Driving · Tip
Keep Your Driver Low Into the Wind
Part of our driving programs for not enough distance. Build a program with it
Into a headwind, swinging harder is a trap. More speed means more spin, and the ball climbs. Do the opposite. Tee it a little lower. Move the ball back an inch or so. Grip down slightly. Swing smoothly at about 80 percent. Finish with your hands lower than usual. The ball comes out with less spin and holds its line. Practice this on a calm day, so it's ready when the wind blows.
Step by step
- Tee it a bit lower.
- Move the ball back an inch.
- Grip down slightly.
- Swing at about 80 percent.
- Keep your finish low.
Why it works
A headwind raises the effect of backspin, so a ball launched high with a lot of spin balloons, loses distance and drifts off line. A lower tee and a ball slightly back make contact happen a little earlier in the arc, which lowers launch and reduces spin. Swinging at about 80 percent keeps the strike centered on the face, and a centered strike produces less spin than a hard, off-center swing.
Common mistakes
- You swing harder to fight the wind.Hold your effort at about 80 percent and let the lower launch do the work.
- You move the ball back too far and hit down on it.Move it back only about an inch so you still sweep the ball off the tee.
- You stop the swing early or flip your hands at impact to keep it low.Keep turning through the ball and let your hands finish low, with the club still moving.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts at a lower height and stays on its starting line instead of climbing and fading.
- You make contact near the center of the face, with no sharp sound or thin feel.
- Your finish is balanced, with your hands lower than usual and your weight on your front foot.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a calm day with a normal tee height first, then change one setup item at a time until all four feel natural.
Harder: Practice into a real headwind or a crosswind and aim to hold your target line with a lower flight on every swing.
Common questions
How do you hit a driver into the wind?
Tee the ball a little lower, play it slightly back, grip down, and swing smoothly at about 80 percent. Finish with your hands low to keep the launch and spin down.
Why does my driver go higher into the wind when I swing harder?
A harder swing adds spin, and extra backspin makes the ball climb more in a headwind. The ball then loses distance and often drifts off line.
