Read our golf tips for striking the ball cleaner from the fairway.
Hitting a long and controlled drive is hugely satisfying, while it also benefits your position for your next shot.
In contrast, whether it’s a slice, hook, duff or shank, nobody wants to be reaching for their second ball as their first drive plunges deep into the rough or out-of-bounds.
So whether you’re averaging 150 yards or 350 yards with the big stick, try implementing these simple golf tips for hitting your drive that little bit better.
Golf tips for striking the ball cleaner video
Click or tap play on the video below to watch Woodhall Spa Golf Club professional Adam Keogh’s top tips for striking the ball cleaner.
Ball striking tips – body position
- Ensure your sternum remains over the top of the ball to encourage a clean strike.
- Position the ball roughly in the centre of your stance. You could use a cane between your feet to help.
- On your backswing, your body will turn to the right side (for a right-handed golfer). It’s important your sternum stays on top of that cane to make sure you are staying centred in your swing.
Ball striking tips – weight transfer
- While it can seem tempting to lean back to try and scoop the ball in the air, this is more likely to lead to a poor strike.
- Instead, focus on shifting your weight towards target before finishing in that classic golf pose.
- This will help ensure that you strike the ball before you strike the ground.
Ball striking tips – hitting a tee beyond the ball
- If you are practising your ball striking, you can perform this useful drill to help strike the ball cleaner.
- Push a tee peg into the ground, roughly one ball’s width in front of the ball.
- As you strike the ball, focus on striking the tee peg beyond it, making sure you swing through the ball and hit it cleanly.
More golf tips
- Improve Your Chipping – find out more about how changes to body position, ball position and swing movement can impact your chipping accuracy.
- Improve Your Driving – find out how to hit better and longer drives by making small changes to your tee height, body position and swing.
- Golf tips for fixing a slice – find out how small changes to your grip, swing path and alignment can help you hit more fairways and avoid the dreaded slice.