Reasons Golfers Slice & Hook Their Drivers

Tue, 11/20/2012 - 18:03 -- Don Trahan

Do you have trouble hitting your driver consistently straight? If you answered yes, you're not alone! I get many students who hit their irons beautifully but when it's time to tee it up and let the big dog eat, suddenly they lose confidence and their fundamentals go out the window. The Peak Performance Golf Swing allows you to swing the same way each shot, no matter what club you've got in your hands. However, there could be a reason aside from just lack of confidence that's making your life miserable off the tee.

Daniel Larson falls into the category of hitting his irons great but struggling with the driver. He's looking for answers as to why he can hit it relatively straight only some of the time. He's seeing slices and pulls with the driver while his other clubs remain solid even after short breaks away from the game.

Hello,

I have been working on and off for about 3 years with your swing. If I have a break of some 3 to 4 months, the iron shots seem to come back fairly quickly, however, the driver is the problem. I can go out to my own driving range I have built after warming up with the low clubs and take that driver out. I seem to hit say, 6-7 out of 20 "fairly straight" without too much power...but the others will be pulled straight left (no hook) or will slice dramatically. It does feel that I am "turning my hips through on the downswing" rather than getting the "bump." How can I correct this??

Regards from Australia, 
Daniel Larson

There are many reasons (which I'll go over) that can cause a slice or pull with the driver. But, it's very likely that Daniel's driver is too long. This is especially true if he's bought it in the last 5-10 years because most club manufacturers are building drivers longer and longer. I'm 5'9 and use a 43 inch driver, which was actually the industry standard 20 years ago. My son DJ is 6'3 and plays a 44 inch driver. Jack Nicklaus was 5'10 and played a 42.5 inch driver. But today, the standard is closer to 45 and 46 inch drivers. That's simply too long for most amateurs who are 6'2 and under. However, let's say the length of your driver is fine. What else could be causing a pull or slice?

Your shaft could be way too strong or way too weak even if it's the right length. This could cause the "kick" of the driver to be off and could lead to you spraying it all over the course. 

Alignment is another big issue. If one has a tendency to misalign with longer clubs, the more right they would have to be so they'd have to pull across the ball more to get to the aiming line, which will lead to a slice. If you aim right and all of a sudden you're tired of the slice but you're still aiming right, you may start staying behind the ball more to compensate. This would lead to a reverse weight shift and end with you turning your hips too much and losing the bump all together.
 
You can't bump if you aim to the right!! If I bump when aimed out to the right, it's going to go even further right. So, the only alternative you're left with is to turn and you end up coming across the ball, and there comes your slice. To compensate, you could start flipping the club over and there comes your hook.
 
It could also be an issue of ball position. If your ball is too far back, you'll be hitting it too soon and so you'll have to come out of it and across which is where the pushes and slices come from. Also, having the ball too far forward could cause a pull because by the time the club gets to the ball, the clubface has already begun to shut.
 
I've given you a bunch of reasons why you may be hitting slices or pulls with the driver. I would suggest to start off by checking your ball position and alignment before looking at the other issues I've indicated. If you're hitting all your other clubs with no problems, there's a good chance it could just be an equipment issue. Regardless of the problem, remember that the swing stays the same for each club in your bag!
 
Keep it vertical!
 
The Surge
 
If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Comments

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Over the last 4 years with Surge, the driver has become my favorite club. I consider myself a test subject for vast experimentation the big stick. Been through many heads and shafts and have fooled around with length and grips.
In summary I have found that the three quarter no wrist hinge swing produces the straightest and often the longest drives. I was a consistent slicer for many many years before adapting the PPGS. Along with getting fit with the right length (44 inches) and the shaft with the dynamics that worked best for me I couldn't be much happier. down the middle most of the time. I have the right arrows. I just have to keep refreshing the basics and not over swing. Now if I could putt..............

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

Have you been through a putter fitting yet ?

I have and glad I finally did.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Mike, yes I remember you mentioning your putter fitting a while ago and at the time I was thinking two things,one I have not had a putter fitting and should. Ironically when I went for my full set fitting in San Fransisco a couple of summers back I did not make a putter fitting part of the program. Secondly, I have told myself several times that a series of putting lessons would be great. I must humbly admit both ideas are appropriate.
The thing is I have had some days of great putting and times when I felt I was even getting consistently better from week to week. Of course when I am playing and practicing on a regular basis I have seen improvement. But again, the reminder of a fitting is a good one. Thanks

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

The one part of the game I can usually depend on is putting. Funny because I used to be a very mediocre putter until I got sick of that, and developed a system for practice and playing.
Amazing how many times winning and losing comes down to a putt at the end.

Saturday my team was behind on the last hole and we had to have two birdies to tie (and split the money). My teammate and I both had 10 to 12 foot birdie putts and both of us made them (the difference between going home broke, and on fumes, and being able to put some gas in the truck). Ha ha!

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

I did not know how much difference it would make. When I went through the fitting my eyes were a couple inches inside the ball but to me looked like they were over the ball the mirror on the floor proved that they were not we cut a inch off now it pretty easy to get the eyes over the ball I did not miss anything 6 foot and in Sunday. Hopefully this will take 2 or 3 strokes off my score going forward. The greens around here are dorment now it is hard to gage the break on 10 - 15 footers right now they are breaking way more than usual.

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

Hi Steve, From way down south in NZ. A good round of golf today, in all except putting. My accuracy is not and wasn't today a problem. It was distances. ie, putted on one green from the fringe 32 paces to the pin.Missed the ping be 3inches and ended up 12ft past the hole!!! Then fluffed another on a putt up to a higher level on a green! Didn't matter which grip I used,ie, left hand low, claw grip, horizontally opposed elbows, almost like Jack Nicklaus etc. Need to practice putting. Any suggestions from a frustrated DH putter?
Keep on winning, running on fumes no fun ; - ] To the motorcyclist overtaking 4 cars driving towards us on a winding country road, in the middle of our lane.This where there is no overtaking. This as we drove home. While Your day was not today, with a closing speed of 125mph, keep that up and it will arrive sooner than you think! Thank the Big Fella upstairs.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Hey DH,
I really don't have any putting tips that can stand on their own. I have an entire putting system that needs every part, and a whole lot of dedication and willingness to be different, to work. Furthermore that playbook would likely not work for others without individual adjustments. Some of those adjustments might very well render the whole thing useless.

My putting playbook is fairly long (about a page) so I hate to post it on the blog. I have written a lot of it in the past on the blog and have no evidence that anybody tried any of it anyway. I wouldn't mind posting it but more than likely all anyone might get out of it is some ideas about how to start their own playbook.

Putting is funny anyway. Amazes me how many I know say they can't figure out why they miss putts, and when I see them putt I can't figure out how they make as many as they do, which isn't many. ;-)

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

Steve, Thankyou for your prompt answer and totally understand it's contents. No mate a full page would not be worth the effort on my part. It just means I have to get cracking and do more putting practice. It is one part of my game that I could always rely on and it has taken second or third fiddle to other parts of my game : - ( and has suffered accordingly. So back to basics again for me ; - ) Yesterday was the catalyst which really hit home that being accurate is not everything, particularly if you then 3 putt!!! hahaha! Distance is my only problem and a little hard work on my part will hopefully have it back to something more like soon.
Sunny weather forecast for next week, that will help. Putting matt will be dusted off and put(t) to good use.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Have a great day. DH puttputtering along in NZ

bkelso52@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by bkelso52@gmail.com on

Hi Steve -

I have not written anything for over a year and used to be a fairly regular contributor. I strayed from vertical back to more of a rotary swing. Interestingly, I found that I couldn't swing that way; on more of a horizontal plane and was much more successful swinging more vertical. Anyway, about putting. I agree with you about watching people putt and wondering how in the world they are getting it in the hole. I've helped a significant number of players with one simple tip. After the intended line is established, pick a spot about 2 inches in front of the ball and roll the ball over that spot. ANYBODY can roll the ball over a spot 2 inches in front of the ball. One can even practice by putting over one of those really thin ball marks placed 2 inches in front of the ball. Don't focus on striking the ball. Focus on the mark. We all focus on making the perfect stroke. Heck, just establish the line, pick a spot and roll the ball.

As for a routine, I agree with you 100%. You have to have one and you have to do it on EVERY putt. Personally, I don't take practice putts anymore because I am visualizing how hard to hit it the same way one would crumple up a piece of paper and throw it into a trash can; you don't take a practice throw, you just throw it.

Hope you and all the surgites have a great Thanksgiving and maybe get to play a little golf.

Bruce

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

Bruce,
Glad to see you back. You have good Scot's name. Your tip is much appreciated I will give it a go, thankyou. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all Surgites.Our first Thanksgiving Greeting was not from the US but from CHINA! How about that? My wife's cousin sent the greeting. He also said he saw Miguel Angel Jimenez winning in HongKong.Better warn Surge out. He and the Surge nation, may have to expand into China ; - ]
We will be watching Luke Donald and Rory and others in Dubai again after we watched part of Rd 1 last night.May the best man win on Sunday.
Enjoy the Turkey and the good company of your Families Surgites all. DH NZ

SimplyGolf's picture

Submitted by SimplyGolf on

Funny, todays video was on the Driver, and here we are puttering away on a different subject.

Confession: I have zero pre-shot routine for putting, yet still manage to putt pretty well most days. I do try to bring a few key elements to each putt, but it is not systematic. I find your thoughts very interesting, Steve.
Would like to hear from Don or anyone on the subject.

Remembering a special on Tiger's putting pre-shot routine, and it was stunning how consistent and grooved he was. After he decided where his putt was going, the timer would start. The clock had Woods was within tenths of a second on each and every putt. An incredibly consistent pre-shot routine, execution, and results.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Once I have read a putt and found my intermediate spot and placed my ball on the line, everything after that is the same every time, including how many breaths I take and when. If I vary from my routine in any way I might as well figure there is about a 40% chance of missing even a fairly short putt.

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 on

Just catching up on all of the putting conversation. I got to the course about a half hour early today and spent about 20 minutes on the putting green. I've been experimenting with at least 4 different setups and multiple grips trying to find something comfortable and repeatable. Everything I've tried involves straight back and straight through and it's been hot and cold. I think my main problem with consistency may well be using too much hand manipulation trying to get straight back and through.

I recalled Surge doing a daily video using a normal grip and just let the putter head take a normal path in my takaway. It was natural for it to come slightly inside and I found I was making solid sweetspot contact that has been lacking. It was a real eye opener. Something that simple making that much difference. I was much closer with all of my long putts today and did not have single 3 putt all day.

Time will tell, but my initial reaction was why did it take me this long to figure it out ? Maybe, just maybe, old dogs CAN learn new tricks...lol.

SimplyGolf's picture

Submitted by SimplyGolf on

NA

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

Robert,
Today it was one of my favourites for a change ; - ] Only 2 so-so tee shots all day and one was with a 3W. Longer and straight down the middle of the fairway, or where it was aimed. Aiming at a specific point rather than an area on the f/way could have helped. They went where they were aimed. I paced out a couple of them from where they usually end up and they were repetitively 50 paces further down the f/way! On one steep downhill hole, which tends to filter shots on the lower slopes, towards either the trees on the right/and or a stream, or towards the left behind a tall tree on line to the green. Well today it went exactly where I aimed it and longer. So a short iron to the green a breeze.
No golf on the morrow, perhaps Friday weather permitting.The good news is the weather is meant to be warm and sunny ALL next week : - ]
Putting today was accurate but distance wise yeuk! Will twist Steve Smith's arm for help. Hit them long and straight, DH in Sunny NZ [Volcano Mt Tongariro erupted 140miles north of us today. No danger for us and folk pretty laid back about it. One of the everyday occurences in lovely NZ DH

jon.lucenius's picture

Submitted by jon.lucenius on

... because they must play really good consistent golf there :-) This last time out I finally got that we hit the driver the same as other clubs. I did the same pre-shot routine, the same "small later-hip move back" to PLHR, and a 3/4 turn and straight through and through. Boom. Driver as straight as an 8-iron, and both end vertical in testimony to the swing.

When I revert back to "hitting the ball" I get a weak high push/mini-slice. Lately with the mid-irons, but short ones are spot on. Shot a 2 over par for 9 holes Sunday - one of my best rounds yet.

Thanks Doc - you truly do cut strokes when we listen!

Robert - one thing that really helped me putt better was the hoop drill / mind picture by Surge. Just get that hoop positioned right and you'll 2 put or better every time.

resumez@cox.net's picture

Submitted by resumez@cox.net on

Surge Nation:

YEAHAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! After nearly 50 years of trying, I finally broke 80!! with a 41 + 38 = 79 !! WOWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

And on a cool, but sunny day also. Maybe I should welcome the Ladies more often -- we had a Ladiaes tornament on Monday -- 80 women, shot gun start --- so the course was tied up all moring and I couldn't play in the afternoon. However, this morning, I was the "first one on the course" -- and no one behind me for 4 or 5 holes at least. The course was in near perfect condition, left over from the Ladie's Day I am sure.

The main difference between this round and recent ones -- the old "Bullseye" putter lived up to it's name! 6, 8 and even 15 foot putts were falling in like 12 inch "gimmes" -- I finally wound up with 12 one putt greens. And nothing worse than bogie for the entire round - -I have NEVER done that before either.

Driving accuracy was down a little -- 10 of 14 fairways with a 167 yard average drive, At #12 it finally warmed up enough to let me remove my sweater - I hit ALL of the remaining fairways with a couple of drive in the "over 180 yard" range. Only got 2 GIR -- both on par 3's on the back nine -- for a par and a birdy - in that order.

Final results: 1 birdy, 9 pars and 8 bogies , total length of "made putts" = 85 feet - -a new personal best.
Shot of the day: wedges on #10 and #11 - both were inside 3 feet to save pars.

I didn't realize it until after the round --- but I played a nine hole strecth #7 thru #15 in 1 under par - -8 pars and a birdy.

I have always heard "it is hard to follow a low round with another one" -- tomorrow we shall see. But it sure does feel good!!! I may not get down from the chandiliers for several hours yet!! LOL

Kepp hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG -- and GOOD things WILL happen!!

Amos

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 on

Great job, Amos. Nice feeling when the putts just seem to find the hole from everywhere. Good luck tomorrow.

Best round I ever shot was 75 on a day when the putter was magic and everything found the cup. I tried to ingrain the feeling of being in the zone and went out the following day and shot 96...lol. Golf can be a fickle game for sure.

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi on

Congratulations Amos, well played. After 50 years I believe you deserved to brake the 80 barrier, and hope this is the first of many. I did a PB last week of 83 a now know how important the short game is, when it comes to scoring well. Keep it up mate

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Amos 79 that included a 38 on the back. 12 one putts. Your are short gamer! Congratulations. Hey about that 83 or 84 to shoot your age, maybe you'll get it by 79!! Hope burns eternal. Breaking 80 is no small accomplishment for all golfers. I read recently that 90% of all golfers never break 80. For you to attain this rich reward after so many years of practicing, improving and playing is awesome. You did it pal. Bucket list indeed. I say you frame it.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!

resumez@cox.net's picture

Submitted by resumez@cox.net on

Robert Meade - and all others ;

Thank you for your kind words.
It was awesome. I knew it was an accomplishment -- but top 10%? WOWWwwww!1
I seldom consume alcohol, but this call for a "2 beer" celebration! And yes - -the scorecard is saved

Amos

Amos

Robert Fleck's picture

Submitted by Robert Fleck on

A bit late to the party, but congratulations, Amos!

usad's picture

Submitted by usad on

Surge,
Thanks so much for the comments . . .I'm going to do some serious work on alignment and the swing. Will work the balls with the wedge, then driver, wedge, then driver . . .and in the meantime I am going to look for the driver suited to me. I will certainly keep you informed on the progress.
Again, regards from Australia,
Daniel Larson

resumez@cox.net's picture

Submitted by resumez@cox.net on

Surge Nation;

It may be true "that it is very difficult to 'go low' two days in a row"

Today was little warmer -- sweater came off at the 4th hole -- course set-up same as yesterday -- scored 44+43 = 87 - definitely not a 79 -- but a stroke or two below my average.

Main differnece - -today I had 3 double bogies vs 0 -- and 8 one putt greens vs 12. Also today -- 2 penalty strokes from hitting balls into the canal -- one due to a gross mishit and one due to a super hit -- both with a 5I !

Stats : 12 of 14 fairways - 169 yard average drive.
1 GIR -- on #18 of course!
6 pars -- 3 in each nine -- #8 and # 14 were the only "repeats" from yesterday
9 bogies
3 double bogie -- 0 triple or worse
28 putts - 8 one putts, 0 three putts total length of "made putts" = 77 feet -- mainly due to making 13' and 17' putts on #16 and #17
3 bunkers, 1 "sandy" (the 17' on #17)

All in all, a good day on the course - -but it certainly could have been better with a couple of "coulda, shouda, woulda" breaks along the way.

Most unusal shots of the day -- a "butt on the wall" chip to recover from an errant 2nd shot - the ball hit a tree and came to rest abut 14 or 15 inches from the tree on bare ground. Taking an uplayable would have been of little use, and I didn't trust a left handed shot from bare ground. So -- put my butt against the tree, played the ball back in the stance and hit a "punch chip" - onto the Cart path and about 20 yards down the fairway. Nice way to put a "drill" into practice!!
On #17, the ball came to rest about abut 1/2 inch from a 3 inch vertical lip. No way to make a normal bunker shot -- the club would slam into the lip. My solution : open up the SW, make about a 1/4 backswing, contact sand approx 1 inch behind the ball - with almost 0 follow through. The ball flew about 6 feet vertically while traveling 8 to 10 feet forward onto the green. THAT was one bunker shot that I was VERY happy to be "anywhere on the Green"!!
Sometimes it is great to have a "little touch of SEVE" in your bag -- specially when it works lol

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Remember: Takes a 4 mile walk to get rid of each 325 calories. Looks like a lot of road time for me from the looks of what they are cooking. ;-)

kperno@aol.com's picture

Submitted by kperno@aol.com on

Have been using surges swing on&off for 2 yrs now.I could never stick with it because of being inconsistent.I would always revert to my old rotational swing.About 2 months ago I decided to stick with it no matter what.I put in a lot of practice everyday&watched my downloads often.It was the best thing I have ever done for my golf game.I played Bethpage Black & shot a personal best 88.I also broke 80 a few days later with a 78 on another pretty tough course for the 1st time this year.I am 60 yrs old&playing the best golf of my life.I will stick with the Surges swing.It really works.I try to convince my buddies to switch but they just don't get it.Oh well I'll just keep taking their money.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Turkey day here in the USA. One last day of decadence with great food and family and here's hoping all are able to share some time with family and friends.
I say last day because I plan on doing a serious cleanse/detox the following month of days after todays revelry.
I wanted to THANK all my fellow Surgites for the friendships and fellow golf camaraderie. Thanks recently for many observations on putting and how to be better. I actually use most of the same methodology as several mentioned. I do make my share of putts. Yesterday Cindy and I played 9 at muni in the late afternoon and I made two putts of 25 foot range. both to save unlikely pars. The happiest coming on the toughest par 4 8th. An uphill slight dog leg left that requires a straight, longish drive or you have no chance. Then something on or near the green from about 190 yards. I pulled off part one with a good drive of about 265 dead center and then hit my 3 wood well but long right of the green, safe but with a tricky 40 yard wedge shot needing a soft, high flop over a hill with as little roll out as possible. Landed it in just the right spot with my 58* laid wide open and it did stop rolling leaving about 22 feet and above the hole. Drained it for what feels like a birdie on that hole.
My challenge is much like DH's most of the time. That is I tend to roll the ball too far past the cup on the first putt if missed. I often slide it by 5,6 feet or more. When I am able to practice more my pace tends to get better.
In any case, thanks again to many who shared their ways of success not only on putting but on multiple other thoughts both golf related or not.

Happy Holidays to everyone. Be safe.

Robert M.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Here is a small part of my Putting Playbook (too long to post it all). I'm sure many parts are the same as many other people but it is put together as the system for me:

It is absolutely critical to practice enough that you have full confidence that you can roll the ball true each and every time with no wobble of the line on the ball. When you can roll 4 golf balls down the line and have the speed so perfect that each ball rolls up against the previous ones and touches it but doesn’t move it, leaving the 4 balls all on the line touching each other and the lines lined up, you will have all of the confidence you need.
Never practice putting at a cup. Only down the line. The cup doesn't matter, only the roll. Any thought of “the cup” is a distraction. I never think of the cup once I address the ball. I don’t look at it or think about it. My one and only goal is to make my very best roll over my intermediate spot. I have studied the distance and terrain from behind the ball before addressing it and I already have the speed in my mind.
I read the putt the best I can. Stand behind the ball looking at the line I find an intermediate spot within a couple of feet from the ball (the closer the better). If nothing is available I must visualize the line (much harder to do at times than the intermediate spot). Then I step up to parallel to the line created by the ball and the intermediate spot and take a couple of practice strokes each time taking a fairly deep breath and letting half of it out, then holding it before the stroke. Then move forward with my entire body parallel to the target line and place the club behind the ball making certain that the lines on my putter are perfectly in line with the lines on my ball. Take a fairly deep breath. Let half of it out. And make the roll.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Thanks Steve. At the end of you're routine I heard the ball rattling into the back of the cup! I can see why you are a good putter. A consistent repeatable method such as yours surely needs to be in place and practiced. Thanks for giving an over view. Maybe 2013 will be my year for a putting breakthrough and more consistent success. Thanks for the inspiration.

john.aylott@lineone.net's picture

Submitted by john.aylott@lin... on

Took up golf three years ago at 69 ( cricket is my true love but have problems getting selected these days as they think I am to old) Been trying to perfect the PPGS for two years. Ok with irons but consistantly hit big slices with the driver. have tried everything except the grip, which I believed I had OK as the irons went straight and a reasonable distance. Then I had an eureks moment when I tried to grip much more in the fingers. Low and behold the drives went as straigh as a die. and every time. I have amazed myself and hope this may help others with the same problem.