A skied drive, sometimes called a pop-up or a "rainbow", flies high and short, often leaving a white mark on the top of the driver head. It loses huge amounts of distance and can damage the crown of your club. The cause is simple: the club is coming down too steeply and strikes the ball with the top of the face. Here's how to fix it.
Why drives are skied
With the driver, you want to strike the ball with a level or slightly upward angle of attack, on the centre of the face. If the club comes down steeply, it passes under the ball and the ball is struck by the top of the face or the crown.
The main causes
1. A steep, over-the-top downswing
Starting the downswing with the shoulders throws the club outside and down steeply. Read golf swing plane explained and how to fix a slice.
2. Ball too far back
With the ball too far back, the club is still descending at impact. Read golf ball position.
3. Weight moving towards the target too early
Lunging at the ball puts your upper body ahead of it and steepens the swing.
4. Spine tilted towards the target
At address, your spine should tilt slightly away from the target with the driver. Tilting towards it encourages a steep strike.
5. Trying to hit too hard
Swinging out of your shoes often leads to a steep, out-of-sequence move. Read golf tempo and rhythm.
Set-up fixes
- Ball position: opposite the inside of your lead heel.
- Tee height: about half the ball above the top of the club face at address.
- Stance: a little wider than shoulder width.
- Spine tilt: tilt your upper body slightly away from the target, so your trail shoulder is lower.
- Hands: level with or slightly behind the ball, not pressed forward.
Read how to hit a driver.
Swing fixes
- Turn fully in the backswing.
- Start the downswing with the lower body, not the shoulders. Read hip rotation for power.
- Stay behind the ball through impact, with your head behind it.
- Sweep the ball off the tee, feeling the club travelling slightly upward at impact.
Drills
Tee-behind drill
Place a second tee about a foot behind the ball, on the target line, pushed into the ground. Avoid hitting it on the downswing. It trains a shallower approach.
Headcover drill
Place a headcover just outside and behind the ball. Avoid it on the downswing to stop an over-the-top move.
Tee-high drill
Tee the ball slightly higher than normal and try to hit it without striking the top of the tee. It encourages an upward strike.
Foot-spray check
Spray the face of your driver with foot powder to see where you're making contact. Read launch monitor numbers explained for attack angle.
Protect your driver
Skied drives can mark or damage the crown. Repeated marks are a sign to work on your swing; damage can affect performance. Read golf club repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I keep skying my driver?
Usually a steep, over-the-top downswing, the ball too far back, or lunging at the ball.
Should I tee the ball lower to stop skying?
Lowering the tee can reduce pop-ups, but it doesn't fix the steep swing that causes them, and it costs distance.
What angle of attack should I have with a driver?
Level to slightly upward is ideal for most golfers.
Can a skied drive damage my driver?
It can mark the crown, and repeated impacts can damage the paint or head.
The bottom line
Skied drives come from a steep strike. Set up with the ball forward and your spine tilted away from the target, start the downswing from the ground up, stay behind the ball and sweep it off the tee. You'll hit longer, more penetrating drives. For more driving help, read how to choose a driver.