The driver can be the most difficult club in the bag for most amateurs to hit. This is usually due to one of a couple major swing flaws. In this post I will give you my best tips for how to hit the driver.
Tip Number One – The Setup
The first major flaw I see with many golfers is that they set up to the ball with too much weight on the front foot. Since most golfers don’t transfer weight very well, they are unable to generate much power at all because they never shift the weight.
With that in mind, set up with 60% of your weight on your back foot. Just be sure that in your back swing, your weight stays on your back foot (yeah, I am not a big proponent of stack and tilt).
By starting with your weight on your back foot, and keeping it there until the back swing is finished, you will be fully loaded to push off that foot, which will allow you to generate more power.
Because the driver is much longer than any other club in the bag, you are also going to stand up taller in your set up.
Avoid setting up with too much bend in the waist and with the hands too close to the body. Because the driver is so long, you need to be sure to give arms enough room to swing.
Compare the two photos of Tiger Woods below…
Note how far Tiger’s head is away from the driver compared to his set up with the iron. The hands are also further away from the body.
At the same time, his knee flex is virtually identical.
Lastly, be sure to set up with the ball more forward in your stance. With the driver, you want to catch the ball just after your swing has bottomed.
We place the ball on a tee with the driver for a reason… there isn’t much loft to the driver, and it helps us get the ball in the air.
By setting up with the ball more forward in our stance (I like to set up with the ball just inside of my left big toe), you are also putting the ball closer to the point of your swing where the swing speed is fastest.
How to hit the driver – Tip Number Two
My second tip for hitting the driver is… maintain your spine angle.
This is easier said than done, and it may require some fitness training on your part if you are unable to do this.
Many golfers at some point in their golf swing will lose their spine angle.
This either occurs in the back swing, where they straighten up their torso in an effort to get a longer back swing, or in the down swing.
Very athletic players can get away with straightening up in the back swing. In fact, long drivers Bryson DeChambeau and Kyle Berkshire do this purposely.
But, this is because they are able to get back into the proper position in the downswing and at impact.
They are able to do this due to their athleticism and strength.
I find that younger golfers, elderly golfers and golfers who are a bit weaker typically straighten up in the back swing, they chop down on the ball into impact. There is virtually no power generated.
A more common flaw among experienced golfers is to lose the spine angle in the down swing prior to impact. This causes the center of gravity to float up, and the arms extend too soon, resulting in a loss of power.
Note the image of Rory McIlroy below at three different positions. His spine angle is nearly identical in all three. It is only after his front leg starts to straighten as the hips stop rotating that his spine angle starts to straighten.
As I suggested, some physical training may be warranted if you struggle with maintaining your spine angle in the golf swing.
Here is the best exercise for golfers that will help in this regard.
Driver Tip Number 3
My next tip for golfers learning how to hit the driver well is… improve your golf swing sequence.
The most common swing flaw among golfers who struggle to generate power off the tee is poor sequencing.
The most glaring issue is that most golfers start the down swing with their upper body, which means they are not making efficient use of the most powerful muscles in the lower body.
I find that the best way to train for sequencing is without a golf club in your hand.
Learn more about the kinematic sequence here.
Final Tip – How to hit the driver
My last tip for how to hit the driver well is to improve your swing plane.
Most golfers attack the ball in the downswing from outside in and at an angle that is too steep coming into the ball.
This is due to a couple of issues I’ve already mentioned… the inability to maintain spine angle and poor sequencing.
Once you work to fix those issues, you can work to fix your swing plane. Learn about the training aid I recommend here… swing plane training aid.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a few key ways to improve your ability to hit the driver. Ultimately, improved fundamentals are what will do the trick.
Also, check out my tip on how to hit a draw with the driver.
Now get to work!
