"Drive for show, putt for dough." If you've played or been a fan of golf for any period of time, you've likely heard this catchphrase. While the statement exemplifies the importance of the short game when it comes to scoring, every hole begins with a tee shot and whether or not you hit a good drive determines how you play the hole. Improve your distance and accuracy by continuing to practice your tee shots and put yourself in position to earn that dough on the green.
Stance
When you assume your stance with the driver, your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width and you should line the ball up just on the inside of your left heel if you are a right-handed golfer. The driver is the only club in which you should hit the ball just slightly on the upswing. You should flex your legs just slightly and feel as if you are sitting on an imaginary barstool. Point your left toe slightly toward the target to allow your hips to rotate more easily to the target during the downswing.
Bonus tip: For longer drives, take a slightly wider stance. This will widen your swing arc and increase your clubhead speed. Careful, though. This may also reduce your accuracy.
Backswing
Take the club back long, slow and straight. The more your extend your arms during the backswing, the wider your swing arc will be. Think about keeping your right elbow tucked in to keep the club on plane and improve your accuracy. Legendary golfer Ben Hogan believed the right elbow should always come into contact with the right side of the torso during the backswing.
Bonus tip: The backswing should feel like you are handing a bucket of water to a person directly to your right. You don't want to turn too far inward or outward or you will spill the water. Reach directly to the right as far as possible and extend your arms.
Topswing
When your arms are extended fully, begin turning your shoulders to reach the top of the swing. Golfers have debated for years about whether or not you need to reach a point at which your club is parallel to the ground at the top of your swing to achieve maximum power. A helpful tip offered by PGA teaching professional Mitchell Spearman is to pretend you are wrapping a coiled hose around your body. When you get to the top of your swing, you should be able to spray your target. This should put you somewhere close to parallel.
Bonus Tip: It's very easy to rush at the top of your swing in anticipation of hitting a huge drive. This can cause you to jerk the club off-plane and hit a bad shot. Relax and pause at the top of the swing just slightly before beginning your downswing.
Downswing
The downswing is simply an unwinding of the backswing. Lead with the hips, then the shoulders, arms, hands and club should follow naturally toward the ball. Your left leg should remain straight upon impact, while the right leg should bend slightly toward the ball. Keep your head behind the ball and let the club swing past your body.
Bonus tip: Ben Hogan believed the hips played the most important role in generating power during the downswing. Think about explosively unwinding your hips toward the ball to increase your distance.
Follow Through
Even though you've already made contact with the ball at this point, the follow-through provides a good indication of the quality of your shot and how well you've maintained the correct posture and positioning throughout the swing. If you deliberately focus on practicing your follow-through, you will likely make the correct changes in your swing to reach this position. Your hips should have unwound completely toward the target and your torso should be facing the direction of your shot. Your arms should wrap naturally around your body as if draping a scarf across your neck. It's okay if you are leaning slightly to the right.
Bonus tip: Extend your arms out as much as possible toward the ball after hitting your shot. This thought will help you focus on extending your backswing as well and will help you increase your swing arc.
References
- "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf"; Ben Hogan and Herbert Wind; 1985
- "A.I.M. of Golf"; Mitchell Spearman; 2004
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