How to use a driver golf club is the one lesson that no golfer can afford to miss.
The driver is the one golf club that can instill fear in even the hardiest of golfers. That first shot off the tee can make or break your score on that hole.
The driver, also known as the 1-wood, is the biggest club in your bag. It has the longest shaft and usually a larger head than your fairway woods. On a par 5 course, it is the club that will offer you the lowest trajectory and the most distance – IF you use the club correctly. There are different types of golf club drivers that can be be used off the tee. The following information will be helpful for them also.
This video talks about how to use a golf driver and the importance of your drive off the tee.
How to Use a Golf Driver Correctly
Addressing the ball.
Let’s start with addressing the ball. This is how you line up the ball on the tee and set your stance. Setting the height of the tee is, as stated in the above video, more of a personal preference of what works with your swing than a hard-and-fast rule. With beginning golfers, it is recommended that a higher tee position be used. Beginners have a tendency to “lift” the club head during the downswing. The optimal tee depth for most seasoned golfers is to sink the tee about halfway.
Once you have your ball placed, line your body up, facing the ball, with you non-dominant hip facing the target. Align your feet with the ball nearest your front (non-dominant) foot. Most golfers line the ball up with the logo on their shirt (this only works for right-handed golfers who wear polo shirts) If you are a left-handed golfer, line the ball up with the heel of your right foot to achieve roughly the same positioning.
Using your driver, step back from the ball until your club head rests just behind the ball. Keep your knees slightly bent, your hips slightly rotated down, and keep your back straight. Make sure your ball position is nearest your non-dominant foot, at the front end of your stroke path. You’re ready to drive that ball into the next county, right?
Setting your grip and aligning your club face.
Nope. Now it is time to make sure you have the proper grip. Align your non-dominant hand near the base of the club, with your thumb running along the alignment arrows that run down the front of your grip. Make sure that the head of your club is positioned correctly behind the ball with the club face squared to the ball. Grasp the club with your dominant hand and wrap your fingers around the grip comfortably. Your arms should form a “V” shape, with your arms leading in a straight line from your torso to the end of the club (think of the letter “Y”).
Now you’re ready!
Swing your driver like there is no tomorrow:
Gaining Distance and Accuracy on Your Drives
Everyone has had that dribbler off the tee. When they swing for the moon and the ball barely leaves the ground and just rolls about 20 yards down the fairway, leaving them in the worst possible spot for their next shot. But if it goes straight at least they can look at that as a blessing, right? Just because it’s going to happen eventually doesn’t mean you have to plan for it. You can train your body to make natural, good swings that send your first shot sailing off the tee (almost) every time.
Review your grip on the club. A drive can be crushed with the right grip. It can crash with the wrong one. Taking a few seconds as you address the ball and prepare for your drive by checking your grip is never wasted time.
We found this short video on grips to be very useful:
Drills to help improve your game.
This grip drill video will keep your grip square on the round shaft:
As you address the ball, check your alignment top to bottom. Is the ball position correct? Do you have your feet shoulder-width apart? Knees slightly bent? Hips slightly rotated? Back straight? Are your eyes on the ball? Is the club face properly aligned? Again, taking a few seconds on your set-up will ensure a better swing.
This video shows some great drills to improve your drive, add distance and maintain accuracy. Watch as the instructor sets up for every swing. Every single time he sets up, he stops and checks his grip:
The one thing that will keep your entire game on a positive course is consistency. Work to develop a consistent grip, stance, swing, and follow-through. Practice the basic fundamentals at the driving range. Use them during every round. When your game wavers or you have a bad drive – slow down and evaluate those basics.
Review our article on gaining accuracy and distance in your drives for more information.
Featured image from Pixabay under CC0 Public Domain
