Test before you buy
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What shaft will suit you
Ideally, you will try several models before making a decision. Most high street golf outlets will allow you to hit samples into a driving net, but our advice is to find a store attached to a range where you can also watch the flight and distance of the ball.
It’s unlikely you will need a stiff (S) shaft, in graphite or steel as a new golfer but your strength, confidence and ability could well develop. Our advice is to buy a club with a standard regular (R) shaft, which will help even the slowest swingers to make the most of their stature. This will enable 80 per-cent of golfers to square the face at impact.
A stiff shaft in the wrong hands, will inevitably lead to destructive fades and slices. Lightweight flexible shafts are also available for Seniors, women and juniors.
Teeing it up
All the latest drivers have deep faces – some as much as 5-6 cms from top to bottom. This is to help create a more forgiving area for the inevitable miss-hit shots and enough flexibility to punch the ball further into the air. Bigger heads, current maximum is 460 cc, also lead to more confidence when addressing the ball. You just can’t miss it, can you?
Francois Delamontagne - Europe's longest driver on Tour
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Our advice is to use long tees for the latest models (upto 7cms) allowing half the ball to sit above the grounded clubhead. You will then have more confidence to be able to strike the ball on an upward path rather than striking down on a ball teed too low.
What face loft matters
Better golfers, the pros and those with great experience, will tend to pick a driver with a loft between eight and 10.5 degrees. However, don’t be ashamed to choose a driver with a loft of 11, 12 or even 13 degrees. You’ll be less likely to slice a ball with a well-lofted driver.
Remember, too that with less than three out of ten golfers ever breaking 90, most drivers are 'toed-in' two or three degrees. This means that at address the flat of the clubface points marginally to the left (for a right-hander), as an anti-slice device.
Looking after it
Look after your driver. It’s an expensive, high tech piece of kit and the shaft and head need care and attention.
Always keep a headcover on it when not in use, ideally one with a long sock-style cover, which also protects the bottom of the shaft, where it meets the head. Graphite can chip and flake easily so avoid abrasions with other clubs in your bag. Love it and the chances are, it will love you!
Woosnam – longest of his generation
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Making the most of your body
Hitting the ball further with your driver isn’t just a matter of hitting it harder. It’s a combination of squaring the clubface at impact and unleashing uncoiled power using the big muscles in your arms and shoulders.
At his peak and at only 5ft 6 ins Ian Woosnam was the smallest player on Tour but among the world’s longest drivers. He used his body with a wide arc and perfect timing to his utmost ability.
He has since been overtaken by younger, fitter, stronger players using the latest metal-headed club technology but they learned from him how to coil their arms and shoulders, taking the clubhead on a wide arc before striking the ball with great timing and dynamic efficiency. You can do the same.
Why ball position is vital
The longer the shaft of the club the more important it is to position the ball slightly forward in your stance. So for the driver, best to have the ball slightly forward of centre, just inside the left heel (for right-handers) to enable you to hit the ball ‘on the up’.
A ball positioned further back in your stance tends to encourage a steep back swing and sharper angle of attack - okay for punching the ball into wind but not ideal for high-flying distance.
Grip softer for more power
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Gripping softer for more power
The firmer you grip the club, the more likely you are to tense vital muscles in your arms and shoulders. The result is a constricted swing and less power.
Take a softer grip like David Lynn recommends, while still holding the handle under control and you will feel your body has more flexibility to strike those 250-yard drives that encourage you to pick your tee up with a certain swagger.
How versatile a club it is
There’s more to a driver than just length off the tee. With a little practice and expertise you can learn to hit shots off the fairway with it.
The trick is to open your stance a little to aim left of the target, grip down the shaft and swing slower than normal while keeping your balance and retaining a smooth action. It’s a great shot to have in your armoury for those tantalising par-5s you’d like to reach in two shots.
And always use your driver when measuring the distance to take maximum relief, where the rules allow, whether or not a penalty is incurred.
Get a lesson from your pro
The driver is the toughest club in your bag to hit with any consistency, so always take advice from a PGA professional. They hit the ball more sweetly than we ever can and can help us strike the ball longer, straighter and closer than we could ever learn on our own through trial and error.
Good luck.
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