Are You Making This Common Driver Mistake?
As a PGA professional, I see so many golfers falling out with their driver. One minute you love it, the next you’re watching your ball slice off into the rough, nowhere near as far as your swing deserves. It’s frustrating, but you’re far from alone. The good news is that adding 30, even 50 yards off the tee could be easier than you think – and you don’t need 101 swing thoughts to get there.
The Real Secret: A Simple Setup Change
Most golfers know they should play the ball forward in their stance with driver. But here’s where things often go wrong. You move the ball up, put the club behind it, and while your feet, knees and hips might be square, your shoulders and forearms are often set open – pointing left of your target. This open upper body encourages an out-to-in swing path, which means weak slices, loss of distance, and missed fairways.
The fix? Next time you set up, hover the clubhead directly behind the ball as normal, then move the clubhead back 6 or 7 inches so it rests on the ground. It will look like the ball is lined up with the toe. Suddenly, your shoulders and forearms will square up or even point a touch right of target. This tiny change does wonders for your swing path, setting you up to deliver the club more from the inside, helping you launch the ball higher and with less spin.
Why This Setup Delivers More Distance and Accuracy
When you adjust your setup like this, you’re not just changing how things look at address. You’re giving yourself a better chance to:
- Strike the ball closer to the middle of the clubface
- Catch the ball on the upswing, launching it higher with low spin
- Square the clubface more easily, reducing those wild shots to the right
Most importantly, you’re making it easier to let the club travel up through impact with a more neutral (or slightly inside) path. This combination is the magic behind longer, straighter drives.
Get the Toe to Win the Race
If you’re someone who regularly leaves the clubface open and watches shots leak right, try this: as you make your swing, feel like the toe of the club is “winning the race” through impact. Imagine your hands and the toe working a bit faster, so the clubface is looking more down at the ball in the follow through, rather than being left open to the sky. This feeling will help you square the face and hit those lovely, powerful draws.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
We all want to hit it further, but too many swing thoughts will only make you tense and inconsistent. Use this straightforward routine:
- Set up with the ball forward
- Hover the club behind the ball
- Move the clubhead back 6 or 7 inches, resting on the ground
- Swing and focus on letting the toe win the race
You’ll soon see your club path improve, your strike get more consistent, and your drives fly further and straighter than ever. Even if you don’t swing it as fast as a tour pro, being more efficient with your delivery will unlock serious extra distance.
Make the Most of Your Game
Sometimes, the biggest changes come from the simplest tweaks. Give this setup a go and watch your confidence grow every time you pull the driver from the bag. If you want more personalised help with your swing, I offer online lessons through Skillest – it’s a great way to get tailored feedback, wherever you are in the world.
Watch the Full YouTube Video
For a full demonstration and more detail, watch the complete YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX4YeBJ3rQw
Let’s get you driving it better than ever!