Swing Theory Uncomfortable with driver setup when trying to implement the MDLT principles!

[DeeSqt]

Over the past few years (5 years), I have worked hard to build a "modern" golf swing that is body-driven with a lot of rotation and a stable clubface through the impact zone. I learned to play golf in the 80s and was a decent junior player (5 handicap). After a long hiatus of nearly 20 years, focusing on my career and family, I picked up golf again in the fall of 2016. I was terrible. Through a lot of hard work and extensive research on the internet, I managed to get back to a level where I shoot between 76-86.
 

On good days, I play decent golf, where I can control my ball flight (draw) with all clubs except the Driver. However, I feel that I need to constantly work hard on my swing to be able to shoot under/around 80, and this takes away time that I want to dedicate to my short game. Additionally, I've noticed that when I put in the effort on my swing, my body gets tired (I'm a 50-year-old), and I've realized that I won't be able to maintain a good swing and a healthy body if I continue with a body and rotation-based swing technique. I also feel that I can't generate the speed that I want in the club.

I found Manuel's work a couple of years ago and thought it looked interesting, but I never fully committed to it. However, in the past few weeks, I've picked up MDLT again, and I feel that this is the way I swung as a junior - this is my path forward. So, I've returned to swinging the way I did in the 80s when I first learned to play golf, and the progress has been good. The dispersion of shots is tighter, I can hit more balls without getting exhausted, and I'm hitting the ball well. I can work the ball in both directions without excessive sidespin.

However, the problem arises when I try to do this with the Driver. I feel incredibly uncomfortable with the setup and the feeling in my swing when I hit the Driver. I try to position the club centrally in the stance, but I don't feel it, and I can't visualize how to create a swing in that position. The shots leak to the right, and I struggle to generate speed. On the other hand, with irons and other long clubs, I have a different experience - good feeling and good speed in the club.

Has anyone here had a similar experience of feeling uncomfortable and unsure with the driver in relation to MDLT principles?

Edited July 25, 2023 by DeeSqt

[Ri_Redneck]

Please describe how your driver feels different from your other clubs when you swing them by answering these questions:

 

Does it feel more head heavy or head light than your other clubs?

Does it feel excessively more flexible or stiff than your other clubs?

Does it feel too long and or cumbersome?

Is the grip small or larger than the other clubs?

Where do you position the ball (in relation to your feet) compared to your other clubs?

Do you feel you need to swing the driver differently than your other clubs?

 

Post your answers and we will go from there.

 

BT

 

[DeeSqt]

- Head feels a little bit lighter
- Shaft feels equal to other clubs (a bit on the stiff side)
- If anything a little long
- The grip is smaller than irons but equal to other woods/hybrids
- Club is in center of stance and the ball in front of that. Same with other clubs. Relative to feet: between inside left heal and middle of stance.
- Do not feel I have to swing the driver differently, at least it is not my intention. What I feel is that the ball/club position does not give me the time to swing the club to vertical without getting out of posture or manipulating it with my hands. Also the plane feels a little bit to upright.

/Dee 

Edited July 24, 2023 by DeeSqt

[BeTheBall_]

For me the key thing about MDLT is the club focused approach, I would simply try and apply the key moves (swing the clubhead back using the hands, swing the whole club forward using the arms) but from a setup where you feel more comfortable and see how it goes.

 

I'm pretty sure I've seen juststeve mention on the main threads that MDLT obviously had his setup preferences (as outlined in the book) but wouldn't necessarily force a student in to them if they felt more comfortable or hit it better with a more 'standard' setup. 

Edited July 25, 2023 by BeTheBall_

[Ri_Redneck]

20 hours ago, DeeSqt said:

- Head feels a little bit lighter
- Shaft feels equal to other clubs (a bit on the stiff side)
- If anything a little long
- The grip is smaller than irons but equal to other woods/hybrids
- Club is in center of stance and the ball in front of that. Same with other clubs. Relative to feet: between inside left heal and middle of stance.
- Do not feel I have to swing the driver differently, at least it is not my intention. What I feel is that the ball/club position does not give me the time to swing the club to vertical without getting out of posture or manipulating it with my hands. Also the plane feels a little bit to upright.

/Dee 

Looking at the first three, I would pick up some lead tape at a golf shop and add single strips 1" long, hitting balls in between applications, until the club feels like the rest of your clubs. This will also soften the shaft feel a bit. Once you get that right, see if your contact improves. If you still feel the club is too long, simply choke up on it .5" to 1" and see if it feels better. This may mean a few more strips of lead tape need to be added to get the weight back where you want it. 

 

Driver ball placement should be a bit more forward of what you describe. Left heel is very common. Try moving it forward .5" at a time until it feels more comfortable. I would avoid going further than your instep though.

 

If you can post videos hitting an iron and then driver, that would also help. Front on and down the line.

 

Let us know how things go.

 

BT

[tthomasgolfer605]

I can't think of one good golfer who set up with a driver in the middle of their stance. 

[DeeSqt]

12 hours ago, tthomasgolfer605 said:

I can't think of one good golfer who set up with a driver in the middle of their stance. 

Not me either, and it definitely doesn't work for me. Took Ri_Redneck and BeTheBall_ at their word and went back to my regular driver setup but with a focus on MDLT principles otherwise, and now I have a position where I feel like I can swing the club.

Thank you all for your input!
I'm on the right track now. (famous last words? 🙂)

[DeeSqt]

3 hour range session today. Focused on swinging the club in a circle towards target with the intention of getting the club back to vertical.

 

Driver worked excellent in normal setup (left heal).

 

Played 9 holes, 3 drives, 2 spoon, 2 Iron3. Same intention, same result.

 

MDLT is for me. Really helps me to visualize and feel the swing as a full motion.

 

Thank you again for your input.