How To Hit A Driver Straight [Ultimate Beginner’s Guide With Videos]

on 05/19/2023 at 12:35 PM

Hitting a driver straight could, hands down, be the most difficult challenge in golf… at least for me, it is! After 10 years of playing golf actively, I still get the first tee box jitters and fear the dreaded slice, but I’ve learned a lot and come a long way. That’s why I’ve put this guide together on how to hit a driver straight, and YES, we have videos too!

If you’re struggling with not-so-straight driver shots now, don’t worry. Everyone struggles with this – even the pros! My goal here is to get you to understand what causes a driver not to go straight and what you can do with your swing (including addressing the ball) to finally start hitting the purest, most beautiful straight-driver shots. This includes the videos I look back on monthly to keep my swing in its best shape possible.

Just imagine pulling up to tee box number 1, knowing you’ll be able to place the golf ball wherever you want it, and you actually do it… Yea, that’s a great feeling. Plus, I bet the others in your foursome with start shaking in their boots after betting all that money!

So here’s what we’ll be discussing in this guide:

What causes you not to hit a driver straight
Backswing and takeaway to hit a driver straight

Downswing and squared impact to hit a driver straight

RELATED: What Is Shanking In Golf? – Simple Drills To Cure The Shanks

What Causes You Not To Hit A Driver Straight

Before understanding how to hit a driver straight, I believe it’s key to understand what causes a ball not to go straight, to begin with.

When it comes to the golf swing, two factors decide what type of flight the ball will take, and these are 1. The path your clubhead takes in the downswing going towards impact, and 2. The angle of the club face at impact. View some illustrations of new golf ball flight laws here.

Simply put, a straight club path with a squared club face to your target line equals a straight driver shot… simple to do, right? Man, I wish! If it were that simple to do, then we’d all be on tour – am I right?

So what can you do to get in the best position to have a straight club path?

The answer is having a great setup and takeaway.

Then the next question is, what can you do to ensure you have a better chance of squaring your club face?

And this answer is having a good downswing… easier said than done, I know! But there is help, of course, so let’s continue.

https://youtu.be/YeO-cAmu8GY

Setting Up To Hit A Driver Straight

Hitting a straight shot with either your driver or irons starts in your setup.

When you’re getting into your setup, the areas you want to pay attention to are your grip, feet, and ball position, and setting up your shoulders. Here are my favorite videos on the subjects that go into great detail.

Backswing And Take Away To Hit A Driver Straight

The backswing and takeaway in the golf swing prepare you for your clubhead’s swing path.

Remember what causes the driver to go straight or not? Yes, that’s right… the club path relative to the angle of the club face at impact. Getting the fundamentals of the takeaway and the backswing down will give you a better chance of having the right swing path. We’ll see more of the club face angle discussed in the downswing and impact videos.

When you’re getting to the top of your backswing, you want to pay attention to a wide takeaway, your balance, how your wrist hinges, and getting the correct rotation out of your shoulders and hips? Here are my favorite videos on the subjects that go into great detail.

4. Widen Your Take Away

https://youtu.be/opitkes_BYg

5. Balance In The Backswing

https://youtu.be/V-URf1HIyK8

6. Wrist Positioning At The Top Of Your Backswing

https://youtu.be/CvkVjej5qsU

7. Full Turn In Backswing

https://youtu.be/IXyyIaAWO_o

Downswing And Squared Impact To Hit A Driver Straight

The backswing and takeaway in the golf swing prepare you for your clubhead’s swing path.

When you’re going through your downswing to hit the ball, the areas you want to pay attention to are your weight transfer, keeping the correct spine angle, downswing rotation of staying inside the golf ball, squaring the clubhead at impact, releasing after impact, and a smooth follow through. Here are my favorite videos on the subjects that go into great detail.