Because of my success on the windy links courses in the United Kingdom, I get asked a lot about how to hit the driver lower when a strong breeze is in your face. My response: why would you want to hit it lower? If you hit a solid drive at your normal trajectory, it’s going to go just as far, if not farther, than if you tried to play it low into the wind.
There are only two scenarios where it makes good sense to hit your driver lower than normal. The first is when you know the ball is going to run a long way once it hits the fairway. The second is when the wind is really blowing across the fairway, and it’s going to greatly affect your normal shot shape. For example, strong gusts from the left could wreak havoc on someone who slices. That golfer needs to flight the ball lower just to keep it in play.
To hit your driver lower, make these adjustments:
1. Hold It Lower
Tee the ball half an inch lower than you usually do, and grip down on the handle about an inch.
2. Stay Compact
Make a slightly shorter backswing.
3. Strike the ball with a level blow.
Strike the ball with a level blow, meaning the clubhead should be moving low, just above the ground through impact.
A good swing thought is to quiet your wrists as you swing back and through. The ball will come out lower and be less susceptible to the breeze.
– with Ron Kaspriske
