The driver is probably the most exciting club for any golfer. It’s designed to travel a long way and when you get a good one, there’s nothing quite like it. The bad news here is that it can be one of the most difficult clubs to hit. If you don’t have the basics right, it’s going to take a long time to master the driver. Let’s go through some basic tips for driving success that will help you learn how to be a great driver of the golf ball.
Tip 1: Tee height matters
Too high and you’ll “sky” it. Too low and you’ll hit down on the ball.
The key is to have about half the ball sitting above the top edge of the driver. Many beginners believe teeing the ball low results in a lot of roll and extra distance. This isn’t the case.
The golf ball must be teed high enough for the driver to strike it in the center of the face.
Tip 2: Ball position needs to be forward
For the driver, the ball should be just inside your lead heel (left heel for right-handed golfers).
This forward ball position helps you catch the ball on the upswing. You’ll get more yards, better launch and increased accuracy if you can get the ball position correct every time.
Tip 3: Widen your stance for stability
The driver is longer than other clubs and because of its weight (and distance potential), you’ll swing it faster than other clubs. If you set up with your feet too close together, your base may not be stable enough to generate the necessary speed.
Your feet will be outside of shoulder-width apart for the driver.
Tip 4: Create a strong turn (Not a sway)
A strong pivot in the driver swing ensures you’re generating power efficiently. Once your stance is solid, initiate the backswing by turning your shoulders while allowing your hips to rotate naturally, not sway.
This coordinated movement helps create the necessary coil between your upper and lower body. A helpful checkpoint is feeling your lead shoulder (left for right-handed golfers) move under your chin.
Tip 5: Focus on balance, not just speed
Many new golfers are surprised by how challenging it is to maintain balance when attempting to hit a long drive. The important thing to remember is that if you can’t maintain your balance, the speed you are generating will not be worth much.
Keep your head stable. Finish with your weight on your lead foot and your trail foot on its toe. If you are falling backward and can’t maintain your balance, you may be over-swinging.
Tip 6: Drop your trail foot back slightly
The common swing path for most beginners is to swing a little “over the top” with an open clubface and slice the driver. To improve this, don’t hesitate to drop the trail foot back slightly from the target line at address.
Even just an inch or two can encourage a better turn and allow you to swing more from the inside.
Tip 7: Make sure your grip is strong enough
A weak grip is great for golfers who hook the ball but most beginners struggle with a slice where the ball goes straight briefly and then turns to the right. With a driver, sometimes a slightly stronger grip can ensure you can square the club face at impact.
When you have a strong grip, you’ll feel like your trail hand is a little more on the underside of the club and has more of a role in squaring the clubface. From the address position, you should be able to look down at your hands and see two to three knuckles on your lead hand.
Final thoughts
The driver doesn’t have to intimidate you. With the right setup and some basic movement patterns, you’ll give yourself a much better chance of finding the fairway. Getting confident from the tee can shape the rest of your game.
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