3 things golfers do well when trying to ‘hit’ their driver
If you’ve been told to “hit the driver,” you’re not alone. Launch angle and spin rate dominate the modern range discussion, and most golfers know – at least in theory – that the right angle of attack can help them hit the ball farther. The problem? Most golfers try to make more of a strike with swinging thoughts. And that usually makes things worse.
The best drivers of the ball do not try to “hit the top” of the ball. Instead, they plan their setup and pressure in such a way that the club naturally moves outward behind the ball. A rising strike is a product, not an illusion.
Below are three things golfers get from hitting the ball high, and how to fix them.
Myth 1: “I need to help the ball in the air”
When golfers hear “hit up,” many automatically add loft with their hands (hitting) or lean their upper body away from the target during the backswing. And while this helps them hit the ball higher, it can also lead to increased loft, higher spin rates and consistent face contact.
A high angle of attack can improve launch conditions – but only when paired with moderate face contact and controlled spin. Trying to lift the ball often does the opposite. Hitting the ball high is all about where the club comes out and should not be achieved by flipping or rolling the clubhead.
Myth 2: “I just need more shoulder tilt”
Shoulder tilt is important, but how you create it is even more important. Many beginners add tilt by leaning their upper body or arching their lower spine. That often hurts the rotation and leads to common driver misses like big blocks and big hooks. Effective tilting comes from pressure and posture, not leaning on the target. If the tilt is set correctly, the club can move up through the ball while the body continues to rotate.
Myth 3: “The ball must be really forward”
Having the ball land before your stance can give the club more time to come off the ground and hit the ball on the upswing, but it can also change your path to the left unintentionally, meaning golfers already have a problem fighting a bigger piece. Instead of trying to move the ball forward for these golfers you may have more luck by dropping the ball slightly back at address instead.
Why try to ‘hit’ it backfires
Most newbies trying to hit a driver see one (or more) of these patterns:
- Heel contact or face down
- Very high floats
- Pushes and hooks
- Loss of balance on impact
What is common is that they hit the ball too much, that they try to hit it from the wrong place. Instead of adjusting the swing, start with the setup. You don’t need a launch monitor to improve your angle of attack. You need a better starting point.
Setup keys
- Football field: Just inside your lead heel (unless you’re fighting a path to the left, then drop your lead foot back a bit)
- Pressure: About 55 percent of your footprint is in the address
- Upper body: Sternum slightly behind the ball, without leaning back
- Goal: Square shoulders with feet aligned with the intended target
This combination moves the lower swing point behind the ball and allows the club to travel higher through impact naturally.
Focus on these keys and you’ll feel like you’re “getting behind it” while the body still rotates forward. That’s the difference between active bias and false bias.
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