Golf Tips

Many golfers are intimidated by driver shots and in an effort to "drive for show" lose focus of driver shot fundamentals forgetting to simply let the driver do the work for them. Remember, it is much, much better to hit a straight 200 yard drive into the fairway than a 300 slice into the woods. With that said, here are a few basic golf tips to setup properly for driver shots which will result in both more accuracy and longer distance.

Ball position golf basics - Though you should hit downward on the ball to hit crisp iron shots, the driver shot should ascend with a goal to make contact with the ball as the driver club head moves upward. To promote this ascending swing, the ball must be placed forward in the stance. A good driver basic golf tip is that the ball is aligned with the heel of the left foot (approximately three balls left of center for right handers).

Posture and stance golf basics - Take a slightly wider than shoulder-width stance and tilt from hips until spine/back angle is approximately 30 degrees from straight position.

Backswing golf basics - When making backswing, large muscles of torso should wind up like a spring as you turn against right knee. "Lock" right knee in place at same angle as address.

Downswing golf basics - To start downswing, shift weight to left, triggering chain reaction of hips, chest, arms and club all pulling behind the ball. At impact, try to keep the head behind the ball as this helps maintain your swing plane and promotes ascending swing arc through ball contact. It is especially important to keep your left arm straight from impact through release and avoid the dreaded left elbow breakdown (or "chicken wing") which causes a host of errant shots.

A great practice drill for driver shots is the "whoosh" drill which can be practiced on the range or between shots on the course. Here are basic golf tips to execute the whoosh drill:

1. Flip driver upside down and grip shaft just above club head.2. Make normal swing with driver and listen for "whoosh" sound from shaft on the downswing.3. The whoosh sound should be heard after "impact" resulting from proper extension and acceleration through ball.4. Practice the drill until whoosh sound is heard after point of impact. Carry over this sensation to full swing for more distance with driver shots.