How to Hit With a Driver That Has a Long Shaft

The longer the shaft of a driver, the more force it can generate during a golf swing, which translates into distance. However, the longer a shaft is, the more difficult it is to manage and to square the club face at impact. The most common results from a mis-hit on a long shafted driver is a weak and low push or a high pull, if you over compensate too much. In the end, it is the golfer's swing speed that will dictate the appropriate flex and length of the shaft.

Instructions

    • 1

      Address the ball with your driver, laying the club head behind the ball so that it rests comfortably on the ground. This will show you the proper lie angle of the club and dictate how far you should stand from the ball when making your swing.

    • 2

      Stand the appropriate length from your ball, as dictated by the lie angle in step 1, and position your stance so that the ball is in line with the instep of your front foot. You should not be hunched over or more upright than you normally are. Just stand comfortably with a slight bend in your knees and a slight bend forward at your waist.

    • 3

      Grip the club so that your less dominant arm is straight and your dominant arm is slightly bent at the elbow.

    • 4

      Begin taking the club back toward your dominant side, maintaining your straight arm and collapsing your dominant arm more and more at the elbow, by rotating your waist. Do not slide your waist back, or leave it stationary and only use your arms.

    • 5

      Cock your wrists to a 90-degree angle at the midway point in your back swing. This angle should be held throughout the rest of your swing, only to be released after impact.

    • 6

      Stop your back swing once your hands are over your dominant shoulder and the shaft of the club is in a parallel line to the ground. Less than parallel is fine, but don't ever take the club past parallel.

    • 7

      Begin your downswing by rotating your hips back towards the ball. Do not slide your waist and remember to maintain the 90-degree angle in your wrists.

    • 8

      Swing through the ball, straightening your dominant arm and collapsing your other arm at the elbow to begin the follow-through.

    • 9

      Release the angle in your wrist after impact and continue your follow-through until your hand are over your less-dominant shoulder. The length of the follow-through should mirror the length and mechanics of the back swing with an added raise of your back foot onto its toes..