How do you aim your driver tee shots?

[Esox]

I was reading WBL's thread about hitting his irons. It morphed into a thread about pace of play and pre-shot routines. It made me think about my pre-shot routine. After hardly playing for two years, I came back this year and have played quite a bit since the middle of June. My pre-shot driver routine is different from what it was in years past, i.e. walk up to the ball, take two quarter swings, look at the target, and swing.

Okay, maybe there was a little more to it than that, but not much. I considered the fairway the target, or at least one side of it. What I'm wondering specifically is how you aim your driver and what's the routine when you do it? What is your mind set? Mine is by no means revolutionary, in fact it might even be stupid, but I've been hitting fairways pretty regularly with the used 907D1 I bought a couple months ago. I like the club a lot, but think the routine has improved my swing and accuracy. I use it somewhat for my irons, but hitting irons is different because you're trying to hit the ball a certain distance. There's a lot more feel involved with iron play.

What's your pre-shot driver routine? Tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine.

Kevin

"The eagle"-Golf's "50 incher"

[PureStroke]

I always step back and evaluate the hole layout from the tee and visualize what the hole is telling me to hit and were (I can almost swear that each hole talks to me before each tee shot)or maybe im just crazy. I take a deep relaxing breath and feel out the shot with a practice swing. Then with the driver in my right hand I slowly inhale and slowly exhale. I walk up staring at my target line point in front of the ball say 2yds up and back through the ball, settle in and feel very relaxed, take 1 look up and pull the trigger. Im a firm believer in the fade and live by it, It allows me to eliminate one side of the course and know where my tee shot is not going and thats left. If i need a draw ill just smoke a 3wood off the tee. I also always hover the club just off the ground to ensure a smooth and deliberate takeaway. I take the club back so low and slow that if I did ground it id scrap the ground for about 2ft. Thats my formula for consistent and long drives.

[Bakemono36]

I take 1 practice swing and just focusing on turning my back to the target on my backswing and just have a nice, easy follow through.
I then step back from the ball and just visualize what I want the shot to do.
I then set up to the ball with the ball just behind my left heel and I grip down on the shaft all the way to the bottom of the grip.
I then try to do an exact duplicate of my practice swing.
Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesnt.
When I do mishit, I tend to hit a slice, so I aim a little bit left of my target. That way, even if I do hit a slice, the ball will hopefully stay in play.
I'll be honest with you guys, my driver and fairway woods are definetly the weakness of my game.

[egriffith45]

lately i've been very confident in the driver which has been a rare thing in the past.

usually what i do is stand up next to the ball and take a couple small practice swings. i take the club back about a couple feet at the most and focus on my release through the ball. usually trying to hold the club head off slightly because i have the tendency to be very quick with my hands through the hitting area.

i then take a couple steps back and visualize how i want the shot to look and pick a spot in the distance that lines up with the hole and shot shape.

i step up to the ball, waggle the club a couple times to keep my fore arms loose and then let it rip.

has worked well for me so far this season.

[PureStroke]

Originally Posted by Bakemono36

I take 1 practice swing and just focusing on turning my back to the target on my backswing and just have a nice, easy follow through.
I then step back from the ball and just visualize what I want the shot to do.
I then set up to the ball with the ball just behind my left heel and I grip down on the shaft all the way to the bottom of the grip.
I then try to do an exact duplicate of my practice swing.
Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesnt.
When I do mishit, I tend to hit a slice, so I aim a little bit left of my target. That way, even if I do hit a slice, the ball will hopefully stay in play.
I'll be honest with you guys, my driver and fairway woods are definetly the weakness of my game.

Try this at the range or home. With driver or 3wood in hand take your arms and club to hip high with club being vertical, meaning theres an L formed and try to hit or swing the club as you do on a full swing. This will cause you to fire your hips before you swing,and do this numerous times until its ingrained. then go hit some balls doing this, and work your way up to the full swing. I promise you youll add 20 yards to your tee shot. The key to consistent long drives lies in the HIPS. Also coming down the same way you went back should help you with your fairway woods, but dont force the issue or your head will dip and cause poor contact.

[warbirdlover]

I know you golfed with me Esox and probably figure I don't line up anything...

Actually I try to pick a spot in the fairway about my normal distance and line up to that. Lately I've been landing it closer much more regularly. Had some basics mechanics going awry a couple weeks ago.

[twofast2s]

from behind the ball, pic a spot few inches in front that's in line w/ the target. get up to the ball and do one practice swing. if the swing feels like a good tempo, address to the spot i picked and swing. same thing for all my clubs.

for fade or draws, i rehearse/swing couple more times to get the feel for the tempo and bottom of the swing.

whether the ball goes where i inteded, different story..

[limpalong]

Pre-shot routine with driver...
1. Assess fairway. Note any squirrels, rabbits, or gophers that might need some time to remove themselves from possible ball trajectory... or lack thereof.
2. Check trees lining fairway for endangered species of eagles, owls, etc. It's always much easier to hit a 2" diameter limb than a 20 yard wide fairway.
3. Note potential landing zone on ladies tee box. Consider what club you will hit from there... while your pants are around your ankles.
4. Remember to remove headcover from driver.
5. Pick out target in fairway, approximately 325 yards from tee box. Align yourself with said target. In your mind, picture the ball leaving the tee box with a slight draw and landing at or near your selected target. Snap out of your trance and realize you may find that target spot with driver... followed by three wood.
6. Take one practice swing. Step into ball. Focus on back of ball.... REALLY focus!!! That way you won't be thrown off by the tees the other group members toss at your ball in the middle of your backswing.
7. Against all odds, make perfect contact and watch your ball sail to the center of the fairway.
8. Accept congratulations and "Good shot!" from playing partners. Puff out chest. Replace headcover on driver. Trip over tee marker and fall flat on your face between tee box and cart.



Sorry! I determne whether the hole calls for a draw or fade. I will pick out a spot/blade of grass/etc. on my target line, just a few feet in front of the tee box. I spin the driver at least once in my right hand to make sure I'm relaxed and my grip is not going to be too firm. Step into the ball, align the head across the blade of grass towards the target. Hit!!!

I do not take practice swings. No paralysis through over-analysis. After a number of rounds with this new driver, developing a confidence and feel that doesn't require a ton of swing thoughts.

[ClairefromClare]

No way to match Limp's routine.

I stand behind the ball and choose my target. Take my practice swing facing the target--I have to find a leaf or something and get it airborne.

Set the clubface to the ball, hand very loose on the shaft, then put myself into position. If I'm working something particular, that's when I think about it.

Then I HAVE to look up at the sky and back down. My pro used to tease me that I'm looking for heavenly guidance. It helps me keep my eyes up and my chin down.

Choose a spot in front of the ball to aim at, think "energy," and let her rip.

[xamilo]

1. Stand next to the ball
2. Quickly say a little praying for the ball landing somewhere out of the trees
3. Close my eyes hoping no one is watching me tee THIS TIME
4. Hope not to embarrass myself and shot with my eyes closed

[DouginGA]

interesting thoughts here.

1. determine area to hit to. these georgia mountain courses really have a lot of sloping fairways and "dead center in the fairway" is not always a great shot.

2. I try to tee the ball online with a broken tee or spot of grass etc.

3. I use the way i "palm" the ball on the tee and use my thumb as a height gauge.

4. no practice swing for me. But I do do a "mexican hat dance" of foot shuffling and realignment while I get pysched.

5. slow backswing and try to drive the ball through/over the aim mark.

6. pray as i watch the ball travel straight down the aim line for about 140 yards then begin the swearing as it starts the 90 degree slice.

I can live with a fade, but serious slices have really torn me a new one the last year and half. have begun to try and keep the back elbow in a bit tighter on the backswing to promote a slight inside path takeaway and try to follow thru with the club going over the mark trying toend up with a "inside to neutral" swing but too often ending up with a "outside to way in " slicer. it is improving tho.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Stand behind the ball, pick the smallest target, take one practice swing beside the ball. Spin the club letting it fall behind the ball while stepping up to the ball, take 3 waggles while eyeing the target, eye a point on the back of ball and pull the trigger.

[Esox]

Interesting responses, guys and gal. Most of you aim pretty specifically at a target or spot in front of the ball. I always picked a swath of fairway and tried to land the ball there. I believe this led to steering the ball. Lately I've been picking a small specific target like the 150 yd. post, a tree top or trunk behind the hole, a corner of a bunker, etc. in line with the part of the fairway where I want the ball to land.

I walk directly behind the ball and look down the fairway and pick a small target. While facing the target I hold the club in my right hand as if I was about to set up to the ball (that would be the left hand for you righties). While focusing on the target with laser like intensity, I take a couple/three one handed half swings while facing the target, focusing on the wrist **** for my right hand. After my hardened glare has sufficiently frightened the target, I walk toward the ball while still glaring. I turn and make my set up, glancing at the target and then taking a quarter swing or two. One more glance down the fairway and I start my swing making sure the wrist **** is firmly started. By loading the club well at the top it helps me with my balance through the downswing and into the finish. I try to swing right through to that small chosen target.

I have really been driving the ball accurately. For a while after I bought this club I was hitting it really straight. I've since been hitting a slight fade which is my favorite shot. I pick a target just right of where the fade should take the ball.

Kevin

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Esox

Interesting responses, guys and gal. Most of you aim pretty specifically at a target or spot in front of the ball. I always picked a swath of fairway and tried to land the ball there. I believe this led to steering the ball. Lately I've been picking a small specific target like the 150 yd. post, a tree top or trunk behind the hole, a corner of a bunker, etc. in line with the part of the fairway where I want the ball to land.

If you want a good read, pick up Bob Rotella's - Golf is not the game of Perfect
Amazon.com: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect: Dr. Bob Rotella: Books

It may very likely change your perspective on aiming and deals specifically on what you mention, it is one of the best golf books I have ever read. I would guess that at least part of the people have the same perspective because of this book.

He is a Sports Psychologist that teaches many top pro's. Probably the most influential book I have read in regards to golf. Hogan's Five Fundamentals and Penicks Little Red Book are the other two, but Rotella is tops on my list.

[Esox]

Originally Posted by Pa Jayhawk

If you want a good read, pick up Bob Rotella's - Golf is not the game of Perfect
Amazon.com: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect: Dr. Bob Rotella: Books

It may very likely change your perspective on aiming and deals specifically on what you mention, it is one of the best golf books I have ever read. I would guess that at least part of the people have the same perspective because of this book.

He is a Sports Psychologist that teaches many top pro's. Probably the most influential book I have read in regards to golf. Hogan's Five Fundamentals and Penicks Little Red Book are the other two, but Rotella is tops on my list.

So would he say I'm being too specific with my targeting? I've looked at that book. I may look more closely.

Kevin