Would like to know special instructions on how to hit a driver? Sit down and take a moment to refresh your mind because you have just landed in the right place.
Hitting a driver is not easy and I believe that all steps should be primarily detailed and well explained, most of the guides on how to hit a driver do not properly detail and do not provide tips. I set out to fix that, to give the best contribution to make your journey great.
Always check with your coach, and course to ensure the process.
Keep reading to dive into the guide.
1- Positioning
- Set your stance wider than your shoulders- Here you should stand with your feet out moderately wider than your shoulders, this will allow you to have a longer swing when you drive.
- Line the ball up with the inside of your dominant foot in front of you- Most the beginners tend to place the ball precisely in the middle, you need to set the ball further in your stance since the driver is a long club, this will allow the driver to square up with it.
- Grip the club like a baseball bat with your dominant hand in front- Here you should place both your hands on the grip of the driver, just like you would hold a baseball bat but with the club angled down towards the ball. You should also put the butt end of the club at your belt buckle. To add comfort and stability to your swing you can try interlocking the little finger of your lead hand with the index finger of your non-dominant hand. To understand the steps on how to grip a golf club, read our How to Grip A Golf Club article.
- Hold the driver 10-12 inches (20-30 cm) away from your body- In this step, you should hold the handle of the club so that the butt end is 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) away from your belt buckle, don’t forget to back away the ball until you create enough space to hold the driver at this distance.
- Tee height and tee the ball up high with a 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) tee- Before thinking about the swing, you need to tee the ball up, it is the key to hitting the driver consistently. Use a standard 2.75 inches tee and barely stick it in the ground, this will allow you to hit more ball on the upswing and send it more forward and straighter. By the time you get more experienced, you can adjust the height that you want to tee the ball to suit your style and preference.
2- Swinging the club
- Pick a target in the distance you aim for- Here you should choose a tree or a fairway bunker, rather than just looking down the green. Stare at your target and use it to line up your stance to get ready to begin your swing.
- Waggle the club back and forth to loosen up before you start your backswing- Don’t lock uptight because it may result in poor performance, waggle the club until you feel that your fingers are loosened up. It is important to keep your body relaxed and contribute to a good drive swing.
- Stay balanced, go slow, and spend time at the top of your backswing- Here you should keep the center of gravity in the middle as you start your backswing, you should slowly pull the driver back and up above your head. Take a pause (a second) at the top of your backswing to allow your body to adjust and align the driver for the downswing before you bring it back down to the ball.
- Use a sweeping motion and shift your balance forward during the downswing- Here you should bring the driver back down at the ball and shift the center of your gravity front foot as you make the contact. Instead of using a downward angle, use a sweeping motion to give the ball more lift and less spin. Use more technique, balance, and form than power because driving is not about hitting the ball at full force to send it far.
- Swing through the ball and maintain your arm speed after you hit it- Here you should let your arms keep swinging motion even after the contact you make with the ball, this will allow you to create a good swing tempo and give your drive more accuracy. Don’t forget to always allow your arms and body to fully complete the swing. For swing details, read our Golf Swing Tips.
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Are you feeling under pressure?
If you are feeling under pressure and tense like on the first tee or a tough driving hole, you should focus on making a full rhythmic motion to the top. The best thought when even if you don’t have the flexibility to do is to turn your dominant shoulder behind the ball, this thought will help and allow you to make a complete rotation, instead of stopping your backswing short. You should also load into your right side so you can shift forward coming down.
When making a full turn back and repositioning your weight will encourage a natural swing rhythm and you’ll get more power if you’re shifting your weight correctly.
Fighting a slice?
It is a very common problem, to slice it off the tee. You have to make sure that your right shoulder stays back so that it can allow the club to drop to the inside as you start down. The best swing thought is to keep your back facing the target longer in the downswing, you should make a full turn behind the ball and then keep the right shoulder passive so that it can help your upper body not spin out. You can swing out the ball with the club dropping the inside which will allow your arms to release and square the clubface.
