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How do I hit my driver longer and straighter?

Launch, attack angle, tee height and the setup changes that make the driver different from irons.

25 lessons ranked by 75 independent recommendations · 23 golfers said it fixed it. How we count

What causes it

The driver is different from your irons: a sweeping, upward strike with a wide stance, forward ball position and tee height all matter. Lost distance often comes from a downward attack, poor face control and mis-hits low on the face. Tee height and ball position matter more than most golfers realise. A ball teed too low encourages a steep strike that adds backspin and robs carry, while one too far back reduces launch. Many slicers also lose distance because the open face adds sidespin and leaks speed.

How golfers fix it

Bryson DeChambeau's How To Swing A Driver is recommended by 9 golfers, 2 of whom say it helped, with his crack-the-whip feel. Rick Shiels' How to hit Golf driver Long & Straight has 7, with 4 saying it helped, covering ball position, posture and setup. Rory McIlroy's setup lesson from Fore Play Golf has 5. Typical changes:

Common mistakes

Swinging as hard as possible usually costs centre strikes. Another error is aiming to lift the ball, which creates a steep path. Fix path and strike before chasing speed.

Written with AI from the lessons and recommendations above. Not a substitute for a coach.