I am a high handicapper.  Last Spring I finally retired my old maple 4-wood and purchased a new Taylor Made R7 5-Metal.  I tried swinging the same way as I did my old club and could barely get the ball off the deck.  I tried moving the ball forward and backward in my stance and changing the angle of descent; all to no avail.   This hs been very frustrating because hitting my old 4-wood was one of the best shots in my bag, but the club was wearing out.   How should I be handling this new club?

David, I am not qualified to offer official advise.  However, I love my 5-wood (metal as you call it).  I have had a few that I couldn't hit well, but the one that fits my set (Warrior Custom Golf) is perfect.  Rather than buying a brand name off the shelf, I would suggest getting the proper fit from a pro.  They will check out your swing, the swing speed, and put that together will all your measurements to come up with a proper fitting club.  I know you probably like your R7, so do I.  But, my other clubs come from my set that I had fitted for me.  I would suggest at least taking your 5-wood to Nevada Bob's or some similar facility where they can measure you, check your swing using an electronic indicator, and letting you hit some clubs.  This Forum has a very good T2G Pro that will probably give you some better advise, but I find that there is no substitute for confidence.  I play with clubs that I have confidence.  I am getting older, so my swing speed may slow some soon.  When that happens, and my shots are consistantly off target, I will get another fitting.  Good luck, Scoops!

I had and still have a lot of trouble hitting my 5, 3 wood, utilities and the like off the fairways. Here is neat drill given to me once. Put a ball on a tee with the tee at moderate height. Try hitting the ball as high as you can. Then try hitting it even higher. Stand closer if that helps. Don't worry if it goes a little right (right handers). Once you finally hit a ball almost straight up, graduate to next lower height of your tee. Repeat this trying to hit it high. Continue this progression until your ball is resting on the ground with your tee top subgrass height. It builds up confidence and you somehow figure out how to hit you woods off the fairway,