Driver off the Deck
 

I was out playing with a fellow club member last week. He's a former mini-tour guy and a great ballstriker. On a long par 5 he hit a solid mid-trajectory second shot from a slight downhill lie off the deck with his driver.

As I was congratulating him on his shot I asked him about it. He said from the time he was 10 years old, his Dad would make him hit 50 balls with a driver from a hardpan lie before letting him go out and play the course. I told him whenever I feel my swing is coming apart, I like to do the same routine.

If you want to learn to keep your hands leading the clubhead through impact, do the above drill until you can hit nice soaring shots with your driver off the deck.

It's also a great shot to have in your bag!

My question for the teachers here; Do you ever do this with your students and are there any variations on the theme?

When my swing gets under plane, I will hit drivers off the deck. Usually this drill will get my swing back on plane quickly.

Texas:Hardpan Heaven
 

No doubt helps to explain why Texas has produced so many great ball strikers? I knew a cat who played field hockey for a national team, who was also a superb ball striker. He credited his ball striking to the strength of his hands, wrists and forearms which he said was developed hitting hockey balls knee high off hardpan. He was a true "hitter" with very little pivot and whole lot of thrust! Made Mr. Fort's swing look Jonesesque!

My two cents

Okie out

The great Irish player Christy O'Connor Snr who was in his prime from the late 1950s to early 1970s was very famous for his ability to hit the driver off the deck.

When he put on a clinic he put golf balls into divot holes and hit perfect high soaring draws. He did this at a clinic with Jack Nicklaus when Mount Juliet was opened a good few years and Nicklaus was astonished with this shot.

I think this has become a lost art with the new 460cc drivers.

I can barely see the ball if I address a ball on the fairway with my driver!!