Why You Should Play Golf Without a Driver

If you find your driver to be erratic at times (and who doesn't), the next time you play a round of golf why not consider leaving that new Nike Covert VR S or Callaway X Hot Pro at home? Why not just tuck it away in the trunk of your car you may ask? 


Swinging well at the driving range and feeling super confident, you just might be tempted to grab the Big Head instead of sticking to a plan and playing your round with the other thirteen clubs in your bag, maybe adding another hybrid or wedge to the mix.


The great Ben Hogan said, "Golf is not a game of good shots... It's a game of bad shots." He further commented, "You only hit a straight ball by accident. The ball is going to move right or left every time you hit it, so you had better make it go one way or the other." 

With a driver in hand, the chances of hitting your shot more wayward than intended could mean the difference between edge of the first cut of rough and being in the woods so, why take the risk during every round?

Whether you are a golf beginner or more experienced amateur, regularly hitting wayward shots with a less-than-reliable club doesn't enhance your time on the course and allows negative thoughts to creep into your mind and into your game.

Instead of attempting to regain composure after hitting a bad driver shot off of the tee, Golf for Beginners offers a few benefits to leaving your driver at home.


1. A better chance to get ball in fairway:
If your driver is erratic, you certainly don't want it to cost you strokes during a round of golf...and it will! If your three, five-wood or even  longer iron gets you into the fairway, practice with your driver off-course and play with your go-to clubs during the round.

When Tiger Woods was asked after his second round on Muirfield how many times he used his driver up to that point in The Open he exclaimed, "I hit about eight to 10..." finishing his deadpan comment with, "on the range." The result was a tie for the lead going into the weekend and with Woods being "in a good spot."

2. Confidence booster: You have to admit that, when your golf ball lands safely in the fairway, you feel ready, and eager, to tackle the next shot...you look forward to it!

3. Chance to Practice Longer Approach Shots: With the driver out of your bag, you will be pressed to use different golf clubs to get down to the green. A three-wood on the tee will leave a longer approach shot so dust off the hybrids (which are easy and fun to hit!)

4. More fun: Playing golf should be fun, whether you are out in a foursome or in a tournament. Wouldn't it be great to beat your buddies knowing that you didn't need your driver to win? It's also a great talking point for the 19th hole!



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photo credit: Golfweek.com, 123rf.com

Which Golf Drivers Are Best For Beginners?

After trying some of the hottest drivers from the new Nike VR_S Covert to the latest Titleist 913D3 at the Westchester County Golf Show, it is apparent that these golf clubs were not necessarily created for golf beginners but for players who have had a bit of experience connecting with the ball (think Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy).

That being said, Golf for Beginners compiled a short list of drivers and golf clubs that are easier for beginners to feel confident about using on the golf course.

Although golf equipment guides throughout the internet rate the overall best golf drivers for 2013, which golf clubs should make its way into a beginners bag? Here are several choices newbies should consider before making this all-important purchase.

1. Although not a driver, the Callaway X Hot 3Deep Fairway Wood is a great alternative for golf beginners who are not quite ready for a driver but want the distance associated with it. Phil Mickelson wanted a club that was playable off the ground and easy to hit in lieu of a driver, hence the #3Deep was born. Watch for the Callaway X Hot 3Deep at The Masters inside Phil's bag.


2. The Ping G20 Driver is stable, has a low center of gravity and, as Golf Digest mentioned in a Hotlist review, "It exudes compassion...In a word, they’ve designed confidence." Confidence is just what a beginner needs!

The Ping G25 Driver, like it's G20 predecessor, is the new Ping entrant tested by Golf Magazine and is considered very forgiving and hits very straight.I tried it and liked the light weight. Some golfers (me included) noted that the head might be a little too large...and, with it's three-way adjustability feature, the G25 just might confuse beginners.

3. Cobra AMP Cell Drivers were rated easy-to-play on the golf course, super-accurate with impressive yardage. Some guys who tested it for Golf.com even thought that the color "encouraged proper alignment at address". Beginners... always remember to G.A.S.P. before hitting any shot...one of my beginner lessons.

This is, by no means, the definite beginners guide to the best golf drivers currently on the market, just suggestions meant to encourage newbies in a burgeoning market filled with golf clubs of all shapes, sizes and adjustments.


When searching for a driver, beginners should consider "game-improvement" drivers, the loft of the golf club giving thought to head size, grip, shaft length and flex. As a beginner, I would stay away from adjustable heads or any other adjustments (neutral, open face, etc), until you are more comfortable hitting the club and forge a better understanding of your game.

And yes, these clubs DO come in left-handed models!


Which golf drivers do you depend on? Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Facebook page.

Check out Which Golf Irons Are Best for Beginners?

Photo Credit: Titleist, Callaway, Cobra

Golf Galaxy Brings You the Nike Covert Distance Challenge

Golf Galaxy has teamed up with Nike to bring golfers across the country the Nike Covert Distance Challenge. 

Every weekend (Friday through Sunday) in March, Nike gurus will be in-store to deliver club fittings. Golfers of all levels are invited to bring in their existing driver to test against the new Nike VR_S Covert Tour. 

Just by participating in a fitting, the golfer will be given a free sleeve of Nike 20XI golf balls. If the golfers make a Nike VR_S Covert purchase, they’ll receive a demo trial pack of 20XI, 20XI-X balls and RZN X balls (1 dozen total).

As I am not located near a Golf Galaxy, I, unfortunately, cannot take advantage of the Nike Covert Distance Challenge but I would love for you to post your thoughts and experiences about the new Covert and about Nike in general in our comments section below.

If you haven’t already tried the VR_S Covert, now is the best chance to try a driver that offers FlexLoft adjustability and unique high-speed cavity back technology—all backed by the one-on-one support of a Nike fitting guru.

Here is your chance to test the Covert at any Golf Galaxy location and take advantage of the expertise and, of course, the freebies.

I’m not sure if you’re located close enough to a Golf Galaxy to participate in the challenge so here’s a list of all Golf Galaxy locations across the USA http://www.golfgalaxy.com/store_locator.aspx.

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

With the Nike Covert Driver in your golf bag, you may be saying "Sorry" a lot more on the Course: