How to Hit a Knockdown Driver

Who Is This Drill For?

Anyone wanting to learn how to hit a knockdown fairway finder off the tee. This shot can be useful in windy conditions, on tighter fairways, or when there is trouble that can be avoided by reducing your carry distance with driver or three wood. 

Equipment Needed

Stance IQ training mat
Range / Sim

Skill Levels

Intermediate: You're hitting some fairways and are now starting to think about controlling your distance off the tee to avoid trouble. 
Advanced: You're actively controlling your distance off the tee to avoid trouble and are also trying to control your shot trajectory in the wind but could do with a more consistent process to achieve this. 
Expert: You're already familiar with your own setup for a knock down shot but have not recorded your setup so you can practice it repeatably. 

Stage 1 - The Setup

The goal of this stage is to become familiar with the setup for a knock-down tee shot. 

Step by Step

1. Choose either a driver or 3 wood and setup to the ball using your mid-iron ball position and stance width.
2. Notice how your ball position will be slightly further back than normal for a wood. This helps hit the ball further back in the swing arch with a lower angle of attack.
3. Also notice how your stance width is much narrower than you usually would setup for a wood. This helps move your low point forward so it's easier to cover the ball with a lower angle of attack.
4. Grip down slightly on the club. This will reduce clubhead speed and spin, giving you a lower, more controlled ball flight.
5. Lastly, ensure your weight is more on your front foot during setup and throughout your swing. This stops your head from moving back and hitting up on the ball. 

Stage 2 - Hit Full Swing Shots at 50% Swing Speed

The goal of this stage is to become familiar with this knock-down setup without the pressure of hitting full speed shots. 

Step by Step

1. Pick a target to aim for, as well as left and right out of bound markers to represent the edges of the fairway.
2. Hit 10 full-swing shots at 50% swing speed, where carry might be around 100 yards for an 80mph clubhead speed.
3. Focus on turning your chest fully towards the target during the swing, so that your arms and body are in sync. The temptation with the knock-down setup is to shorten your swing which can lead to arms and body getting out of time.
4. If available, check the peak height of your shot. If you're somewhere around 10-30 yards, you're doing well. If you're under 10 yards, move your ball position slightly further forward.
5. Once you've hit at least 5 out of 10 fairway finders, increase your swing speed to 75% and repeat.

Stage 3 - Hit Full Swing Shots at 75% Swing Speed

The goal of this stage is to increase your swing speed, while still focusing on making good contact in this knock-down setup. 

Step by Step

1. Hit 10 full-swing shots at 75% swing speed, where carry might be around 150 yards for a 90mph clubhead speed.
2. Still focus on turning your chest fully towards the target during the swing, so that your arms and body are in sync.
3. If available, check the peak height of your shot. If you're somewhere around 20-40 yards peak height, you're doing well. If you're under 20 yards, move your ball position slightly further forward and vice versa if you're too high.
4. Once you've hit at least 5 out of 10 fairway finders, increase your swing speed to 100% and repeat.

Stage 4 - Hit Full Swing Shots at 100% Swing Speed

The goal of this stage is to increase your swing speed to your full swing speed, while still focusing on making good contact in this knock-down setup. 

Step by Step

1. Hit 10 full-swing shots at 100% swing speed, where carry might be around 200 yards for a 100mph clubhead speed.
2. Still focus on turning your chest fully towards the target during the swing, so that your arms and body are in sync.
3. If available, check the peak height of your shot. If you're somewhere around 30-50 yards peak height, you're doing well. If you're under 30 yards, move your ball position slightly further forward and vice versa if you're too high.
4. Once you've hit at least 5 out of 10 fairway finders, you've successfully completed the drill. 

Note: Feel vs Real - We say 50% swing speed, but in reality your clubhead speed might be 80% of your max clubhead speed. It doesnt really matter, as long as you're starting off slowly and building up to full speed so that you can concentrate on technique rather than the outcome. 

Keeping your peak height under 50 yards will keep your ball out of the wind on most courses. 

Credit to J-Day and his crew for filming this fantastic tutorial on hitting fairway finders, which was the inspiration for adapting this drill for use with the Stance IQ training mat.