I constantly am reading about some of your exploits of 300 yard drives and 280 averages and I was wondering what I was doing wrong. I am a big, fit dude. I am 6'7" and about 240. I just can't hit my driver. I had exiled it to my garage, letting it know I was disappointed in its performance over the past season. I usually tee off with my 3 metal, a TM SuperSteel with an x-stiff shaft. I am regularly about 220-230, but have snuck it out in the 260 range a couple of times. When I was using my driver, it was always 3 off the tee, because I would constantly hit it OB. I decided I was gonna work on hitting the driver so I could put it back in the bag. So after a few trips to the range and many plastic balls in my back yard, she came with me on a recent round. I didn't want to break her out too early in the round, one miss hit and back behind the bar-be-que it would go. I figured get a couple of holes under my belt and be good and warmed up for her first swing on the course in quite a while. We were playing a par 4, 418 yarder. I teed the ball up a little higher than I am used to doing with the 3, took a couple of smooth practice swings and let it rip. It flew long and straight, two things I usually don't get at the same time. I was able to track it until it hit, then lost it in the sun light. My partners all gave me the obligatory "Nice ball, good shot" routine that I usually give people who fly by my shots. I was thinking it must have gone about 250 or so, but wasn't expecting too much. We got up to the 150 marker and still no sign of my ball. All I was thinking was did I pass it, or did it kick into the rough? After looking a little more, I was getting mad. Then I heard words that almost made me cry, "Dude, your balls up there". Just this side of the 100 yard marker was my little fella. I was almost running up to it, doing quick math to figure out how far it went. Probably about 310 yards. I have never hit anything that far. I must have looked like a kid on Christmas morning the way I was smiling. I hit the driver a couple more time on that round, none going quite as far as it's first swing, but mostly in the 270 range. I did hit one OB, I think the golf gods were letting me know who the boss was. Still it was one of the best feelings I have had in quite a long time. Sorry this was a little long, but wanted to puff out my chest a little.
Great drive Keith! Now tell us what happened the rest of the hole. I hope you followed up your career drive with at least a par. Heaven knows I've "smashed" a few, only to end hit hitting a poor second shot. Chunking up the hole takes the luster off a big drive real quick.
Be wary of drivers you've left behind the BBQ too long.....they don't like it there and they have a way of getting revenge!
Keith, nice job. Something I found out recently, that others probabvly already know, is that with the oversized drivers, the sweet spot is higher than the center of the face(upper half, vertically). I always assumed it was the middle. Since then, I have been teeing it a little higher, and have noticed much improved driving.
Great drive Keith! Now tell us what happened the rest of the hole. I hope you followed up your career drive with at least a par. Heaven knows I've "smashed" a few, only to end hit hitting a poor second shot. Chunking up the hole takes the luster off a big drive real quick.
Be wary of drivers you've left behind the BBQ too long.....they don't like it there and they have a way of getting revenge!
I didn't exactly hit my second shot clean, just off the fringe. Lagged it to within a couple of feet, then made par(barely, did the little spin around the edge).
The driver is safely in my bag, for now. Going out again on Saturday.
It's a great feeling isn't it ? I've only had one 300 yarder that I consider legit... quite a few wind, hard-fairway, cartpath or downhill - aided, though. I was playing a 297-yarder, over a small valley, seemingly all-carry. A foursome was putting, but I'd never been closer than the uphill slope about 40 yards short of the green so I teed off. I new I'd hit it well but I lost it in the air. Couldn't find it walking to the green & one of the 4-some on the next tee points to rough behind the green. It must have gone right through them while they were putting I couldn't believe it and apologized profusely. It was sitting down in some thick stuff and I never would've found it nor even thought to look back there. I even got it up&down. Still have no idea how I did it. I've never had more than about a 260 carry on a drive before or since.
300 yards. I always wonder how people hit 300 yards. Must've been with a Taylor Made. I hear if you hit them dead in the sweet spot it really goes a mile. Watch out for the weekend blue markers placed closer to the hole on weekends trick. The difference could be 10 or 20 yards at some courses.
Great Job. I finally know what it is like to out drive ANYONE I've played with. Awesome feeling. All your hard work at the driving range finally paying off. I used to be 150 yards up, 30-50 yards to the right :)
Congrats!!!...you are achieving what every golfer's ego is trying to aspire (including myself)....the long drive...i am in constant awe of those who can just wail the ball and split the fairways....my guess is that your tempo was just right on...(and probably great balance - as Ernie Els and Retief Goosen says is so important in driving...)
btw, anyone know what the longest drive in recorded history is????
My driving is my strong part. It is 80% time on the fairway and 255- and beyond. My farthest was 325 with an average wind. Congratulations on your fantastic drive.
September 23rd, 2004, 05:32 AM
My First 300 yard drive
Heaven knows I've "smashed" a few, only to end hit hitting a poor second shot. 
Chunking up the hole takes the luster off a big drive real quick. 
I couldn't believe it and apologized profusely. It was sitting down in some thick stuff and I never would've found it nor even thought to look back there. I even got it up&down. Still have no idea how I did it. I've never had more than about a 260 carry on a drive before or since.
Great story, Keith!
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