How to hit a low cut driver? (High windy days)

[M_Monty23]

Whats works for us is going to work different for you.

Dig it out in the dirt, moving around different variables that you, as a 2 handicap, feel like could lead you to discovering a low-fade.

It could be ball position, hand position, a swing feel, or a combination of several things.

Have 3-5 different "setups" or "swings" and hit 10 balls with each one. Are any of them turning over consistently?

The problem with taking swing advice on here is that we don't know how you swing. We don't know what will work for you, and even if we did you have to own your swing. (especially under pressure)

[gators78]

I made the most progress in the quest to get below scratch once I stopped trying to hit different shots and focused on hitting it just one way. I was able to confirm with the Arccos data I wasn't as good as I thought I was playing Tiger Woods, opted more for the Kenny Perry route, it's definitely helped. This sounds so stupidly obvious, but it's also way easier to diagnose a swing issue when you know what a stock shot should look like.

[DLev45]

I've been able to get consistent results from this shot by basically setting up like I was hitting an iron. Ball teed lower, just forward of center, narrower stance, choked down on the handle, clubface slightly open, take a death grip on the handle to make sure I don't turn the face over, and then have the intent to hit down on it.

It's certainly not going left or high with that set-up and intent.

[mgoblue83]

Ranges in Michigan just opened for the first time this weekend and I was able to play around with a few things. The biggest issue I have is face control as I was really exaggerating swing path left (alignment sticks going 30 deg left) and just couldn't keep the face square enough to hit my start line with a fade. I did have success when I played around with standing taller (closer to the ball) but I'm not sure if that's a valid change or some kind of fluke quick fix that will mess with the rest of my game.

In case anyone is wondering not all 2 handicaps are created equal. My iron/wedge/short game is very consistent and when I keep driver in play I shoot par and when I don't I shoot 80+. Driver is the #1 priority for me and I really dislike my natural flight of a high draw because when the timing is off or it's windy it becomes unplayable. I'd be thrilled to take the left side out of play with driver and hit a cut every shot it's just been very elusive.

[M_Monty23]

You'll get it. I'm a left to right guy and +1 and struggle a bit with a right to left tee ball. I've got good hands, just don't get my path out right enough.

How about just keeping your ballflight but making an adjustment to keep it lower into the wind? I tried putting the ball back but that created too much spin, so I ended up adjusting and making my backswing shorter into the wind which kept spin off the ball but kept the ball lower. That was a big move I remember Phil making in 2011 for the Open Championship.

Good luck!

[mgoblue83]

I want to make the change because I'm too out and up to be consistent (Monty eluded to this earlier in this thread). Constantly fighting shutting the face down so playing the ball back turns into a duck hook quickly. I'd really like to find some drills or feels that work on keeping the face neutral through release. My face just shuts down so hard as I release the club that even when I exaggerated my path WAY left the ball just starts left and still wont fade. I can fade it effortlessly with my wedges and irons but just doesn't translate to driver. I play a G400max with a 62g Handcrafted HZRDUS Black 6.5x and swing it 115 mph. Maybe it's an equipment issue? Irons are Scratch blades with X100s.

[COACH9]

I need to really quiet my legs to hit driver off the deck. More of an upper body cover the ball type swing.

[M_Monty23]

Same here. Similar thought to a fairway bunker shot.

[shokosugi]

Well, since you are hitting a g400 max, if you want to stick with ping then definitely getting a g410 LST, 9 deg and maybe buying a heavier aftermarket weight to put in the fade setting will definitely help your swing flaw and might be enough to hit lower drives that draw less. Or find a low lofted tour issue driver that has an open face angle and then loft down even more. Changing your equipment to minimize your swing flaws might be a place to start and a reason to ho more clubs!

One more thing, maybe a stiffer and heavier shaft will make it harder to turn the club and help give you a fade. In terms of a drill, I don't have any but i know when my tempo is off and my arms are coming down too fast on my downswing before my hips turn, the head starts to turn over too quickly resulting in the weak duck hooks. When this happens, I try to remember to slow down my backswing and try to pause slightly at the top before initiating the downswing - not quite like Hideki Matsuyama but along those lines. It seems to help - sometimes lol but i'm no coach and our swings are likely very different anyways but just a thought if you haven't tried it already.

[mcc0819]

3 handicap here and like you, a high SS player (118-120). For years I hated playing in the wind, and at times not even play if the winds are above 15 mph LOL Finally able to hit low launchers that finds the fairway. For low cuts, I set up normal with no tilt. Club face towards target with a open stance. Shoulders parallel with feet and weight about 50/50 or 60/40 towards the front foot. It almost feels like i'm hitting down on the ball, and rotate. I actually prefer a "helicopter" finish to make sure i'm keeping that face open through impact.

[jons1]

Modern balls / heads don't produce a ton of spin to begin with. If you are fit well into your equipment and don't have a potential swing flaw that would generate too much spin, your ball is going to travel in the wind pretty well doing absolutely nothing. If you want to keep the ball below the tree line to assist, it's not rocket science, hit the ball a little lower. There are very few valid scenarios where you need to hit a low cut, especially when your natural shot is a draw. It's just begging for trouble / double cross.