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Ok. Here's my problem. I have hit 180 yds. with a 5 wood, using a tee. Now, I know I'm supposed to be using a driver to tee off, and I've been using an oversized head, but I just can't get it right. Almost every time I hit with the 5 wood, I hit at least 150 yds., but I only get that distance with a driver occasionally. Many of my shots (w/ a driver) will bounce or are sort of grounders. I also hit the ground in front of the tee occasionally. Now, at least until I get better, should I just use my wood to tee off? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

By the way: I'm 14 going on 15, about 5'1" and still growing. I started golfing last week (have had 3 private lessons and 3 trips to the driving range).

Hard to say hummel, without seeing your swing. If I am reading your post right I would say you need to move the ball foward more in your stance for your driver. Also, you maybe swinging way to hard with the driver. Try slowing down and let the club do the work. By the way, Ben Hogan was 5'2" and 130 lbs. His tee avg. with a driver was 300 yds. and his equipment was inferior to yours. Read his book Power Golf, you will find it interesting.

Hummel, I am glad to see you are pursuing this great game. There is no law that says you must tee off with a driver, in fact, on the Tour the guys may use driver 4-5 times a round but not much more depending on the course. I was similar in stature to you when I was in high school and I had the same problem...mainly it was due to swing speed and launch angle. What happens when you replace your 5-Wood with a 3-Wood? What degree loft is the driver you are hitting?

I just finished reading that you have only been playing a week. The one thing this game WILL teach you is patience. One way to avoid getting overly frustrated is to tee off with your 5-Wood until you can hit the fairway 9/10 times and then move to your 3-Wood and do the same finally arriving at the Driver. By then, you will not be so focused on mechanics and will have a much smoother swing which will allow you to get the tee shots flying.