HELP! I can't hit my FW woods to save my life

[Big D McGee]

Par 5's and long par-4's are killin' me!!

I know FW woods and hybrids are supposed to be about the easiest clubs in the bag to hit, except for maybe wedges.

I can hit my 5I & 6I OK, and everything from 7I-SW is money for me. But I can't hit FW woods or my hybrids to save my life.

OK here's the scoop: I have a fairly low swing speed, as evidence by the fact that my 5I carry is only about 170 yds. Right now I'm playing with kinda cheap MaxFli woods, but they have good Harrison Striper shafts. My Hybrid 4 is a Maxfli, and my Hybrid 3 is from Thomas Golf, the same company that manufactures my irons (which, as I said, I hit well from 7-SW. But who doesn't right?? )

I typically don't take a divot, so perhaps I am a "scooper" of the ball.

Any drills anyone could help me with would be greatly, greatly appreciated. I will be taking lessons in two weeks, but I'll be playing before then, and I'd really like to be able to take advantage of scoring opportunities on par-5's.

Thanks so much!!

[arkstorm]

Common elements whenever I pure a fairway metal:

 

a. Ball position is key, just inside of my left heel.

 

b. Hands well ahead of the clubhead at all times during the swing.

 

c. Smooth but aggressive swing. Don't lay off of it.

 

d. Hit the ball with a shallow descending blow. No divot, but not scooping either.

 

When these four elements click, I can hit my 13 degree 3-wood just as well as my 7-iron.

[Big D McGee]

Ok, thanks, I'll try that at the range tonight. I think perhaps my ball position is too far back in my stance, and that I try to sweep the ball. Most often the ball shoots sideways like 30 feet. Ugh.

 

Thanks for giving me a place to start!

[alk3]

i couldnt hit fairway woods, hybrids, or even long irons..

 

i went to the range with just my hybrid, took 250 balls, and figured it out.

 

hard work, but its definantly paid off. i just wish i could tell you what made it click.

[Big D McGee]

^^That's what I'm doing tonight. I'm going to hit 150-175 balls with just my hybrid 3. It'll be a HUGE help if I can get this club working for me, since my driver distance can be erratic at times.

[arkstorm]

^^That's what I'm doing tonight. I'm going to hit 150-175 balls with just my hybrid 3. It'll be a HUGE help if I can get this club working for me, since my driver distance can be erratic at times.

 

Just keep in mind that if you practice doing something the wrong way its going to engrain bad habbits. Practice a lot. But practice smart. Make sure you understand your swing and where your flaw is coming from before sitting there and pounding away at 250 balls.

 

My suggestion would be to hit as many short shots inside of 100 yards as you would full shots with your hybrid. Don't tire yourself out too much to practice the scoring game which is the really important stuff. Get into a nice rythm with your wedges before you move up to hitting hybrids. You may find it helps.

[Big D McGee]

^^That's what I plan on doing right now. There's an excellent short game/chipping area at my driving range, I'm gonna practice some 1/2 wedge shots, chipping, bunker shots, then move on to full hybrid shots on the grass tees.

[KingOAces]

Ernie Els had a great article about this same subject in the latest issue of Golf Digest. He emphasized the importance of keeping your swing at 80%. By swinging all out you loose control and accuracy. Also by taking the clubhead low and far from the body, it ensures that you sweep the ball and make clean, crisp contact every time. Hope this helps.

 

KinG

[Big D McGee]

^^Just got back, and my results were so-so with anything over 6I. From 6I to 52* wedge I am pretty good. Spent about 40 minutes chipping, and I found great improvement in the last 10 minutes. I even hit 4 that hit the flag stick.

 

I hit some weges, then moved on to FW woods and hybrids. Eh, so-so. I think I was overswinging. I really do need to get off my a** and take lessons, I could be pretty good if I learned a couple of fundamentals.

 

On the plus side, I hit about 25 balls with my driver. I realized after the first three that I was starting my downswing with my arms, thus the ball was snap hooking left and only going like 200 yards. Once I swung easier, and started my downswing with my hip rotation, I was hitting 'em high and long. Hit like 20 in a row that were perfect and about as far as I can hit 'em. So it wasn't a total loss tonight!