Key Tips To Increase Driving Distance

We all love to smash our drivers far but few golfers are ever able to do it consistently. There are some key common factors that all long hitters have in common. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Take advantage of leverage:

The biggest hitters know that one of the secrets to long drives is learning how to take advantage of leverage and they realize that pure muscle is not the answer. Leverage is created during the downswing in many ways which we will discuss below, but first here is a picture to illustrate the concept of leverage:

You want to maintain a good leverage angle between the club shaft and your left arm and release this angle at the last possible moment. However do not consciously try to force yourself to hold this angle but rather use some of the tips below like driving with the legs and pulling with the left arm to maximize leverage.

Launch the ball at the optimal angle:

Depending on your club head speed you will need to get a suitable driver with the right loft for maximum distance. If your club head speed is under 100mph (most golf pros have tools to measure so ask your local pro) then you will want a higher loft driver like a 10 or 11 degree one. If your club head speed is higher then you will want something with less loft like a 9 or 8 degree driver.

Pull with the left arm:

During the downswing think about pulling with the left arm and avoid using your right hand to try to generate more power as this will result in casting (releasing the club too early) which is a big factor in loss of distance and accuracy.

Strong lateral drive with the hips and legs:

Your legs and hips can be a tremendous source of power so learn how to use them effectively during the golf swing. You do not want to rotate your hips but move them laterally towards the target until the club is well through impact.

Use the right driver for your swing type:

As mentioned above, be sure to use the right driver for your swing speed.

Use proper grip pressure:

A lot players grip the club way too tightly and this prevents a solid full release and usually results in a slice swing. You can apply a little tension with the little and middle finger of the left hand but keep the right hand passive.

Swing freely and reduce tension:

Tension can mess up even the best of swings and most of it is psychological. Make a commitment to swing freely as this will give you the best chance of getting the best results. Develop a routine where your focus is to swing freely and do not be too concerned about the results on a shot by shot basis.