Stop Blocking the Driver Out of Bounds

There's not much more disheartening in golf than knowing the ball is going OB directly off the club face. The blocked shot can cause so many problems, but isn't a relatively difficult shot to cure. Check the video out to find out WHY and HOW to stop blocking your shots.

Music Credit: @AnnoDominiBeats

[karemariuslunde]

Superb domstration and explanation is what i good teaching is all about - Thank U so much for this brilliant video - a real eyeopener.

[That_Cajun_Guy]

This video saved my sanity! Quick background, playing about 2 years now, recently broke 100 with irons only because driver and woods were all but useless. I learned the game at a par 3 so hit my hit scoring irons way more often than woods for the first year and it left me with a useless driver. I’m talking 0-14 fairways hit, 6 lost balls per round all off the tee.

Figured out my hands were ahead at impact causing a big push that turned into a snap hook if I tried to square the face. Drilled the “straight line from shoulder to clubhead” with slow motion swings all week. Feeling my wrists being really supple, letting the clubhead catch up. Hit 5 fairways, had 8/10 effective tee shots with driver (one of the misses was the best drive I’ve ever hit that rolled through the dogleg and into rough, couldn’t locate). I literally missed with ONE drive all day and averaged 228 off the tee AND the range was closed so my tee shot on the 3rd was my first ball hit with driver in two weeks and it was a little push, 240 yards into the right rough. I’ll take that all day.

Game changer.

[jackm]

Thanks for the tips.
For some unknown reason I pushed or blocked a few tee shots on my last round. I chalked it up to - just trying too hard.
Upon further review they may have been combo issues that you described. You gave me a lot to think about and practice. Thanks!

[RichardRiceGolf]

Don’t forget to give me a like if you’re enjoying the video! Comment here if you have any questions or comments! Click that subscribe button to keep coming back to future videos!

[chrisvazquez]

Very helpful, I believe I’m trying to create lag with my driver and that’s the reason for my blocking. I’ll work on this. Thanks!

[taberdj]

Richard, love this video - so useful. My son is fighting a very bad block - he is a scratch golfer, but over the past couple months, he has been blocking 2-3 balls OB in tournaments. Occasionally, he will hit the next one after a block as a duck hook - no better. I am wondering if he is getting stuck or just leaving the face open at impact. Can you take a look at his swing and let me know what you think? Thanks!

[kellymiller]

Great video Richard! I actually have a two-way miss lately with my driver which is very frustrating? What can I work on to stop hooks and blocks. I hit more hooks than blocks. Thank you!

[JT-LV]

Thanks for the tips. I spent an entire round blocking nearly every tee shot or hitting pop flies. Frustrating. On one drive I basically locked my legs and hit a nice draw but unfortunately it was later in the round and couldn’t repeat it. I think I’m sliding hips and shaft forward.

[joeyabrams]

I believe this is exactly what I do. Try to create lag with my driver and send the ball to Sliceville as a result. Hit my irons very well and when I focus on turning my wrist before impact with the driver it does work but less consistent.

[rbauer]

Alignment! I am a prolific blocker! I tape my swing all the time. What was the elephant in the room? I think I'm still waiting for the draw to begin.

[rickhammel]

I have a swing speed around 115-120, so when I miss, it's a block that goes a long way the wrong way. Always happens when I'm nervous on a hole for some reason.

[colinstephens]

Good thoughts. Playing on the surface of the moon though? 😄

[hawleygriffin]

This guy had ball teed up for 8 minutes and never hit a freaking block.