When to leave your driver in the bag, how to pick the right club for downhill shots and when to pull the trigger (Part 2, Conclusion)

Continued from blog entry – “If it doesn’t look like a driver hole, it’s not. (Part 1)”
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Q:
I know I don’t need to hit driver on every hole because I hear good players saying it all the time. But I don’t know when to leave it in the bag. What clues should I look for?
Ryan P., Medford, Ore.

A:
. . . A good rule to follow is this: If you can leave yourself 150 yards to the green or less with a club other than your driver, leave the big stick in the bag.

That being said, don’t neglect the power of your driver. On every tee, analyze the situation and gauge your comfort level.
If your mind sends
any signals of doubt, immediately opt for a fairway wood. If you attain a mental/visual comfort level with the driver as you look down the fairway, then go ahead and unleash its power, regardless of the hole’s shape or length.
(Tom Patri)