Driving · Drill
Build a Steady Driver Before a Fast One
Part of our driving programs for not enough distance. Build a program with it
If your tee shots keep finding long grass or the stakes, chasing speed won't help. Consistency will. Hold the club firmly, but not tightly. Check that your body lines run parallel to the target. Two sticks on the ground can help. Lay one along your target line. Lay the other across it, pointing at the ball. Then swing smoothly and finish in balance. Add speed a little at a time. Only keep it if you can stay aligned and balanced.
The drill
- Check your grip pressure.
- Lay one stick on your target line.
- Lay another across it at the ball.
- Swing smoothly to a balanced finish.
- Add speed slowly.
Why it works
A driver has a long shaft and a low-lofted face, so small errors in alignment, tempo or balance turn into big misses. A firm but not tight grip lets the club release without the face twisting at impact. Parallel body lines and a balanced finish give you a repeatable path and face, and you can only add speed safely once those are repeatable.
Common mistakes
- Gripping the club tightly because you want more power.Hold it firmly enough to control it, but keep your forearms and shoulders loose, and check the pressure again before every swing.
- Aiming your feet, hips or shoulders to the left or right of the target line without noticing.Set the stick along the target line and rest your toes, hips and shoulders parallel to it before each swing.
- Adding speed too fast and falling off balance at the finish.Raise your effort in small steps and go back to the previous speed whenever you cannot hold your finish.
How you'll know it's working
- Your tee shots start on or close to your target line most of the time.
- You hit the ball in the middle of the face, with a similar sound and feel each time.
- You hold your finish with your weight on your front foot until the ball lands.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use a shorter swing at about half effort and hit from a tee with a three-quarter finish until you stay balanced every time.
Harder: Add speed in small steps, and keep only the speed at which you stay aligned and balanced for several swings in a row.
Common questions
How tight should I hold my driver?
Hold it firmly enough that it will not slip, but not so tight that your forearms tense up. If your arms feel stiff, loosen your hold a little.
Why do I keep hitting my driver into the rough?
The most common causes are poor alignment, a tense grip and swinging harder than you can control. Fix your setup and balance first, then add speed gradually.
