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Driving
strategy
Written by Alex Nicolson PGA coach
Featuring Grant Willman, PGA Regional Tour player, and recent winner
of the National PGA trainees matchplay championship
Inconsistent driving is often as much to do with inconsistent preparation
as with a faulty swing. This is a guide to getting your driving
to behave itself more often by ensuring that the little things support
the biggest shot in the bag.
• Pick the right shot . Survey the land, pick a line and a
club. Take into account the side you don't want to miss it, and
also whether you need to hit the driver.
• See the shot clearly in your mind. This is not about positive
thinking just to give you a nice happy glow before each shot, it's
about giving your brain a clear instruction.
• Aim the club first, check the face is aimed at the target
then put the body in position using the clubhead as your reference
for your feet.
• Set-up – one of the key elements of driving is alignment.
Shoulder alignment is frequently the factor that determines a good
day from a bad one. When putting the body in position try to get
feet and shoulders parallel to the target line . Don't fall into
the trap of opening the shoulders as you take one last look at the
target. It gives you a better view, but it virtually guarantees
you will pull across the ball – often resulting in a slice.
That last look should be by swivelling the head so as to preserve
the shoulder line.
• Swing – swings are too individual to preach identical
mechanics to everyone, but common features of the “good driving
day” are comments like, “It felt effortless”.
By focusing on smooth acceleration, the golfer can find that ideal
and often elusive balance between making a positive swing and being
relaxed.
• Commit to the shot . As with all the shots we will be teaching,
a good routine encourages you to go through the logical thought
process of seeing what you want, making a decision and committing
to it. Many fairways are missed because swings lacked purpose and
decelerated. Whatever line you pick or club you take off the tee,
commit to the shot completely. It is more important to be decided
than right.