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Patient: Male Age: 25 Current Handicap: Shoots in the 80s Lowest Handicap: I’m playing my best now Has played golf for: Three years Plays: About twice a month Practices: A couple times a month The symptoms: I can’t hit a driver. I hit 3-wood off the tee and I can smack it about 240-250 yards, but I want to hit the driver like everyone else. When I play longer courses, the 3-wood off the tee leaves me long approaches and it’s hard to score. I’ve tried several drivers with all kinds of different results. Some I hit too low, some I hit too high, some slice off in the trees real bad. I’m at a loss. What should I do to find a driver I can hit as well as my 3-wood but get driver distance out of it? Dr. Golf’s prescription: Many people have problems hitting the driver. It can be related to a combination of things from shaft length, shaft flex, loft of the club or poor swing mechanics. In the short term I suggest going to a higher lofted driver like an 11, 12 or 13 degree. People think if they go to a lower-lofted driver they’re going to get more distance. This is not true! There is optimum loft of club for each player and it’s based on ball speed, clubhead speed, spin and launch angle. Hitting the 3-wood 240 to 250 off the tee is good distance. You probably would benefit going to one of the higher-lofted drivers because it’s easier to get up in the air and turn over into a draw like the 3-wood. The extra length in shaft might help with the distance. There is nothing wrong with hitting the ball high if it’s at the right launch. In the future, check your swing fundamentals and mechanics with your local PGA pro. Patient: Male Age: 45 Current Handicap: 15 Lowest Handicap: 15 Has played golf for: 15 years Plays: About three times a month Practices: Once a month The symptoms: I’m having trouble with my 5- and 6-iron. I’m hitting these clubs fat. I do well with my 7-, 8- and 9-iron, but I’m taking huge divots with the 5 and 6. How can this be? It’s pretty frustrating to follow up a great drive with a terrible iron shot. Dr. Golf’s prescription: It’s hard for mid- to high-handicappers to hit the longer irons. A lot of it is related to not having enough clubhead speed. I often hear from players who don’t see much difference in distance from the 7-iron to the 5-iron. You seem to be hitting the ball fat when it comes to the longer irons. You might be standing too close to the ball or hanging back in your stance in an attempt to get the ball in the air. Treat your middle irons like a fairway wood and let the loft of the club get the ball in the air by making a smooth, sweeping swing. Hybrid utility clubs are really popular these days. They have the look of a fairway wood but the length of an iron. These clubs are easy to hit and help get the ball in the air. Try one out and see if you don’t like it better when you get in your normal 4-iron to 6-iron range. It’s almost like hitting a short fairway wood. This should help with your confidence, but it won’t correct any stance or swing flaws. A visit to your local PGA professional should take care of that. Rich Greenwood can be reached at (818) 597-8756. Patients in need of help from Dr. Golf should e-mail their ailments to scpgamedia@aol.com. |
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