Portable Golf Mats

• Divothit™ works great with a driver providing a natural take-away path from the ball leading to a full extension on the backswing for maximum distance.
• Practice proper tee height. Next round go to the first tee with confidence and have fun from the start.

Have you ever had the feeling that hitting your driver successfully is all that's standing between you and a lower handicap? Nothing sets up good scoring like a well-hit drive. Nevertheless, many frustrated golfers leave their driver in their bag, retreating to a fairway wood or long iron to propel them off the tee. Don't think you're far away from success with the big stick; the answer to your problems may lie in the first 18 inches of your swing.

Different Clubs, Different Swings

Drill: Hit the tee When practicing with your driver, place a tee in the ground about 18 inches behind the ball (normal setup with DivotHit), directly on the target line. Try to hit the tee with your club on the takeaway. Only by extending the club back low along the target line can you hit the other tee.

Most golfers had their first success with the short irons. With lots of loft and shorter shafts, short irons require a descending blow, which promotes the quick, choppy backswing that many beginners use and have trouble changing. However, if you try working your driver with the same swing that brought you success with the short irons, you'll probably hit a lot of short, high slices. Sound familiar?

With its longer shaft and relatively flat clubface, the driver requires a flatter, more level swing to sweep the ball off the tee. It's much easier to achieve this if you take the clubhead away from the ball on a level path (above your DivotHit). Instead of starting the swing by picking the club up with your hands, drag the club straight back along the target line (DivotHit) with your arms and shoulders. Extend the club as far back as possible without breaking your wrists or moving your center of gravity from over the ball. Your shoulders will turn naturally and bring the club around your body when it can no longer go straight back. This will create a full shoulder turn and a wide arc, placing your hands high above your right shoulder at the top of the swing. Start the downswing by shifting your weight back to the left side and letting the arms drop down without manipulating the hands. As your legs drive toward the target, sweep the ball off the tee on the same level path you achieved on the takeaway.