The Big Stick
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There are a number of things that I wish I knew when I first got started golfing. The one that would have most likely saved me the most time, effort, and frustration is getting properly Fit for a Driver. I didn’t completely screw up when it came to selecting a Driver. I waited until after I had developed a somewhat repeatable swing. I selected a Driver with a large, adjustable club head. I didn’t break the bank hoping that the newest technology would make a significant difference. All of these decisions helped, but not getting Fit made them affectively moot.
Industry Tricks
Something you may not be aware of as a Beginner. I know that I wasn’t. The majority of Drivers on display in retail stores, and pro shops have extra long shafts. Chances are good that if you purchase a Driver off the rack. The shaft length will probably be too long for you. Greatly increasing the difficulty of making proper contact with the ball. I mean unless you are six feet five inches tall, a shorter shaft length is probably better. Now you are probably wondering why so many people just walk into stores, try a few Drivers, and then buy one without making any custom adjustments? I did just that, and everyone I usually play with did as well. It’s because the majority of newer players assume that they won’t be able to just hit a perfect drive with a new Driver the first few times they swing it. So what do we do? We have the store rep provide us with a few Drivers to try in the simulator, and swing away until we catch one absolutely perfect. You know what happens then? Well anyone who has researched Driver technology, or understands a little bit of science knows that a longer shaft equals a greater swing speed. Then of course the greater swing speed equals a greater force of impact on the ball. Which then sends the ball that much further. And voila! You are so impressed with the end result you buy the Driver exactly as it was set up at the time. You just assume that after a bit more practice you will be able to repeat the result you achieved with that perfect contact in the simulator. A few of you are lucky enough to be the correct height, or have just the right swing to repeat that result. The reality is though that most of us aren’t. Took me a full two seasons to make that realization. That’s countless numbers of rounds of Golf where my round suffered due to poor Tee shots. All because I didn’t want to pay the additional $50 to get fit.
Night & Day
Recently I have had a simple Driver fitting done. My local Golf Town Rep knows me well enough that after testing numerous clubs made a couple simple suggestions. I didn’t end up purchasing a new Driver. I just purchased a new shaft. Went from a Regular flex to a Stiff. The shaft had a slightly different kick point to help with my launch angle. I had the shaft length reduced to 44.5 inches. It’s now only one inch longer than my 3 Wood. At first I was worried about losing a lot of distance. I’m not a long hitter to begin with. In actuality after testing the new set up I hit it just as long. Truth be told I effectively hit it longer because my trajectory has improved. I used to be nervous on the Tee. Dreading the possibility of hitting a wicked slice, or even worse, catching it thin or popping it up, and it goes no where. My last time testing the new Driver in the simulator I repeatedly made good contact. Sure I hit the occasional slice but I never made such poor contact that I’d be asking my playing partners for a Mulligan. It really made me wonder how low my handicap would be if I spent the last two seasons swinging the Driver with the confidence I now feel. So many tight Fairways i could have taken a shot at, instead of laying up off the Tee and intentionally playing for Bogey.
Don’t be me
One of my main reasons for creating this website is to educate others with what I’ve learned. Hopefully saving you from making the same mistakes that I made. I’m no natural when it comes to Golf, but I have progressed somewhat quicker than most. With the few tips and insights I’m able to share I hope that you will progress even faster with your game, and maybe you’ll be able to give me a tip of two some day.
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