6 Basic Skills to Follow for a Refreshing Long Drive

Aligning the Center is Key
Proper Address Posture and Fast Swing Speed are Crucial

Pro Park Eun-shin [Photo by Yonhap News]

A powerful long drive is the aspiration of every golfer. The farther you can hit the ball, the easier it is to showcase your presence on the course. Here are the fundamentals you must know to achieve impressive long drives.

There is no 'long drive' without a 'solid hit.' To send the ball far, you must first strike it accurately. The center of the clubface is called the 'sweet spot.' Hitting the sweet spot leads to a good shot. Missing the sweet spot results in distance loss and a disrupted shot direction. If you want to know which part of the ball you usually hit, it is recommended to use swing training aids like 'Impact.'

Next, you need to set up correctly. The address position should be maintained almost the same from the driver to shorter clubs. Just because you are holding a relatively longer club does not mean you should straighten your back more. Address by slightly pushing your hips back and letting your arms fall comfortably below your shoulders.

The shoulder tilt at address is also an important factor in determining shot distance. For right-handed golfers, the right shoulder should be slightly lower than the left shoulder to set up parallel to the target line. The correct shoulder tilt increases the probability of a solid hit.

Titleist Driver.
Photo by Titleist

Setting the tee a little higher also increases the chance of a solid hit. This is because the sweet spot of most drivers is located slightly above the center of the face. If the tee is set too low, there is a high chance of hitting the ground behind the ball.

Try increasing your swing speed as well. Swing speed increases the ball's spin rate, and the proper spin raises the ball's trajectory. For example, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), known for his fast swing speed, is famous for his powerful long drives.

Finally, a properly fitted driver tailored to the golfer's body is a weapon for long drives. If you have some experience, visit a fitting shop to thoroughly analyze your swing style. Fitting shops have various drivers and shafts, allowing you to choose the optimal club that suits you best.