How to Hit a Long Drive in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals

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Quick Answer

• Nail your setup: a relaxed, neutral grip and a stable, balanced stance are key.
• Generate speed through a full shoulder turn, proper weight transfer, and an aggressive, uninhibited downswing.
• Focus on striking the ball squarely on the upswing for maximum distance.

Who This Guide Is For

• Golfers who are tired of watching their playing partners outdrive them.
• Anyone looking to add 10, 20, or even more yards to their drives with practical, actionable advice.

What to Check First

• Your Grip: This is non-negotiable. A weak grip means you’ll lose the clubface. A grip that’s too strong can lead to hooks. Aim for neutral to slightly strong, where your hands feel connected and in control, not like you’re strangling a snake. I always give mine a quick check before stepping up to the tee.
• Your Stance Width: Too narrow and you’ll be wobbly. Too wide and you’ll restrict your body’s rotation. About shoulder-width apart, maybe a touch wider for the driver, is usually the sweet spot. You should feel grounded and stable.
• Ball Position: For the driver, you want the ball to be forward, typically off the inside of your lead heel. This promotes hitting the ball on the upswing, which is crucial for distance.
• Balance: Before you even swing, feel your weight evenly distributed. You want to feel pressure on the balls of your feet, not your toes or heels. This sets you up for a good weight shift.

Step-by-Step Plan to Hit a Longer Drive

1. Grip it Lightly. Action: Take your normal grip, then consciously ease the pressure. What to look for: Your hands feel like they’re holding the club, not crushing it. You should feel the clubhead’s weight. Mistake to avoid: A death grip. This restricts wrist hinge and kills clubhead speed faster than anything.

2. Set Up with Stability. Action: Widen your feet to about shoulder-width apart and ensure your weight is balanced. What to look for: A solid base that allows for a full shoulder turn without feeling like you’ll fall over. Mistake to avoid: A stance that’s too narrow (lack of balance) or too wide (restricted rotation).

3. Initiate a Smooth Takeaway. Action: Start your backswing by moving the club, your arms, and your shoulders away from the ball together. What to look for: A gradual acceleration and the feeling of your wrists hinging naturally as you coil. Mistake to avoid: Jerking the club back with your hands or rushing the backswing. This kills potential energy.

4. Coil and Transfer Weight. Action: As you reach the top of your backswing, feel your weight shift onto your trail foot and your shoulders turn significantly. What to look for: A feeling of tension and power coiled up, ready to be released. Your lead shoulder should be under your chin. Mistake to avoid: Failing to coil your body, which means you won’t have much to unwind with.

5. Unleash with an Aggressive Downswing. Action: Start the downswing by shifting your weight to your lead side and letting your hips lead the rotation. What to look for: A smooth, accelerating motion that builds speed towards impact. The club should feel like it’s lagging behind your hands. Mistake to avoid: Starting the downswing with your arms or trying to “hit” the ball with your hands. This is a power killer.

6. Strike the Sweet Spot on the Upswing. Action: Aim to catch the ball with a slight upward angle of attack, ideally near the center of the clubface. What to look for: A solid “thwack” sound and a ball that launches high and flies straight. Mistake to avoid: Hitting down on the ball or making contact with the hosel or heel. This sends your ball straight into the woods.

7. Follow Through to a Full Finish. Action: Let the momentum of the swing carry the club all the way around your body. What to look for: A balanced finish with your weight fully on your lead foot and your belt buckle facing the target. Mistake to avoid: Decelerating through impact or stopping your swing prematurely. This is where you lose the speed you worked so hard to generate.

How to Hit a Long Drive: Common Mistakes

• Gripping Too Tightly — Why it matters: This is the fastest way to kill clubhead speed. It restricts your wrists from hinging properly and prevents a fluid release. — Fix: Consciously relax your grip. Imagine holding a baby bird – firm enough not to drop it, but gentle enough not to crush it.
• Swinging Too Hard (Brute Force) — Why it matters: Trying to muscle the ball usually leads to poor timing, loss of control, and often a weaker, less accurate shot. Speed comes from technique, not just raw power. — Fix: Focus on a smooth, accelerating swing from the top. Think “smooth to aggressive” rather than just “hard.”
• Poor Weight Transfer — Why it matters: If your weight doesn’t shift properly from your trail side to your lead side, you’re not using your body’s power effectively, leading to less distance and inconsistency. — Fix: Feel your weight load onto your trail foot in the backswing and then drive through to your lead foot during the downswing. Your lead hip should clear through impact.
• Trying to “Lift” the Ball — Why it matters: Most golfers, especially amateurs, tend to hit down on the ball with their driver. This creates too much spin and a lower launch angle, both of which kill distance. — Fix: Focus on hitting through the ball with an upward strike. Your setup and slightly higher tee height should help with this.
• Incorrect Ball Position — Why it matters: If the ball is too far back in your stance, you’ll likely hit it on the downswing. Too far forward, and you might be too early. Both scenarios reduce power. — Fix: Ensure the ball is positioned off the inside of your lead heel for your driver. This is crucial for catching it on the upswing.
• Inconsistent Tempo and Rhythm — Why it matters: A jerky, uneven swing disrupts the build-up of speed and makes solid contact difficult. It’s like trying to throw a ball with a stutter. — Fix: Practice your swing with a consistent rhythm. Some golfers find it helpful to count “one (backswing), two (transition/downswing), three (impact/finish)” in their head.
• Decelerating Through Impact — Why it matters: Many golfers slow down as they approach the ball, fearing a bad shot. This is the opposite of what you need for distance. — Fix: Commit to accelerating through the ball. Imagine your clubhead is being thrown towards the target. A full follow-through is a good indicator you’ve done this.

FAQ

• How important is the grip for hitting a long drive?

It’s incredibly important. A neutral to slightly strong grip allows you to control the clubface through impact, which is essential for both distance and accuracy. A weak grip will often result in a slice or loss of power.

• What is the ideal stance width for maximum power?

For the driver, a stance that’s about shoulder-width apart, perhaps a touch wider, is generally ideal. It needs to be wide enough for stability and a full turn, but not so wide that it restricts your body’s natural rotation.

• Should I swing harder to hit the ball further?

No, not necessarily. Swinging harder without proper technique often leads to a loss of control and timing, resulting in a weaker shot. Focus on maximizing clubhead speed through a technically sound swing, proper weight transfer, and a full release. Speed will naturally increase as your technique improves.

• What’s the biggest secret to hitting it further?

It’s a combination of factors, but if I had to pick, it’s achieving solid, square contact on the clubface while maximizing clubhead speed through efficient body rotation and weight transfer. You can swing as fast as you want, but if you don’t hit it square, it won’t go far.

• Does hitting the ball on the upswing really matter?

Absolutely, especially with the driver. Hitting the ball on the upswing creates a higher launch angle and a lower spin rate. Both of these factors contribute significantly to increased carry distance and overall drive length.

• How can I improve my swing tempo?

Practice is key. Try swinging at 50% speed, focusing on a smooth, unhurried backswing and a controlled transition. Gradually increase your speed while maintaining that smooth rhythm. Some golfers find using a metronome or a specific count (“one-two-three”) helpful for developing a consistent tempo.

• What’s the role of the hips in hitting a long drive?

Your hips are the engine of the golf swing. They should lead the downswing, unwinding powerfully to generate clubhead speed. A good hip turn in the backswing and a strong hip rotation through impact are critical for maximizing your driving distance.