Driver off deck

[Shaitan]

Your thoughts

I've been hitting driver off the deck more and more often these days as I'm getting a lot more confident in my fairway wood swing and as well as trying to advance the ball as far as possible if the situation warrents it. It isn't as high percentage as hitting a 5w, but sometimes you just need that really low shot that cuts a bit out of trees or under trees or to knock it 240-250yds up to the hole. Another reason I've started doing it is I can't see the longevity in my driver being in my bag for longer then 2 years. Does anyone else like to, use it or has tried and failed to hit driver off the deck?

[jimbonecrusher]

Ian Woosnam tried to hit Driver off of the deck during the British Open some years ago and cold topped it right on world wide TV.

 

I try to hit driver every now and then, but that is when I am trying to put it out there about 280-290 and there is no trouble around. It is quite hard to do now with my 8.5* Titleist 983K, but with my 9.5* R580XD it is quite easy to get it up in the air and get it going. I wouldn't try it with anything lower than 9.5*, just because your margin for error is even less. It isn't a bad play, and if you can control it then don't let anybody tell you differently. Now if you are trying to hit it off of the deck, over water, through a small cut in the trees, over a bunker to a tight pin then I would say that it isn't a very good idea. If you are just trying to run it up to a green that isn't too well guarded, then pull out the big dog and let it eat.

 

You will have many people telling you, just because you are young, that it is a dumb shot, but if you can pull it off then more power to you.

[kenfuji]

imho most people will hit a 3wd further off the deck then a driver.

I don't see any advantages doing it, but hey if you feel it helps your game then more power to you. :bad:

[AcesAZ]

I was practicing it on the range the other day. It is alot tougher with 460 CC drivers than it use to be with 300 cc ones. The COG is so much higher that it's nearly impossible to hit a high shot off the deck. If you want a low screamer into the wind or need alot of roll than it's not a bad shot. I don't think I'd try it ion competition though.

[oregongolf]

lol..

 

i hit a driver off the deck about a week ago on a 570 yard par 5. it's a tough shot, but for me, it's only for a long running draw anyway, so i just make sure to stay down on it.

[oneplanedan]

I was practicing it on the range the other day. It is alot tougher with 460 CC drivers than it use to be with 300 cc ones. The COG is so much higher that it's nearly impossible to hit a high shot off the deck. If you want a low screamer into the wind or need alot of roll than it's not a bad shot. I don't think I'd try it ion competition though.

 

 

I hear ya the old J was so easy to hit.......460 not so good.....rather hit 3 wood

[El Guapo]

Back in the day, I played a TM Burner Twistflex. I swear the head was smaller than a modern day TM V-steel 3-wood. Anyway, it was 9.5*. I could smack that bad boy off the deck with ease. I used it on a couple of local par 5's where I needed the extra distance to get home in 2 and there was a run up to the green. Ah, the days of 200cc driver heads. I don't quite have the cajones to try my 905s off the deck!

[bloodredsun]

200cc is the size of this years Big Betha 3 wood!

 

I can't see myself doing it unless the ball is sitting up on a little tee of turf. The COG would be higher than the ball otherwise and at straight top is the best I could expect. I've tried it at the range as an experiment but I don't fancy it too much. I'd prefer to reach for the 3 wood I think.

[InspiredGolf]

imho most people will hit a 3wd further off the deck then a driver.

I don't see any advantages doing it, but hey if you feel it helps your game then more power to you. :bad:

 

I agree 100%.

[Young04]

imho most people will hit a 3wd further off the deck then a driver.

I don't see any advantages doing it, but hey if you feel it helps your game then more power to you. :bad:

 

in total agreement as well. i try it at the driving range once in awhile, but i really don't think i get more distnace than a 3W or even a ripped 5W. i have a decent swing speed and a relatively shallow faced driver (SQ Tour) but i still struggle to get the ball up sufficiently.

 

i'm not sure that i've met an amateur who can hit a 460cc driver consistently enough (and 20+ yards further than their 3W) that it actually makes sense for them to use one during a competitive round.

[Young04]

imho most people will hit a 3wd further off the deck then a driver.

I don't see any advantages doing it, but hey if you feel it helps your game then more power to you. :bad:

 

in total agreement as well. i try it at the driving range once in awhile, but i really don't think i get more distnace than a 3W or even a ripped 5W. i have a decent swing speed and a relatively shallow faced driver (SQ Tour) but i still struggle to get the ball up sufficiently.

 

i'm not sure that i've met an amateur who can hit a 460cc driver consistently enough (and 20+ yards further than their 3W) that it actually makes sense for them to use one during a competitive round.

[villa]

With modern drivers (anything over 400cc), this shot doesn't work.

 

As kenfuji said, you should be able to hit your 3 wood off the deck further than your driver so why would anyone ever take the risk.

 

Back in the day, a driver off the deck was a normal part of the game but this was because of the smaller headed/higher lofted drivers and the fact that the balls didn't go anywhere in the first place!

[Shaitan]

I generally only use it if I'm way out there, it's windy or I'm in trees where there is plenty of room but just need to keep it really low. I hit it 30yds further then my 5w and 15-20yds further then my 3w so I see a definite advantage with it. I always hit driver well of a tee, be it teed up high or low and I haven't hit it bad yet, but I won't hit it unless it's sitting on the fw or is sitting up in rough. I try to make it as high percentage as possible. It works, I know it doesn't for a lot of people but if you've got 14 clubs in your bag why not use all 14 if u can

[thenewbie]

I've been playing with this shot lately at the range, and I'm actually getting pretty confident with it. I can actually hit it the same distance off the deck and off a tee (is that weird?). its one of those shots where you need the right lie. . .and if everything isn't just right, its not worth the risk.

[Shaitan]

Exactly my thoughts, newb. Its sort of fun to hit and show off, too

[Ezgolfer]

I tried today with my FT 5.

1.It is possible but inconsistent results.

2.Need a fluffy lie.

3.There were times with 250 carry.My averge is about 250-260 of the tee.. Certainly beyond my 3 wood.

4. Not a tourney shot

5. Better results with closed face and hitting down on the ball.

6.Unpredictable roll.

7.Not worth around a green with many bunkers and water hazard.

8.Could be rewarding, chance to eagle a par 5.

9.May end up fracturing your driver.

[oregongolf]

in reality, i don't hit this shot more than two or three times a year.

 

i still swing a relatively small driver (983K) by today's standards, so it might be a little easier for me.

 

if i have 260 in and it's wide open and the green will accept a draw... sure, i'll try it. anything less than 260 though it makes more sense to just pound a 4 wood and hope that it might get there.

[oregongolf]

i have a r7 425 i put in play a lot in the summer... i probably wouldn't do it with that anyway.

 

but the 983k.. all day long if the shot calls for it.