Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
If adding 10 yards to drive seems like a massive project, you may want to think again. I recently added some distance to my driver, and even after 30 years in the game and playing at the professional level, there are still tweaks I can make to add distance. I’ll go through these 6 pro secrets for quickly adding 10 yards to your drive so you’ll be ready to hit some big ones this season.
Key Takeaways
If you don’t have time to read all 6 of these tips right now, here’s what you should know.
Ground forces help you generate more power – you should be using them.
A complete shoulder turn can easily buy you ten more yards.
The lead wrist angle at impact and at the top of your backswing will control the clubface and ensure you hit it square.
You Must Use Ground Forces
The ground is your friend. Have you ever tried to take a 3-pointer in basketball without pushing off the ground? Probably not.
If you aren’t pushing off the ground when you hit a drive, you are missing the point.
The best way to feel this is to pay attention to the weight in your feet as you work through your golf swing. Take some slow-motion swings and feel where the weight is. It should be loading on the inside of your trail foot on the way back and then transferring to the lead foot on the way through.
If you load that weight to the inside of the trail foot, you can push off the ground through impact.
Great golfers are on their lead side when it comes to impacting the driver.
Get a Complete Shoulder Turn
Sometimes, when my tempo gets too quick, and I feel like I can’t square the clubface easily, it’s because I’m not completing my shoulder turn. That little bit of extra turn in the shoulders will help increase backswing length and give you a few more yards (the right way).
A great drill here is to put a club across your shoulders and turn until the club points down to the ground. The extra rotation could help other swing issues, not just distance.
Square Lead Wrist Angle at Top and At Impact
Your lead wrist position controls the angle of your clubface.
Most amateur players have too much extension in their lead wrist. To fix this, you’ll need a flat or square wrist angle at the top of your swing and then again at impact.
Most golfers think maximizing swing speed is the only way to increase distance with the driver. However, that’s not the case.
You will get a lot more distance if you hit your golf shot with a square clubface.
To check your wrist angle, put a tee in the velcro portion of your glove as you get to the top of the swing, don’t let the tee dig into your hand, instead make sure it lays flat. Too much cupping is something you’ll feel as you swing the club.
Head Behind the Ball, Weight Forward
Your head should not move in front of the golf ball at impact with the driver. If you want optimal launch, your weight will shift forward towards your lead foot, but your head stays behind the ball.
Practice hitting drivers and setup your phone camera for a face on view.
Take a look and see if you are staying behind the ball at impact (with weight on the lead side). If you are lunging forward, not only will you lose distance, but you’ll also be more likely to hit a slice.
Head behind the ball is a great swing thought as long as the rest of your body is rotating as it should be.
Tweak the Loft on Your Driver
One of the most straightforward concepts for adding 10 yards to your drive is to play with the adjustability on your clubhead. My dad was recently having a hard time getting his driver to fly as far as it typically does.
He had the club set at 9.5.
We moved it to 10.5, and he instantly added 10 yards. (Not to mention the drop in his average golf score.)
Why?
The 10.5-degree driver is more forgiving, and he’s now able to get the extra yardage he was missing without making any other changes to his swing. Find a launch monitor or just some time at the driving range and play around with the loft settings on your driver.
Don’t assume that adding loft will decrease your total distance; it doesn’t work like that.
The key is to find the loft combination that works with your swing speed, angle of attack, and athletic ability.
Strengthen Your Core
You may have started to like me as you cruised through those first 5 tips. That’s about to change.
I know strengthening the core is not everyone’s idea of a good time, but it works. I’ll tell you a story, and you do what you want with it.
I’m a runner and love to run. However, running is for my brain, not my golf game. When I want to add some additional exercise, I use exercise videos like T25 and P90X. They are quick, 25-30 minutes, and it helps me check off a box.
When I do these exercise videos, I gain 10 yards instantly. Honestly, it happens within days.
Why?
They are all core-related exercises, and I’m able to move and even feel my core better. My swing becomes more efficient, I use the right muscles, and I have a stronger base to pull from.
Exercises like plans and rotational exercises built into your fitness routine will help you hit the ball further. I know they work; I must stay committed to doing them daily, and that’s the hard part!
Final Thoughts
These may be simple tips for adding 10 yards to your drive, but they are actionable and work. You can even apply some of these to your fairway woods, hybrids, and irons. Pick something that works for your game, and you don’t always have to focus on swinging the club faster. By following some of this advice, that will happen naturally.
