How to Hit Your Drive Straighter

Hitting your drive straight and keeping it out of the bunker or rough involves a relaxed grip, smooth swing, solid ball contact and maintaining momentum throughout the swing. With the proper technique and many of hours at the practice range, you can improve your chances of driving down the middle of the fairway and shaving a few strokes off your score.

Things You'll Need

  • Tee
  • Golf ball
  • Driver
  • Driver head cover
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tee up the ball correctly. To hit a long, straight ball, tee the ball up on the high side. A good way to check for the proper height is to set the head of the driver on the ground behind the teed ball. Half of the ball should be above the top of the driver.

    • 2

      Draw an imaginary line from your target to the teed ball. Rest the head of the driver on the ground behind the ball. Stand far enough away from the ball to let your arms hang naturally. To check for the proper distance from the ball, put the driver's head cover under your right armpit. Take a practice swing. If the cover falls out as you take the club back, you are standing too far away from the ball.

    • 3

      Stand with your shoulders and hips parallel to the imaginary line. Align the ball with the inside of your left heel. Keep your feet shoulder width apart with 60 percent of the weight on your right foot. With your back straight, bend at the hips, not your waist. Bend the knees slightly. Allow your arms to hang naturally. Rest the head of the club on the ground a few inches behind the ball.

    • 4

      Rotate your shoulders and hips as you start the back swing. Stay relaxed and take the club back with a slow and smooth motion. The arms, shoulders and hips should work as a unit. Keep your head still with your eyes focused on the spot on the ground where the club rested. Take the club back with a straight left arm. At the top of the back swing, your club should be facing the target and your wrists should be slightly cocked.

    • 5

      Maintain cocked wrists until you get to the bottom of the swing. Keep your head still, your arms relaxed and shift your weight on to the left foot during the down swing. At contact, the wrists straighten out and the face of the club is square with the ball. Make the face of the driver hit through the ball and follow your imaginary target line as long as possible. Do not lift the right foot until after you make contact with the ball.

    • 6

      End the swing balanced with your shoulders and hips facing the target. Follow through with the club behind your back and parallel to the ground. Cock your wrists and keep your elbows high and bent.