The driver is the most exciting — and most frustrating — club in the bag. Hit it well and you set up easy scoring chances. But because it's the longest, lowest-lofted club, small errors are magnified. Here's how to hit longer, straighter tee shots.
Tee it higher than you think
With modern large-headed drivers, you want to hit up on the ball. Tee it so half the ball sits above the crown of the driver at address. A higher tee promotes an upward strike, which launches the ball higher with less spin — the recipe for distance.
Set up for an upward strike
Unlike your irons, the driver rewards hitting the ball on the upswing:
- Play the ball forward, off the inside of your lead heel.
- Set your trail shoulder slightly lower than your lead shoulder, tilting your spine away from the target.
- Put a bit more weight on your trail foot at address (around 55%).
This setup naturally shallows your angle of attack so you catch the ball as the club is moving up.
Make a full, wide turn
Distance comes from a full shoulder turn and width. Feel your lead shoulder rotate behind the ball while keeping your arms extended and relaxed. Resist the urge to lift the club with your hands — big power comes from body rotation, not arm effort.
Swing smooth, not hard
The most common driver mistake is swinging out of your shoes. Tension and over-swinging destroy both speed and accuracy. Instead, feel a smooth, athletic swing at about 85% effort. Ironically, an unhurried swing usually produces more clubhead speed at impact because it stays in sequence.
Sequence the downswing from the ground up
Start the downswing by shifting your weight toward the target and rotating your hips, then let your arms and the club follow. This lag stores speed and delivers it at the ball. Rushing your arms from the top throws the club out and over the top — the classic slice move.
Find the center of the face
Distance is lost more to poor contact than to slow swings. Tee up in the same spot each time, keep your head steady, and prioritize center-face strikes. Foot spray or impact tape on the face shows you where you're hitting it so you can adjust.
Fix the big miss
- **Slicing?** Check for a weak grip and an over-the-top path. Strengthen your grip and feel like you swing out to the right (for a righty).
- **Hooking?** Your face may be closing too fast or your grip is too strong. Ease the grip slightly and quiet your hands through impact.
Don't always hit driver
Course management matters. On tight holes with trouble, a 3-wood or hybrid you can control keeps you in play. Distance is only an advantage when the ball finds the short grass.
Get eyes on your swing
Driver faults like coming over the top or hanging back are hard to feel on your own. Record your tee shots and share them on JoinSwingClub to get feedback from coaches and fellow golfers. A small setup or sequence tweak can add yards and straighten your ball flight — and finally make the driver your favorite club.