Taking the plunge

Im the only member in my society who dosn't carry or use a driver, opting for accuracy over distance off the tee and using the 3 wood. I also dont use a tee which means that on long par 4,s and par 5's i essentially play the same shot twice. I find now that even though i loose ground on my competitors on the first shot i am there or there abouts after 2. Accuracy from around the green is where i usually pick up points hence im 3rd overall for the year. I am now wondering that if i put the effort into taming my slice with the driver would the extra distance off the tee give me an advantage over my golf buddies, how many shots am i going to drop off my handicap if i take the plunge.

Has anybody else moved onto a driver recently and did they find that this helped or hindered their game. I know that i should expect some pain initially and perhaps revisit the dreaded double figure holes that i have avoided now for some time but how long would it reasonably take playing twice a month to start seeing the scores come down. How long till i can rub my buddies noses in it?

Also if i take the plunge what driver would you recommend for an accomplished slicer?

Also if i take the plunge what driver would you recommend for an accomplished slicer?

One with a draw bias I guess

Barely managing to play to my 23.4 Wayne. Problems are short off the tee and too many putts. Approach shots, chips, lobs, bunker play is about the only part of my game that im happy with.

No lessons, perhaps thats my problem but more likely just because i dont play often enough.

Its a sorry state of affairs 

Colin,in my opinion,for what it's worth,stick with what you hit well off the tee,or off the ground,lower h.c. players rarely hit drivers well but keep on hitting them badly just to keep up with others,i mainly hit a 3 wood from the tee and don't lose too much distance,if any. 

Thanks Tony, this is good advice and has served me well. I use an Adams Tight Lies 3 wood which i think is great of the fairway and occasional fairway bunker , semi rough. Perhaps i could look for another 3 wood for tee shots i believe there are some specifically designed for this ??

Yes thats what i've got,it's a deep faced 3 wood that i paid 17 quid for,it's not for anything other than tee shot's,i have a t-zoid 3 fairway too for the long fairway shots.Are you far away from the driver people,using your wood?.I find if i can get around the 150 yard marker for my second/third shot,i am a 7 iron from the green,or close,so i use whatever i need from the tee to get there,then chip and 5 putt....

As Tony can testify I use either a driver or 18 * utility off the tee..The driver is a recent purchase from onlinegolf.co.uk it is a wilson staff TDI5 (I think) reduced from £199.99 to £29.99 - well worth a peek at that site if you want new equipment.

And I probably use the utility more at the moment particularly if there may be trouble ahead.

Your game plan seems similar to mine and Tony's - steady away off the tee and hit the green in next two shots (hopefully).

Like you, I managed 3rd in our society last year without a driver and decided this year to get one hopefully for a little extra yardeage without breaking the bank or destroying my game.

She will be in my bag for tomorrows round but will only be given a proper run out if her first hits are okay. But I will be starting off with my 18* utility whatever...

Cheers Wayne..