Learning to release driver like I do with a mini/3w

[me05501]

I'm starting to figure out that my driver swing never really ends in a full release. This is capping my driver swing speed at a level I should be able to push through (88-90 MPH). 

 

I noticed this first when I got my Rogue Max D 16* three wood and it is even more obvious with my new BRNR 13.5* mini driver.

 

With these shorter clubs I make a full follow through and get similar swing and ball speeds to my Rogue Max D driver. The mini driver is getting to 88 MPH fairly easily and with good impact conditions the ball gets out there the same as my driver normally does. I hit 85 MPH with the three wood and the ball only flies about 6-8% shorter than my driver (200-205 carry vs. 210-220). 

 

When I swing a driver it feels like I stall out and cut off my finish early. Even when I approach it with the idea of completely letting go of results, some kind of tension sneaks in and prevents me from getting all the way through it. With the mini driver my finish is complete with the shaft across my shoulders and my chest facing the target and the sensation is that I have slung the clubhead through the hitting area. My driver swing feels like it finishes well short of that and involves some tension in my hands and forearms that isn't there with the shorter clubs...like I'm steering the head through impact instead of releasing it. It also feels like my hips are sort of stuck through impact instead of turning freely as with other clubs. 

 

Shafts on all three clubs are very similar except for length so that would seem to be a non-issue. I'm going to measure the head weights and swing weights ASAP to see if matching the driver specs to the mini gets me anywhere in terms of feel. 

 

Any tips on learning to let it go with driver would be appreciated. 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by me05501

[wagolfer7]

The longer the club, the more space you need to create.  Some of your swing faults...E.G. right hip towards the ball, will be more of an issue the longer the club or even the intent.  For instance trying to swing freely or with a solid follow through, is probably driving your right hip more towards the ball and sooner, making the problem worse.  

 

All speculation without video.  

 

But to me, this is like rearranging the furniture in the Titanic.  Better off just keep trying to improve your swing overall and these little quirks will work themselves out.  

[fronesis]

10 hours ago, me05501 said:

Shafts on all three clubs are very similar except for length so that would seem to be a non-issue. 

 

Most off-the-rack drivers these days are longer (often much longer) than the lengths that most tour pros play. I have never understood why it made sense for a 20 handicapper to hit a 45” driver when Tiger doesn’t. 

 

If the club is too long for you to find the center of the face, you are going to adjust to try to make good contact, including reducing swing speed. 

 

I’m not selling anyone anything, but I think basically every golfer should have their driver fit by a custom club fitter who can put in a shaft of the proper length. 

[me05501]

On 7/31/2023 at 8:15 PM, fronesis said:

 

Most off-the-rack drivers these days are longer (often much longer) than the lengths that most tour pros play. I have never understood why it made sense for a 20 handicapper to hit a 45” driver when Tiger doesn’t. 

 

If the club is too long for you to find the center of the face, you are going to adjust to try to make good contact, including reducing swing speed. 

 

I’m not selling anyone anything, but I think basically every golfer should have their driver fit by a custom club fitter who can put in a shaft of the proper length. 

 

 

Thanks. I've become very conscious of the importance of strike location and often practice with impact stickers on my driver. My impact pattern trends toward the middle of the face with today's typical 45.5" playing length. I'm absolutely open to fitting and will use whatever length shaft provides the best results. 

 

Last night was my first on-course experience with the BRNR 13.5. I hit two tee balls that rolled out to 250y. I swung my driver on three other holes and though I got good contact the distances were less...about 240 on average which is typical for me. 

 

I have plenty of spare shafts and heads around so I'm going to set up a driver that mimics the feel of the BRNR. Maybe 1" longer at 45" and similar swing weight with a bigger head and less loft. It occurs to me that my drives seem to fly a bit high and land softly. I like the way the ball chases out with the BRNR so I'm going to see if I can create a bit more of a hot, rolling flight in a driver. 

[Ri_Redneck]

Many golfers have the tendency to hit up on the driver in excess. With the 3w, even off a tee, the tendency is almost flat to slightly down. At 10.5, if your AoA with the driver is excessive, it will result in high soft floaters like you described. I would try to keep ball position within 1-1.5" between the 3w and the driver and see what that does to your trajectory.

 

I also play my driver at 10.5°, but play the ball about 1.5" in front of my low point. 3w is played just before my low point. I like to play a high cut with the driver.

 

BT

[MountainKing]

I'd be willing to bet if you took video, your swing is identical with both clubs.  You're hitting the mini better because it's shorter and has  more loft, two things that can help mask certain swing faults.