Hitting the driver

Question
Thanks a lot for the response.  I had a feeling based on the result that it was the right thing to be doing (not sure why more players don't do it).  My follow up relates to my downswing.  On my downswing (I'm a lefty), I very consciously try to keep my left elbow in close to my body.  This really seems to help me square the clubface and hit solid shots.  As I come down, I sort of tuck my elbow and snap my left arm through contact which rotates my left hand over my right.  Is this good practice?  It really seems to help hit straight and long.  By the way, I have only been seriously playing for about three months.  Thanks again Skipper.
Steve DeMarte

Question -
I find that when hitting my driver that if I do not ground the club that I hit a much more solid shot.  By not grounding the club, I get more of a natural wind-up/swing motion going.  Is this something I should stay with or is it a bad habit to develop?  Thanks.
Answer -
Dear Steve, thanks for the question.  In a phrase...keep that up.  That is a great habit to get into for a number of reasons.  Most significant is that by not grounding the club, your grip is secure from any minute last second changes that can happen.  So many players today subtly regrip the club at setup, virtually undetectable to the eye or even video, and yet potentially disastrous to the swing.  Floating the club eliminates that possibility because if you regrip, youll drop it.  Another pitfall of grounding is the potential for drag on the take away which can interupt your rhythm.  Keep that up Steve, in the end you'll be glad you did.  Good luck and remember...

Love the game,
Skipper

Answer
Dear Steve...thanks again for the question.  That's an interesting one.  It seems fundamentally sound.  But without the luxury of seeing exactly what is happening, I would be remiss to offer any specific insight.  The important thing is that you stay consistent with your practice of it.  There is no one perfect swing, but rather many that get the job done. (Furyk, Trevino, Floyd)  As long as you do the same thing (as humanly possible) over and over, you will groove a solid move to the ball.  It sounds to me like you're hitting it good when you execute, so I say, stay with it! Good luck and as always...

LTG,
Skipper