Getting The Distance On The Driver You Deserve

It's a common discussion, lament for some, a wish for others... How do I get more distance out of my driver?

Essentially, we all do right? Want to squeeze a few extra yards out of our driver. Big 'ol long drives right down the middle of the fairway will do wonders for your confidence while administering blows to your competitors. And not only that... a 7 or 8 iron into the green offers a much better chance at a birdie opportunity than does a 5 or 6 iron... the shorter the approach shot the better.

So, all you need to do is swing harder... right?

Wrong... if that were the case we would all resolve our distance problems tomorrow.

Yes, developing a greater clubhead speed could be a possibility and would seem to be the answer. But, more often than not swing harder usually at the very least will produce a snap hook or a banana ball. So, although clubhead speed is a crucial ingredient, physically swinging harder isn't the correct answer.

Allowing your body and mechanics to generate more clubhead speed is the focus. Not making your body and mechanics do it.

Driving for distance is timing and technique that generates clubhead speed at the precise moment by timing the release of much stored energy that you develop through proper swing mechanics... not bigger muscles.

For starters widen your stance just a bit... don't overdo it ... just widen a bit to give your self a bit wider foundation from which to work.

Position the ball just inside the heel of your front foot. With the driver you actually want to make contact with the ball with the upswing part of your swing arc. Also, open your lead foot up just a bit (rotate your toes toward the target). This will allow your hips to clear much more easily.

Work on taking a smooth one piece take-away with the shoulders, arms and hands. This will not only promote smooth consistent rhythm be will also provide for a longer wider arc which is a key to distance.

If you've implemented the one piece take-away and long flowing arc correctly, at the top of your swing your upper back and shoulders will be facing the target.

The transition from the top of the swing is an element you don't want to rush or force with hand and arm action. It is this hand and arm action from here where people swing harder" at the ball and as such... produce bad results.

Let the downswing commence with your weight transfer beginning from the back to the font foot while your lead hip also begins to rotate toward the target. Trust me... the shoulders, arms, and hands will obediently follow. By doing this you will maintain your proper angles longer and keep the energy stored for proper release timing.

Earlier, I mentioned that you actually want to contact the ball on your upswing. A good drill and test to see if you are doing this is to see how many drives you can execute without having to replant your tee or even get a new one because the one you just hit ... you broke.

When your swing begins to come together with the driver, you'll be able to his successive drives with disturbing your tee much at all. In essence, you'll be swinging through the ball and not at the ball... which is what we want.