Malaska Golf // Hitting Driver vs. Hitting Irons - Learn how to go from one to the other.

This comment about hitting a driver versus hitting irons came from a malaskagolf.com member. Referencing a Player Lesson series I did with Jack Nicklaus Jr., where we started chipping and worked our way back to the driver, he said:
The previous video with Jack Jr. shows him mastering the iron swing, but on this video could not do it with the Driver. Is it harder to do the swing with the driver than with the irons? What video drill do you have to master this swing?
You can watch the complete Player Lesson with Jack Jr. as a member at malaskagolf.com. Plus, you can follow The M-System to learn with Mike step by step and develop the skills you need to become a complete player.
Don't just play golf. Understand it.
Learn how to hit your driver consistently and generate speed without putting stress on your body.

[@Shizi7]

Today I was practicing the M2 Lever System video drill. I found success with my irons and 5 wood. The driver not so much until a long time pro (Procter) saw that my left arm was not staying connected to my torso producing a shot to the right. This was not in line with the drill. He had me focus on maintaining the connection of my left arm or in other woods what my arms were doing in the L to L drill back and through. Two things happened: my body finished and I started hitting great drives. This mistake was similar to what you described with bad sequencing here. In a sense, I was getting away with the shorter clubs, but getting the driver correct actually made my irons better. As you said, the driver is easier to control. Great video and I’m glad I joined your website.

[@kevinberry2754]

The comment about the left hip and swinging slow to feel it has helped me hit my driver consistent.

[@coegj]

I hit my fairway wood out about 200 yards without killing it, I try to make the same swing force wise with the driver and let the lower loft of the driver do the job to get it out there around 220/230 yards. I'm getting older and that's all I got in me anymore, but I'm still competitive with the guys I play with. Great video Mike, thanks.

[@tangocharlie9291]

That is a GREAT explanation of the body getting out ahead of the swing!!! It always *seemed* to me that to hit my driver well, I had to slow my swing down, but it was actually just my *body* that had to slow down! My club speed probably stayed the same, if not faster. Thank you!

[@maamold]

The left leg pushing the left hip out of the way has been key in my swing this year. Much more consistent now.

[@larrykokoszka]

Game changer for me too

[@stso0000]

OMG! Thank you for this video. I couldn't hit my driver to save my life this past weekend. Taking this advice to the range this week and practicing these ideas.

[@arthurcondy1054]

Now that's a clear and easily understood golf tip , thanks Mike , driver has always caused me problems and this has cleared it up

[@kbkesq]

“Swing the driver like a 9 iron” sort of thing. Definitely makes sense. Butch Harmon says everyone has a distance for every other club but the driver feels “infinite”. The same person can hit the driver 230 or 270 depending on contact and since our 270 shots come from pretty hard swings we’re always trying to recapture that. But DJ says he swing 85-90% on course. So when we see him carry it 315- that’s his 85% swing!

[@2risquejunior538]

kbkesq it just comes down to timing. Easier said than done. Fred Couples said in an interview he hits it as hard as he can with his driver. Because his sequencing and timing is so good though, it looks effortless.

[@Murf1802]

Ty Mike I was looking for this example absolutely perfect !!! Man looked like you killed that drive that was outstanding!!!!

[@philtrick123]

I've watch 100s of youtube clips about golf. This is one of the few I've added to my favorites. Followed the advice especially the feeling on the left leg. Played last week and hit the fairway 12 out of 14 drives. Simple swing thoughts are best :-)

[@itdevilliers7858]

You really simplify instruction, many thanks

[@DTHUNDERDK]

After playing tennis, badminton and you name it... and now golf, I actually try to hit the ball quite hard everytime... with irons to driver. Goes OK with irons. With the longer clubs... because they are lighter, I often "go for it" even more. This is resulting in me trying to catch up when my hands fall behind. This again makes me snap hook the ball. I will try this to synchronize hip and hands (and everything between). Start slow and speed up to get the feel. The most important thing with the driver is contact to maximize distance (not speed even though it off course is important). But it is hard to control your mind when you love to smash it 😊 Some says it works and I hit it more than 300 yards - I'm 49

[@blackedmirror5073]

Your lessons are the best on KZbin but I didn’t get much out of this- I don’t think. Let me try it tomorrow.

[@Titof401]

Mike???You just created a Scratch Golfer here.I was 3 years fighting with my swing...Yesterday i saw one of your videos about irons and how the clubs works down and out.Went to the drive range and my first swing/divot was clearrrrr, i just stop digging...When i started hit the driver i had the same problem as Jack Jr. totaly out of control, somehow ive say to myself " slow the fuck down" it it worked...Today i had the confirmation!I've just deleted all the other coachas from KZbin hahahahahahahaha

[@dougierobertson2099]

Watched this video and the penny finally dropped. Now I’m hitting the ball as far , with less effort so accuracy has improved.

[@charlesdalton8961]

Great observation, great explanation for students Mike

[@Pseudify]

Been struggling mightily with my driver recently. What helped me was getting more shoulder tilt on the follow through. I think my shoulders were shallowing out as they rotated. So I just focused on making sure my trail shoulder went down through the contact area - under my chin. Worked like magic. Me and the driver are one, once again.

[@danfloros4267]

Thanks Mike!

[@kiwijohn01]

I've GOT TO get that working 😊... I know what I'll be doing this afternoon lol

[@GRUNGELEOPARD]

You are very good!!! Thank you👍

[@richardharris8576]

Started hitting my driver further and straighter by consciously not trying to hit the skin off the ball. My back no longer hurts either.

[@ticarot]

I think that is the same for almost everyone except maybe the tour pros.

[@rackum44]

Where does the vs hitting an iron come into play?

[@orkayen]

Mike, thanks for tip. I started viewing your videos and I have a question. In the iron swing video, you explained about the magic move. Hands drop due to left hip moving away . Here you talked about the same left hip move but the hands were not dropped like in Iron play. In fact the driver head was behind you compared to the iron head in front of you at the hip level. But, in the iron play, you mentioned that we can follow the same magic move for the driver also. Please confirm this. Gonna try this magic move this April.

[@nonobebert7646]

If you want to add weight to the driver not to let it be open at impact, where should you put it ? On the toe or on the heel and why ? Thanks

[@BamaPaul]

Olivier Bert put weight on heel will make toe close though impact .

[@MPerski]

I have the opposite problem. I have more trouble hitting my irons consistently, but I am fairly consistent with my driver. 🙄

[@traceykursen2816]

same here, my clubhead is always to closed, have a hard time keeping it square

[@ToraxReborn]

@@traceykursen2816 Possibly your forearms are twisting somewhere during the downswing?

[@stinaannerstedt4901]

Dear Mike After having seen your video lesson with Monica, I was hooked. Ever since, I followed all your instructions and they were as made for me. In this specific video, starting with just technique in a very relaxed way before trying to hit longer. There is though one piece I wonder about. You show the face on view to ingrain the proper movement, but without a ball. My question is: do you have any video showing hitting the driver with a ball? I struggle a little with where should the ball be in you driver stance. All my other iron and fairway woods clubs I have in the middle of my stance because I hit down on all of them. Could you please tell me the pro and cons with the placement with the driver. Kind regards Stina from Sweden

[@Waddymanman]

Genius.

[@douglaslounsbury8898]

Great video...a question...I hit my drives very straight and long but only when I take what feels like a really huge shoulder turn. If I don't do that I seem to push or slice it to the right. Any ideas why? My concern is I'm aging and will not always be able to continue such a large shoulder turn...thanks, Doug

[@stevefisher1709]

Is the left heel like the accelerator pedal for club speed?

[@Dormied]

Mike, great tip. Where do you feel the weight of the club moving in transition? Do you feel the same for the iron vs the driver?

[@mvwhity]

👍🏻

[@kbkesq]

Appreciate the topic. Will give this some time. It sure seems like your rehearsal swings are rolling the wrists not the sort of right hand flexion release you tend to show. Is that a “feel vs real” thing? Thanks!

[@moledog88]

Damn that was good

[@marylodato2389]

how do I get a divot in front of he ball? Mary

[@hlubmos2chah945]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@sbh1617]

So I notice when you’re doing practice swings in this video, your takeaway is a lot more shallow than your backswing when you actually hit the ball.

[@jerrymacias150]

The Blue Danube?

[@merkeva1841]

whats the timing for people with really long arms

[@arjanpetersen]

Kebuin Kebuin same...

[@tooleyswoodshed8476]

I'm just the opposite, driver is very good, Irons really bad! really don't know why.

[@MrMark945]

When I hit my driver well ir feels like im swinging the club head around my knees, but it's not

[@blackedmirror5073]

5 iron 200 carry; driver 210 😖

[@Tywithay]

I can hit the driver straight as an arrow and long, but hit my irons like a 7 year old swinging at a pinata

[@spikehkim]

Thank you for the lesson. Well, Mike, would your driver swing be the same as your irons in terms of natural shallowing as you mentioned it in relation to force here:kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3LbfIZuZ7xle5I

[@TedInoue]

Great lesson Mike! I tried this on the range and headed out for a round today and was crushing the ball with better ball striking than ever. This one lesson helped my driver more than anything I've tried before.