Why does my driver go so high?

[Beezerk]

As per title really, what are the possible causes of this?
I use an M2 12.5 HL but it's at the lowest setting which is 10.5 or 11 degrees I think. Stiff Black Tie shaft and I use white castle tees.
Ball strikes seem to be sort of random but a few low down on the face, does gear effect on low face impact cause the ball to balloon?
I'm terrible in the wind off the tee mainly down to this, I'm toying with trying a lower lofted driver but then I sometimes hit those lower more penetrating tee shots which go much further than my normal one.
Do you think it's worth getting a session on a Trackman etc to see what the numbers are saying?

Help

 

[bobmac]

Do you ever hit the ground before the ball?

 

[Beezerk]

Do you ever hit the ground before the ball?

Yes Bob, how the flipping heck did you suss that out and what advice would you give?

 

[IanM]

Bob?

Coming in very steep??

 

[Beezerk]

Bob?

Coming in very steep??

I was sort of thinking that but wanted some expert views.

 

[bobmac]

Think of opposites.........
If you got your body well in front of the ball at impact, the chances are you would hit the ball low.
So to hit the ball high you probably have the weight too far back.
If you have the weight too far back, the club will bottom out behind the ball and often hit the ground due to the tilt of your shoulders.


Two things could be causing this.
1.You move your weight forward on your backswing and back on your downswing.
2. You sway onto your back foot and stay there on your downswing.
I would guess no.2

Try and focus on improving your weight transfer and getting off your back foot earlier.

Bob?

Coming in very steep??

It could be, but in the OP he says there are marks low down on the face which suggests to me hitting up on it.

 

[Beezerk]

Thanks Bob, any particular drills you would suggest?
I do sway a tad I’m pretty sure, bad shot is a hook which seems to happen randomly now and again.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Check your ball position as well.

 

[Fish]

Check your ball position as well.

Yeah, dress to the right, helps counter balance your sway

 

[Wayman]

Marty go see Ridley with the trackman get the numbers and see from there

 

[need_my_wedge]

You hit the ground first, because you're angry? and then the driver goes high because you helicoptered it?

 

[bobmac]

Thanks Bob, any particular drills you would suggest?
I do sway a tad I’m pretty sure, bad shot is a hook which seems to happen randomly now and again.

Try the drill below with a 7 or 8 iron (not the driver)
Try and hit the front without hitting the back ball.
Start with the balls about 12'' apart. As you improve, move them closer together.
This will help you feel you're getting your weight forward.
You can swap the back ball for a small headcover or rolled up towel for safety

 

[Foxholer]

How high do you tee the ball? If it's reasonably/quite high, then (purely as a drill) try gradually using a lower tee during practice. The fact that you occasionally/often hit the ground first indicates you are hitting the ball 'on the up', effectively adding loft/increasing launch angle. The idea of the 'drill' is to convince brain/body to swing flatter/connect with the ball at the bottom of the swing. If you are a cricket player, think 'hitting 4s back past the bowler rather than 6s over his head!' Slight warning though...overdone/done wrong, the drill can encourage a 'stabby' downward swing that doesn't achieve the correct change. It's a 'sweeping' swing that's wanted.

And while Trackman et al can show figures, a likely better way to demonstrate/measure is with a face-on video. The position of body and club at impact should demonstrate fault and/or change very easily.

Good luck!

Edit: I'm a fan of the drill Bob posted for my 'too flat' iron swing! Hadn't thought of it as a correction for your Driver issue. Bob's drills are normally spot on though!

 

[YandaB]

I thought that for a driver you were supposed to hit up on the ball?

 

[Beezerk]

Super thanks chaps, I'm away in Scotland all week and have brought some clubs with me so I can go to the range.

 

[bobmac]

I thought that for a driver you were supposed to hit up on the ball?

Yes but not by keeping your weight on your back foot

 

[YandaB]

Yes but not by keeping your weight on your back foot

OK, that makes sense, I am still confused though - sorry. If the driver needs to be going up as it strikes the ball then my thought processe says that it needs to be lower than the ball before it gets there and that implies it will be close to the back ball or floor before going up to meet the target ball? Or is it that the amount of "upness" should be less than that?

 

[woofers]

Why not have a half hour lesson with a pro ?
That way you’ll find out cause and effect, and a remedy.

 

[bobmac]

OK, that makes sense, I am still confused though - sorry. If the driver needs to be going up as it strikes the ball then my thought processe says that it needs to be lower than the ball before it gets there and that implies it will be close to the back ball or floor before going up to meet the target ball? Or is it that the amount of "upness" should be less than that?

The drill in the video is for irons only but it will encourage the feeling of the weight getting off the back foot and with the ball being forward in the stance and teed up high the driver should then be on the way up

Why not have a half hour lesson with a pro ?
That way you’ll find out cause and effect, and a remedy.

I'd hope he now has all the info he needs

 

[YandaB]

The drill in the video is for irons only but it will encourage the feeling of the weight getting off the back foot and with the ball being forward in the stance and teed up high the driver should then be on the way up

Thank you Bob.