Upon entering the sport of golf, the player is introduced to a numerous amount of clubs. From putters, to 7 Irons, to the Wedge, and even a few variations in between. But perhaps the most sought after club is the Driver. It’s the sports car of the golf world: giving the player distance and speed. It’s the club that everyone wants to name, to stylize, and to simply look cool. It’s the club of choice for many a magazine and photo shoot. However, when someone first goes to use the club it can be…challenging to say the least.

Player after player tends to find themselves struggling with a club they long to be a favorite. Divots galore wreck the driving ranges and the courses from it’s use. The club can bring much joy and it can also bring great tragedies. To counteract this, let’s break down a few tips on how to use the club better and, in turn, better your game.

Check Your Club

Firstly, let’s make sure you have the correct club. Everyone wants the biggest driver. However, if your club is improperly sized to fit your body then no tips are going to help. Stop by your local club or shop and they will happily assist you. Your club should be easy to lift, the right height, and have a decently sized face (flat surface).

Think A Little Different

Once you have the correct size, the next fundamental issue with using a driver is the mechanics. The interesting thing about golf is that it’s not entirely about strength. Yes, you need to have strength in your swing and to lift the club: but strength isn’t everything. The player’s instinct is to, literally, drive the club into the ball. Many a golfer will throw their whole weight into it. This tends to create holes in the green instead of hole in ones. Instead of thinking of the golf club like a baseball bat, think of it as a pendulum. This comes from several instructors. They describe the club similarly to a Newtons Cradle. A Newton’s cradle is a device that depicts the law of motion: or kinetic energy.

A Kinetic Swing

Kinetic energy is simple: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This rule applies to everything, including your golf game. Now, a Newton’s cradle is where a row of pendulums line up on a bar, a single one is pulled back, released, makes contact with the others, and then one pendulum at the other end moves forward the same distance. Sounding familiar? It mimics a golf swing. A driver is a pendulum and the ball is the last pendulum in the cradle. The better the swing the further it will move. But how to create kinetic energy?

• First, plant the feet. If the feet aren’t grounded then the ball isn’t moving. Plain and simple.
• Next, make sure you’re in proper form: head down and on the ball, hips pushed back at an angle, and knees slightly bent.
• Now, the club needs to be lifted and brought back around the body. The arms and waist should twist from the hips. Many people will try to lift up on the swing. You always want to maintain the correct angle and twist only from the hips and shoulders. You are also remaining as stable and still as possible while doing so. If you look across to where your club is, your eye should be meeting the edge of your hands. Please note, the club needs to be tilted slightly to further retain the movement. This is an important step. It should be tilted slightly but not so far you loose your grip. Keep a firm hand on the club.

Swing, Swing, and Connect

You are now ready for the swing. This is where many now put weight and strength into the club. Instead, you are using the stored kinetic energy in your arms from bringing the club up, bringing it through the club, and moving it down quickly. That is how kinetic energy is transferred. Quickly not strongly. When staring your downswing, think of the pendulum. However far back you bring it and however quickly it falls is what makes the ball move. Apply this logic to your swing. Be firm but only so that the movement transfers: remember, you want to hit the ball and not the ground.

When you come down in the swing, the next part is key, move through the swing. This is one of the few unique techniques that is often overlooked. It’s simple but difficult to master. Instead of swinging at the ball, as with other sports, you will want to swing through it. When you practice your movement prior to the approach, you don’t stop to hit the ball and then keep going. You continue the motion. It’s the bodies natural instinct. It wants to keep going. You are using the club as an extension of your arms. In fact, try this exercise.

Practice Your Stance Twice, Hit Once

Go into the golf stance, hold your dominate club arm down (as if it were the club), move it back and then swing through. If you do so, you will start to feel the forward motion. Your feet will naturally dig into the ground, your body will twist from the hips to keep your arm in place, and you will instinctually bring the arm forward all the way through. Now, try it with a club. The same motion, just with weight. Eventually, with enough practice as it will be a bit odd at first, you will begin moving through your swing. 

The difference between bringing the club down in such a manner is not only mechanics but also the driver’s design. The driver only has a small section of flat surface to connect with the ball. When you swing down and at the ball, the club tends to turn sideways: bringing the flat surface to the ground instead of the tee. When you swing through, the club will remain in it’s proper position and connect more securely with the ball.

Think Through Your Swing

In the end, using a driver isn’t about strength it’s about being smart. You must use the mechanics and the club itself to your advantage. It will take time and many practice runs. However, you should eventually see progress in your game. The ball will fly. The club will connect. If not, think about your hold or stance. How did you bring it down? Did the club turn? Is this the right club for me? There are answers and ways to improve. With these tips, you should be on your way to getting Par.