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Driver off the deck: Legitimate strategy or just stupid?

swook

swook

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Have you ever pulled it off when it mattered? Is there ever a legitimate reason to hit driver off the fairway, or is it always just ego talking?
 
Never have pulled driver off the deck when it mattered. Mostly do it in charity outings or just for fun.
 
Only done it a couple time and for kicks. My 3 wood will end up getting me better distance and control
 
I did it many years ago in fun but never during HC round. I played 8⁰ and it was never worth it
 
For me it’s just stupid. Never pulled it off successfully. But in a charity scramble after someone has hit it safe it can be fun to try.
 
Mini Driver - similar success to 3W. Standard driver - not really a good option for me.
 
My league partner does it quite often. I've even seen him take it out of a fairway bunker and the rough trying to keep it low and run it as far up as he could. Works most of the time too
 
Back before we had big drivers I could do it…. Sometimes. These days, no chance. Best I can do is hit a hard grounder.
 
Have only attempted it a few times for fun and I am no good at it, 3 wood works much better for me.
 
If you can do it well, it's not a bad trick to have. I don't have the speed or the swing for it myself, I lie my mini off the deck when it's working though
 
I have never eve tried it when it matters. I dabble for fun at times, and it very rarely works out. 3w or 5w is always a better option
 
Never really attempt it. I can barely execute a solid 3W off the deck, so no real sense for me to driver off the deck.
 
I can't recall a time when I really needed it. If I am so far out that it would be a possibility, I'd feel more comfortable laying up or hitting a 7 wood to have 50ish yards in.

If you have confidence in it, I'm sure it can be useful - but I've always thought a 3w would likely be a better result on average.
 
I have done it a handful of times and may have pulled it off once. I would rather hit the mini or 3w
 
If I need to hit DoD, I need to lay up.
 
It's a shot recreational hackers should never attempt, its for trained professionals only like DOD Queen Brooke Henderson
 
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Its a legit shot. I probably try the DoD shot 4, or 5 times a year when needed. Its a 50/50 shot for.

I aim left of my targeted area, since the ball will fade, with even more roll out fading.

I need a good lie to try it. A wider fairway helps too. Its also a part if my practice routine....occassionally.

On another note. My driver has a square, lower profile type head on it. To me, this type of head makes the DoD shot easier to pull off.
 
if you need a tee shot absolutely not go left (right hander) hit DOD
 
I have only ever done it in the sim. I’ve played with a few guys that do it often though, and it’s impressive in person.
 
I’m honestly not sure why you’d ever need it, unless it’s for fun / s***s & giggles 🤷
 
I've only ever tried it in fun rounds/scrambles. It's a very low percentage shot for me, not something I'd try to pull off when it mattered. A well hit 3W or 5W goes a lot further than a poorly struck DOD.
 
I have done it a number of times when I was younger, and we played a 600 yard + par 5. The only way to get around the corner in two was often a second driver. Also good for when I needed a screaming low cut from under tree trouble..,
 
Not for me. Driver average 265 off the tee, 3W average 225 off the deck (can be almost as long as driver on the right day). No reason to make it harder for myself. I still give it a go a few times a year, just to see what I can do.
 
Have played it couple dozen times …
One sticks in my mind a S shaped par5 .

Middle of fairway , pulled Driver , 200m like it had navigation…. Middle fairway and around the bend with beautiful look at the green .


It’s a conditions right shot not every time
 
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I don't have that shot in the bag.
 
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