How to Use an Offset Driver & Grip Your Way to a Better Game

An offset driver is a game-improvement club developed and in the late 1970s and early ‘80s designed to help golfers straighten up their tee shot. The "offset" is a design condition where the club-face is set slightly back from the hosel instead of aligning directly with the shaft. Moving the club-head slightly behind the shaft allows the face more opportunity to square up to the target before impact.

To identify an offset driver, look at the hosel. If the club face is aligned directly with the shaft, it’s not offset. If the club face is slightly behind the shaft, you’ve got an offset club.

Some of the most popular offset drivers are the Cobra F-Max, the PGX Offset, PING G400 SFT Driver and the Cobra F-Max Superlite Driver.

The purpose of an offset driver is to fight a slice. There are many causes of a slice, but they all lead to an open club-face at impact. An offset club places the face a fraction behind the shaft, giving the player another moment to bring the club-face square. Offset clubs can also help move the center of gravity slightly farther behind the ball, which will help create higher shots.

An offset driver won’t cure a slice or a hook, but it can help teach you where your hands should be to square the club-face and make solid contact.

Offset drivers can help reduce the effect of poor swing mechanics that cause slices. An offset driver can also help the golfer build confidence as it’ll help promote some consistency and accuracy.

Hold your offset driver firmly but do not squeeze it tight. You should be holding it at about a "five" on a scale of one to 10. If you grip the club tighter than that, you will have a hard time having a smooth and well-rounded swing that would bring about the best results possible.

Slow your swing down. This is true with all clubs off the tee, but especially true with an offset driver. Rushing your swing will cause the club head to miss the sweet contact spot with the ball.

Grip your offset driver in your left hand, then take the small finger of your right hand and put it in the gap between your forefinger and your middle finger. Place your thumbs down the shaft of the club and make sure that they line up under one another. This is called the overlapping grip.

Pick up your offset driver in your left hand and place it at the top of the grip. Place the small finger of your right hand directly under the forefinger of your left hand. Line your thumbs up under each other down the shaft of your club. This is called the interlocking grip and is good for generating power.

Now pick up the club like a baseball bat. Your left hand should be on top and your right hand should be on bottom, similar to the way you would hold a baseball bat. This is called the baseball grip.

Offset drivers are for the golfers struggling with slices and beginner golfers learning how to swing properly. While this club won’t cure your slice, it can help you feel what it's like to hit it correctly.

Image: Image Studios/UpperCut Images via Getty Images