Tips for Hitting Your Driver Higher

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• Tee it up higher and focus on an ascending blow.
• Develop an inside-out swing path.
• Get your ball position and setup dialed in.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who want their drives to carry further and stop rolling out too soon.
• Anyone looking to optimize their driver’s performance for maximum distance and a better launch angle.

What to Check First for Hitting the Driver Higher

• Your Current Tee Height: This is huge. If the ball isn’t sitting high enough, you’re fighting yourself from the get-go. A tee that’s too low is like trying to paddle a canoe with a chopstick.
• Ball Position at Address: Where do you set up? It needs to be forward in your stance, typically aligned with your lead heel. This is crucial for catching the ball on the way up.
• Clubface Angle at Impact: Is it square, open, or closed? An open face can lead to low, weak slices, while a closed face can cause hooks. You want it square or slightly closed for that powerful, high launch.
• Your Swing Path: Are you coming over the top, chopping down? Or are you swinging from the inside, up through the ball? This is a game-changer for trajectory.
• Stance Width and Balance: A stable base is key. Too narrow and you’ll sway; too wide and you’ll restrict rotation. You need to feel balanced and athletic.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Hit the Driver Higher

Alright, let’s get that big stick launching like a rocket. It’s not magic, just a few key adjustments.

1. Elevate Your Tee Height:

• Action: Start by teeing the ball up significantly higher. A good rule of thumb is to have at least half the ball, if not a full ball, sitting above the crown of your driver. I like to use a tee that’s about 3 to 3.5 inches tall.
• What to look for: The tee should feel like it’s barely touching the bottom half of the ball. You should see a good amount of white tee sticking out. When you swing, you want to feel like you’re brushing the top of the ball with the clubhead.
• Mistake to avoid: Teeing the ball too low. This is the most common error. It forces you to hit down on the ball, killing your launch angle and making it nearly impossible to achieve a high trajectory. It’s like trying to pitch a tent with your tent poles buried in the ground.

2. Perfect Your Ball Position:

• Action: Place the ball forward in your stance, aligned with the inside of your lead heel. For right-handed golfers, this means the ball is off your left heel.
• What to look for: A consistent setup every time. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, maybe a touch wider for the driver, and you should feel balanced. The ball being forward allows your club to reach the bottom of its arc and start ascending before it meets the ball.
• Mistake to avoid: Moving the ball too far back in your stance. If the ball is too far back, you’ll naturally hit down on it or try to scoop it, both of which lead to low shots. It feels unnatural at first, but trust the process.

3. Master the Upward Strike:

• Action: Focus on making contact with the ball as your clubhead is traveling upwards. This is often called hitting “up on the ball.”
• What to look for: A feeling of your hips and torso rotating through the shot, allowing the club to sweep the ball off the tee. Imagine your hands are slightly behind the ball at impact, and the clubhead is accelerating upward. You should feel a “lift” without actively trying to lift.
• Mistake to avoid: Hitting down on the ball, like you would with an iron. This is a major distance killer. You want to create a positive angle of attack, not a negative one. Think of it as swinging through the ball, not at it.

4. Develop an Inside-Out Swing Path:

• Action: Work on swinging the clubhead from the inside of your target line, out towards the right (for right-handers) and through the ball. This promotes a higher launch.
• What to look for: A feeling of the clubhead releasing out in front of the ball, almost as if you’re trying to hit a draw. Your body should rotate smoothly, guiding the club on this path. You can practice this by placing an alignment stick on the ground a few inches inside the ball, pointing towards your target. Your goal is to swing out past that stick.
• Mistake to avoid: Swinging over the top. This is where the club comes from outside the target line, cutting across the ball. It steepens your angle of attack, reduces clubhead speed, and causes low, often errant, shots. It feels like you’re chopping down on the ball.

5. Maintain Body Rotation and Structure:

• Action: Ensure your shoulders and hips are rotating through the shot. Don’t just swing your arms. Keep your wrists hinged longer into the downswing.
• What to look for: A full, free-flowing rotation of your body. Your chest should be facing the target after impact. Maintaining lag – keeping the angle between your lead arm and the club shaft – helps deliver maximum speed at the right moment.
• Mistake to avoid: Casting the club early or stopping your body rotation. This kills power and makes it hard to achieve the upward strike needed for a high drive. It’s like trying to throw a ball by just flicking your wrist.

6. Check Your Driver Loft:

• Action: If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t get the height, consider your driver’s loft.
• What to look for: Drivers come with different lofts (e.g., 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°). A higher loft generally promotes a higher ball flight. If you have a very low lofted driver and a slower swing speed, it might be working against you.
• Mistake to avoid: Using a driver with a loft that’s too low for your swing. Many golfers mistakenly think a lower loft means more distance, but for most amateurs, a higher loft combined with proper technique is the key to maximizing carry.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Hit the Driver Higher

• Teeing the Ball Too Low — This is the number one killer of high drives. It forces a downward angle of attack, negating any chance of a good launch. — Raise your tee height so at least half the ball is above the driver’s crown. Get a taller tee.
• Hitting Down on the Ball — Similar to tee height, this promotes a low trajectory and reduces distance. You’re essentially driving the ball into the ground. — Focus on swinging up through the ball, making contact on the ascending part of your swing arc.
• Swinging Too Steeply (Over the Top) — This path leads to a steep angle of attack, cutting across the ball and causing it to fly low and often slice. — Practice an inside-out swing path. Use alignment aids to help feel the correct motion.
• Ball Position Too Far Back — This makes it difficult to catch the ball on the upswing and often leads to a downward strike. — Move the ball forward in your stance, aligned with your lead heel.
• Trying to “Lift” the Ball — This is an active, armsy motion that usually results in poor contact and loss of power. — Focus on body rotation and swinging up through the ball naturally with the correct setup. The club’s loft and your upward swing will do the lifting.
• Not Rotating Your Body Through Impact — A lack of body turn means you’re relying too much on your arms, which kills speed and makes it harder to achieve the correct swing path and angle of attack. — Concentrate on turning your chest and hips through the shot, like a coiled spring releasing.
• Using the Wrong Driver Loft — If your swing speed is moderate to slow, a very low-lofted driver (like 8° or 9°) can make it extremely difficult to launch the ball high enough. — Consult with a club fitter or try a driver with more loft (10.5° or 12°).

FAQ

• What is the ideal tee height for hitting the driver higher?

You want to tee the ball up so that at least half, and ideally a full ball, sits above the crown of your driver. This allows you to strike the ball on the upswing. Experiment with slightly higher or lower tees within this range to find what feels best for your swing.

• How does my swing path affect ball height?

A swing path that moves from the inside of the target line to the outside (inside-out) is crucial for a high driver shot. This path encourages an upward angle of attack, which, combined with sufficient loft, sends the ball soaring. Conversely, an over-the-top swing path (from outside-in) leads to a downward angle of attack and low shots.

• What is the correct angle of attack for a high driver shot?

For a high driver shot, you want a positive angle of attack, meaning your clubhead is moving upward when it strikes the ball. This is typically between +1 and +3 degrees. A negative angle of attack (hitting down) will result in lower launch and less distance for most golfers with a driver.

• Should I try to lift the ball into the air with my hands?

No, you should not actively try to “lift” the ball. This often leads to scooping, loss of control, and poor contact. Instead, focus on your setup (tee height, ball position) and your swing (upward strike, inside-out path). The club’s loft and your natural upward swing motion will lift the ball effectively.

• How much loft should my driver have for a higher ball flight?

The amount of loft needed depends on your swing speed and transition. Generally, drivers with higher lofts (10.5° or 12°) will produce a higher ball flight than those with lower lofts (8° or 9°). If you have a moderate or slower swing speed, a higher loft is usually beneficial for achieving optimal launch conditions.

• What is the role of hip and shoulder rotation in hitting the driver higher?

Proper rotation of your hips and shoulders through the swing is fundamental. It generates power and allows your club to travel on the correct inside-out path with an upward angle of attack. If you restrict your body’s rotation, you’ll struggle to deliver the clubhead effectively for a high launch.

• Can I achieve a higher drive without changing my swing path?

While you can increase your launch slightly by teeing the ball higher and ensuring an upward strike, your swing path is a significant factor. An inside-out path is the most efficient way to promote a high, powerful drive. If your path is over-the-top, you’ll always be fighting to get enough height.