Corey Pavin - driving off the deck.
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I love to hit my driver off the deck. In fact it's an essential part of my assessment of the club - when I'm testing them - to see if I can achieve it comfortably.
Fortunately most of the latest drivers have a built in low centre of gravity to help get the ball in the air off the tee with a high launch angle.
And that makes hitting driver from a good grassy lie even easier. Off the turf there's little difference even with today's deep-faced drivers.
Many of my playing companions look at me aghast when I pull out the driver from a good lie in the fairway or even the semi-rough. But on long par-4s or shorter par-5s I consider the club gives me a good chance of using a putter for my third shot or a chip and putt for par or even birdie.
The shot is not as tough as it might seem - it's a matter of technique and confidence.
But before you consider this shot, check out your lie carefully. If it's tight in the fairway - a low profile 3- or 5-wood might be the best compromise but if your ball is sitting up, in either the fairway or light rough, go for it!
Admittedly there is little margin for error and don't expect to thump a high drawing flight with a lot of stop. It ain't going to happen.
My experience is that you'll get a low 'power fade' with lots of roll - so allow for that in your club selection.
At address, position the ball just inside your left heel (for a right-hander) and grip down a little on the shaft to ensure you don't hit just behind the ball ('fat').
You're looking to sweep it off the turf so put some flex in your knees. This will also help to prevent topping the ball.
Also widen your stance a tad - keeping the ball inside your left heel - and slightly favour your right side in terms of weight distribution (say 60-40). In your alignment, allow for a ball flight that flies on a soft left to right curve.
It's vitally important to swing the club with a long, smooth motion, keeping the clubhead as close to the ground as possible in the initial takeaway. You want to smack it cleanly and remembering 'slow, low and smooth' will help.
Now just trust your swing and from a good lie your driver will to do the rest. You're not looking to murder the ball - just merely aiming for a clean, strong hit and the loft of the club - or lack of it - will produce the right result as you drive your legs through at impact.
Despite being short in stature, Corey Pavin has made himself into a class act with metal woods and drivers off the fairway.
And if you can master the most powerful club in your bag to make it versatile too, your handicap will soon come tumbling down.
