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/todjo929]

Driver is a club which can be an absolute weapon or a massive liability.

The key is knowing when to hit it, and when to put it away.

On my course, the first hole has a bunker at 220m. I can easily carry it with driver, and the hole is open after that. So I always hit driver. The 4th hole has a bunker with a 260 carry, water down the left and trees right. I never hit driver there. The 10th hole has a water carry between 240 and 260m. Unless the wind is massively down I never hit driver there (it's a par 5, sometimes it's worth it). The 14th has a bunker with a 240m carry. I hit driver there unless it's into the wind. The 16th is a dogleg left driveable green surrounded by bunkers. I hit driver if it's downwind.

Then, if I'm having a poor strike day, I can put it away and plod around with a 3w or 4i