Things You Should Know
- First, you'll want to get into position with a wide stance, proper foot and arm placement, and the tee high off of the green.
- Then, you'll need to find your aim to line up your stance, loosen up your body, and prepare for your swing.
- Finally, perform your upswing, pause for just a fraction of a second with your driver over your head, and then, perform your downswing.
1. Getting into Position
Setting Your Stance for Driving
Set your stance wider than your shoulders:
- Stand straight with your feet positioned slightly wider than your shoulders.
- A wide stance will enable you to have a longer swing when you drive.
Adjust stance based on club length:
- Longer clubs require wider stances.
- Shorter clubs need narrower stances.
- For example, use a very narrow stance for a short wedge club.
Ball Position
- Line the ball up with the inside of your dominant foot. Avoid placing the ball exactly in the middle of your stance, as many beginners do.
- Set the ball more forward in your stance. This adjustment is crucial because the driver is a long club. By placing the ball forward, you allow the driver to square up with it.
- Hit the ball on the upswing. This technique reduces spin and results in straighter drives.
Grip Technique
- Grip the club like a baseball bat with your dominant hand in front. Place both hands on the grip of the driver, similar to how you would hold a baseball bat, but with the club angled down towards the ball.
- Point the butt end of the club at your belt buckle (or where it would be).
- Interlock your fingers. Try interlocking the little finger of your dominant hand with the index finger of your non-dominant hand. This can add comfort and stability to your swing.
Positioning the Driver
- Hold the driver 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your body.
- Grip the handle so the butt end is 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) from your belt buckle.
- Step back from the ball until there is enough space to hold the driver at this distance.
- Important Note: Having your hands too close to your body will create a poor swing during the initial phase of the swing.
Setting the Tee Height
- Tee the ball up high with a 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) tee.
- Use a standard 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) tee and barely insert it into the ground.
- This setup allows you to hit more of the ball on the upswing, resulting in a further and straighter shot.
- As you gain experience, adjust the tee height to suit your style and preference.
1. Pick a target in the distance to aim for.
Instead of just looking down the green, choose a tree or a far-away bunker to focus on. Stare at your target and use it to line up your stance before beginning your swing.
As a beginner, it's common to make the mistake of aiming straight down the fairway and swinging with all your might, rather than selecting a specific target to focus on. By picking a precise target, you can improve your accuracy and overall performance on the course.
Stay balanced, go slow, and spend time at the top of your backswing. Keep your center of gravity in the middle as you start your backswing. Slowly pull the driver back and up above your head. Pause at the top of your backswing for just a fraction of a second before you bring it back down towards the ball.
Many beginners make the mistake of letting their center of gravity shift to the back, which reduces accuracy and power when driving. The “pause” at the top is really just a slight hesitation that allows your body to adjust and align the driver for the downswing. Many beginners don't let the club reach the top all the way on their backswing, which also takes away power and accuracy.
It's a common misconception among beginners that you must pull the driver back and swing as fast as possible, but in fact, the opposite is true. Focus on your form during the backswing and pull the club back slowly.
Greatness in golf comes from time and dedication. "Talent is something you are born with, and a skill is something you develop. 99% of what you need to succeed in golf are skills."
Proper Downswing Technique
- Use a Sweeping Motion: During the downswing, shift your balance forward. Bring the driver back down towards the ball, ensuring your center of gravity moves to your front foot as you make contact.
- Focus on Form and Balance: Use a sweeping motion instead of a downward angle to give the ball more lift and less spin.
- Emphasize Technique Over Power: Remember, you don't need to hit the ball at full force to send it far. Driving is more about form, balance, and technique than raw power.
Swinging Through the Ball
- Maintain Your Arm Speed After Impact
- Swing through the ball and let your arms continue in a sweeping motion even after making contact. This will create a smooth swing tempo and improve your drive accuracy.
- Avoid Stopping Your Swing Abruptly
- As a beginner, you might feel tempted to hit the ball hard and then stop your swing forcefully. Instead, allow your arms and body to fully complete the swing.
- Finish with the driver above your head, positioned in front of you.
The Takeaway: Hitting a Driver
- Stay Centered: Begin your backswing with a centered stance.
- Adjust Your Center of Gravity: As you move into the downswing, shift your center of gravity so it is over your front foot.
- Follow Through: Make sure to swing through the ball even after you've made contact.
By following these steps, you'll improve your driving technique and consistency.
Tips to Hit Your Driver Further
Once you've mastered the basics of driving, it's time to focus on maximizing your distance with these proven tips:
Choose the Right Driver: Make sure your driver suits your swing. The correct club can make a significant difference in distance, especially the shaft. If your equipment isn’t right, you won’t be able to achieve maximum distance.
Tee the Ball High: Experiment with tee height at the driving range. Try hitting 10 drives from a low tee (where the ball is level with the bottom of the driver’s face) and 10 from a high tee (with the ball halfway above the top of the driver head). You’ll likely find that the higher tee provides greater average distance.
Select the Right Golf Ball: The type of golf ball can affect your distance. Switching balls can make a difference of up to 10 yards. This isn’t about premium versus cheap balls but rather the difference between distance balls and feel balls.
Utilize Ground Forces for More Power: Effective use of ground forces can increase your torque and power. As you swing back, apply pressure through your feet as if you’re pushing into the ground. This should also be done at impact with weight on your left side.
Go After the Ball: Don’t ease up on the ball. To achieve maximum distance, you need to swing aggressively. Ignoring advice to "take it easy" will help you drive the ball further.
Complete Your Shoulder Rotation: You need more than just your arms to generate distance. Complete shoulder and hip rotation is essential. Ensure your left shoulder turns and tucks under your chin for optimal power.
Use Weighted Training Aids: Strengthen your swing by using heavy golf clubs or incorporating strength training into your routine. Increased strength will contribute to hitting the ball further.
By following these tips, you’ll enhance your driving distance and make the most out of your swing.
Tips for Hitting Your Driver Straighter
Do you often find yourself choosing between hitting a driver straight or hitting it long? You don’t have to compromise. Use these tips to improve the accuracy of your long drives:
Check the Ball Position: Position your driver so that the ball is aligned with your left heel (for right-handed players). Adjusting this too far forward or backward can reduce accuracy.
Utilize Driver Adjustability: If your driver has an adjustable clubhead, take advantage of it. Sometimes, a simple adjustment can help straighten your shots.
Monitor the Clubface Angle: Ensure that the clubface is square and pointing directly at your target during setup. Avoid closing the clubhead even if you tend to slice.
Analyze Your Swing Plane with Video: Use golf gadgets and video technology to review your swing. Many devices can help you visualize and correct your swing path.
Match Your Driver to Your Swing: Get a custom fitting or occasionally try out different drivers to find one that complements your swing style.
How Far Should You Hit Your Driver?
Understanding how far you should hit your driver involves considering your swing speed and impact location on the clubface. Here’s a breakdown based on skill levels:
Beginner: Typically, beginner golfers hit their driver around 200-230 yards. For women golfers, this distance usually ranges from 150-180 yards.
High Handicap: High handicappers often face consistency issues similar to beginners, so their drives are also in the 200-230 yard range.
Mid Handicap: Mid handicappers, who are realistic about their distance, generally achieve 220-240 yards. Drivers designed for mid handicappers often enhance both roll and carry.
Low Handicap: Low handicap players usually hit 250-270 yards off the tee. These golfers have mastered their driver technique and are focused on adding those extra yards.
This guidance ensures you can improve both your distance and accuracy with your driver, making every swing count.
Ways to Hit a Driver Consistently
Here are some essential tips to help you hit your driver consistently. Bookmark this post and refer to it during your next practice session:
- Turn Your Feet Outward: Slightly angle your feet outward to enhance your backswing rotation.
- Reduce Grip Pressure: Lighten your grip to improve wrist action and clubface control.
- Align the Ball: Position the ball in line with your front heel when setting up.
- Adjust Tee Height: Set the tee height to align with your attack angle for optimal performance.
- Flatten Your Lead Wrist: At the top of your swing, keep your lead wrist flat to help shallow the shaft.
- Rotate Your Hips First: Begin your downswing with a hip rotation to create a powerful impact.
- Maintain a Good Shoulder Turn: Start with a solid shoulder turn and continue it through impact for consistent results.
Following these tips will help you improve your driving consistency and overall performance on the course.
