Are You Struggling for Distance off the Tee?
If you ever find yourself watching the best players at your club (or on TV) and wondering how they send the ball miles down the fairway while your drives fall short, you’re not alone. Most golfers have heard they should 'hit up' with the driver to maximise distance, but actually making that happen can feel impossible.
The truth is, it’s not usually an information problem—it’s an implementation problem. Many golfers know what they should be doing, but struggle to put it into practice. The good news? With the right movement, you can unlock both distance and accuracy, without having to swing any harder.
The Three Keys: Launch, Strike, and Speed
To gain real yardage, you need three things: a high launch, a solid strike, and club speed. Most golfers try to achieve this by setting up with the ball forward in the stance and tilting the spine away from the target. The intention is good, but the execution is often lacking.
What typically happens is the weight moves into the right side on the backswing and then stays there into the downswing. The result? The low point moves behind the ball (which helps you hit up), but the club path goes out to in, leading to poor strikes, slices, or wild hooks—and definitely not the big draws or straight bombs you want.
What the Best Players Really Do
Here’s the crucial difference: elite players move pressure into their right side early in the backswing, but then, as they transition into the downswing, they start moving the lower body towards the target. The lead shoulder doesn’t just keep going forward; instead, it starts moving up. This side-to-side action with the lower body allows the club to drop onto the right plane. You can then turn through without throwing the club outside, delivering more speed right where you need it—at impact.
The Step Drill: Your Shortcut to Power and Consistency
One of my favourite drills for ingraining this movement is the step drill. Here’s how to do it:
- Address the ball normally.
- As you start your swing and the club reaches waist height, step your lead foot towards the target.
- Feel your upper body stay back behind the ball as your lower body drives forward.
This drill teaches your body to shift pressure towards the target while keeping your upper body in the right position. You’ll notice the club drops into a great delivery position, allowing you to swing up on the ball with speed and control.
Try a few swings at a smooth pace first, focusing on the movement rather than speed. Once you’re comfortable, gradually add speed. You’ll be amazed how effortless it feels to generate more clubhead speed and hit longer, straighter drives.
Effortless Speed—Not Maximum Effort
Many golfers think they need to swing harder to hit it further, but often, more effort actually reduces clubhead speed and ruins strike. I’ve seen players drenched in sweat, giving it everything, only to watch their drives limp down the fairway. When you move your lower body correctly and keep your upper body back, you start to see the real gains—more speed, better launch, and much more distance with less effort.
Common Mistakes and What to Feel
Watch out for the classic error of staying up on your back foot or getting onto your toes too soon. This throws the club out and saps both distance and accuracy. Instead, feel your lower body aggressively shifting as you start the downswing, letting your right foot roll onto its side as you push off. Your lead shoulder should move up, not forward, keeping your upper body behind the ball.
Make These Moves Your Own
If you want to see these moves in action and really understand how to implement them, watch the full YouTube video here. For a more personalised approach, my online lessons on Skillest are a great way to get direct feedback and tailored drills to help you unlock your best driving yet.
Final Thoughts: Drive It Longer and Straighter
Mastering this simple body movement is the key to effortless power and accuracy. The best players don’t swing harder—they move better. Give the step drill a go, focus on shifting that lower body, and keep your upper body back. You’ll soon be teeing it up with more confidence and seeing your drives fly further and straighter than ever.
Watch the full YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4-NNfWr7ik
