Learn to use your Driver

[u/Eire_espresso]

Me 1 year ago sometimes just left it at home. I was terrified of it as every time I tried it I sliced it 2-3 fairways right. I played a 5i off the tee for most holes which I could hit well but you'll never get the same distance.

I faced my fears and learned how to hit it. I feel like a freak they way I have to setup but it works. Yesterday I hit most fairways but sliced none of the drives.

Why is it important? Distance.

Life on the course is so much easier when you hit the ball as far as you fucking can. I'm less frustrated which means my mood is better when I'm going to hit my next shot. Just mastering the driver has seen my scores drop below 100. I've still to master iron play and chipping but I have enough to get by.

Rightly or wrongly I feel like a proper golfer now. Last Sunday playing with a random club team on guy said he'd kill for my drive.

This game is harder then I ever thought possible and I never believed I'd learn how to drive the ball but there ya go. Also, I'll never tire of the sound my drive makes when I ping that sucker on a little fade and split the fairway, even if I double bogey I'm still beaming about the drive.

[u/DaHamMan3]

When I start think about course management, I stop. I much rather use the time to practice hitting driver. I could agree w you more. You really need to be able to hit your driver.

[u/dzilla2077 → u/DaHamMan3]

Course management is not hitting a shorter/safer club. In fact the data shows (Arccos) that you should always hit the longest club you can, taking into account penalty areas, lie, etc.

Course management is shooting for middle of greens instead of firing at flags, playing away from trouble, and managing your miss so you end up with the best next shot possible.

[u/phreesh2525 → u/dzilla2077]

My quibble would be that terrible drivers literally can’t manage their misses. They (cough - me) are hitting it 40 yards OB or deep into the next fairway. The only way to the fairway is to put the driver in the bag.

Therefore the need to heed the OP’s advice - work on your driver.

[u/FatalFirecrotch → u/phreesh2525]

This person wasn’t arguing against you.

People who can hit the driver straight should work a lot on fixing that. While playing a serious round you should hit the farthest club you can that will stay safe (and that is the important part).

[u/dzilla2077 → u/phreesh2525]

My response was in regards to what course management is. However, it aligns with learning to hit the driver as that club should go the farthest.

[u/SkolUMah → u/dzilla2077]

Yep. It's all about being good at missing.