What Rickie Fowler does when the driver’s not working is worth a look for amateur golfers

He added: “For me, having the mini in the bag has been big. In a tournament, with the wind off the left, I like to hit mini because I can draw it and hold it in there better.”

“That’s something that’s been nice on my end if there’s a day when I have any question with my driver, I just hit mini.”

The message for amateur golfers here is simple: If you’re having trouble with your driver, don’t try to force it.

Switching to your three-wood or mini-driver can help you keep the ball in play and build from there.

Rickie Fowler’s driver advice is invaluable for amateur golfers

When you’re trying to work out issues with your swing, that’s what the driving range is for, not the middle of a round.

If your driver just isn’t working for you, trying to fix it during play rarely pays off. It’s better to find another way to keep the ball in play and focus on getting a good score.

In those situations, put your attention on scoring rather than perfecting your swing mechanics. Use whatever club helps you stay consistent off the tee, whether it’s a three-wood or a mini-driver.

When you’re back at practice, stick to the basics. Set up some alignment sticks and spend time refining your rhythm and tempo.

Lessons can certainly make a difference but since you won’t have an instructor walking alongside you during a round, knowing your own swing becomes even more important.

If you want to lower your handicap, start by identifying where your bad shots come from and then target those areas in practice.

Once it’s time for competition though, stick with whatever club gives you confidence instead of forcing something that isn’t working. Just like Fowler suggested.