and rip it and have some fun!

 

[richart]

Hi, I am new to golf and although I can use an iron, I find it totally impossible to use a driver. I have looked at all the different tips and hints in magazines etc but cannot use it. A friend of mine has said I shouldn't even be thinking of using a driver just yet, is he right? Or will it just click into place at some point?

I'm still waiting for it to click into place after 35 years. Keep trying though.

 

[G_Mulligan]

apologies forgot to say welcome to the forum and to golf in general

 

[sawtooth]

Persevere with it. If it helps, swing as you would any other club but play the ball more forward in your stance.

 

[kid2]

Hello Tulip.
Welcome.
Here's the trick...Your probably going to have a 50/50 split on your question...
I put my driver away for nearly 8 monthly...I was too erratic off the tee with it and it cost me good cards...

Having said that i used a 3 wood instead and now find that im equally as long as my playing partners with this and i can hit it from a variety of situations...

its far easier to control a 3 wood as the shafts are shorter and there's more loft on offer which takes some sidespin off the ball too(Straighter shots)

I would say leave it out for the summer and see what happens if your long enought with the 3 wood then you'll have no worries and when the time comes fling the driver back into your bag and take it out when you have no trouble off the tee and can swing freely.

Another advantage to the 3 wood is you'll hit the shorter stuff more often...The whole point of your goal!

 

[elliottlale]

only last week i asked this Q. i decided that as i could not use it, best leave it out.
BUT, my urge to learn made me persevere, i got in contact with my coach, he sorted my rotation out, now BOOM! straight(ish), can get it on, or pretty close to the fairway now. not sure if it was the driver/added distance/swing, but knocked off 13 shots from my last round (102 to 89).

 

[Imurg]

I would leave it at home until your swing settles down a bit. Yes, modern drivers are easier to hit than those of a few years back but the chances are you'll be in play more often with a 3 or 5 wood off the tee.
Hit a driver well and it can help a good score develop. Hit it bad and you're further into the clag than you would be with a 3 wood.

 

[Iris]

I strongly suggest you should keep on trying .
Because IN NO CASE SHOULD YOU GIVE UP.

 

[Smiffy]

I strongly suggest you should keep on trying .
Because IN NO CASE SHOULD YOU GIVE UP.

Collect.

 

[HRC99]

I can't believe the number of people that think he should persevere!

Why does he actually need a driver?

For many beginners a 3 or 5 wood will go as far as a driver (apart from the very occasional one) and will be a lot straighter.

I don't always use a driver on tight courses (Woodhall Spa).

Put the driver away for a couple of months. Then only try it down at the range. Then only when you're happy with it, take it out on the course.

 

[coolhand]

In reality is there much difference in easy of use between a modern driver and fairway wood. If anything I find my 460cc driver much more confidence inspiring than we shallow headed 3W, there's not much difference in shaft length to compensate. Sticking to mid-Irons could be an option as they are easier to hit but then that's severely limiting his game.
In my opinion the best option is ideal to get a lesson focused on the driver, short of that preserver at the range bearing in mind that in basic terms the swings the same as for the Irons.

 

[patricks148]

I would keep persevering with the driver, If you don't keep trying with it you will never get better.

I've sure you could shoot a good score just using an iron off the tee, but where's the fun in that.

 

[bignev]

Put it away and get yourself a good 3 Wood and a lesson in how to use it believe me it would be money well spent.