Practicing with your driver

The drive is likely the most fun and often frustrating to practice.  Obviously, it’s the longest club in the bag so everybody wants to hit it and see how far that little ball will fly!  It is frustrating if you cannot hit it reasonably straight.  Many seek out lessons when their driver is letting them down.  

When practicing, always begin with your short irons after a proper full body warm up.  The short irons will help you establish rhythm in the swing and continue to warm up your body for the force and rotation that are present in the golf swing.  And then it’s time!  Pull that driver out.

The driving range is quite possibly large.  Many are.  Find a couple targets that create a fairway in your mind.  Then decide what your exact target will be so that you give yourself the best possible chance to hit the fairway you made in your mind. Aim at that target based on your own ball flight.  If you are somebody who fades the ball from left to right, for example, choose a target that is closer to the left side of your makeshift fairway.  If you hit the ball straight, it will still land in your fairway.  If you fade it, you will hit the middle or right side of the fairway.  Play to your strengths.  Always set a goal for your practice sessions.  For instance, hit three in a row in the fairway.  Another may be to alternate driver and 3 medal to see which hits the fairway most often after 20 or so swings.  It’s important to practice with your 3 medal or your 5 medal so you have a back up plan for the days that your driver is off. Another option is to play your favorite course in your head on the driving range.  Work on your preshot routine for at least half of your sessions (recommend with all clubs) and use practice sticks or another club on the ground for the other half making sure it’s exact aim.These techniques will go a long way toward making you a better driver with more confidence.  And if you just cant seem to straighten that drive out enough to your liking, then I recommend seeing an LPGA or PGA professional.