How to Drive a Golf Ball Straight

It’s a given that every golfer wants to know how to drive a golf ball straight. The challenge is the driver is one of the most difficult clubs to master. A simple rule of thumb is the longer the club, the harder it is to use properly. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn how to drive a golf ball straight; you’ll just need a few tips and some consistent practice.

The very best shot off the tee is one that does not impart a lot of backspin to the ball, travels low, and has enough power to add yards by rolling once it lands. If you can achieve all of these elements, your game will improve significantly.

One of the first steps to learning how to drive a golf ball straight is understanding the importance of leverage throughout the entire swing. To achieve proper leverage, keep your head behind the golf ball from address to impact.

The second most important issue is that distance comes more from club head speed than arm strength. Golfers who try to muscle their way through the shot will almost always end up with a poorly hit ball. It is the hips and legs that generate speed and power, so use them.

Other clubs may be somewhat flexible when it comes to swing path, but not the driver. As you begin your backswing, keep the swing plane low (or shallow).  Another factor to keep in mind when learning how to drive a golf ball straight is to have your hands lead the club head at impact. This is what people mean when they say to “let your wrists break”.

A common mistake some golfers make is to try to suddenly stop their swing once they hit the ball. To avoid that, let your arms and body move all the way through the swing, including the follow through.Another key to learning how to drive a golf ball straight is to not grip the club too tightly. Concentrate on whipping the golf ball with the club rather than chopping at it.

If you have a tendency to slice the ball, try slowing your downswing. You may be coming down too fast or too hard, causing you to come out of the proper swing path. Another tip for avoiding the slice is to examine your grip. If you cannot see two or three knuckles when looking down at your grip, you are setting yourself up for a slice.  This same grip tip applies to those who hook the ball. If you look down at your grip and see more than two or three knuckles, your grip is going to change at impact and cause a severe hook.

One last tip for learning how to drive a golf ball straight is to make sure you are not pulling or pushing the ball. This can happen whether you are coming off the tee or hitting off the fairway.  You can tell if you are pushing or pulling the ball by looking at the divot that’s left behind. If the divot is pointing to the left or right of your target line, your body is not properly aligned.

Try implementing some of these tips and see if your game improves. Remember, the best tip for learning how to drive a golf ball straight is to keep at it.

How to Hit Fairway Woods

Learning how to properly hit fairway woods can give your game a big boost. While it’s true that these are some of the least used clubs in the bag, there are scenarios when you need them in the worst way—either to have a chance at an eagle or to save par from wayward drive. Mechanics and practice are the keys to learning how to hit fairway woods.

If you are just learning how to hit fairway woods, here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Tip 1: Do not confuse these clubs with your irons. While the distance is often comparable, the swing mechanics are not. When you play your long irons, you often want to take a big divots. That is not the case with these fairway woods.

Tip 2: Unless you are planning to play a fade or a draw, always line your feet up with the target, about shoulder-width apart. Play the ball a little forward, just about in line with your left foot (for right handed golfers). Keep your arms extended and your spine straight, allowing a little bit of knee flex.

Tip 3: If you are playing out of the rough, tap the club head behind the ball  (without touching the ball) to tamp down some of the grass between the head and the ball. This is legal as long as you do not make contact with the ball itself.

Tip 4: When learning how to hit fairway woods, remember to keep your forward arm as straight as possible during your swing. Turn your hips as you go through the back-swing and down-swing to generate power. Keep your head down and your eyes on the ball.

Tip 5: Resist the temptation to scoop the ball off the ground. Your job is to hit the ball cleanly, and the loft of the club will do the rest. Also, resist the common urge to hit the ball too hard. Many golfers, especially those just learning how to hit fairway woods, are inclined to smack the ball with maximum force, but this can be a big mistake.

The better option is to make a smooth, controlled movement that stays on the right swing path. This is the best way to get the ball up, off, and on target.

Tip 6: There are times when you may think the fairway wood is the right club to use, but stop and consider the situation before you grab one out of your bag.

If you are in the trees and a long way from the green, consider using an iron to get back into play, rather than trying to make the green. One of the keys to learning how to hit fairway woods is knowing when to use them. Using one of these specialty clubs when you should be using something else can cause more trouble than you might think.

Tip 7: The only way to understand these clubs is to take them to the practice range and put them into use. You need to know what distance you can get from each one, and become proficient in striking the ball cleanly. Practice is the only way to achieve this. And don’t forget to practice hitting out of sand traps whenever you have the opportunity.

One thing is certain: if you learn how to hit fairway woods properly, your game will improve and your scores will be lower. These clubs can be powerful tools when you need them.

An article by Robert Wilson, Director of Product Development at Giga Golf.

In my years in the golf club business, one question I am continually asked is, “Why do tour players always play golf clubs manufactured by the major brands? If your clubs are so good, why don’t the players on tour use them?” The answer is more complicated than “they are sponsored”.

Many of the best players are under endorsement contracts. These can be very lucrative and sometimes net a player several million dollars a year. However, every player on tour is a commodity.

When players first get their PGA tour card they are offered “Tee up money” to play a specific brand of golf club. It does not matter who you are, if you are in the field you get paid. If you make the cut you make more. If you win the check can be very large.

The goal is to win the “count”. Every week the Darrell Survey publishes how many players played with what product. These figures are then used in the manufacturer’s ad campaigns. Having more drivers in play dramatically increases you chance of grabbing the title.

Of course, tour players would not use the endorsed product if they did not feel they could play well with it. Brand name manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure the player is comfortable with the product. They adjust loft and lie, change the shaft and even customize the head weighting to fit the tour player.

This article is a couple years old, but it illustrates some of the points I am making. In the years since its first post, tee-up compensation has gotten more prevalent and lucrative. It now extends to mini tours and the LPGA.

I do not believe there is anything unethical or illegal about the practice. It is simply a way to advertise and market a product. It is up to the consumer to understand that the reason 46 players on tour are now using the newest generation Titanium driver is in part due to the brand name companies marketing budget.

Tour support is another reason tour players choose their equipment from one of several high profile nationally advertised brands. When a manufacturer decides that tour player endorsement is going to be a part of their marketing plan they must invest in a means to support the players needs.

To start, this includes a “tour van” and support personnel. These vans are well supplied golf club factories. They have the equipment to alter lies, change shafts, grind a bounce or anything else a tour player may require to play his or her best.

Obviously, this dedication to the tour player is costly and adds significantly to the cost of golf equipment. However, a tour player’s support does provide benefits beyond the marketing arena. It makes new product development easier and faster.

Manufacturers that employ tour players have an advantage when they are developing new products. A tour player’s feedback can be an important part of the development process. This is why innovations like moveable weight ports and 460cc drivers are usually introduced by manufacturers with tour staffs. Companies who follow the trends must wait a month or two before the innovations can be made available to their customers.

Both brand name and custom clubs offer golfers benefits. Custom clubs can be made to fit a golfer’s physical measurements and are generally less expensive than brand name clubs. On the other hand, brand name clubs have been successful on tour. This can inspire confidence over the golf ball. If off the rack standard specifications are right for you than brand name clubs may help you play better golf.

The idea is to get out there and play. Do not get too hung up on the equipment you use. A beautiful golf shot does not care where you bought your clubs. If you think custom clubs are right for you Giga Golf would appreciate your business. We strive to provide quality and service.