Hmmm so even if you tee a ball forward of low point you must hit all the way Down and Out before the club eventually goes Up and In, post low point to hit the ball. The Down and Out bit being lost on most folks who simply try to hit Up..........and disrupt the clubhead orbit in the process. Im going to the dome today to try that out.
When I started to play decent as a junior, I teed the ball low, took it inside and up and smashed down on it, at times taking a divot. I could really drive it well for a 135 pound weakling. Then a well meaning playing partner insisted I needed to tee it higher and take it straight back. I recently read a great article about Sam Snead who used a 2 wood for a driver and hit down on the ball, often taking a divot. Modern drivers tend to discourage this motion due to the weighting and size. I think Kevin has identified a valid way to swing, assuming the club's design helps. If you have a sole weighted 460 cc driver, it might be tough go.
When I started to play decent as a junior, I teed the ball low, took it inside and up and smashed down on it, at times taking a divot. I could really drive it well for a 135 pound weakling. Then a well meaning playing partner insisted I needed to tee it higher and take it straight back. I recently read a great article about Sam Snead who used a 2 wood for a driver and hit down on the ball, often taking a divot. Modern drivers tend to discourage this motion due to the weighting and size. I think Kevin has identified a valid way to swing, assuming the club's design helps. If you have a sole weighted 460 cc driver, it might be tough go.
Great point Dodger. Equipment has changed so much during our lifetimes that the game has changed drastically! Remember when we thought a 300 drive was super human? Now its 400!
Kevin
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Snead didn't take divots with a teed up driver. I've seen him hit too many teed up shots without ever taking a divot. He did hit the driver off the deck quite a bit and I don't think *trying* to take a divot with a fairway wood or even a driver off the deck is a bad way to go about it.
You can hit today's drivers off the deck if you're pretty precise. I have a Cleveland Hi-Bore XLS 10.5* with a low kick point that I can hit pretty well as long as it's not a downhill lie. I think it's one of things I've been proud about since I've gotten back into the game, being able to swing it well enough to stripe a modern day driver off the deck on a consistent basis.
Snead didn't take divots with a teed up driver. I've seen him hit too many teed up shots without ever taking a divot. He did hit the driver off the deck quite a bit and I don't think *trying* to take a divot with a fairway wood or even a driver off the deck is a bad way to go about it.
You can hit today's drivers off the deck if you're pretty precise. I have a Cleveland Hi-Bore XLS 10.5* with a low kick point that I can hit pretty well as long as it's not a downhill lie. I think it's one of things I've been proud about since I've gotten back into the game, being able to swing it well enough to stripe a modern day driver off the deck on a consistent basis.
3JACK
Wasn't Palmer famous for taking divots with his fairway woods?
Good ole God fearing "Hitter"!
Kevin
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Snead didn't take divots with a teed up driver. I've seen him hit too many teed up shots without ever taking a divot. He did hit the driver off the deck quite a bit and I don't think *trying* to take a divot with a fairway wood or even a driver off the deck is a bad way to go about it.
You can hit today's drivers off the deck if you're pretty precise. I have a Cleveland Hi-Bore XLS 10.5* with a low kick point that I can hit pretty well as long as it's not a downhill lie. I think it's one of things I've been proud about since I've gotten back into the game, being able to swing it well enough to stripe a modern day driver off the deck on a consistent basis
3JACK
I cannot hit my Callaway FT-9 off the turf, totally phsychological. I had Powerbilt build me a driver in the early 1980's when I was in the business that had a shallow face, and 12degrees of loft. I could really bang on it. I think shaft length matters too, it is hard to get steep enough with a 45 plus inch shaft, particularly when you are an underplaner. I disagree with your Snead observation somewhat. His last instruction book, a little one ala Penick discusses the divot he took with a teed up driver as routine. I simply am going by what he said in the book. I didn't realize you watched the slammer play in the 50's, you look my age. Only joking Richie, I think your insights are great. Thanks Dodger
Was with a former tour pro last week who ended up building clubs in tour vans and continues his trade today. He showed me (outdoors verified on Trackman) how he could take a 9.5 degree ping driver and with a 104 mph swing carry the ball close to 270 yds (290 ttl) by hitting up (18 degree launch and low 2,000 spin) using average condition range balls. He was launching the ball really high although not always straight. It was fun to watch although I could not figure out how he was hitting it so high with such low spin. He was playing the ball inside his left foot.
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