Hitting out ball successfully off the tee can be a challenge to many players. I know that I have struggled from time to time with this very important skill. Interestingly, there appears to be a shroud of confusion over how to accomplish success when standing on the tee box. If you think about what you immediately do on a par 4 or 5 while walking to the tee box, you might understand where I am going with today’s thoughts. It is not complex, yet as critical as sinking that 3 foot putt for par!
The biggest mistake amateurs make is not analyzing the requirements of each hole. They do not for a successful strategy to easily hit par, but step forward with the pedal to the metal! Out comes the big dog whether it is needed or not.
For example, my golf course starts off with a 485 yard par 5. It is a bit more challenging than it sounds, but is a story for another day. I generally hit driver because it is a hole that I have a chance to get home in two. However, some days I do not hit driver because I am not warmed up properly or the course conditions dictate a different strategy. I have hit a 3 wood or 3 hybrid off the tee in play. This strategy allows me to hit the green in regulation more often than not. You might suggest I should do this all the time, however it does remove any chance of putting for eagle and chasing that score is also fun.
There are short par 4 holes where anything but drive off the tee is the right selection in order to hit the ball in play. If you are noticing a reoccurring theme of being in play off the tee, then you are catching my drift. Most amateurs run into challenges by NOT thinking things through and therefore leaving themselves a very difficult second shot which leads to higher golf scores. I am not saying it is guaranteed you will be in the perfect position every time, however you will have a better than not chance of a much easier second shot. Hence, choosing the proper club off the tee is more than grabbing your driver and whacking away.
Golf is more cerebral than people think. Course management strategies are very important to improving your golf game. It does take practice and confidence in your game, however once you convince yourself that driver off the tee is not always the smart play, you will be on your way to lower scores!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
You’re right of course that driver isn’t always our best option. That said, just like with every other club in my bag I practice hitting more than just full swings with my driver. So I’m prepared to hit driver shorter distances too. Because IMHO there are times when a 3/4 driver swing might be a better option than a full 3 or 5 wood swing.
I used to hit those shorter driver shots more often. I felt it was more accurate than the long irons I carried at the time. But today, with a 3, 5, & 7 wood in the bag that I have full confidence in I use my driver less often. But a few holes on a couple courses I’ve played for years I still grab driver because it’s worked so well for so long. I could certainly hit 3 or 5 woods on those holes safely but why swing harder when you don’t have to. It just adds difficulty.
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Kevin,
There are many different ways to hit every club. I generally do not hit 3/4 shots with my driver. I prefer to use a different club. It is not that I cannot do it, I feel more confident swinging a bit harder off the tee. It really is a matter of choice and whatever fits your game.
Cheers Jim
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