Hit Long. Hit Straight. How to Choose a New Driver to Improve Your Golf.
Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
by Mark Pearson
HotBizPro
Wouldn't you like to hit your drives long and straight every time? If you have a driver that works well for you then you should be able to improve your drives significantly.
However, choosing a driver can be a lot like choosing a putter. There is a lot of choice: Big drivers; Bigger drivers; Square Drivers; Deep Face Drivers; Drivers with adjustable weightingand so on.
Here are 3 criteria you should bear in mind when you decide to buy a new driver.
Firstly, does it look good? Does it inspire confidence when you address the ball? Does it feel good?
Golf is such a "mind game" that it is very important that you feel confident. If you like the look and feel of the club it is a big step in the right direction.
Secondly, has it got the right flex for your swing?
There are no "standards" for flex in a shaft. Regular is not regular - one manufactures R-flex may be the same as another's S-flex
Cut out the ego!
It is not macho to get a "super XXX-tour-stiff" shaft...unless you can swing at the necessary speeds (well over 100mph)....and not many golfers can!
It is also not macho to get a driver with only 8 degrees of loft...unless you are hitting the ball hard enough!
How do you think you really look when you have your XXX-tour-stiff 8 degree driver and cannot hit a ball further than 180 yards with it?
So, thirdly, make sure the club has enough loft to get the ball airborne for as long as possible. Too little loft and the ball will hit the ground too soon. Too much, and it goes too high and comes down too soon.
The general rule is: slow swing = more flex and more loft; fast swing = less flex and less loft
If the right driver is not available off the shelf then you should get the club properly fitted by a custom fitting specialist. Custom fitting should not cost you extra - but it will save you loads on the course as you blast the ball consistently down the middle.
Long and short of it, the selection criteria are:
1. Get a driver you really like the look of.
2. Get a driver with the right flex for your swing speed
3. Get a driver with the right loft to keep the ball airborne as along as possible
Simple!
oh, and before I forget...don't break the bank!
MARK PEARSON plays and coaches golf professionally in the UK . With over 25 years golfing experience, Mark teaches a combination of good technique and proper course management techniques to enable golfers to get the most from their games. Mark is the author of "How to Master Putting and Putt like a Pro" and offers a FREE 7 Day E-Course on "Course Management Keys". More information is available at http://www.masterputting.com
(c) Copyright - Mark Pearson. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)hi mark, very well written article. i think anyone interested in golf, might learn from this article. thanks for sharing, sue thom
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