Driving · Lesson
Use the Ground to Load for Driver Speed
Part of our driving programs for push or pull, not enough distance, topped or thin. Build a program with it
Speed doesn't come only from your arms. It also comes from how you push against the ground. Start balanced, with a stance a touch wider than your shoulders. Let your arms hang. Going back, move your pressure a little toward your trail side. Your trail hip may shift an inch or two. That's loading, not sliding, so keep your head steady. Then turn your upper body over that firm trail leg. You'll feel a stretch between hips and shoulders. At the top, you may feel a bit lighter. That's the ground pushing back.
Step by step
- Start centered with a slightly wide stance.
- Shift pressure a little toward the trail side.
- Keep your head steady.
- Turn your chest over the trail leg.
- Notice the stretch between hips and shoulders.
Why it works
You can only push against the ground as hard as your stance lets you. Moving pressure toward your trail side and turning over a firm trail leg stores energy in your legs and trunk. The stretch between hips and shoulders then helps release that energy into the club, so speed does not depend only on your arms.
Common mistakes
- You slide your hips too far toward the trail side.Keep the move to an inch or two and think of it as loading pressure, not moving sideways.
- Your head moves with your hips going back.Keep your eyes on a spot just behind the ball so your head stays steady while pressure shifts.
- Your trail leg collapses or straightens so you cannot turn over it.Keep the trail leg firm with a slight knee flex and turn your chest over it.
How you'll know it's working
- You feel pressure build in your trail foot at the top and a stretch between your hips and shoulders.
- Your head stays in nearly the same spot from address to the top.
- Contact stays near the center of the face and the ball flies farther without extra arm effort.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make slow half swings with an iron and stop at the top to check that pressure sits over your trail leg.
Harder: Make full driver swings and keep your head steady and your trail leg firm while you build speed.
Common questions
How do you use the ground to hit a driver farther?
Push into the ground by loading pressure toward your trail side going back, then turn over a firm trail leg. This builds the stretch that helps you swing faster.
Should you sway on the backswing to load?
No. Your trail hip may shift an inch or two, but your head stays steady and you turn over your trail leg instead of sliding past it.
