Please God help me hit the driver...

[hopefulhacker]

I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I took a lesson with Ted the other day, and my irons are definitely better, just by swiveling and RFP-ing, then swinging "out to right field." As a result, I'm hitting draws, which is new for me (I suck, shoot in the 90s, and have anemic distance, like a 140yd carry with my 7 iron). Anyway, I can see improvement there, but as for the driver, it's screaming-pull-left city, or ripping push-slice-right city, with the occasional down the middle drive, followed by an empire-state-building pop-up. Oh, and I'm hitting the ground a lot, as well. I'm losing it, I tell ya. Does anyone have any plain-english, non-TGM-y, basic driver advice, as far as "dos" and "don'ts"?

[mb6606]

Sounds like a bad case of throw away / steering.

Force yourself to hit the inside of the ball (swing out to right field and do not steer the club head down the flight line). Keep the right wrist bent (not cocked) as long as possible at least through contact.

[Daryl]

I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I took a lesson with Ted the other day, and my irons are definitely better, just by swiveling and PFP-ing, then swinging "out to right field." As a result, I'm hitting draws, which is new for me (I suck, shoot in the 90s, and have anemic distance, like a 140yd carry with my 7 iron). Anyway, I can see improvement there, but as for the driver, it's screaming-pull-left city, or ripping push-slice-right city, with the occasional down the middle drive, followed by an empire-state-building pop-up. Oh, and I'm hitting the ground a lot, as well. I'm losing it, I tell ya. Does anyone have any plain-english, non-TGM-y, basic driver advice, as far as "dos" and "don'ts"?

Oh, so you aren't "That" Student of Ted's who has the "Gifted Golf Swing". What shall we call you? Brethren.

Plain basic language. Hmm? Will that be consistent with what Ted has already said?

Swing Advice: Stop using your arms and hands to propel the clubhead at the ball. Use your pivot to accelerate the clubshaft longitudinally. Learn its meaning. If you always use your arms and hands you'll forever fight a timing, direction, hook, slice, and trajectory problem. Don't fight centrifugal force. It doesn't need your help, only your cooperation.

Plain English. More effort isn't the solution. It's the cause and problem. The throwout action of centrifugal force is a greater force than any muscle power you can generate or ever will. You'll get control when you harness centrifugal force. The sooner you begin to learn, the sooner you'll develop sound mechanics. (Or become a Hitter)

How long? Well, I keep a spare bottle of Advil in my Golf Bag.

Written By: Hopefulhacker # 498765300.8769

P.S. Hitting the ground is good. Really. Just hit it closer to the ball. At least the club is going down.

One last advice: I started getting 11:00am tee times so I can start drinking by the third hole.

[hopefulhacker]

Thanks for the advice- and I agree that there's gotta be a better way than the "timing" hands/arms swing I now possess. But HOW do I "use the pivot"? Seriously, what physical steps can I take to at least start down the right path? I mean, just turning my hips won't cut it (right?). I must have to blend my arms/hands with the pivot (right?). Ted had me really rolling my left wrist through impact but (and this for me was key) not rolling my wrists and moving the club AROUND my body (which I always mistook to be the proper way to "roll") but rather rolling my left wrist over UP THE LINE! When I do this, it feels like I'm abreviating my finish, but of course I'm doing nothing of the kind, I'm merely staying more on plane than I was used to. It feels more like a tennis swing finish than my old "wrappy" golf swing finish. But, again- it works a lot easier with an 8 iron than with a driver, so something's really not right. I'm dying to have a decent driver swing- to me, a nice, tight, 220yd draw would be a godsend. Yes, I said 220, which would be better than my 240yd push slice or my 80yd pop up. If you have any physical thought(s) you can share with me about the driver, fire away.

[Daryl]

Thanks for the advice- and I agree that there's gotta be a better way than the "timing" hands/arms swing I now possess. But HOW do I "use the pivot"? Seriously, what physical steps can I take to at least start down the right path? I mean, just turning my hips won't cut it (right?). I must have to blend my arms/hands with the pivot (right?). Ted had me really rolling my left wrist through impact but (and this for me was key) not rolling my wrists and moving the club AROUND my body (which I always mistook to be the proper way to "roll") but rather rolling my left wrist over UP THE LINE! When I do this, it feels like I'm abreviating my finish, but of course I'm doing nothing of the kind, I'm merely staying more on plane than I was used to. It feels more like a tennis swing finish than my old "wrappy" golf swing finish. But, again- it works a lot easier with an 8 iron than with a driver, so something's really not right. I'm dying to have a decent driver swing- to me, a nice, tight, 220yd draw would be a godsend. Yes, I said 220, which would be better than my 240yd push slice or my 80yd pop up. If you have any physical thought(s) you can share with me about the driver, fire away.

One advice. Mental Approach. One step at a time. Learn one thing and move on to the next, then another and another. A lot of small steps lead to the top of the mountain. Ask Ted to teach you how to practice. It's not about hitting balls. As you improve it may feel like you take a step back wards once in a while. Stick with it. Ted's great.

[BlackjackNY]

I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I took a lesson with Ted the other day, and my irons are definitely better, just by swiveling and RFP-ing, then swinging "out to right field." As a result, I'm hitting draws, which is new for me (I suck, shoot in the 90s, and have anemic distance, like a 140yd carry with my 7 iron). Anyway, I can see improvement there, but as for the driver, it's screaming-pull-left city, or ripping push-slice-right city, with the occasional down the middle drive, followed by an empire-state-building pop-up. Oh, and I'm hitting the ground a lot, as well. I'm losing it, I tell ya. Does anyone have any plain-english, non-TGM-y, basic driver advice, as far as "dos" and "don'ts"?

Look, we all want to run before we walk, but shouldn't you be doing thousands of basic motion(chip) shots, then moving on to acquired motion(punch) shots, before you worry about hitting a soft 220 yard draw with your driver? Implement what Ted has taught you, and eventually the rest will come.

[lagster]

Look, we all want to walk before we run, but shouldn't you be doing thousands of basic motion(chip) shots, then moving on to acquired motion(punch) shots, before you worry about hitting a soft 220 yard draw with your driver? Implement what Ted has taught you, and eventually the rest will come.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I agree that you should be patient, and try to learn your basic shots well. Ted will help you get this.

However, I have found that with people that are having all kinds of problems with the driver... go to the range, and strike some smooth little shots with the driver(about 120 yard shots), being very aware of the pressure points in your HANDS. At first just take about 1/2 backswings and go to the BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT POSITION on the followthrough. This is just to let you see that you can strike the ball solidly with this club.

When the shots are mostly going straight, with solid contact... lengthen the backswing, and go to the Finish. Still be aware of the HANDS. The PIVOT is in there and is important, but train those hands to do NOTHING BUT HOLD ON. No extra flapping around. The ball should be going further now. Figure out how to stay SMOOTH, but still strike the ball LONG.

[12 piece bucket]

Oh, so you aren't "That" Student of Ted's who has the "Gifted Golf Swing". What shall we call you? Brethren.

Plain basic language. Hmm? Will that be consistent with what Ted has already said?

Swing Advice: Stop using your arms and hands to propel the clubhead at the ball. Use your pivot to accelerate the clubshaft longitudinally. Learn its meaning. If you always use your arms and hands you'll forever fight a timing, direction, hook, slice, and trajectory problem. Don't fight centrifugal force. It doesn't need your help, only your cooperation.

Plain English. More effort isn't the solution. It's the cause and problem. The throwout action of centrifugal force is a greater force than any muscle power you can generate or ever will. You'll get control when you harness centrifugal force. The sooner you begin to learn, the sooner you'll develop sound mechanics. (Or become a Hitter)

How long? Well, I keep a spare bottle of Advil in my Golf Bag.

Written By: Hopefulhacker # 498765300.8769

P.S. Hitting the ground is good. Really. Just hit it closer to the ball. At least the club is going down.

One last advice: I started getting 11:00am tee times so I can start drinking by the third hole.

D-$ . . . GREAT FREAKIN POST!!! Superb!!!

[jim_0068]

You're off plane and don't have enough tilt through impact.

Learn how to trace the plane and keep your head behind your tailbone through impact.

[birdie_man]

I think Jim's advice is def. worth trying...

I always try to setup with my head more back with my driver....this has helped me LOTS......nothing goes left anymore (for starters).

...And it fits for what problems you're having- for sure.....lefts (when there's leakage) + pop-ups (head too far forward + leakage) + occasional rights (prolly when you have some lag pressure and try to not hit it left).

Make sure your Address is right (in every single concieveable way)...

Then:

-FLWrist
-Lag
-Plane

...

BTW if you're gonna hit the ground (and think of it happening automatically more-or-less...) and take a divot....make sure you have enough Axis Tilt....as per Jim's advice.

....or you're gonna hit it low and left (prolly).