Golf is a game that seems simple to learn, but it can take a long time to master. There are many aspects of the golf game from the long game (the drive) to the short game (putting). If you struggle with driving the golf ball, it will put even more pressure on your short game. There are ways to improve your drives off the tee and shots in the fairway. Practicing to find the perfect combination of distance and accuracy can improve your game greatly.
Height of Drive off the Tee
Do not make your stance too narrow. A well-balanced wide stance will allow the angle of the golf ball when hit by your golf club to be slightly higher giving you greater distance. Your goal is between 15 to 20 degrees for the ball's path, compared with the ground being 0 degrees. To do this, be sure to keep your weight on your back leg until you are about to hit the ball and then start to shift your weight. If you shift your weight to your front leg during your backswing or too early in the swing forward, the angle of lift of your golf ball will be less than 15 degrees and reduce the length of your drive.
Power
Remember to keep your arms loose during your swing. If you lock your arms, you lose the force that comes from the motion of your forearms' swing as you swing through the golf ball itself. The power of your drive comes from the motion of your forearms, powered by your shoulders and your elbows. If all your power comes from your wrists with a locked forearm, the distance of your drives will suffer.
Accuracy
When preparing to drive the golf ball, make sure all the components of your swing are lined up in the same direction. Some golfers only worry about their feet, and fail to take their should angle into consideration as well. Your feet and shoulders should both be aimed in the same direction or they will fight against each other and the direction of the ball will not be what you intend. Also check the direction of the head of the golf club. This should be aimed in the same direction as your feet and shoulders. When all three are parallel towards your target, it increases your accuracy.
Practice Accuracy, Not Just Distance
When at the driving range, it's fun to compete to see how far you can drive the golf ball, but this can lead to bad habits. Make sure you are not just trying to hit the ball as far as possible, but also for a target. If you are missing your target by a large margin, reduce the concentration on distance and spend more time on accuracy. In golf, a long drive does not benefit you if you land it in the hazards every time.
