by Ali Taylor
May 16, 2026

Unlock More Distance Off the Tee at Any Age

Simple changes to your address and release can boost your driving distance and turn a weak slice into a powerful draw.

Struggling with Distance? Here’s Why

One of the biggest frustrations I see as a coach is golfers putting all their effort into the driver swing and getting very little return. You might set up well, make a decent swing, but end up with a weak shot that peels off to the right. Even if you’ve got reasonable club head speed, the ball just doesn’t go anywhere—often due to an out-to-in swing path and a wide open club face at impact.

The root of this issue is a glancing blow on the golf ball. Instead of compressing it, you’re cutting across it, losing both distance and control. This commonly results in low ball speed and that dreaded slice. These are patterns I see again and again, and the good news is they’re fixable.

Power Move #1: Let the Toe Win the Race

If you want more distance, you need to deliver the club head better through impact. A key feeling here is making sure the toe of the club overtakes the heel as you swing through. Many golfers let the heel win, turning the body out of the shot and keeping the hands too passive. This often leads to dragging the handle and that classic chicken wing finish.

Instead, focus on fast hands at the bottom of the swing. Imagine the butt end of the club almost stopping as you let the club head release naturally, allowing the toe to overtake. Try a few practice swings just feeling those fast hands and the toe racing past the heel. You’ll likely notice a different sound at impact, and you’ll be transferring more energy into the ball for much better efficiency.

Power Move #2: Change Your Path at Address

Once you’re releasing the club properly, the next step is to alter your swing path. If you’re used to slicing, you’re probably swinging out-to-in. The simplest way to change this is by adjusting your address position.

Take your normal stance, then pull your back foot (the trail foot) back. But don’t stop there—make sure your shoulders and forearms also drop back and align right, not just your feet. Bring your trail hand in from underneath. Now, your whole body—feet, hips, shoulders, and forearms—should be aimed right of the target. This encourages an in-to-out swing path, which is key for turning that slice into a draw and adding serious distance.

Bringing It Together for Longer, Straighter Drives

Set up with your new address position, then focus on those fast hands at the bottom, letting the toe win the race. Don’t go for maximum effort; it’s about efficiency, not brute force. You may not nail it straight away and might still see a slight fade, but you’ll start hitting from the inside with a squarer or slightly closed face, which means more ball speed and distance.

If you start overdoing it and see a strong draw or even a hook, simply keep your body moving a bit more through impact. This helps square you up and take some curve off the shot. Most golfers will find the big breakthrough is just getting that club head to release, rather than fighting a slice for years.

Why These Moves Work for Every Golfer

Whether you’re over 50 and looking for lost yards or a younger golfer wanting to hit it further, these two moves—releasing the club head and changing your address—are game changers. Improving your efficiency, boosting ball speed, and moving from a slicing swing path to a power draw is satisfying and makes the game much more enjoyable.

If you want personalised help with your driver or any aspect of your game, I offer online lessons via Skillest. Working together, we can pinpoint what’s holding you back and build a plan for longer, straighter drives.