The problem for most golfers is that we're all different heights and builds which can impact the flight of the ball and with broader shoulders the ball needs to be further forward because when the club is held with a left straight arm a straight club face (driver) will mean that the face is more open if the ball is in line with the instep which invariably creates a slice. This is especially noticeable when you tilt the body above the waist in order to increase the ascent angle because in doing so (if you watch the club face carefully) the club face opens slightly so having the ball further forward will mean the club face will begin to close. Modern drivers tend to have a straighter face with the target when the ball is in line with the outside of the foot, especially with broader shoulders. I have a friend who plays of 2 and he can hit the ball about 300 yrds on average and he positions the ball about an inch to the left of his left lead foot. Trial and error is the only way and there are various techniques that different professionals will tell you depending on personal preference. The best thing I would suggest is study the Four Magic moves by Joe Dante in terms of position of the head throughout the swing rotating the body and then doing a drill for dropping the club into the slot (to achieve a shallow plane to stop coming over the top. Keeping an eye on the angle of the shaft as you bring your arms back down so that it is at a 45 degree angle behind you (let the weight of the club head do this for you) and as you start the down swing push your lead foot into the ground (which rotates and squares the body so you don't physically turn the body which can cause you to come over the top as well). Once you can do all these elements get to the point where you drop into the slot in one movement of the backswing rather than delay it (otherwise there is too much lag and the arms will trail creating an over-turned body by the time you strike the ball). You should still be pushing the led foot into the ground as you strike the ball producing kinetic energy just before the lead leg straightens fully and stop yourself, when doing a slow practice swing, at the expected impact pint with your head still in the same position at setup to create the angle with the left shoulder higher than the right one. You should notice that the club head is slightly open when it is in line with your toe so move it forward until the face is square. That should give you a square swing path onto the ball, a square face AND elevate the club face so you're hitting up on the ball. Once you're hitting the ball square that is then the time to experiment with tee heights. Bounce the ball off the face of the club to see where it bounces higher off the face to give an indication of tee height too if that helps.
I took up golfing again after 25 years away from the sport. Bought new clubs because I figured my boyfriend and I would play a lot together. Anyway after last weekend I was feeling frustrated that I could hit my 7 iron 135 to 140 yds consistently but my driver only 160 yds. I watched this video on Monday morning then went out and played 18 holes while following these tips, which helped immensely. I am now hitting the ball 190 to 215 yds with my driver, which has a 10.5° loft. I think one of the keys was putting my feet slightly farther apart and really thinking about the weight shift. I just followed your instructions step by step, Honestly I'm completely blown away by how your advice made such a difference! Thank you so very much.
This has been helpful - I'm very good driver but on occasion I pull it hard. I think it's starting from my set up - too far forward, bad shaft position, leading to poor rotation and so on. Question: when you set your feet together, do you have the ball in the middle of your feet or is it the leading edge of your driver? I use the ball, but watching you, I'm thinking that's what's causing me to put it too far forward. Thoughts?
Great video. I just found your page. Good Stuff. Played in an Invitational last few days and hit the driver pretty well. My miss is a big pull hook. For the life of me can't figure out why? I assume I am coiming over the top and hitting down? Keep the videos coming. THanks!!!
Hi Todd, my golf buddy sets up the driver with the heel on the ground, and the toe up. He hits a nice, straight drive, so I'm wondering should I sole the club flat or try the heel down, toe up style method? Can you tell me why he's doing it that way, and should we incorporate that in our swing, too? Love your videos by the way!
Good question. Lots of ways to do it. In regards to the angle of the clubhead on the ground, understand that a set up with that toe up in the air will promote a more round/flat swing and a position with the heal up will promote a more vertical swing. Both can work 👊
I would appreciate tips on how to vary the distance that the ball has to travel. One professional I took lessons from suggested using a variety of short clubs, not just the sand wedge, depending on the distance I wanted the ball to travel. Another suggested slightly closing the club face to get more distance. Comments??
Todd, let's say you are doing all of these things and the driver you are using is a bottom tier (Top Flite) versus top tier (Titleist, Callaway), etc. The bottom tier driver can't even be adjusted and just comes as is. Is it normal for the ball to have 40-70 yards less distance than a premium driver if you're set up is still ideal, or is there something serious going on with the swing? I ask because I was still coming up 40-70 yards less driver distance than some of the other guys that weren't swinging nearly as fast and they seemed "seemless." I'm curious as to your take.
Allan, good questions. If the clubhead speed of two golfer is the same, yet we are seeing drastic differences in distance, I am look at quality of a center strike on the clubface, type of ball and is the driver fit to the golfer. It is possible the launch angle or spin rate is off which will decrease distance. Our advice, get a good club fitting and see what they tell you. Hope that helps...
It would have been helpful to explain where feet are with respect to ball/body/logos etc before he did other manoeuvres ,otherwise I have no idea what goes on afterwards.For instance, is ball between feet before he places club head on ground.Video can't show this due to parallax./angle issues.Whole video is a waste of time unless initial placement is explained and demonstrated- sorry but a fail
Peter, appreciate you perspective and thoughts. Please keep in mind this is a free RUclips video that we do to help our fellow golfers...hopeful you found something beneficial from the content
Greg Linnell the ball should be positioned between the inside lead heal and the lead toe. The Rimer should be positioned somewhere between the ball and the toe line, the exact location is personal preference.
One of the best videos on hitting a driver properly..thanks
Appreciate the kind words! What other topics would you like to see us cover?
The problem for most golfers is that we're all different heights and builds which can impact the flight of the ball and with broader shoulders the ball needs to be further forward because when the club is held with a left straight arm a straight club face (driver) will mean that the face is more open if the ball is in line with the instep which invariably creates a slice. This is especially noticeable when you tilt the body above the waist in order to increase the ascent angle because in doing so (if you watch the club face carefully) the club face opens slightly so having the ball further forward will mean the club face will begin to close. Modern drivers tend to have a straighter face with the target when the ball is in line with the outside of the foot, especially with broader shoulders. I have a friend who plays of 2 and he can hit the ball about 300 yrds on average and he positions the ball about an inch to the left of his left lead foot. Trial and error is the only way and there are various techniques that different professionals will tell you depending on personal preference. The best thing I would suggest is study the Four Magic moves by Joe Dante in terms of position of the head throughout the swing rotating the body and then doing a drill for dropping the club into the slot (to achieve a shallow plane to stop coming over the top. Keeping an eye on the angle of the shaft as you bring your arms back down so that it is at a 45 degree angle behind you (let the weight of the club head do this for you) and as you start the down swing push your lead foot into the ground (which rotates and squares the body so you don't physically turn the body which can cause you to come over the top as well). Once you can do all these elements get to the point where you drop into the slot in one movement of the backswing rather than delay it (otherwise there is too much lag and the arms will trail creating an over-turned body by the time you strike the ball). You should still be pushing the led foot into the ground as you strike the ball producing kinetic energy just before the lead leg straightens fully and stop yourself, when doing a slow practice swing, at the expected impact pint with your head still in the same position at setup to create the angle with the left shoulder higher than the right one. You should notice that the club head is slightly open when it is in line with your toe so move it forward until the face is square. That should give you a square swing path onto the ball, a square face AND elevate the club face so you're hitting up on the ball. Once you're hitting the ball square that is then the time to experiment with tee heights. Bounce the ball off the face of the club to see where it bounces higher off the face to give an indication of tee height too if that helps.
I took up golfing again after 25 years away from the sport. Bought new clubs because I figured my boyfriend and I would play a lot together. Anyway after last weekend I was feeling frustrated that I could hit my 7 iron 135 to 140 yds consistently but my driver only 160 yds. I watched this video on Monday morning then went out and played 18 holes while following these tips, which helped immensely. I am now hitting the ball 190 to 215 yds with my driver, which has a 10.5° loft. I think one of the keys was putting my feet slightly farther apart and really thinking about the weight shift. I just followed your instructions step by step, Honestly I'm completely blown away by how your advice made such a difference! Thank you so very much.
This has been helpful - I'm very good driver but on occasion I pull it hard. I think it's starting from my set up - too far forward, bad shaft position, leading to poor rotation and so on. Question: when you set your feet together, do you have the ball in the middle of your feet or is it the leading edge of your driver? I use the ball, but watching you, I'm thinking that's what's causing me to put it too far forward. Thoughts?
Great video. I just found your page. Good Stuff. Played in an Invitational last few days and hit the driver pretty well. My miss is a big pull hook. For the life of me can't figure out why? I assume I am coiming over the top and hitting down? Keep the videos coming. THanks!!!
Awesome video. Can you pls advise about how far the driver should be away from the body
Excellent question, here is a quick video we did on the topic: ruclips.net/video/FTbF-32SA2Q/видео.html
Let us know if it helps!
Been waiting for this one thanx as always
bud lee you bet, hope the information helps your game...
@@USGOLFTVshow all vids have been improving me slowly but surely lol
Really nice job illustrating how to set up the start of the swing.
Thanks excellent very well explained
Interesting video. Helped me. I don't get the height on most clubs even irons. I noticed hands are between your left thigh & zipper.
Jim Johnson thanks for taking time to comment, hope the ideas shared here help you out...be sure to subscribe, more great content to come. 👊
You have great information I enjoy you tips thank you. Joe
Hi.great tips on ball positioning works for me thanks mick Jones UK
Mick, our pleasure! What else would you like to see us cover?
Whats the best way to use the rimer you mention? Measuring it to the ball and the use of the slider. Thanks!
Appreciate a pro doing videos. Are you in Florida?
Hi Todd, my golf buddy sets up the driver with the heel on the ground, and the toe up.
He hits a nice, straight drive, so I'm wondering should I sole the club flat or try the heel down, toe up style method? Can you tell me why he's doing it that way, and should we incorporate that in our swing, too?
Love your videos by the way!
Good question. Lots of ways to do it. In regards to the angle of the clubhead on the ground, understand that a set up with that toe up in the air will promote a more round/flat swing and a position with the heal up will promote a more vertical swing. Both can work 👊
@@USGOLFTVshow Thank you for the quick reply Todd. I'm going to practice both methods and see which produces the best results for me.
Cheers,
Joe
I would appreciate tips on how to vary the distance that the ball has to travel. One professional I took lessons from suggested using a variety of short clubs, not just the sand wedge, depending on the distance I wanted the ball to travel. Another suggested slightly closing the club face to get more distance. Comments??
Try choking down on the club for more control. eg my 8 iron goes 150yds. When I choke down on the grip an inch or so it goes 140yds
Some segments in the video are stamped not adjacent to each other
Todd, let's say you are doing all of these things and the driver you are using is a bottom tier (Top Flite) versus top tier (Titleist, Callaway), etc. The bottom tier driver can't even be adjusted and just comes as is. Is it normal for the ball to have 40-70 yards less distance than a premium driver if you're set up is still ideal, or is there something serious going on with the swing? I ask because I was still coming up 40-70 yards less driver distance than some of the other guys that weren't swinging nearly as fast and they seemed "seemless." I'm curious as to your take.
Allan, good questions. If the clubhead speed of two golfer is the same, yet we are seeing drastic differences in distance, I am look at quality of a center strike on the clubface, type of ball and is the driver fit to the golfer. It is possible the launch angle or spin rate is off which will decrease distance. Our advice, get a good club fitting and see what they tell you. Hope that helps...
@@USGOLFTVshow Thank you so much! All good approaches!
How about ball height? Best reference point for consistent position??
Would it be reasonable to move ball more back of stance if hitting low hooks
Actually we would suggest moving the ball more forward in that stance if you are hitting a low hook. Try it out and let us know how it goes 👊
@@USGOLFTVshow Wow!!! Ok, I will give it a shot, I am actually heading to driving range ... so will provide update later today.
Just watching the video I can see the ball position being pretty easy to adjust to. The hovering part might need a little work to get accustomed to.
Patrick Purnell yes, hovering takes a little while, however, give it a try, it has worked well for many of our players 👊
Please heip me I think I am cutting the ball and the club is going left though impact what drill do I need to work on
Joseph, you are not alone with this challenge...here you go, be sure to let us know how it goes ruclips.net/video/Gcxm414NnUI/видео.html
The Rimer... available at carsleygolf.com
It would have been helpful to explain where feet are with respect to ball/body/logos etc before he did other manoeuvres ,otherwise I have no idea what goes on afterwards.For instance, is ball between feet before he places club head on ground.Video can't show this due to parallax./angle issues.Whole video is a waste of time unless initial placement is explained and demonstrated- sorry but a fail
Peter, appreciate you perspective and thoughts. Please keep in mind this is a free RUclips video that we do to help our fellow golfers...hopeful you found something beneficial from the content
Where is the ball in relation to the Rimer?
Greg Linnell good question. It depends on the club, the pointer is movable.
US GOLF TV, the club is the Driver, which is what the segment is about.
Sometime this week, please
Greg Linnell the ball should be positioned between the inside lead heal and the lead toe. The Rimer should be positioned somewhere between the ball and the toe line, the exact location is personal preference.
Too much talking.
Sorry, hope you stick around for our next videos
Mann... if he talks too much which he doesn't, maybe you should turn it down or maybe just read a book on swing set up, lol.