If you’re like a lot of golfers, chances are you want to learn how to hit a driver off the deck (aka “DOD”).
It’s a shot that few people can achieve and gives off similar vibes to hitting Tiger’s patented stinger. Most golfers can’t hit this shot consistently – even low handicappers – so if you can, you’re one of the rare few.
Keep reading to learn how to hit the driver off the deck in case you need this heroic shot during the round. Plus, you will also learn about a new type of driver that might make this shot a lot easier.
How to Hit Driver Off the Deck
Hitting a driver off the deck is so challenging because of the design of modern drivers.
Most clubs are 460 cc (the maximum size allowed by the USGA) with a high center of gravity – meaning the sweet spot is higher up on the face. Which makes sense as you typically tee a driver up and try to hit it with an upward angle of attack. However, this makes it hard to find the sweet spot when hitting without a tee.
Key Takeaways
- Hitting a driver off the deck is one of the most difficult shots to hit, as the club is meant to be hit from a tee. But it can be done with a few adjustments at setup.
- To hit the “DOD” you need the right lie above all else, otherwise you should hit a fairway wood or hybrid.
- Additionally, you want to make sure there is no trouble short of the green in case you mishit the shot.
Learn the step-by-step instructions on how to hit a driver from the fairway below.
When to Hit Driver Off the Deck
Before sharing how to hit this shot, I want to first point out that it’s one of the hardest shots in golf. So, why is the shot so difficult to hit?
A few reasons…
First, the club is meant to be hit from a tee. In the past, this shot would have been easier as drivers were much smaller. But now that clubheads are massive, their sweet spot is much higher on the club, which is harder to hit when the ball is not teed up.
Second, it’s hard to get the right lie and stance. Unless the ball is sitting up perfectly and you have a good stance, this nearly impossible shot becomes even more difficult.
Finally, it’s a tough shot to hit because it’s very similar to hitting a 3-wood from the deck. Which, for the everyday amateur golfer, is already a hard shot to hit as the club is long with not a lot of loft (learn more about 3W loft here). Not to mention, most golfers don’t adjust their swing/setup correctly, which makes the shot nearly impossible.
Now that you know why it’s one of the more complex shots in golf, let’s cover the best tips and strategies to use it.
Make Sure the Lie is Good
The first step happens before you even pull the driver out of the bag to hit the shot.
You need to first ensure the lie and stance will allow you to even attempt this challenging shot. As mentioned above, it’s already hard because a driver is meant to be hit off a tee more than from the deck.
When assessing your lie, make sure the ball is sitting up in the fairway cut and not a thin, tight lie. If the ball is sitting up (more of a flier lie in the rough), this is also an option to hit the shot.
Additionally, you want to make sure the ball is level to your feet, not below or above. If the ball is sitting poorly in the fairway, in the thick rough, or an uneven lie, don’t bother trying this shot.
Finally, don’t forget to consider if the hole calls for the shot. If you have to hit it perfectly and carry it 230 or longer, it’s probably not a great option.
However, if the lie is good, you have an even stance, and there isn’t any trouble to carry, then you have the green light to try it out. Also, you can watch this short one-minute video from Jon Rahm on the best practices for hitting a driver without a tee.
Adjust Your Setup
After you’ve checked the lie, the next step is to adjust your setup.
Start by thinking about this shot like you would hitting a 3-wood from the fairway. To hit this shot, you need a downward angle of attack. Choke up slightly to make the club shorter and easier to control.
You’ll also want to move the ball position one ball back from normal. If the ball is off your front heel – like it is when hitting a driver off a tee – it’s hard to hit down on it. Instead, you’ll hit up on it, which produces a lot of thin shots.
Finally, stand slightly closer to the ball than you would if you were hitting off a tee. This will get the club into a more upright position and easier to make better contact.
Expect a Different Ball Flight
Once you’ve made all the adjustments necessary to hit the driver off the deck, it’s important to understand how the ball will react. The ball will come out with a much lower ball flight with a lot of topspin compared to one that is teed up.
Also, don’t expect to hit it as long as you do when the ball is teed up or launched nearly as high. Additionally, as John Rahm explained in the video, it’s best to try and play a fade vs. a draw when you aren’t hitting from a tee. Plan to aim slightly further left and anticipate a left to right ball flight.
If done correctly, you should have no divot and barely skim the grass. To set yourself up for success, make sure to commit to a consistent pre-shot routine as well.
Practice Hitting Driver From the Deck
The last step is to make sure and practice this shot before trying it out on the golf course. Whether you want to learn Tiger’s stinger, a knockdown, or any other type of shot, always test it out in practice before taking it to the golf course. This is a tough shot to hit from mats, so make sure you are hitting from a grass driving range.
Also, don’t try to do anything different swing wise. You don’t need to swing faster, shorter, or change your swing plane. Instead, make the adjustments noted above and trust the club to do the rest.
When to Hit Driver Off the Deck
There aren’t a ton of times this shot will come in handy and should be thought of as more of a last resort than a first choice. However, these are some common scenarios where it might come in handy if you have enough confidence in the shot.
- Hitting into the wind. If you’re hitting into a howling wind and need to keep the trajectory as low as possible, this is a perfect option. Just make sure nothing is short of the green in case you don’t hit it perfectly.
- Par 5 in two shots. If you want to try and get on or near a par 5 in two shots, this is an excellent time to try and hit driver from the deck. Just make sure it’s worth the risk/reward when assessing your approach shot strategy.
- Sitting up in the light rough. If your golf ball finds the light rough but sitting up, it could be a good option. If you need to advance the ball as far as possible, give it a shot. The light rough actually makes it easier as the ball is almost teed up.
Alternate Choice – Mini Driver
Hitting a driver from the fairway is a tough shot to execute well, even for the best players in the world. However, a new version of a driver – known as a mini driver – is making this shot a lot less intimidating.
The mini driver – which looks like a 2-wood – is taking the golf world by storm and even made it in the bag of several Tour pros. TaylorMade started this trend with their AeroBurner mini driver. But Titleist is planning to roll out their mini driver soon and TaylorMade continues to lead the charge with the release of their latest BRNR model.
As noted on their website, “A modern interpretation of a classic design, BRNR Mini pays homage to our late-90s Burner™ drivers. It pairs retro styling with Movable Weight Technology to give players their choice of forgiveness and versatility or increased distance with a piercing ball flight.”
These clubs are smaller than a traditional driver and bigger than a 3-wood, usually in the 300cc range (most drivers are 460 cc, while most 3-woods aren’t 200 cc). This provides better turf interaction, a more consistent strike, and longer distances than normal.
Not only is a mini driver smaller than a normal driver, it has more loft too. Mini drivers typically have 11.5 or 13.5 degrees of loft and adjustable features to add/remove loft. This makes the club a lot easier to hit from the deck, as it has 2–3 degrees more loft than most drivers.
Lastly, mini drivers are also slightly shorter at 43.75 inches, which is nearly the same length as a 3-wood. If you don’t love your 3W and/or want a club to help you hit more fairways, I highly recommend considering this type of club.
FAQs About Hitting Driver
Do you have additional questions about hitting the driver off the deck?
When should you hit a driver off the deck?
You should not hit this shot in most scenarios on the golf course, as it’s challenging even for skilled golfers. However, if the lie and stance are good, here are some scenarios to hit a driver from the deck:
- Hitting into the wind.
- No trouble short of the green.
- A long and open par five where you want to get as close as possible to the green.
- No trouble to the right side of the green (as most golfers tend to play a fade, which could turn into a hook).
How do I hit my driver consistently?
If you can hit your driver consistently well, it’ll have a massive effect on your golf game. To improve consistency, follow these proven tips:
- Get custom fit for a driver that is right for your swing.
- Play one shot shape (learn more about draw vs. fade here).
- Always have a pre-shot routine and commit to a clear target.
- Start speed training and/or tempo training so you can sequence your swing better and increase total driving distance.
Also, it’s important to have the right expectations, as you aren’t supposed to hit every driver long and straight. Don’t forget, even the pros only hit about 60% of fairways each round.
How do you hit a driver dead straight?
To hit a straight shot, it’s important to remember you only need one thing; a square face at impact. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done… especially when hitting a driver.
To hit your driver straighter, I suggest hitting a “fairway finder” type of shot. Start by choking up on the club and teeing it down lower than normal. This will make it shorter and easier to control while minimizing launch/spin rates.
Also, don’t forget to read these guides if you’re having trouble hitting fairways:
My Experience
I don’t have a ton of experience hitting driver off the deck but have tried it out a few times… never in a competitive event though. If you get to the point where you can hit it 275+ yards off the tee, you’ll likely find few instances where you need this shot.
Most golfers would agree that hitting a 3-wood is much easier than trying to hit a driver. Only try this shot if you’ve practiced it plenty and have a perfect lie.
Final Thoughts
Hitting the driver from the deck isn’t easy, but possible if you stick to the steps above. Just make sure the lie and stance are good to give yourself the best chances of executing this shot.
Additionally, I think a mini-driver is a great alternative to a 3-wood and might be just what your game needs. It’s a versatile club that you can use on the tee and from the fairway. The smaller head, shorter shaft, and extra loft makes it a lot easier to execute.
Michael Leonard
Michael is an avid golfer of 25 years who played in high school, college, and now competes in Arizona amateur events. He is a full-time writer, podcast host of Wicked Smart Golf, and mental golf coach.
