Who needs a driver - learning from a 12 HC

[Svenska]

I'd rather be a 14 handicapper hitting driver as often as is sensible than a 9 handicapper hitting 3 woods half the time to ensure that you're on the fairway.

Bold statement but I only play for fun and hitting driver is fun.

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. I'm sure most club golfers could improve their handicap with just a bit more course management, but I wouldn't want to do that if it spoilt the enjoyment I get out of the game. I absolutely love launching the driver and there's times when it's the absolute pits but if I had to stop using it then golf wouldn't be the same.

 

[patricks148]

Hitting driver is fun... and how are you going to reach the forum Average of 370 yards, if you are hitting irons off the tee

 

[GB72]

I have no choice but to stick with a driver. I am not long off the tee so I need to hit driver to have a reasonable shot in to longer par 4s or to be hitting a more accurate club into shorter ones. That said, my new hybrids are very long and accurate and so at least I can use one of them instead of my less reliable 3 wood when a driver is not appropriate.

 

[chrisd]

No compromise for me, I practised at the range with the driver until I could hit fairways and don't ever use a 3 wood off a tee.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'd rather be a 5 handicapper and use driver whenever it's needed.

Just pick and choose when to use it, when you need it, and when it's the last club you should use.

But also remember that smashing a good driver is the best part of the game!

Is the right answer, why it's taken me so long to work it out I don't know

There appears to be 2 thought processes here, the common one, and one that one of my PPs misunderstood on Saturday, is that you don't hit driver because you're scared of the result or because you aren't very good with it.

The other one is that you don't hit driver because you don't need to, but you are comfortable hitting it where it is required.

On Saturday, my group got to the 15th tee, I had just hit my driver on 14 because I need the length to get past the dogleg. Fifteen is a Par 5 which is reachable in two with 2 good shots and I hit my 3H. As we walked down the fairway, one of my PPs asked why I wasn't hitting driver on every hole so I explained that I was doing a little experiment and that I was only hitting it on certain holes where I needed it. We get to the 16th tee, which is the hardest drive on the course, but also one which really needs driver to give yourself the best shot at the green. One of my PPs pulls his 3W and says he is taking a leaf out of my book before realising I have driver. He asks me why I'm hitting driver when there is so much trouble. Not wanting to curse myself I just laughed, hit my drive down the middle before telling him that I wasn't leaving the driver in the bag to avoid trouble, I was leaving it in because I don't need it on some holes but on 16, regardless of the narrowness of the drive, I need it.

It's like you say use it when you need it, and don't be scared of it when you do.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Our 1st is a very reachable par 5, I tend to hit 5 wood or 4 iron.
The 2nd a long par 4, uphill, but I tend to use 3 wood
The 3rd a short par 4 dog leg, I tend to hit 5 wood/3 hybrid.

All because the driver will run out of room, reach bunkers or it's very tight further up.

I hit driver on some other tight tee shots because you can get past the tight/nasty stuff, or when it's open for a wild one.

 

[Alex1975]

Is the right answer, why it's taken me so long to work it out I don't know

There appears to be 2 thought processes here, the common one, and one that one of my PPs misunderstood on Saturday, is that you don't hit driver because you're scared of the result or because you aren't very good with it.

The other one is that you don't hit driver because you don't need to, but you are comfortable hitting it where it is required.

On Saturday, my group got to the 15th tee, I had just hit my driver on 14 because I need the length to get past the dogleg. Fifteen is a Par 5 which is reachable in two with 2 good shots and I hit my 3H. As we walked down the fairway, one of my PPs asked why I wasn't hitting driver on every hole so I explained that I was doing a little experiment and that I was only hitting it on certain holes where I needed it. We get to the 16th tee, which is the hardest drive on the course, but also one which really needs driver to give yourself the best shot at the green. One of my PPs pulls his 3W and says he is taking a leaf out of my book before realising I have driver. He asks me why I'm hitting driver when there is so much trouble. Not wanting to curse myself I just laughed, hit my drive down the middle before telling him that I wasn't leaving the driver in the bag to avoid trouble, I was leaving it in because I don't need it on some holes but on 16, regardless of the narrowness of the drive, I need it.

It's like you say use it when you need it, and don't be scared of it when you do.

For you what is need to? is it length driven? "I cant get on in two(regulation) here without a drive" or "I will be hitting a long iron/hybrid here if I dont hit driver"

Just trying to gauge your thought pattern?

 

[the smiling assassin]

I use a driver when there's plenty space, a 3-wood when there's space L-R but not so much ahead (i.e. bringing hazards into play) and if it's tight L-R or ahead I use my hybrid.

I was taught -

Rule number 1 - Keep the ball in play.
Rule number 2 - Go for everything, providing you don't break Rule number 1

 

[Stuey01]

I get what you are saying Hawkeye, but I also think there is an element of risk / reward that (certainly in my case) needs to be considered.
2 examples from my home course:

Hole 10: 410 yard par 4, straight and the prevailing wind is into and slightly off the left. At 210yards from the tee there is a lake all the way up the right hand side, about 2 yards off the fairly narrow fairway. To the left of the fairway is a steep bank down to the 6th hole. A bailout left is usually ok but a tough second. It's the tightest drive on the course. Driver hit well provides the best second shot, no question. But for me scoring is better ON AVERAGE hitting a 2 iron off the tee and leaving myself 190 or so to the green, then batter a 4 iron down there and I'll be chipping or putting. Driver gives me more chance of birdie but much more chance of double or worse.

Hole 12: 290 yard uphill par 4. A driver in summer can get me there for an eagle chance or chip and putt for birdie chance, in winter leaves me a short pitch. But there is a load of bushes that is a definite reload 200 yards right up to near the green on the right hand side. The sensible play here is an iron or hybrid that won't quite reach the rubbish and then a wedge in. Again driver would give more chance of a birdie but much more chance of double.

Driver hit perfectly is the best option at both these holes in terms of having the easier second. But it's not the sensible play for me because of the risk involved. The margin for error is too small.

I wouldn't say I am scared of my driver, far from it, but I am realistic about the fact that I am more likely to miss with it than a shorter club.

 

[Alex1975]

So what for the most part we are saying is that a long(er) second shot is still a better percentage play than a driver? I am not so sure...

 

[Deano23]

So what for the most part we are saying is that a long(er) second shot is still a better percentage play than a driver? I am not so sure...

Depends what the rough is like. If it's cabbage and a pitch out then the fairway is king; if it's wispy then the driver becomes a better percentage shot.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I get what you are saying Hawkeye, but I also think there is an element of risk / reward that (certainly in my case) needs to be considered.
2 examples from my home course:

Hole 10: 410 yard par 4, straight and the prevailing wind is into and slightly off the left. At 210yards from the tee there is a lake all the way up the right hand side, about 2 yards off the fairly narrow fairway. To the left of the fairway is a steep bank down to the 6th hole. A bailout left is usually ok but a tough second. It's the tightest drive on the course. Driver hit well provides the best second shot, no question. But for me scoring is better ON AVERAGE hitting a 2 iron off the tee and leaving myself 190 or so to the green, then batter a 4 iron down there and I'll be chipping or putting. Driver gives me more chance of birdie but much more chance of double or worse.

Hole 12: 290 yard uphill par 4. A driver in summer can get me there for an eagle chance or chip and putt for birdie chance, in winter leaves me a short pitch. But there is a load of bushes that is a definite reload 200 yards right up to near the green on the right hand side. The sensible play here is an iron or hybrid that won't quite reach the rubbish and then a wedge in. Again driver would give more chance of a birdie but much more chance of double.

Driver hit perfectly is the best option at both these holes in terms of having the easier second. But it's not the sensible play for me because of the risk involved. The margin for error is too small.

I wouldn't say I am scared of my driver, far from it, but I am realistic about the fact that I am more likely to miss with it than a shorter club.

If I was playing those holes I would lay up short of the water on hole 10, and aim left and try to cut one into hole 12 with the big dog.

 

[DaveM]

Love hitting the driver. It should be the easiest club in the bag to hit. After all from the tee is the only perfect lie you will get. Nice and flat and you can tee the ball exactly how you want it. Then boom it straight down the middle. (or into the cabbage as is your want lol).

 

[Stuey01]

If I was playing those holes I would lay up short of the water on hole 10, and aim left and try to cut one into hole 12 with the big dog.

If I could reliably cut my driver then I would too. There is a tree on the left to aim at and cut it back from on 12, sets up nicely for that shot. A lot of the really good players at my place do exactly that. Your most likely result is a short chip from the easier side of the green. To actually get it on a draw flirting with danger is the best shot shape!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

For you what is need to? is it length driven? "I cant get on in two(regulation) here without a drive" or "I will be hitting a long iron/hybrid here if I dont hit driver"

Just trying to gauge your thought pattern?

It's a good question, it's only been two rounds but thinking about the holes on my course where I would usually hit driver...



Hole 2) Par 5 with a 90 degree dogleg at about 220 yards. I can reach the dogleg with my 3H, I could run out of fairway with the driver and doing so gets me no nearer the hole.

Hole 3) Depends what mood I'm in and where the pin is. With 3H I'm hitting 7/8i, with Driver I'm hitting PW\9i. I haven't worked out my favoured approach yet.

Hole 5) Par 5, can't reach in two, don't need driver

Hole 9) Driver brings the ditch into play. I can't carry the ditch and hybrid leaves me with 7i.

Hole 10) 3H leaves 8 or 9i.

Hole 12) This is a difficult fairway to hit with driver (for me) and the rough down the left isn't nice so I try to avoid going in it

Hole 14) Need driver to get past the tree on the right and avoid having too much club into the gree

Hole 15) Par 5, can reach in two with 2 good shots but usually don't and mess up bigtime so don't need driver.

Hole 16) Need driver to give myself a 6/7i to green

Hole 18) Par 5, can't reach in two, don't need driver (have also been known to drive into the ditch if the wind is right)



Obviously, this all depends on wind, temparature. I guess, although I am a decent driver, there are some holes where being on the fairway is preferable to playing out of the rough, even if you are only a few yards of the fairway. Hybrid makes the fairways wider.

 

[Alex1975]

It's a good question, it's only been two rounds but thinking about the holes on my course where I would usually hit driver...



Hole 2) Par 5 with a 90 degree dogleg at about 220 yards. I can reach the dogleg with my 3H, I could run out of fairway with the driver and doing so gets me no nearer the hole.

Hole 3) Depends what mood I'm in and where the pin is. With 3H I'm hitting 7/8i, with Driver I'm hitting PW\9i. I haven't worked out my favoured approach yet.

Hole 5) Par 5, can't reach in two, don't need driver

Hole 9) Driver brings the ditch into play. I can't carry the ditch and hybrid leaves me with 7i.

Hole 10) 3H leaves 8 or 9i.

Hole 12) This is a difficult fairway to hit with driver (for me) and the rough down the left isn't nice so I try to avoid going in it

Hole 14) Need driver to get past the tree on the right and avoid having too much club into the gree

Hole 15) Par 5, can reach in two with 2 good shots but usually don't and mess up bigtime so don't need driver.

Hole 16) Need driver to give myself a 6/7i to green

Hole 18) Par 5, can't reach in two, don't need driver (have also been known to drive into the ditch if the wind is right)



Obviously, this all depends on wind, temparature. I guess, although I am a decent driver, there are some holes where being on the fairway is preferable to playing out of the rough, even if you are only a few yards of the fairway. Hybrid makes the fairways wider.

Thanks for this. I recall we have similar carry numbers from some other posts you have made... Interesting that your still just looking at 6/7 irons for most of this stuff, not a problem at all really, your not leaving yourself 4 irons or hybrids everywhere. What length is the course?

 

[Alex1975]

Ahh 6294 so about the same as our yellow.... that I mostly play from. Time for me to do a little home work I think.

 

[richy]

What is the longest par 4 you wouldn't hit driver on?

(an open question for anybody to answer)

 

[patricks148]

At my place if its an easterly you don't need the driver sometimes until the 10 hole, Driver will get you too close to the green to have any control of the next shot.

 

[patricks148]

What is the longest par 4 you wouldn't hit driver on?

(an open question for anybody to answer)

i used a hybrid on Saturday off the 18th Blue tee in a comp, 550 yards. mainly as its a very tight tee shot right off the back with the first 100 yards only about 20 yards wide. theres also two pot bunkers in play that you would usually get over no problem off the white. still made par ... so hybrid, 3 wood, wedge.