Distance is a mix of three things: how fast the club is moving, how well you hit the center of the face, and how the ball launches. Amateurs usually look only at the first. In practice, the second and third often give more yards for less effort.
Hit the middle of the face
A strike an inch toward the toe or heel can cost a significant share of your carry distance. Spray foot powder or use impact tape on the driver face during practice and look at where the marks land. Teeing the ball a little higher, with about half the ball above the crown, encourages a centered, slightly upward strike.
Launch high, spin less
With a driver, you want to hit up on the ball. Move the ball forward in your stance, opposite the lead heel, and tilt your spine slightly away from the target at address. This raises launch and lowers spin, the combination that carries farthest. A launch monitor session at a fitting center will show your numbers and whether your shaft and loft suit you.
Speed comes from the ground up
Clubhead speed is created by the legs and torso and passed to the arms and club. Players who swing with the arms alone hit a wall quickly. Make a full shoulder turn, keep your lead arm wide, and let the lower body start the downswing.
Training for speed
- Overspeed training: swinging lighter clubs or speed sticks as fast as possible, a few sessions a week, has helped many amateurs gain speed over several weeks.
- Strength and mobility: hip and thoracic rotation, plus leg and core strength. See golf fitness basics.
- Rest: speed sessions are tiring; quality drops quickly when you are fatigued.
What costs you yards
Swinging out of balance, a slice spin that eats carry, and a driver that does not fit you are the usual culprits. Fixing a slice alone can add more distance than any speed program; our guide on curing a slice explains how.
Finally, distance is useless without control. Hitting the fairway at 220 yards beats hitting the trees at 250. A sound swing foundation makes the extra speed usable.
