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how to properly hit a golf driver

by Rod Pollich Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Set your stance wider than your shoulders. Stand straight with your feet out slightly wider than your shoulders.
  2. Line the ball up with the inside of your dominant foot in front of you. Many beginners tend to place the ball exactly in the middle.
  3. Grip the club like a baseball bat with your dominant hand in front. ...
  4. Hold the driver 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your body. ...
  5. 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 stick it in the ground.

Part of a video titled How to hit a driver - YouTube
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Position if you aim your feet directly at the ball with your feet together just like i'm doing. AndMorePosition if you aim your feet directly at the ball with your feet together just like i'm doing. And then take your rear foot and take a wide step to the side.

What is the proper way to hit a golf driver?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Getting into Position

  1. Align your body with a vertical marker in the distance. ...
  2. Set your feet in the proper position. Because a golf swing has both a horizontal and vertical feature, the center of your swing will be a couple inches on ...
  3. Adjust your arms. You want your arms to be straight and form a “V” shape when you set up your stance.
  4. Use the proper grip pressure. ...

How to hit the golf ball straight with a driver?

Tips for Hitting a Ball Straight Every Time

  • The Best Swing Speed for Straight Shots. First, let’s clear up one common misconception. ...
  • Hitting Straight Golf Shots Off the Tee. Here’s another super simple trick that helps you get more control over your golf swing. ...
  • Adjust Your Golf Stance to Fix the Slice. ...
  • Three Changes to Make on the Golf Course. ...

How far should I hit my driver in golf?

How far should you hit a 7 iron? Based on a 7-iron swing speed of 90 mph (Average speed of all Tour Pros in 2019), you can hit a 7 iron for 172 yards of carry. Total distance would depend on the landscape you are hitting into such as fairway, firm green, soft green, and the degree of spin placed on the ball.

How do you swing a golf driver?

Should golfers always try to swing as hard as they can with their driver?

  1. Grip, Clubface, Then Speed. Joe Plecker, The Landings Club: Smashing drives requires speed and a square clubface. ...
  2. Learn Controlled Speed. Jonathan Yarwood, International Junior Golf Academy: When you watch Bryson smash it into infinity and beyond in person, it really is incredible to watch.
  3. Get Flexible First. ...
  4. Faster, Not Harder. ...

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How to set up a driver in golf?

Line the ball up with the inside of your dominant foot in front of you. Many beginners tend to place the ball exactly in the middle. You need to set the ball more forward in your stance, since the driver is a long club, to allow the driver to square up with it.

How far away should you hold a golf driver?

Hold the driver 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your body. Hold the handle of the club so that the butt end is about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from your belt buckle. Back away from the ball until you create enough space to hold the driver at this distance.

How to loosen up a golf club?

Waggle the club back and forth to loosen up before you start your backswing. Don't lock up tight or you will have a poor swing. Waggle the club until you feel your fingers and feet loosen up.

How to get a driver to stop backswinging?

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.

What is the most intimidating part of golf?

Driving can be the most intimidating part of golfing for beginners. It's the first shot on any hole, so it's important to get it right! Make sure to position yourself and the ball correctly, then use proper balance and technique as you swing to hit the ball. Avoid typical mistakes that beginners make, like trying to hit ...

Why do you pause at the top of the car?

The “pause” at the top is really just a slight hesitation that will allow your body to adjust and align the driver for the downswing.

How to get more accuracy in golf?

Swing through the ball and maintain your arm speed after you hit it. Let your arms keep swinging in a sweeping motion even after you make contact with the ball. This will create a smooth swing tempo and give your drive more accuracy.

How to get more power in golf swing?

Making a full turn back and shifting your weight will promote a natural swing rhythm, and you'll get more power if you're shifting your weight correctly. Remember, the ball's not going anywhere, so take your time swinging back.

How to avoid a hook in golf?

The way to avoid that is to keep turning your whole body toward the target. Shift to your left side to start down, feeling like your chest points to the ball, then turn hard to the left. The club won't flip, and you'll fix those hooks.

What does it mean when you're nervous on the tee box?

If you're someone who gets nervous on the tee box, that mental state is affecting how you physically swing your driver. From what I've seen, nerves typically make the backswing fast and short. It's tough to hit a good drive after making a snatchy move like that. If you're feeling tense—like on the first tee or a tough driving hole—focus on making ...

How to get a good swing on the tee?

If you're feeling totally lost on the tee, you need a swing key that combats a lot of potential problems. Try keeping your arms swinging at a constant speed through the ball and all the way to the finish. Many golfers swing to the ball and stop; they "throw" the club at the ball. This can lead to misses of all kinds, so picking the proper correction can be confusing. If you keep up your arm speed, you'll create good rhythm and flow through impact. You might be amazed at how things fall into place. Making an aggressive pass through the ball is always better than trying to steer it down the fairway. Remember, you're making a golf swing, so keep those arms swinging.

What does it mean when you slice a golf ball?

If you slice, I'll bet your ball position is too far forward. This opens the shoulders, which limits how far back you turn. An abbreviated turn sets up that early move with the right shoulder coming down. When you set up, play the ball in line with the logo on your shirt. Keeping the ball from being too far forward will allow you to start your swing with square shoulders, giving you the space necessary to make a full shoulder turn going back.

How to keep your golf club from freezing?

To combat this, keep some motion in your fingers and feet. Waggle the club back and forth. If you lock up, your nerves will hurt your swing. Moving your fingers and feet will keep you loose and more able to make a good, smooth swing.

How to swing a golf club with your back facing the target?

Your best swing thought is to keep your back facing the target longer in the downswing. Make a full turn behind the ball, and then keep that right shoulder passive so your upper body doesn't spin out.

How to focus on golf driving?

To help your mind focus, pick out a very specific target in the distance to aim your driver at. Trees work well for this purpose, as do fairway bunkers that are out of reach with your drive. Take a moment on the tee to pick out a spot that you are going to aim at , and give it your full attention until you look up and see the ball sailing perfectly down the middle of the fairway.

How to maximize distance in golf?

In reality, the best way to maximize distance is to stay on balance and make sure you make solid contact on the center of the clubface. Good balance means keeping your center of gravity near the middle of your stance throughout the backswing, and then moving it aggressively toward the target on the downswing.

What happens if you cut the backswing short?

When you cut the backswing short, you lose some of your potential power in the swing and also risk creating a slice because the club may be “outside” the proper swing plane. Always remember that the ball isn’t going anywhere – it’s just waiting on a tee for you to hit it.

How to hit iron shots?

Iron shots should generally be hit with a downward angle to cleanly strike the ball and impart the necessary backspin to get it up and soaring through the air. This is due to the design of the irons, and the fact that you are usually hitting them off the turf instead of a tee. However, with the design of a driver and the advantage of a tee under the ball, a sweeping motion is the desired way to attack the shot at impact.

What happens when your weight starts to sway side to side during the swing?

When your weight starts to sway side to side during the swing you will likely lose both accuracy and power from your driver. Work hard to keep your weight centered during the backswing and you will be far better prepared to swing confidently through the ball.

Why is it important to blast drives right down the middle of the fairway?

When you can blast your drives right down the middle of the fairway hole after hole, it gives you a tremendous advantage over the course . Playing from the fairway makes golf much easier, and getting good distance on your drives means you will have shorter approach shots and more chances to make birdie. For these reasons, understanding the proper ...

How to become more consistent in golf?

The goal is to become more consistent by staying within yourself and focusing more on balance than on speed. When you are able to hit the sweet spot swing after swing, your distance will start to increase and you should have more control over the flight of the ball as well.

How to hit the driver correctly?

In order to hit the driver correctly and get the distance and accuracy you are looking for, go through a mental checklist during your pre-shot routine. Survey the fairway to determine the target line and avoid hazards such as bunkers and water.

Why is it so hard to hit a golf driver?

The driver is one of the most difficult clubs to hit in golf. This is because the club is longer than the other clubs, and it has a lower loft angle.

How to do a backswing golf swing?

Start the backswing by keeping the clubhead low to the ground and sweeping the club back. Your shoulders will turn around your spine , and your weight will shift toward the back foot. The front shoulder will move under your chin and approach the back armpit. As you take the club back, the toe of the clubface will face up toward the sky.

How to make contact with the ball in golf?

Your wrists will remain cocked at 90 degrees with your thumb pointing up until you make contact with the ball. Make contact with the ball with your arms stretched out, and try to feel the weight of the clubhead as it hits through the ball. Finish the drive with a strong follow-through, your back heel will be up and your back toe will be pointed at the ground.

What is the cocked position of the wrists on a golf club?

When your arms and the club are parallel to the ground, your wrists will be cocked to 90 degrees . At the top of your backswing, your body will be in a coiled position with the clubhead ready for a powerful downswing.

How to control a golf club?

Bend your knees slightly, and allow your arms to hang down from your shoulder sockets in a relaxed position. Think about where the ball will land, and visualize the shot. If you feel you need more control over the club, choke down on the grip of the club a little bit.

How to do a downswing?

The Downswing. Move your forward knee toward the target line to begin the downswing. Your weight will begin to shift from the back foot to the front foot. Rotate your hips quickly toward the target to generate a powerful swing with more distance.

How to get more speed in golf?

For extra speed, shift your front foot away from the ball as you swing.

What is the difference between hitting an iron and a driver?

Community Answer. There is a very little difference from hitting an iron and a driver. The main technique remains the same, but with the driver your body is positioned slightly different than when hitting an iron or wedge. During the swing, your arms remain still (same as iron) as you come through to hit the ball.

What is the goal of a swing ball?

The goal is to swing smoothly rather than hit the ball as hard as you can.

How to swing a golf ball?

1. Stand beside the ball with your weaker hand closer to the target. Choose the side you want to swing from, then face the ball. If you are right-handed, stand on the left side of the ball. Point your left shoulder towards the target. If you are left-handed, stand to the right of the ball with your right shoulder pointed towards the target.

How to do a downstroke?

Swing the driver down to begin your downstroke. Start the downswing by slightly pushing your front knee and hip towards the ball. Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot, keeping both feet flat on the ground. Avoid adjusting your arms during the swing.

What happens if you swing too light?

If your swing is too light, the ball won’t travel very far. Your hands and shoulders may be too loose. Remember, the goal is to swing the club smoothly and make contact, not smash the ball. You may lose a little distance at first, but consistency makes up for it over time.

What is a good tee shot?

A good tee shot is often the lead-in to a good golf score. Being able to swing a driver properly leads to tee shots that land with distance and accuracy on the fairway. Mastering the swing depends on both stance and swing mechanics.

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Fundamental #1 – Balance Is Crucial

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Staying on balance should be priority number one when hitting a driver. Many golfers fail in this regard and lose their balance while trying to swing too hard and maximize distance. In reality, the best way to maximize distance is to stay on balance and make sure you make solid contact on the center of the clubface. Goo…
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Fundamental #2 – Spending Time at The Top

  • It is easy to rush when you are making a driver swing, often causing you to not take the proper amount of time at the top of the backswing to let your body and the club get in perfect position. Ideally, there should almost be a pause at the top – not a complete pause, but more like a slight hesitation that allows your body to gather and the club to switch directions and fall into the slot f…
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Fundamental #3 – Sweeping Motion

  • Iron shots should generally be hit with a downward angle to cleanly strike the ball and impart the necessary backspin to get it up and soaring through the air. This is due to the design of the irons, and the fact that you are usually hitting them off the turf instead of a tee. However, with the design of a driver and the advantage of a tee under the ball, a sweeping motion is the desired wa…
See more on golficity.com

Fundamental #4 – Less Than 100%

  • Everyone wants to hit their driver as far as possible – that is no secret. However, in the pursuit of distance, it is possible to overdo it and end up doing more harm than good. There is nothing wrong with swinging hard, but it should never come at the loss of balance within your swing (remember the difference between swing hard and swinging fast). Try swinging your driver at sli…
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Fundamental #5 – A Proper Target

  • This last fundamental makes sure that you have the proper focus and preparation for your driver shots so that you can get the most from your swing. Many amateur golfers make the error of not picking out a specific target for their driver and end up just “swinging away” without a real purpose. When you hit an approach shot to the green, you will usually aim right at the pin so it’s …
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Further Recommended Reading

  • Looking for even more ways to improve your shots off the tee? Check out these staff recommended books that cover the most important fundamentals of this crucial shot. 1. The Keys to an Effortless Golf Swingby Michael McTeigue 2. Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golfby Ben Hogan Both of these books have been around for quite some time but there’s a reas…
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