[Hanjeong-eun's Beginner Golfer Special Lecture④] Driver "Swing Freely"... How to Increase Tee Height?

"Ball left foot inside line, tee height half above the head, sweeping feel, large swing arc"

In a drive shot, the ball is positioned along the inside line of the left foot (left), and the tee is placed so that it rises about halfway above the driver head (right).

"Swing freely."

Following the ‘grip’ and ‘set-up’, last week we covered the basics such as the half swing and 3/4 swing during the ‘Take away’ process. This week, the fourth session of [Han Jeong-eun’s Beginner Golfer Special Lecture] finally moves on to the full swing, taking one step further into the ‘long game’ with drivers and fairway woods. It is important to note that the amateur golfer’s dream is the drive shot that "flies straight and far." This is why you need to hit hard.

The driver is the only club where the ball is placed on a tee. As shown in , the ball should be positioned inside the left foot line, and during address, the upper body should be slightly tilted to the right so that the spine is behind the ball, allowing for a comfortable swing. Beginner golfers often ask about tee height. The basic rule is to tee the ball so that it rises about halfway above the driver head, as shown in . Remember that trajectory and ball flight change depending on tee height.

A higher tee results in a high trajectory with a draw that curves from right to left, while a lower tee produces a low trajectory with a fade ball flight. Professionals adjust tee height appropriately depending on wind direction and course conditions. The swing keyword is ‘upward strike’; unlike iron shots where you hit down (downblow), the driver swing feels like a sweeping motion. The head should strike the ball as it moves upward from the lowest point of the swing arc, ensuring sufficient carry and run distance.

Of course, the swing arc must be large. A solid shoulder rotation is the starting point. Beginners often make the mistake of lifting only their arms, known as the ‘chicken wing’ swing. You need to rotate your shoulders more than 90 degrees, enough so that they come under your chin, to maximize power accumulation and deliver it to the ball at impact through the downswing. For beginner golfers, a driver loft of 10 degrees or more and a lightweight shaft are recommended. Easier club control allows for confident swings.

The long iron focuses on starting the backswing accurately.

This leads to ‘centered contact’. Hitting the center of the face guarantees both distance and accuracy. After practice, you can check the face to see where the ball made contact. The fairway wood shot method is similar. For 3 to 5 long irons, focus on starting the backswing accurately as shown in . Instead of difficult-to-hit long irons, hybrids are perfect for beginners. They are easier to contact and help prevent mishits such as topping or hitting behind the ball.

▲ Instructor = Pro Han Jeong-eun jhangolf@naver.com

▲ Edited by = Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun golfkim@asiae.co.kr

▲ Location = Dia Golf Studio