First drive is the best drive

[brian2kgt]

For some reason, my first drive of the day is usually always a bomb right down the middle, sometimes even with a little draw. Now this doesn't happen all the time but sometimes by time I get around halfway I start to lose them right. And by the last tee I am sending them off the map. Ball flight starts straight then goes right. I know what kind of swing causes a slice but I don't know what is causing my swing to break down. I'm pretty sure I am not getting tired physically because this can happen when I only play 9 as well. It's gotta be something mental. Maybe after I hit one bad drive I might start thinking too technical and mechanical. If I could just take that first tee shot with me to every box it would be great. Anyone got any ideas? ;)

[willamette]

Complete opposite for me...by the back 9 I usually hit 80% of fairways, compared with 50% on the front. Thankfully, many courses start with short par 4s and I can hit a hybrid down the pipe to get things going in the right direction. If I don't, things can get ugly. However I almost never hit balls before I play (although I do stretch and warm up).

[*sigh*]

Well you step up to the 1st tee with a clear head, you can't think too much during a swing or else you will try and over correct...

 

Could be you hit that 1st drive so well you constantly want to repeat it, thinking about what you did right on that first swing and trying to repeat it.

 

Just trust your swing, nice easy swing and let her rip.

[mozgolf]

Not normally a problem I suffer from. I normally end up digging my ball out of the rough.

 

But I guess you probably swing easy as its the first whole, you just want to get it away safely sort of thing. Then after that the little voice inside your head, keeps telling you that you can hit it a bit harder seeing as it all went so well on the 1st, then the errors creep in.

[MARK918]

Look at your swing plane as the round goes on. I recently made a swing change. I was swinging the club pretty flat, which was ok when my timing was there. But if my timing was off it got ugly. More so towards the mid to end of the round. I have since gotten my swing more upright and now know when I am missed it right it was because I got to flat. Not compring myself to Ben Hogen in any way, shape, or form but this was something that he suffered from as well. Sounds to me like you are coming to far from the inside on the down swing. Once you figure out what causes your misses it will be a lot less mental. I dont beat myself up anymore because I know I just made a bad swing and what to correct on the next tee box. Hope this helps you. Shoot me a pm if you care to discuss is further.

 

Mark

[wkuo3]

I'm guessing fatigue is a factor.

You were fresh on the first tee ( physically and mentally ), and put a good pass on the ball with better follow through.

Down the stretch, you're a bit beat up physically and mentally, so you tried to swing harder, this might cause the -out to in- swing path, ball went right.

Either condition your body for a better shape for the entire round or don't expect to kill the drive when you're tired, concentrate on fairways and greens instead of distance.

[TEConnor]

Maybe it's a weight transfer issue? First muscles to go on the course are the legs...when they tire out the driver swing can get pretty out of whack with all sorts of balance compensations. A lot of players (myself included) could do with a steady training program for their lower body.

 

Tim

[atlanta golfer]

I am betting your tempo gets too fast as you go through the round. I have the same tendency. First tee, nice slow easy swing and the ball goes down the middle or slight draw. For me, the faster I swing, the more chance I have to leave the ball out to the right. It is very easy to just get quicker over a few hours, without even realizing you are doing it. Now the ball is going right and you're trying to figure out why and making various adjustments to setup or swing plane which of course makes things worse. Just slow it down.

[brian2kgt]

Thanks guys, I think its probaby a combination of all the things you guys said. Fatigue both mental and physical combined with the urge to want to swing harder throughout the round. I also usually play with a guy that is about one club length longer than me, albeit with a big overswing, and even though I try not to keep up with him, male ego kicks in. ;)

[bobcat]

One of the guys I play with is like that....he can go out totally cold having hit no balls to warm up and yet be strong off the first tee. However, once he "warms up", he will inevitably start spraying the ball around and mishitting shots.

 

In my judgement, this is because when "cold", (and perhaps a bit stiff), he stay on plane much better and also maintains his tempo by "swinging within himself". However, once his body gets "loose", then unfortunately so does his swing and his tempo.

 

I encourage him to focus on maintaining that "First Tee Tempo" throughout the round, but he still gets "quick" after a few holes. A few good driversat the proper tempo make him over-confident and then he right back to swinging too hard once again.

[MB1981]

Most are a lot more focused on the first tee.

 

Also, you are a little tighter as well so if you are just loose enough to get through the ball on the first swing you are usually going to bomb it because it because your body is tight and wound up.

 

Mostly though, being tight keeps you from over-swinging and leads to a solid strike.

[ezra76]

Same for me. I probably par the 1st hole about 80% of the time, regardless of the course. Last round I didn't hit all that good a drive, it was cut but pretty low and I was very surprised how far it went. I it a GW in and nearly holed it. Nothing like a tap in bird to start.

 

I think, for me, it has a lot to do with sticking to my game. I always hit a fade off the 1st tee, hit the fairway, usually hit the green. As the round goes on I start trying to swing harder and don't take as much time making sure my alignment/stance/ball position is good.

[brian2kgt]

Just got back from my best 9 holes ever with a plus 3. The course was wide open so I just took my time, loosened my grip a bit, and cleared my head of all swing thoughts. Now I just gotta work on maintaining this focus and hopefuly next time out will be just as good. Thanks again guys. :good:

[wkuo3]

Way to go Brian.