DRIVER ISSUES CATEGORIZED
Over the past year, not many (ok, no) students have showed up at my Studio for help with their Driver when they hit their shots like the picture shown at the left. We can all dream of this shot off the tee, but what I see more often is shown in the one of the Six Categories of tendencies shown below.
The changes we focus on to improve the Driving performance of the students shown below depend on which issue they are most concerned with. And remember, not only does every person have different issues, but they need to be treated individually with a unique solution that help them achieve their goals.
NO COOKIE CUTTER SOLUTIONS OR QUICK-FIX TIPS HERE!
CONSISTENT CONTACT - BALL GOES RIGHT
Nothing wrong with a ball that goes right. In fact, Martin Kymer won the 2014 US Open by playing a left to right (cut) shot. The problem this golfer has is that their shots typically start right and go further to the right. Or their shots could start to the left and curve too far to the right. Regardless of what they try, they just can not figure out how to solve this issue.
CONSISTENT CONTACT - BALL GOES LEFT
I know that golfers who have struggled a lifetime to have their tee shots not go to the right dream of Drives that look like the picture to the left. However, I can tell you that those who struggle with hitting thier shots too far left (me included) would love to see their Drives fall to the right. It's not just a case of wanting what we don't have. It's just that the left desert off the tee is no better than the right desert off the tee. Both shots probably require you to hit a provisional ball.
CONSISTENT CONTACT - BALL GOES BOTH DIRECTIONS
What's worse than hitting shots too far right or too far left? Try playing golf on one of Tucson's fine desert courses when you make solid contact but have no idea which way the ball is going to travel. Have an amply supply of golf balls because you are in for a long day on the links.
INCONSISTENT BALL STRIKING - DISTANCE VARIES
As you can see in the picture to the left, this golfer can boom a tee shot that carries 275 yards in the air and on the very next hole might hit a drive that only carries 205 yards.
This is one frustrated golfer who knows they have the ability to be a great driver of the ball, but is very inconsistent.
INCONSISTENT BALL STRIKING - BALL GOES EVERYWHERE
As you can see in the picture to the left, this golfer has some serious fundamentals issues with their Driver swing. They struggle both with making solid contact AND controling the direction of their shots.
RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE - TOO SHORT
OK, now I know what you might be thinking.... what is wrong with this ball pattern? Nothing, except you need to remember that all gofers seem to want something more and for this player, what they desire is more distance. They love hitting nearly every fairway but their approach shots are too long meaning they miss too many greens and their scores suffer.