Driver Desperation: HELP!!!

[bosoxfan]

I have developed the "driver yips", I talking I will never laugh at Charles Barkley again kind of stuff and I've run out of things to try. I take the club back and the feel is that I can't maintain my grip with my right hand, it comes loose at the top. Sometimes I can stop the swing, other times it weekly goes through the ball. I have had the same thing sometimes with my 3 wood, but not nearly as often and I have surrendered to just hitting 3 wood or long iron off of the tee. My irons never have this problem, even long irons (I carry a 3 and 4), hybrids seem ok although I've never been real keen on hybrids (left left left).

 

I've tried lightening my grip, i've tried a slight forward press (preset my wrist a bit more), Ijust can't find a solution that lasts more than a few swings. I think my legs may be getting out ahead of my body and hands, but I really don't know how to fix it. All thoughts short of give up the game are appreciated, I need help!

[Petunia Sprinkle]

Try gripping the **** out of it, as if your mother-in-law has finally pushed you over the edge. (You can borrow my ex’s mother if you’re not married.) There’s even a thread in here about Shawn Clements’ (is that his name?) advice on grip pressure.

[Chowdah86]

Jack Nicklaus used to focus on grip pressure a lot, particularly in pressure situations. Particularly keeping it the same throughout the swing. You might try focusing on that.

 

 

A little story on the topic

 

The night before Greg Norman won the 86 British open:

 

Greg Norman: 'I was having dinner with my wife, Laura, Saturday night in the hotel up there,'' Norman said. ''Toward the end of the meal, Jack came across the room and said he'd like to talk to me. He pulled up a chair and he said, 'There's nobody in the world who wants you to win this tournament more than I do.'''I got a little choked up because coming from that man it's very special. He gave me a few little pointers on how to control myself. He said, 'Greg, just concentrate on your grip pressure and everything else will fall into place.'

 

 

 

 

As for me, when Im struggling, I try to focus on simplying things. Swing a little smoother, a little easier. Just shift everything down a bit. Try to hit that driver 150 right down the center. It'll probobly go a lot further. Then work back up to a gallop and eventually full speed.

 

That and contact: Really try to FEEL that sweet spot (the center of gravity in the head). Feel it swing around you and THROUGH the ball with rythm. Feel that sweet THWACK in the fingers of both hands (in this case, the ones in your right hand). Feel that fairway in your hands. Try to remember a great drive you once had and feel it. Get back in touch with your skillful side. Sometimes when all the mechanical ideas get in the way of the game, the issue can manifest itself in weird ways. Shanks, letting go of it and charles barkley swings included. Its like your body saying "screw it man, your telling me to do too many things" and you just short cicuit.

 

Also, check your grip: Should feel like its almost 90* across the base of your fingers in both hands. Not up the middle of the palm. Feel it stay there throughout the swing. Nice and snug. Not too tight, not too loose. Snug

[breakingbad]

I feel the grip loosen with long irons and hybrids occasionally. Strangely its always when im near a pond. Like im going to will myself to let the club go into the water subconsciously.