(Qschool) >> Tips from the Pros Ground Attack Use your driver off the deck to add a new shot to your game. By Mike Barge | Photos by W.P. Ryan R arely do you see a golfer hit his or her driver off the deck, but in certain conditions and situations, such a shot can be used to your advantage. The right conditions: A very windy day when you want to keep the ball low and when the ground is fi rm. The right situation: Perhaps a tee shot or when playing a scramble, both occasions when you can doctor the lie. The lie is everything, in fact. The ball has to be sitting up, and if it's on an upslope (see below), even better. If your driver has more than 11 degrees of loft, which is becoming more common, you also have a built-in advantage. Here are some tips if you want to give it a go: s 3HORTEN THECLUBBYCOMINGDOWNONTHEGRIP ABOUTANINCH It will feel more like your fairway woods and add control. s /PEN THE FACE SLIGHTLY TO ADD SOME LOFT BUT AIM LEFT TO ALLOW for the curve to the right. s 3WING TO PRODUCE A LEVEL ANGLE INTO THE BALL )F YOU SWING hTOO DOWNv OR hTOO UPv THE BALL WONT GET AIRBORNE Give yourself some good lies on the range and see if you are capable of hitting this shot. If your swing into the ball is level enough to make good contact, that's proof of good technique. Mike Barge is director of instruction at Hazeltine National Golf Club and a Class A member of the PGA of America. Optimal lie 12 MINNESOTAGOLFER April/May 2009 www.mngolf.orghttp://www.mngolf.org