Why tee up the ball at all?

[Weightshift]

2-J-2 INSIDE-OUT IMPACT ...
The ball should always be struck prior to the low point of the Downstroke, even when using the Driver, except under special conditions or to produce a special effect, which is a separate area of consideration.

When I see the pros hit drivers they leave the wooden tee in the ground undisturbed. So if the bottom of the ball is level with the bottom of the driver at impact, why tee the ball up at all? I can understand that if the teebox surface is irregular it might be necessary to tee the ball up a little, to clear the irregularities.

Also, I often see players using long wooden tees of 4" or more, so are we no longer concerned with the lie angle of the clubhead when hitting the driver?

[Sonic_Doom]

I don't think most pro hit their drivers on the downstroke, maybe level and more up.

I see plenty of flying tees when the pros tee off. When the tee is left I think they have hit a touch thin.

CW

[bts]

2-J-2 INSIDE-OUT IMPACT ...
The ball should always be struck prior to the low point of the Downstroke, even when using the Driver, except under special conditions or to produce a special effect, which is a separate area of consideration.

When I see the pros hit drivers they leave the wooden tee in the ground undisturbed. So if the bottom of the ball is level with the bottom of the driver at impact, why tee the ball up at all? I can understand that if the teebox surface is irregular it might be necessary to tee the ball up a little, to clear the irregularities.

Also, I often see players using long wooden tees of 4" or more, so are we no longer concerned with the lie angle of the clubhead when hitting the driver?

"prior to the low point of the Downstroke" can be regarded as "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm", which also means "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is vertical to the ground.

The clubhead can pass the low point and start to move upward (relative to the level ground) at impact "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm" or "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is tilted away from the target. The ball needs to be teed up to allow the above to happen without hitting it fat.

Hackers usually hit the ball "after the shaft passing the in-line condition with the leading arm" or "after release (throwaway)", regardless of pivot position.

[Weightshift]

2-J-2 INSIDE-OUT IMPACT ...
The ball should always be struck prior to the low point of the Downstroke, even when using the Driver, except under special conditions or to produce a special effect, which is a separate area of consideration.

When I see the pros hit drivers they leave the wooden tee in the ground undisturbed. So if the bottom of the ball is level with the bottom of the driver at impact, why tee the ball up at all? I can understand that if the teebox surface is irregular it might be necessary to tee the ball up a little, to clear the irregularities.

Also, I often see players using long wooden tees of 4" or more, so are we no longer concerned with the lie angle of the clubhead when hitting the driver?

Thanks for the replies, but I've just "seen the light". The ball is teed up so that low point occurs above ground, thus allowing "The ball should always be struck prior to the low point of the Downstroke, even when using the Driver" without hitting the ground or "hitting it fat". I can be so dumb some days

[EdZ]

"prior to the low point of the Downstroke" can be regarded as "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm", which also means "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is vertical to the ground.

The clubhead can pass the low point and start to move upward (relative to the level ground) at impact "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm" or "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is tilted away from the target. The ball needs to be teed up to allow the above to happen without hitting it fat.

Hackers usually hit the ball "after the shaft passing the in-line condition with the leading arm" or "after release (throwaway)", regardless of pivot position.

Excellent post!

[lagster]

Some of the newer BIG HEADED DRIVERS do not look to me as if they are designed to hit the ball off the ground. Some look better than others for this.

Ken Venturi used to not ever use a tee with the driver. Of course he was using a shallower wooden-wood.
Jack Nicklaus uses a tee when ever he can, even with irons on par threes.
The LONG DRIVE guys usually tee the ball very high!
Do what works well for you.

[Weightshift]

"prior to the low point of the Downstroke" can be regarded as "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm", which also means "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is vertical to the ground.

The clubhead can pass the low point and start to move upward (relative to the level ground) at impact "prior to the shaft being in-line with the leading arm" or "prior to release (throwaway)" when the pivot is tilted away from the target. The ball needs to be teed up to allow the above to happen without hitting it fat.

Hackers usually hit the ball "after the shaft passing the in-line condition with the leading arm" or "after release (throwaway)", regardless of pivot position.

I may be sticking my neck out here, especially after seeing the renowned EdZ praise your post, but quite honestly I don't understand your reply.

(1)"prior to the low point of the downstroke"
- means only one thing to me, exactly what it says.

(2)"The clubhead can pass the low point and start to move upward (relative to the level ground) at impact"
- suggests that impact occurs after low point, which is totally contrary to Homer's writings.

(3)"when the pivot is tilted away from the target"
- although Homer speaks of "the Pivot" most of his descriptions refer to the pivot as a motion. With a (near) stationary head, the body at impact somewhat resembles a letter "C" with the hips turned facing the target and most of body weight on the left side . If this is the "tilt" you are describing, the thrust is still downwards.

[Burner]

Little threadjack that I could not resist - sorry.

Is hitting a slice the luck of the draw

No, but a Draw is a Slice of good fortune.

[Weightshift]

Little threadjack that I could not resist - sorry.

No, but a Draw is a Slice of good fortune.

Thanks, I'll add it to my collection

[Bigwill]

2-J-2 INSIDE-OUT IMPACT ...
The ball should always be struck prior to the low point of the Downstroke, even when using the Driver, except under special conditions or to produce a special effect, which is a separate area of consideration.

When I see the pros hit drivers they leave the wooden tee in the ground undisturbed. So if the bottom of the ball is level with the bottom of the driver at impact, why tee the ball up at all? I can understand that if the teebox surface is irregular it might be necessary to tee the ball up a little, to clear the irregularities.

Also, I often see players using long wooden tees of 4" or more, so are we no longer concerned with the lie angle of the clubhead when hitting the driver?

In order to achieve maximum distance, you need high launch and (appropriately)low spin. A lot of pros, and long drive pros in particular, position the ball in such a way that they can contact the ball on the upswing, in order to produce this condition. Could that be a "special effect" that Homer is referring to?