hand/ball position with offset driver

Question
QUESTION: I recently obtained a King Cobra TI offset driver (10.5 degree).  I had been hitting a Grand Slam oversize 10.5 and a Peerless Prism 10.0 (Taylormade knockoff).  I seem to hit the offset better however consistency is still an issue.  The offset seems to want me to start my hands ahead of the ball, which is hard to do with the ball positioned as far forward as I normally would put it at address.  I was wondering what is the proper hand and ball position for this club vs. the other two standard drivers.  I'm a 16 handicap and have been playing for about 10 years.  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hey Doug,

This can be pretty difficult to explain without being there in front of you moving your hands around, but here's my opinion.  The reason they make offset clubs is to help you square the club better at impact.  In theory, you should be able to place the ball the same place in your stance as before and see an improvement.  The problem is that some offset clubs are built a couple of degrees closed or so, and this varies from one model to another.  Trying to figure this out on the course will only frustrate you.  Go to a range where you can repeat the same swing lots of times and experiment with ball position until you find one that works.  Not much of an answer, I guess, but that's what I'd do.

Good Luck,

John


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi John,
Thanks for the feedback on ball position.  That helps.  I guess what I was wondering is because the face to shaft angle results in a closed face if I start my hands even with the ball at address, is that the way to go?  Or, should I keep the club face square to the ball at address, in which case my hands would be ahead of the ball at address.  I realize that I have to experiment and I haven't hit it enough to determine which is best, and of course, adding to the mystery, I've hit great drives on occasion starting in both positions. My question related to what is the conventional wisdom on these drivers, hands ahead/square face at address, or hands even with/closed face at address.
Regards,
Doug

Answer
Doug,

I've never hit more than a few shots with offset drivers...my miss-hits nearly always go left. I think the point would be to line up with the club face square to the target line. It would seem that lining up square would help keep your hands slightly ahead of the club through impact.  Sorry I don't have more of an answer to you.

John