Do I really need a driver?

[Cbfodalo]

I have been struggling a bit off tee of late and scores have suffered because of it. I played a round with a smaller older guy, I am 58, he was probable in early 60's, but he was definitely older then me.  No where near as fit or strong etc. He kicked my a** and kept repeating a phrase that resonates qith me. It's a boring game, just hit it down thw middle. He hit 13 of 14 fairways driving thw ball around 200 yards tops.   After a few holes of struggling qith driver I started using my 2hy off tee with better results.  That round really got me thinking so theast two rounds I played without driver at all. First round it was in bag, and stayed there, second round I took it out and put my 4i back in bag. I have slowed swing down and really focused on h

Keeping my down and still with an easy swing. Hitting irons or hybrids off tee has forced me to manage cource much more then I used to and I can see the scores dropping.  I hit following yardage with my hygmbrids and irons

2hy 14° 240

3hy 19° 220

5hy 25° 200

4i 20° 190

5i 24° 180

6i 28° 170

7i 32° 160

8i 36° 150

9i 40° 140

Pw 44° 130

Gw 48° 120

 

I really hit 5i closer to 200 on smooth clean strikes but avg includes the slight mishits.

So now I am looking at holes and figuring out what club to gut off tee based on my ideal approach distance of 160-130 yards out where I can hit a full scoring iron. 

This is making me more strategic and forcing me to.slow down a bit and think about shot more thoroughly. 

I know if I hit fairways off tee , my second shot is gonna be an approach or a positional shot not a recovery or t3.  This is giving me more confidence on tee especially when I pipe the 4i straight and low and run it down fairway.  I was getting plenty far enough to get on in regulation without thw higher risk associated with driver. By starting off firat the with 4 or 5i and hitting short grass I gain confidence..

Simply really....

[Pack7483]

BRNR mini would be my go to in this situation.  

[ShortGolfer]

Hitting it straight down the middle is my best option.  I'm 5'2" 105 lbs and may never be able to hit it 200 yards.

So that is what I learned to do over the winter in my back yard.,  Only played two rounds so far this season but early results look promising.

I've been at the practice chipping green getting more consistency with my short game.   

I can combine a short practice session with a quick trip to the grocery store or eating out at a restaurant.

[Cbfodalo]

Inwas thinking of a ping g430 3w. But to be honest I am so comfortable with my mizuno clk 2hy I have git it 270 off fairway.  I abg around 230-249 so I really don't think I need to change anything in my bag.  Inwill work on driver on range beamcause last season I abg 278 off tee with it.  But until I feelni can hit at least 70% fairways or at least rough I am going to leave it home. 

[Punkekid]

I would second giving the BRNR Mini a try.

 

Also, no one ever keeps track of your strokes by looking at the club you are using to make those strokes. I'd play an entire round of golf with a wedge if I could break par. Use what gets the ball in the hole the easiest. Down the middle never hurt anyone. Seems like you have plenty of length off the tee for most any recreational course without needing driver. 

[goaliedad30]

I'm 61, and hit my driver 225-240. On days when it's consistently in / near the fairway, I easily shoot close to par. That's playing from tees around 6300 yards.  If you're playing from 6000-6500 yards and can hit your hybrid 230-240, that's plenty. If you're playing 6700+, then you probably need to figure out a driver / mini driver solution.

[azgreg]

Do you need a driver?